
Insulation & Air Sealing

New energy codes are coming (very) soon; many states are jumping straight to the most aggressive one


A faster way to build affordable housing in a tropical climate. It is a quick build when compared to standard block and stucco.

Furring the inside of masonry walls makes room for wires and can significantly improve the R-value


Some do's, don'ts, tips, and tricks on how to deal with obstructions in wall cavities

How a blower door works, how to set it up, how to use it to find air leaks in a home's envelope, and how to break down the numbers.


Batt insulation is by far the easiest insulation to install — poorly. This intro tells the basics of installing it right.

It's easy to air seal the middle of the wall where there are no gaps, cracks, or joints. The edges are a different story, especially when one edge is wood and the other is concrete.


Regular walls just won't cut it anymore. Higher-achieving energy codes mean higher-performance walls, airtightness targets, and home energy rating system (HERS) scores. Here are six improvement targets to shoot for.