Lately as more states are looking at adopting the 2012 or 2015 codes many builders are worried about the Air Leakage aka Blower Door Test. Is it possible to hit those numbers… how hard is it… how much is it going to cost… how about smaller units like a townhouse… how can I make sure […]
First Look – Upcoming codes & changes coming in 2015
How does that saying go – forewarned is forearmed? While your local maybe years away from adopting the latest versions of the IRC & IECC knowing in advance what is coming down the pike… Ready for this, there are other changes coming that are likely to impact you no matter what your jurisdiction does. As […]
FAQ: Who reigns supreme? Codes Vs. Manufacturers Vs….
If you have been in the building industry any length of time, you know how confusing things can get with manufacturers stating you need to do X, which might be opposite of what the codes state, or figuring out which code applies. Recently, I got the following note regarding our article on attic hatches: Corning […]
My take; Tornados, Storm Shelters & the Codes
The last two weeks we got to see Mother Nature’s furry once again as she rolled across parts of the US & Canada & showed us why Tornado Alley is such an appropriate name. The storms from the 15th were quickly overshadowed by an outbreak that started on the 18th & really grabbed the media’s […]
Fixing an Architectural Nightmare
In our last Wacky (semi) Wordless Wednesday piece we had three pictures where we looked at entryway & asked what issues you see, what might you have done differently, or does everything look good to you? Well lets take a closer look at it… As I mentioned, I can easily see why the architect designed it this […]
Moving Forward: Speciality Trades – IRC 2009
This is the 4th part of our series where we look at the differences between the 2003, 2006, & 2009 IRC’s. In this one we are focusing primarily on the various specialty trades. While we slanted this series towards Alabama’s new statewide code, one will quickly notice that they did very little tweaking, so if […]
Alabama Building Code: IRC Changes Chapter 5 – 9
Yesterday we looked at the first four chapters of the 2009 IRC as it is part of Alabama’s new Building & Energy Code that goes into effect in less than a week. Today we are going to delve in the final “building” (Walls, Floors, Roofing & Finishes) sections of the code, in particular the biggest […]
Moving Forward: IRC 2009 Changes Chapter 1 – 4
EDIT: This was originally set to look into Alabama’s new Residential Energy & Building Code which went effect October 1st 2012. As mentioned below many areas of the state were following numerous versions of the code & this was a primer piece on the changes one could expect to see jumping up to the newer 2009 IRC. …While […]
Alabama Energy Code Updates: 38 days & counting
Yesterday, I attended the Alabama Energy Code Training program put on by the Home Builders Association of Alabama for two primary reasons; to see if there were any changes (this state is great at putting information out – not), and how the “code officials” & affected agencies were handling & interrupting it. This class was […]
BS4D: Energy Codes
Just like any other scientific field, building science is constantly evolving as new information, testing, and materials are released. Unfortunately in some cases the amount &/or type of information provided is not only hard to understand, but can also be meaningless based on your house or area you live in. With that, welcome to our […]