What you need to know about wood siding, stucco, stone, and brick installations. From one of the top design/build/remodeling companies in the US.

The air sealing process for a high performance home with double-stud walls. 

Thermal shorts and good design don't mix

Sweat the details or you'll drown in them

Weather Barriers done right means weather barriers that go to work on more than just sunny days

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. 

 

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.