Author's articles

Why are Building Energy Codes Necessary?

By Mark Munns · 13 years ago

According to the US Department of Energy, "buildings consume almost 40% of the nation's energy". Clearly that is a huge chunk of energy usage and it behooves everyone to learn the how's and why's of ...

Temperature and Spray Foam Insulation

By Mark Munns · 13 years ago

Before spray foam insulation (SFI) has been applied and had a chance to cure, it likes to be in a comfortable environment. Think of it as Granny Polyurethane, she needs tender care and just the ...

Spray Foam Insulation FAQ's

By Mark Munns · 13 years ago

After long hours of searching you have finally landed in the right place. At last the elusive answers to questions on insulation and spray foam are here awaiting your approval. These aren't the usual newbie ...

Integrating Spray Foam Insulation and HVAC

By Mark Munns · 13 years ago

A house is not just home; it is a system of heating, cooling, air flow and air pressure. Every time a door is opened, air is exchanged. When someone walks down a hall or enters ...

Throwback Housing Designs

By Mark Munns · 13 years ago

The evolution of design in architecture, and ultimately the North American home, has been on a plateau for sometime now. Jan Michl, a professor at the Oslo School of Architecture and Design, encapsulated the phenomenon ...

Spray Foam Insulation Project Ideas

By Mark Munns · 13 years ago

There are some spray foam manufacturers and sellers who claim the use of polyurethane foam as an insulator in the home can reduce heating and cooling costs by 30-50%. Of course the actual savings is ...

How Noise Pollution Can Impact Your Health

By Mark Munns · 13 years ago

The Oxford English Dictionary defines noise pollution as "harmful or annoying levels of noise." While that definition may be a tad brief, it does get the point across. Wikipedia has chosen to define noise pollution ...

Skylights: More than Just a Window in the Ceiling

By Mark Munns · 13 years ago

During the 16th century it was very common for large estate homes to have a conservatory as part of the main building. All the walls and ceiling would be constructed of glass in an effort ...

Part 2 - The Fundamentals of Attic Conversion

By Mark Munns · 13 years ago

In part one of this series we discussed the first few steps of an attic or loft conversion. Repairing any existing damage or elements of neglect is important, as a renovation should begin with a ...

How Clean Is the Air in Your Home Right Now?

By Mark Munns · 13 years ago

The National Institute of Environmental Health Services and the Environmental Protection Agency have published a whole host of studies indicating significant health hazards caused by air pollution. The studies focus on outdoor air pollution and ...

Part 1 - The Fundamentals of an Attic Conversion

By Mark Munns · 13 years ago

Converting your attic into a living space is not as simple as slapping up some drywall and calling it a day. There are certain things that need to be considered in order to avoid problems ...

New High-Tech Skylights Let the Energy Savings Shine In

By Mark Munns · 13 years ago

Most people who have constructed, visited or lived in a home built during the 1980's have seen a skylight. During the building boom of that decade, they were considered "the" feature to have in your ...

Adding a Mortgage Helper To Your Home

By Mark Munns · 13 years ago

We all need a little help in the area of finances, don't we? Why not begin by having someone else pay your mortgage? Yes, you will need to give up some square footage, but imagine ...

For New Home Construction, Practicality is Key

By Mark Munns · 13 years ago

The hottest trends in new home construction are not things like glass sinks and marble floors. Ostentatious architectural behemoths are no longer being seen in newly created neighborhood. New homebuilders are listening to buying trends, ...

Part 2 – Building Codes: A Necessary Evil

By Mark Munns · 13 years ago

In part one of this series we covered the main components of the International Building Code as laid out by the International Code Council. Now we will move on to take a quick look at ...

Part 1 - Building Codes: A Necessary Evil

By Mark Munns · 13 years ago

Building codes are tricky things. They can seem completely unnecessary and cumbersome or strangely inadequate, depending on your application. According to Wikipedia a building code is a "set of rules that specify the minimum acceptable ...

R-Values Decoded

By Mark Munns · 13 years ago

The term R-value can refer to properties of materials such as insulation or soils, a value with no address in computer science, and a kind of measurement in statistical studies. Here we will discuss R-values ...

Comparing Insulation

By Mark Munns · 13 years ago

The word 'insulation' is a very broad term. It can refer to any object in a building used to buffer the inhabitants from noise, cold, heat, fire or impact. Here, we will take a brief ...

How To Prep For A Spray Foam Insulation Installation

By Mark Munns · 13 years ago

Spray Foam Insulation is becoming an increasingly popular solution to the rising costs of climate control in the home. Sealing up the nooks and crannies in roof lines and attics can stop so much cool ...

Insulation: Just the Facts

By Mark Munns · 13 years ago

Heat flows naturally from warmer to cooler spaces. In winter, heat moves directly from all heated living spaces to the outdoors and to adjacent unheated attics, garages, and basements - wherever there is a difference ...