Exterior Walls
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Can Uninsulated Ducts Damage Your Siding?
Conducting cold air through bare metal ducts in an exterior wall causes condensation problems in a hot-humid climate
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Do These Walls Need a Vapor Barrier?
The owner-builder's uncle suggests poly in both the walls and ceiling. Is he right?
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Urban Rustic: Kneewalls, Subfloor, and Exterior Walls
Sealing all gaps, cracks and crevices proves an essential detail in limiting air leaks
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Detailing Exterior Walls in Minnesota
A GBA reader seeks an energy-efficient wall design that will be free of mold and last a long time
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Creating High-Performance Walls
In the first installment of a four-part blog series, Hammer & Hand details the exterior walls of Karuna House
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Water-Resistive Barriers
ABOUT WATER-RESISTIVE BARRIERS Keeping bulk water away from vulnerable building components A water-resistive barrier (WRB) is a material installed between the sheathing (or studs if there is no sheathing) and…
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Vapor Profiles Help Predict Whether a Wall Can Dry
To avoid moisture problems in walls, think about the permeability of all the wall’s components — not just the “designated” vapor retarder
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The Perfect Wall, Roof, and Slab — Building Science Podcast
Dr. Joe Lstiburek talks about enclosure design principles for energy-efficient houses. Insulation, air conditioning, heating, and forced-air delivery systems have all changed the physics of how houses work. Houses didn’t used to rot, but too many of them do now.
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The Building Envelope
The Envelope and Structure Provide Shelter from Wind, Water, Heat, and Cold
