Retrofit / Green Building & Sustainable Home Renovation Information & Advice

...retrofitting an old concrete basement, the goal remains the same: simplify the design, seal out soil gases, and ensure the space can dry out if the worst happens. Proper planning today prevents costly remediation in the future. Now that you know more about basement encapsulation, find more info about moisture managemen...

...retrofit provides the opportunity to create a complete and continuous air barrier. See our page here on how to insulate and air seal attics in old homes. The Envelope-First Approach Professionals know that a successful renovation starts with the building envelope. This means air sealing the home's 'shell' before tackli...

...retrofits to reduce energy costs and seasoned building professionals. Here we will providing a deep dive into the process, from initial prep work to the final finish. This guide provides a comprehensive look at the key aspects of this topic. Below is an overview of the sections we will cover, allowing you to jump direc...

This guide provides a comprehensive look at the key aspects of this topic. Below is an overview of the sections we will cover, allowing you to jump directly to the information you need. Should you remove existing insulation? Vermiculite and asbestos: a serious health concern Choosing attic insulation: which is best? H...

As the leading edge of the baby boomer generation is now closing in on 80, many are at the point of needing home care in some form, be it retirement communities or planning to age in place. Baby Boomers are a massive demographic that has long driven lifestyle and housing trends given the sheer numbers of them, and so ‘...

...retrofit jobs on them can be a nightmare. That only leaves choosing between an air source heat pump and a geothermal system. So, we would suggest you get a quote for each and see which suits you better. Geothermal has a much higher upfront cost but offers bigger savings in return, so again you’ll be doing some math to ...

What to look for when buying and renovating to flip a home for profit  Purchasing a property to renovate and flip for profit can be an exciting and rewarding endeavor. Whether you're looking to create your dream home or make a smart investment, it's essential to know what to look for when taking the plunge. In this com...

How to insulate house walls from the outside Adding extra insulation to the exterior walls of an older home when renovating or remodeling is a great way of improving a home's walls thermal performance and reducing energy use while reducing heating bills, carbon footprint and improving a building's comfort level. It may...

That musty, moldy basement smell that we have come to accept as unavoidable, is actually quite avoidable. The solution is really quite simple - stop building below grade with walls that were designed for above grade and your basement won't smell like old gym socks and potentially make you ill with mold spores. As a fre...

Make a realistic building budget and schedule This is, without a doubt, the starting point to a successful build - don’t underestimate the time and money it will take to complete a build or renovation. Even professional contractors tend to underestimate the costs and duration of a project. Get advice from multiple prof...

...retrofitting an old house on a poorly-insulated slab, heated or not. Without purchasing battery-powered heated socks you will have cold feet for the rest of your life.  An Insulated Slab-on-grade floor © Ecohome If a house has a substandard slab but is otherwise a strong candidate for a retrofit, look into the cost t...