Mark Munns

Why are Building Energy Codes Necessary?

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 reducing energy consumption. The building energy codes... Read >

Temperature and Spray Foam Insulation

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 right environment to be at her best. Everything needs to be... Read >

Spray Foam Insulation FAQ's

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 FAQ's. These are the 'technical' questions on... Read >

Integrating Spray Foam Insulation and HVAC

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 a room, air flows around and with their body. When a heating, ventilation an... Read >

Throwback Housing Designs

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 best: "Design is redesign." The sq... Read >

Skylights: More than Just a Window in the Ceiling

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 to provide sunlight to (primarily) citrus plants at all times of da... Read >

Part 2 - The Fundamentals of Attic Conversion

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 clean slate. Design the space in terms of what you want, tak... Read >

How Clean Is the Air in Your Home Right Now?

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 the risks ... Read >

Part 1 - The Fundamentals of an Attic Conversion

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 later. How will the space be cooled and heated? Is the floor str... Read >

For New Home Construction, Practicality is Key

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, watching their p... Read >

Adding a Mortgage Helper To Your Home

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 all that extra cash you will have each month! Let's look at what is invo... Read >

Part 2 – Building Codes: A Necessary Evil

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 how the construction industry has evolved around the code and why we c... Read >

Part 1 - Building Codes: A Necessary Evil

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 level of safety f... Read >

How to Reduce Utility Bills No Matter What Time of Year it is

A lot of homeowners think that simply turning off the heat once the warm weather comes is the only thing needed to reduce energy costs. Not so. There are a multitude of simple measures any homeowner can take, no matter what the temperature is outside. T... Read >

Comparing Insulation

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 look at the pros and cons of each kind of insulation. Thermal Insul... Read >