Air Barrier vs Vapor Barrier- What You NEED to Know

Creating a home that withstands the test of time involves more than just a solid structure. The integrity of your home’s building envelope plays a crucial role in its longevity and health. Imagine a scenario where the unseen forces of air and moisture threaten to compromise this envelope. To safeguard your home, it’s essential to
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Why You Need to Build Green in Sonoma & Marin County

Green building refers to designing and building structures that are eco friendly and resource-efficient throughout their life-cycle, from planning to demolition. In Marin County, green building construction promotes the use of eco-friendly materials, efficient water and waste management systems, and the reduction of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. It also prioritizes promoting indoor air
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Say Goodbye to High Energy Bills: The Top Insulation Picks for Homes & Buildings in San Francisco Bay Area

 1. Fiberglass 2. Spray Foam       3. Blow in Blanket 4. Rigid Board 5. Mineral Wool 6. Reflective Insulation has various types and uses in a building or home. Some types are more suitable for new construction or unfinished spaces, while others are easier to use for people interested in doing home remodeling
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Mitigating Potential COVID-19 Exposure with HVAC Systems

How HVAC Systems Help Reduce Potential COVID-19 Exposure: As the economy begins to reopen and we return to our buildings, what role do building ventilation systems play in reducing our risks of infection? Infection via inhalation or contact with droplets is well understood at this point. Another potential exposure route being discussed is exposure via
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A Clean Crawlspace is Better For You and Your Home

Clean Crawlspaces and Basements are Good for Health
Is a Clean Crawlspace Really That Important? Crawlspaces are generally not what anyone would consider “clean.” When was the last time you went into a crawlspace? It’s typically a dark, dank environment where critters and odors scare away even the bravest DIY building owners. Often old construction materials and cardboard boxes are crammed down below,
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Lighting and Circadian Rhythm Affect Health and Productivity

IEQ  – Lighting and Circadian Rhythm Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) is affected by many different factors. How light affects our health is in its nascent stages of being explored. Nevertheless, there exists enough evidence to know that artificial lighting can be a boon to one’s daily activities or can be detrimental to one’s health. Lighting and circadian
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What are Sustainable Construction Documents?

What are Sustainable Construction Documents? Everything you’ve always wanted to know about Sustainable Construction Documents, but were afraid to ask. An Architects Explains Sustainable Construction Documents From time to time I find myself explaining the process and make up of sustainable construction documents to various people. So it recently occurred to me that it would
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Sick Building Syndrome and Building Related Illness

Sick Building Syndrome
Sick Building Syndrome and Building Related Illness What is the Difference? Sick Building Syndrome and Building Related Illness are two distinct diagnoses. People often use the term “sick building” when referring to a property, but buildings don’t get sick – people do. I believe if there are numerous people suffering from Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) it’s okay to
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Building Enclosure Commissioning 101 – Part 1

building enclosure commissioning 101
Building Enclosure Commissioning 101, the Why? – Part 1 Building Enclosure Commissioning 101 is relatively new and many teams don’t yet understand its value. I remember attending a seminar on HVAC commissioning at the Pacific Energy Center in San Francisco 18 years ago. This was a new, upcoming service at the time and commissioning agents
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Building Science Terminology

building science terminology
Building Science Terminology This blog shares recommended terminology from the US DOE. We are considering terminology and frequently used words and phrases in this blog, not definitions of building science terms. Building science terminology is sophisticated and can be confusing, but I’m not sure that the DOE’s recent efforts will help the industry. According to
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