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Wide Mudsill for ICF Foundation
Extra-thick EPS walls on the ICFs mean the mudsill stock must be wider than usual.
Placing Concrete in the ICF Foundation
All hands on deck and a cool, cloudy day make for a successful foundation pour.
Stacking the ICF Foundation
Insulated concrete forms provide high R-value and are easy to set up, with a few custom details to avoid blow-outs.
A Foundation Like a Cooler
In a high-performance house, Joe Lstiburek of Building Science Corporation recommends insulating basements north of the Mason-Dixon Line with R-10 subslab insulation and R-20 foundation insulation.
ICFs Often Require a Lot of Steel Reinforcing
The steel reinforcing rod used in the footings and foundation will end up costing about 50% of the cost of the concrete used to fill the footing and ICF forms.
Off the Grid Living and the Law
The idea of living off the grid might not be for everyone, but we can all relate to or at least see the appeal
A Retrofit for the Future
An old ranch house gets an improved shell, solar panels, and an upgraded heating and cooling system to provide energy independence.
When Ductless Minisplits Make Sense
Easy-install, high-efficiency HVAC is ideal for retrofits and well-insulated new homes.
Passive House Perfection
This compact farmhouse achieves home building’s highest performance standard without a shred of aesthetic compromise.
How to Build a Super-Efficient Small House on a Budget
Six key elements make this compact home an affordable, comfortable, and healthy place to live.

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