Moisture Barriers

  • Understanding Vapor Barriers

    The residential building industry has enough controversial construction techniques, incorrect product applications, antiquated codes, and old wives’ tales to confuse anybody seeking the right way to build. And vapor barriers rank high on that list.

  • Product Review: Insulation

    Insulation is inherently green for its energy-saving properties. Here's a look deeper to see how each type measures up on other eco factors.

  • Managing Moisture

    Of the many principles incorporated into green building, moisture management is key to succeeding in at least two: health (in terms of avoiding mold) and durability (in terms of avoiding premature deterioration of materials). And while the business of building homes gets more difficult and more...

  • Managing Moisture Levels In Buildings

    Technology and Commonsense Design Are Your Dest Defenses Against Moisture

  • Seven principles of green building

    The first time I remember hearing about green building was in the early-'70s, when a perfect blend of hippie culture and rising oil costs resulted in, among other things, houses called "earth ships" that incorporated wall systems made from old tires filled with dirt. But also, through some hits and...

  • Combining foam insulation and siding in a single product gives vinyl siding solidity, provides a vapor barrier and an energy-saving capability of around R-4

    Combining foam insulation and siding in a single product gives vinyl siding solidity, provides a vapor barrier and an energy-saving capability of around R-4, according to manufacturers.

  • American architects are boldly specing ventilated façades.

    Any product junkie knows many innovative developments happen overseas. The international community's willingness to experiment with cutting-edge materials has yielded architectural favorites such as fiber-cement siding, wood-resin exterior panels, and cellulose-wood laminated cladding.