for Cold Climate Housing and much more

Found 167 results for the keyword ‘Insulation’

  • OVERVIEW: Changing the roof or roof covering on a house

    As I look at my own database, I see that I have almost 100 answers to specific questions about roofs and roofing.  Despite a good search engine, that much scattered information can get confusing.  Let me make just a couple of overview statements to help guide you in getting your existing or new r...
  • Wet Styrofoam -- will it dry out?

      Wayland asked: “Does wet Owens Corning Formula Styrofoam ever dry out?” Extruded polystyrene insulation is generally considered waterproof.  In fact it was first invented by Dow Chemical for the US army in WW I to provide unsinkable floating bridges -- and has been used as the flotation eleme...
  • RIGID BOARD: EXTRUDED POLYSTYRENE

    Example: Styrofoam products by Dow (by the way, Styrofoam is a Dow Chemical brand name and not a generic term for foam insulation). Colour: Blue (Dow) or Pink (Celfort) Thermal Resistance: RSI - .035/mm R - 5.0/in. Very high. Cost: high Capacity to dry out if wet: Won't get wet Fire Resistan...
  • Residential Window Installation with Pressure Equalization

    Research projects by George Brown College,Red River College and Jon Eakes studying pressure equilization in low rise wood frame residential construction    GEORGE BROWN COLLEGE Link to PDF: Pressure Equalization final report revised January 2024 --  George Brown College.  Link to Fenestratio...
  • Vent Stack Ice Capping or Evaporation : I GET SEWER ODOURS INSIDE THE HOUSE OCCASIONALLY IN THE WINTER.

    Click Here to Go to the BLOG This is one of those problems that are not dealt with seriously enough by the building officials in really cold regions.  I have opened a blog space at the bottom of this article for you to add in your case history so we can demonstrate that this is a large and conti...
  • Frost Protected Shallow Foundations -- and water pipes

    Frost Protected Shallow Foundations The foundation for a house is generally poured below the soil grade level so that the footing itself is well below the frost depth for any given region and soil type.  This protects the house from frost heaving caused by expanding soils beneath the foundation....
  • How do I keep a shallow Sump drain from freezing outdoors?

    Michael writes from St. Lazare, Quebec : We recently found a nasty surprise with our new house. The land has a high water table and as a result we have sump pump in the basement. The plumbing for this pump was hidden in the walls and ceiling of the basement. When our inspector inspected the home,...