An example of why cheap construction is not so cheap

Seal the WRB to the wall sheathing and window flashing, and add an apron detail at the bottom

No—and yes. It depends on the exact situation

Everything there is to know (well, almost) about blower door testing with a few engineer-y jokes along the way.

When talking to homeowners or trade contractors about energy-efficient construction this question is inevitable. The answer: Tight houses are good because they lower energy bills and increase comfort. But there's a big BUT

A thermal bridge is an area of the building enclosure—whether it be the walls, roof, or foundation—that has significantly higher heat flow than intended.

Wrapping the outside of a house adds thermal stability and bridges the gaps between new and old construction

The basic BS boils down to "stuff goes from more to less," more or less

Three mechanisms usually work together to move electrons from more to less. These three mechanisms can conspire to move heat AROUND your insulation.

One of the biggest air leaks in a house is where the wood meets the concrete

Wrapping an old house in a blanket of insulation is a no-brainer when you're replacing the roofing and siding anyway

This Best Practice Handbook covers the roof, walls, and floor assemblies of the building envelope.

ZIP System R-12 insulated sheathing covers a regularly framed wall, a shear wall, and a firewall

Two stud walls—and meticulous airsealing—make a super-efficient structure to hold your roof up

A basement built with frost heave in mind

Building Resilience is a show about extreme climate construction and houses that can weather the storm through resilient construction and design

This R-58 wall has I-joists screwed to the outside and dense-packed with cellulose. It is also one of the four best in 'BS and Beer' circles

A thick wall with exterior insulation with airtight details for the foundation and ceiling