Recent Q&A

• ice and water membrane on a low slope unvented roof

  I'm currently building my own house with an unvented cathedral roof in climate zone 4A. So far, I have 2 taped layers of polyiso (total of R-15) sandwiched between 2…

• Water management for a stepped foundation daylight basement

  I am currently helping my builders excavate for a stepped foundation for my future house with a daylight basement. I'm not sure what to do for a footing drain with…

• Do unvented cathedral plank ceilings require spray foam?

  I am designing the envelope of a 600 sq. ft. house to be built later this year. It has a cathedral ceiling with a few irregularities that would prevent proper…

• Would this building envelope work? Zone 4A in Japan

  Thanks to GBA members' answers I received to an earlier question ( m.etiketa4.com/community/forum/energy-efficiency-and-durability/26580/energy-inefficient-japanese-walls-am-i-missin ), I have decided to abandon local building practices. I am aiming to build a well-insulated &…

• Energy inefficient Japanese walls – am I missing something?

  I am from Connecticut but am about to build a house in a climate zone 4A section of Japan. I have talked with several Japanese builders and am concerned about…