Building a House with Wood

[Harvey]

"never strike a joint the client can't see"

What does this mean?

My builder is pretty insistent. He is against making a house so air tight it needs a system to bring in fresh air.

If you look at my original post you'll see I was asking about a cost effective way to create a thermal break.

Radon map of NY:

We put a layer of plastic under the basement floor in our old house and got an extremely low rating. But no idea if there was radon before that.

 

[Milo Maltbie]

The A+ answer for energy efficiency, comfort and indoor air quality is a ventilation system with heat exchangers. On in the kitchen and one in each bathroom. Think of an exhaust fan that also brings replacement air with a heat exchanger between the 2 air streams. It shouldn’t be too expensive except you probably have to go to Yurp to find the hardware.

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[Milo Maltbie]

What does this mean?

Radon map of NY:

View attachment 20700

We put a layer of plastic under the basement floor in our old house and got an extremely low rating. But no idea if there was radon before that.

Masons strike the joint between bricks by scraping out the mortar to provide a clean finish with no gaps. “Never strike a joint” means take every short cut when no one is looking.

Radon is real random. It can be anywhere or it can be in some houses but not others in the same neighborhood. Fortunately it’s easy enough to deal with.

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[gorgonzola]

Years ago there were studies using offset 2x4 wall construction to create a thermal break, it couldn’t ever pay for itself hence the codes adopted the 2x6 wall. framing lumber is not a great conductor. the problem with applying rigid foam to the outside is it can trap moisture creating a host of other issues. Drainage system can be expensive and your right back where you started. No reason to re-invent the wheel unless you are going full on passive solat

Most heat loss is through infiltration, like someone said get good windows and have them installed correctly

 

[Harvey]

We are going with Anderson 400 series. Are they good?

Another question. Is there such a thing as "joist hangers" for the roof that will help the roof stay attached to the house in a big wind?

 

[Milo Maltbie]

Another question. Is there such a thing as "joist hangers" for the roof that will help the roof stay attached to the house in a big wind?

Joist hangers are not for roofs. There is hardware to hold down the roof, but I don't know if it's required in NY.. That started after a hurricane in Florida. They found the roof decks could blow off, and sometimes they weren't even nailed down. Carpenters with air nailers would put in a whole row of nails and miss the rafter completely. Florida doesn't do much right, but after a few hurricane disasters they now require buyers to hire their own engineers to inspect during the construction period. That's way better than depending on county building inspectors, especially in Upstate NY.

Maybe Upstate is where there don't enforce the residential building code.
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[tirolski]

Another question. Is there such a thing as "joist hangers" for the roof that will help the roof stay attached to the house in a big wind?

Folks use hurricane clips.

 

[Milo Maltbie]

Years ago there were studies using offset 2x4 wall construction ...

Offset framing is a non-starter. There's a limit to how much energy efficiency you can add to stick construction without causing other problems. Structural insulated panels are better in every way, including that the carpenters can't as easily screw it up. Except cost.

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[Harvey]

Joist hangers are not for roofs.

Hence I put it in quotes.

How about: "some kind of metal attachments that are connected with screws or nails, kind of like joist hangers, but not officially called joist hangers."

I like extending the roof to protect the windows from much of the rain. Maybe gives the wind more leverage?

I wasn't asking if it was required, just did something like that exist.

 

[Harvey]

Offset framing is a non-starter.

I'd have to find another builder too.