The inspiring modernization of this 80-year-old structure holds lessons any remodeler can put to...
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Insulation & Air Sealing
Tightening this complex intersection of framing materials
The home’s living room has the same footprint as pre-renovation, although it has been updated with new moldings and paint, as well as engineered hardwood flooring. The variegated wood plank and parquet floors are in the hallway, living and dining rooms.
The New American Remodeled home’s interior shows off the latest products and technologies
Installers can leave a gap of a few inches to protect the drywall from moisture.
How to prevent moisture damage in residential and commercial bathrooms
When a balloon loses air or depressurizes, it gets smaller (and makes a funny sound), but houses don’t roll like that
Restored ironwork and a return to French doors in the façade keep the focus of The New American Home on the original home’s core as something that remained true to its period design while also transcending the traditional architecture of its old Orlando neighborhood. The side additions and connecting stone-and-brick terraces project a timeless estate feel that fits Florida, but would be equally at home in the Northeast or Midwest.
Carefully chosen and finely detailed products define the 2018 New American Remodel
A hole was opened up in the soffit, but rather than encountering solid foam, small beads and dust poured out of the opening.
How can indoor air quality become so bad when there's penty of venting and no toxic materials?
Tests for permeability measure vapor diffusion through a material with 50 percent RH air on one side and either a desiccant (“dry cup test”) or liquid water (“wet cup test)” on the other.
Understanding how water vapor interacts with building materials is critical to avoiding moisture problems in building assemblies
For fast, accurate installation, organize and cut trim pieces by window size, then preassemble into frames in the shop
Letting brick dry evenly is the key to avoiding water problems
An interior chase on an exterior wall is an often-overlooked source of major air leaks
As the country gets greener, this product keeps gaining fans
This OSB-foam-WRB sandwich meets shear requirements with standard-length nails
Pennsylvania remodeler Dennis Gehman on why he likes this three-part resin for insulating his company's remodeling projects
All photos: courtesy Dan Morrison
On the second layer, offset and tape the seams, and use the rainscreen strapping to hold everything in place
Insulating older homes is an all-or-nothing proposition. Just blowing insulation into the walls can create moisture problems that will rot the wood structure from the inside out.
Careful flashing and a tight fit are keys to success when retrofitting the first of two layers of foam
All illustrations: Dan Morrison
A how-to guide for slab-on-grade foundations in either hot or cold climates
Photo: courtesy Dan Morrison
Tips for insulating slab-on-grade foundations
A thermal imaging device shows heat loss in a typical home. Photo: 123rf.com /suljo
Benefits include lower CO2 emissions and better air quality
All illustrations: Dan Morrison
An insulation approach that seeks to find the balance between the real and the ideal
All photos: courtesy InSoFast
Jessica Steely, of Semmes & Co., in California, on why she specifies InSoFast insulation panels