Eight strategies for getting the most out of your retrofit budget. Ensure that your home is as energy efficient as your budget will allow by spending your money where it makes the most difference.
Homes built as recently as the 1980s are riddled with gaps in the building envelope and have far too little insulation to measure up to modern energy efficiency standards. Retrofitting an old home will make it more comfortable, will reduce energy costs and will make it kinder on the environment. The question is; where do you get the most bang for your retrofitting buck? Here is a basic guide to help you to decide where your money is best spent.
Raised heel trusses provide additional attic space which allows you to add cheaper batt insulation. This means you increase the efficacy of your building envelope. Throw in some taller wall panels like Windstorm or TallWall and you have a recipe for building envelope brilliance.
Construction workers are exposed to extreme weather when on site over the winter months. It’s good to review the basics of staying safely warm when outdoors. This will help to keep your crew safe and reduce sick days.
Despite code restrictions on supply ducting in building cavities, they are regularly utilized for return ducting. However, this practice compromises your building envelope and leads to leaks. When return-air plenums are installed, it results in energy loss, an increase in energy bills and a less efficient HVAC system.
An effective building envelope is a combination of insulating building materials and a reduction in air leakage. This reduction can be achieved by using taller wall sheathing panels and through effectively sealing air leaks. When determining which air leaks construction professionals should focus on, Dave Wolf from Owens Corning Science and Technology has conducted a study to see which leaks require the least effort and sealant and provide the highest returns in building envelope efficiency.
Safety is the most important thing on every jobsite. It may take a little more time and cost more money to keep your jobsite safe, but it is worth the investment. Your workers are your most valuable asset and you must protect them no matter the cost. OSHA has comprehensive guides for every aspect of the construction industry.
Remodeling does not come cheap, but when you look at remodeling as an investment, it does take the sting out of all those home improvement costs. As a construction professional, you advise your potential customers on which renovations will add value to their home, but here are some ideas that may actually reduce the value of their homes.
Looking for innovative flooring techniques? Check out the APA’s newest video which shows a premium I-joist floor assembly that uses 7/8 Performance Category OSB glued and nailed to 14-inch-deep I-joists that are spaced at 24 inches on center. This new flooring assembly results in a stiff floor with a quality feel.
Is the peace and quiet of your home compromised by rattling ductwork? As your furnace heats the ducts, you may be subjected to popping, banging and a plethora of annoying sounds. There are no easy solutions, but there are measures you can take to mitigate the noise pollution from your ducts.
