In the Spotlight-The Biggest Mistake of All

This short piece was recently published in Fine HomeBuilding Magazine-Issue 321/February-March, 2024

www.finehomebuilding.com

In one way, a builder’s job is simple; Provide a structure that is safe and resilient and meets the basic needs of its owners or occupants.  But today’s homes are intricate systems.  Over the past decades, building enclosures have evolved with layers of complexity, heating and cooling systems have become more sophisticated, and new mechanical ventilation systems, meant to provide healthy indoor air quality are often misunderstood by the people living in the home.  Because these systems work together, it’s important that the owners understand how they operate, how they are maintained, and who to contact when there is a problem.  Unfortunately, homes rarely come with an owner’s manual.

The complexity of a modern heating system.

Continue reading “In the Spotlight-The Biggest Mistake of All”

Construction Materials-A Less Common Sheathing

This post first appeared on the Green Building Advisor’s website.

When I first started working in the trades as an electrician back in the mid 1990’s, we worked for a couple contractors that liked to use buffalo board sheathing.  I suspect the product was given this name because of its resemblance to buffalo chips.  (If you don’t know what a buffalo chip is, you’ll have to look it up, it’s not the kind of chip you eat.)  I’ve heard it called several other names, bildrite, beaver board, brickboard, bagasse, but it is best known as fiberboard sheathing.

Continue reading “Construction Materials-A Less Common Sheathing”