CEUs for Contractors: The What, How and Why of Thermal Envelope Improvements

PTC's Award-Winning Continuing Education Tour covers difficult new energy code requirements for roofs and walls
Feb. 16, 2023
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This award-winning collection of ProTradeCraft video resources was used in the Continuing Education classes, HIGH-PERFORMANCE BUILDING, taught in partnership with Northstar Associates, for the State of Minnesota and Wisconsin Contractor Certification February 16, 2023.

  1. Building Blocks of Building Science
  2. Airtight Walls in the Real World
  3. Four Superinsulated Walls
  4. Windows in Thick Walls
  5. Roof Improvements

Following the 40-45 minute classes are the individual videos, animations, podcasts, and articles used in the classes.

Also included at the bottom is info on the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).

1: The Building Blocks of Building Science

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.
April 16, 2021
You can't simply go down to the hardware store and buy a box labeled air barrier
Aug. 22, 2018
This chart explains how moisture behaves in the air as temperatures rise and fall—rainstorms, flooding, and glaciers in wall cavities are distinct possibilities.
Oct. 16, 2018
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When plumbing lines burst, people notice. Unfortunately, a lot of the moisture damage in houses has nothing to do with bulk water.
June 4, 2020
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Thermal shorts and good design don't mix
March 28, 2016
Three mechanisms usually work together to move electrons from more to less. These three mechanisms can conspire to move heat AROUND your insulation.
Feb. 12, 2021
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Water and air leaks in a building shell are difficult enough to detail on simple buildings. Complex structures can cause headaches for builders, remodelers, and architects who...
Jan. 15, 2016
But some buckets are *more* relative
Dec. 14, 2015

2: Airtight Walls in the Real World

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The Tyvek weather-resistive barrier can be a water barrier and an air barrier, but it is NOT a vapor barrier
Feb. 3, 2023
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Stop rot with house wrap​
Jan. 30, 2023
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Weather Barriers done right means weather barriers that go to work on more than just sunny days
March 7, 2016
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For walls with a pre-applied weather barrier, make sure the tape is compatible with the WRB coating—or use a primer
April 25, 2017
The science of stickiness: a molecular look at tape's adhesive and cohesive properties
Oct. 6, 2018
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Simple upgrades to steps you take anyway can significantly boost the energy performance of a home
June 23, 2018
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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...
May 12, 2015

3: Four Superinsulated Walls

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Screwing I-joists to the outside of a wall—really—makes a lot more room for insulation on a deep energy retrofit in NW Connecticut
Feb. 13, 2017
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Transfer the layout, and frame the openings a little bigger—just in case
Dec. 18, 2024
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Wrapping an old house in a blanket of insulation is a no-brainer when you're replacing the roofing and siding anyway
Dec. 10, 2020
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The second layer of foam is the air barrier and drainage plane.
Oct. 1, 2015
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The first layer of foam is mostly an insulation layer; the outer layer is the air barrier and drainage plane. This video is about the first layer.
March 29, 2018
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Belt, suspenders, rainscreen, and redundancy make this wall awesome.
Sept. 18, 2020

4: Windows in Thick Walls

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Wrapping an old house in a blanket of insulation is a no-brainer when you're replacing the roofing and siding anyway
Dec. 10, 2020
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Recessed into thick layers of insulation, innie windows are protected from the weather
Nov. 7, 2016
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A thermal break and solid backing puts the window on the outer face of a thick wall. Now, there's room on the inside window sill for cats and bowling trophies
Oct. 10, 2016
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Sealing the layers—and overlapping them right—is how high-performance building gets done
Sept. 8, 2016
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Three videos covering the step by step process for flashing, installing, and airsealing an in-betweenie window in a Passive House Retrofit
July 4, 2016
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The WRB is a BFD when choosing where to put the window
June 12, 2015
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The least expensive window flashing tape is also the most complicated to install. Unless you've done it a bajillion times
Aug. 4, 2015

5: Roof Improvements

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Tape layers should overlap shingle-style up the roof
June 19, 2018
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Overlapping tapes with gravity in mind keeps water out of the house
April 24, 2018
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Four ways to prevent ice dams in three types of roof, for two climates in one video. Boom.
Feb. 6, 2017
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Ground zero for roof rot is often where roofs meet walls.
Sept. 20, 2016
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Covering the roof of an old house with a blanket of insulation makes the house more comfortable and it cuts energy use.
Oct. 15, 2015
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Concentrate on the corners and think like water when overlapping the layers
Oct. 29, 2016
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#ÜberRoof: A site-built ventilated SIP roof sandwich.
Sept. 17, 2015

The Classes

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Flashing, ventilation, and ice dams
Feb. 4, 2022
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Innies, outies, and in-betweenies
Jan. 27, 2022
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Fat walls mean skinny energy bills
Jan. 20, 2022
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Every layer you add has two sides that can become air pathways to the inside of a building
Jan. 13, 2022
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The basic BS boils down to 'stuff goes from more to less,' more or less
March 11, 2021

Answers to Questions asked after class

Dan Morrison
Replace A Window Wall Continuous Insulation Foam
Protradecraft traveled to the home of Building Science Corporation founders Betsy Pettit and Joseph Lstiburek, aka Dr. Joe, to film a replacement window replacement scenario not...
Oct. 10, 2024

The 2021 Energy Code Minimums Are Even Steeper

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2021 Iecc
The updates are really only a big deal if you live in climate zones 4 or 5, like 65% (or so) of America does. But don't worry, climate change is making it smarter than ever to...
March 1, 2022
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Residential State Code Map 2021
There are new words and numbers in the energy code, like 'tested for tightness,' R-60, and 20+5
Sept. 12, 2024

About the Author

Dan Morrison

Dan Morrison is a founding editor of ProTradeCraft.com, where he is also the editor-in-chief. Fun fact: Dan is also a founding editor of Green Building Advisor and executive editor of Fine Homebuilding.

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