Recent Q&A

• Rain screen detail on chimney box with brick veneer and flashing detail

  Building chimney box on peak of roof for chimney pipe and plumbing vent to exit. Thin brick veneer with a rain screen detail. The lid for the chimney box is…

• Best insulation method for LP Smartside panels as sheathing & siding?

  Building woodshop in cold climate...zone 6-7. Using LP Smart side panels as sheathing and the siding. 190 series, product is .53" thick. Concerned about condensation on interior side of this…

• Can bees damage a structure if they get behind the siding?

  If bees/wasps/ect get behind the siding of the house such as in a rain screen detail, can they cause structural damage? If just a straight fiberglass insect screen is installed…

• Does PVC really offgas sufficiently to be a concern for ventilation returns?

  Just wondering...does PVC pipe really off gas sufficiently to be a concern in the supply air returns of HRV/ERVs?

• What about ducting “make-up” and direct exhaust air through an HRV core/box?

  It is clear that an HRV is not for providing "make-up" air, but do any suppliers sell the HRV unit with/out motors so that spot specific venting that I'm planing…

• When roofs do rot, which side does the rot start on? worth using copper-borate treatment as preventative?

  When roofs do rot with closed cell foam underneath, which side does the rot start on? Is it worth using a copper-borate treatment as preventative? Zone 6. There will be…

• Permeability of ASTM D 3909 cap sheet; needing roof to dry to outside

  4" of 2 lb closed cell spray foam will go on underside of roof sheathing....so roof needs to dry to outside; hence why I am using #30 felt/tar paper instead…

• Comparing Flashing Tapes

  Does anyone have experience with comparing these flashing tapes: 3M All Weather Flashing Tape compared to Grace Vycor Tape?

• Preferred subfloor material and adhesive for minimum off-gassing?

  Does some subfloor and adhesive rate better than others for minimum off-gassing? Regular OSB is the least expensive, but are some brands better than others? and the same with subfloor…

• OSB subfloor and rain during construction, just how much can it take?

  How many rainy days of rain can OSB subfloor handle before I should upgrade to a product like Advan Tech? It is not a regularly stocked item here and might…