There are many house wrap products available and even why you would need house wrap. Moisture management, air barriers and wind reduction are some of the key benefits of a good house wrap. If you understand the benefits, you would never want to install siding without it. Some builders and remodelers will skip house wrap…
Read MoreWhen the weather turns cold, many homeowners experience condensation on their windows and in some cases, on their walls. Ventilation This is an issue of ventilation and/or insulation. However, insulating without a solid understanding of the building sciences could make things worse or even contributing toward mold growth. The last thing you want to do…
Read MoreThere’s much talk about algae resistant shingles. Some manufacturers make big claims that their shingles are better than others because theirs offer better resistance than others. Buyer beware. First, algae will naturally cause streaking on all shingles. The question is whether you can see it or not. Darker colored shingles will naturally hide more algae.…
Read MoreThere are several types of flat roofing available. In this article we’ll explore the major options and their pros and cons. EPDM Also known as rubber roofing, this black membrane style roof comes in 45 mil or 60 mil thicknesses. It comes in 10 foot wide sections or 20 foot wide. Due to it’s weight…
Read MoreFinding a contractor you can trust can be a daunting task. There was a time when homeowners would call the Better Business Bureau. The internet changed that. Now there seems to be more options than ever, but how do you really know what’s real? There are many sites that claim they’ll send you the best…
Read MoreVenting Glass Block is a not a good idea. As a masonry product, it’s not really made to have a plastic vent inserted into it. Some of the glass block windows you may have seen that are close to 100 years old do not have them in them and if you really think about it,…
Read MoreIf you’re not sure if you need a new roof, this may be the most important article you will read. To understand the wear patterns of a shingle you need to understand the 3 primary components of a shingle. If you look at your shingles closely and see something that looks like tiny white threads,…
Read MoreIf you’re soon getting a new roof, you need to prepare for your install. These top 10 roofing tips for homeowners can make your experience as smooth as possible and set reasonable expectations for what can and cannot be done. The more you plan and prepare, the more likely you will be to have a great…
Read MoreVentilation needs are changing and you don’t need to be a building scientist to understand that building materials should change also. For nearly 30 years the ridge vent has been the gold standard, but it has since fallen. Homeowners with ridge vents are beginning to have problems. Case in point — in the winter of…
Read MoreWhat does due diligence and research really mean when it comes to home improvements? There are times, that after we show our customers how we can make the building sciences improve their homes, and do it for an affordable price, they say they need to do their due diligence and some research. In an era where…
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