5 Reasons your Windows have Condensation

When 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 is make your home into a giant petri dish. Humidity Levels One of the first things to check is your homes humidity levels.  I…

Basement Air Sealing a Money Saver

One of the most often neglected parts of insulation are the rim joists — that cavity in basements where the floor meets the concrete wall. There are a couple options for insulating rim joists.  Traditionally, homeowners pack them with batt insulation.  Rock wool or fiberglass are the most common types of insulation used for these areas but they only address part of the challenge. There are a few factors that make these areas difficult stop drafts.  When a home is built, the …

What type of Insulation is the Best?

There are three types of insulation that are being used in today’s market. The well informed homeowner understands there are pros and cons of each of them and here’s what they are: Settling:  Most insulation settles and since it settles, it means you will have a lower R-value.  (R-value refers to resistance to temperature changes.  The lower the R-value, the lower the insulting benefit.) Moisture Buildup: When some products become damp, due to improper ventilation or ice damm…

Understanding Ice Damming

In late winter I get many calls from people asking me if I could put new gutters on their houses to solve their ice damming problems.  I have to be honest with them and explain that ice damming is a product of ventilation and insulation gutters won’t fix their ice damming problems.  It may not be good for business, but there are things more important than chasing the almighty dollar. To understand ice damming you have to understand its root cause. When warm air comes in conta…

Insulation Provides Low Cost Efficiency

Any expert knows, insulation gives your home the biggest efficiency bang for the buck. Over the past few years, insulation standards have changed. In the northern zone, Energy Star now recommends that you have a full R-60 of insulation in your attic. The proper amount of insulation can not only save you money on your energy bill, it can also reduce problems associated with condensation. What is an R-Value? The big “R” in R-value stands for RESISTANCE to temperature changes. G…