Getting an energy audit for you home is a relatively new concept. This process will highlight the problems in your home that you can address for more energy-efficiency. Using a thermal image camera is the key to “seeing” the problems. This blog shows the tools function.
The clients have moved into their Penn Laird dream home, built by Trost Custom Homes. Here is the last group of construction photos. Let us know what you think of their dream home.
Here are the other updates:
Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3 – Part 4
The SVBA Home and Garden Show is scheduled for April 12-13 at the Rockingham County Fair Grounds again this year. Join the event for the annual car show, beer garden, SPCA Adoption Center, BBQ Chicken, food court, and to get your home renovation / construction questions answered. This year’s home show will benefit the SPCA, United Way, and MTC.
I believe that design is one of the most critical elements of thinking we have to build a brighter future. We can create spaces for living, working, and playing that enhances our lives and our community. We know how to design homes that are easily 30% – 50% more efficient than the majority that are built today. We know how to design office space that encourages business growth, collaboration, and productivity. We understand how to create retail spaces that makes shopping a more pleasurable experience and maximizes profits for the owner. We just need a chance to design first before construction begins.
Why do I architect? Because I want my clients to have comfortable beautiful spaces to live, play, and work.
Comfort issues in your home are often caused by things behind the walls.
Air tight and vapor permeable is a known goal for any home that is built today to a higher standard. We want comfort in our rooms, even temperatures, and lower electric bills. It is important to get the details right during construction to achieve those goals. We spend 90% of our time indoors. Building your home right will improve the indoor air quality, energy efficiency, and durability of your home.
This particular home used fiberglass insulation in the sloped ceiling. This does not allow for the attic space to be air tight, enough room for ventilation, or enough room to properly insulate the space. A leak in the top of the home (joints in the drywall) allows warm moist air to flow through the existing insulation building up moisture. This can lead to rot and greatly diminishes the effective insulation of the material. The eaves allow some air to infiltrate from outside, but not enough to allow the air to dry the sloped ceiling space. All of these issues can be avoided with a sloped ceiling with a good understanding of building science. Whether the space is above a garage, finished attic, or a vaulted space in your living room – proper insulation strategies are critical to reduce comfort issues in your home.
Read about this home addition’s building science issues in our blog post.