Stucco is likely to last significantly longer than the decking, so make it easy to replace the decking without disrupting the stucco.

Felt, furring strips, and flashing keeps rain out of the walls

Walls that can drain and dry last a lot longer than walls that stay wet.

Walls that dry are walls that last for a long, long, time.

Walls that can drain and dry last a lot longer than walls that stay wet. An air gap between the siding and sheathing lets both dry independently. Furring strips are one way to make that air gap.

Crawlspaces offer all of the headaches of a basement and none of the benefits. 

When plumbing lines burst, people notice. Unfortunately, a lot of the moisture damage in houses has nothing to do with bulk water. 

Integrate the window with the house wrap, and the house wrap with the wall for an airtight, watertight window installation

Insects can get into the little parts of a wall and muck up water and air movement details

How to detail the foam at corners and connections when tightening the energy efficiency of an old house

Flashing a humpy old roof valley requires a little give and take, and a backup plan

Dealing with dips and making clean overlaps

The biggest crack in the house, revisited for #ThrowbackThursday

Warm and dry basement living space begins with keeping the basement dry—duh. All moisture from outside must be directed away from the interior walls and slab.

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

Covering the roof of an old house with a blanket of insulation makes the house more comfortable and it cuts energy use.

The second layer of foam is the air barrier and drainage plane.

 #ÜberRoof: A site-built ventilated SIP roof sandwich.