Zone 8

Why insulating on top of a house is better than insulating inside

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 don't pick up their pens and trace at the design stage.

Rain is the biggest water threat that houses face, but there are some slow and steady mechanisms that can snowball on you, too

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.