Walls and Roofs

Low emissivity (low-E) coatings on windows reflect heat in and out of your home that can help to keep it warmer and cooler if they are specified correctly. Read here about why low-E glass can be a good choice for a high performance home. The challenges of specifying glass for windows, what are Low-E coatings? When…

Stone farm houses from the 1800s are beautiful heritage homes to restore. But how do you insulate a stone house and keep the interior and exterior appearance as they are? Well, that's tricky, but this guide will give plenty of good advice to follow. Should you insulate an old stone house? Those beautiful old stone…

Open cell and closed cell spray foam have different characteristics, as well as environmental impacts and health implications, which is best? Is either good? Let us guide you on how to choose between open cell and closed cell spray foam. What is the difference between open-cell and closed-cell spray foam? Both open…

An effective caulking job at air sealing or for water protection in kitchens and bathrooms starts finding the right caulking gun for the job. See here for tips. What is the best caulking tool? The first and most costly mistake made for any first-timers doing a DIY home caulking job is buying the wrong tool. There…

Fancy being a bit of a black sheep when it comes to your home insulation? Try sheep wool Insulation for homes, tiny homes and van conversions. As more people begin to factor indoor air quality and health of occupants into home building and renovation plans, natural insulation materials are gaining traction in the…

Asphalt shingles are the most common thing found on pitched roofs, but unfortunately the most common building material in landfills too. Here is how to decide which are the best asphalt roofing shingles and what to know before deciding on a roof covering. In North America, about 90% of pitched roofs are covered with…

Asphalt shingles are the cheapest roof covering you can buy, until you need to replace it. The short lifespan of shingles makes metal roofing a viable option. We compare the pros and cons of both roofing types to see if metal or asphalt shingles are best. Asphalt shingles are the most common and cheapest roof…

Dry rot really is a rotten problem to have to deal with - but this destructive fungus that can infest homes is preventable, repairable and treatable - if you know how. First though, the identification of dry rot, and discover all about it. So what is dry rot? Dry rot - two words that can send shivers down the spine…

Radiant barriers can help reflect heat and reduce heating and cooling costs, but by how much, and are they worth the investment. Do radiant barriers work? If you have noticed that the rough interior of some unfinished buildings or attics is covered in a layer of foil and you’re afraid that you might be missing out…

In North America rarely a day goes by without a home renovation show or well known home renovation celebrity extolling the virtues of spray foam insulation. Homeowners in the UK are starting to realize what an expensive mistake spray foam can be. Spray foam insulation has gained popularity in North America as a…

The challenges of removing spray foam insulation means that recycling or even sustainably disposing of homes in the future will be problematic for those choosing this popular insulation material - a favorite of many TV renovation shows. Spray foam insulation is often promoted as an environmentally friendly option…