How To
Choosing the Right Window for the Climate and Customer
How to ensure codes, styles and options combine into the perfect fit
Brought to you by Andersen Windows4 MIN READ
Codes and Standards
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Deck Builder
Selecting Hardware for Use With Treated Wood
10 MIN READ
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How To
What We Get Wrong About Basement Emergency Egress Codes
Brought to you by Bilco3 MIN READ
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Structure
A Code-Compliant Approach to Multistory Deck Construction
7 MIN READ
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Q&A
Diagonal Bracing on an Elevated Deck
3 MIN READ
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Products/Tools
Upgrade clients to high-efficiency heating systems to increase indoor air quality and value
Brought to you by National Grid5 MIN READ
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How To
OSB and Plywood Sheathing as Air Barriers
Brought to you by APA - The Engineered Wood3 MIN READ
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How To
Guidance to Compliance: Navigating IRC Wall Bracing Requirements
Brought to you by APA - The Engineered Wood3 MIN READ
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Structure
What to Expect for Decks in the 2024 IRC
8 MIN READ
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Code's Eye View
Looking Ahead to the 2024 IRC
8 MIN READ
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Projects
Installation Considerations for Indoor/Outdoor Fireplaces
Brought to you by Propane Education & Research Council4 MIN READ
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How To
Acquiring Licenses in the Mechanical Trades
3 MIN READ
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Structure
Burying Deck Support Posts Below Grade
5 MIN READ
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Q&A
How Close Can a Mantel Be to a Fireplace?
4 MIN READ
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Energy
Single-Point vs. Multi-point Blower Door Testing
7 MIN READ
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How To
Video: 4 tips for better tankless water heater venting
Brought to you by Propane Education & Research Council3 MIN READ
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Projects
The Cocoanut Grove Fire, Lessons Learned
4 MIN READ
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Structure
Dropping the Deck Ledger
6 MIN READ
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JLC Survey
Inspecting the Inspectors
11 MIN READ
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Deck Builder
Building a ‘Removable’ Deck
6 MIN READ
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How To
5 Resources Every Builder Should Know About
Brought to you by APA - The Engineered Wood3 MIN READ
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JLC
Setting Up a Home for a Blower Door Test
11 MIN READ
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BUILDING SESSIONS
Panel Discussion: Safe and Durable Deck Stairs
3 MIN READ
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Products/Tools
What Happens When the Latest Soundproofing Solutions Get Put to the Test?
Brought to you by Trim-Tex2 MIN READ
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Structure
Better Deck Post Sizing
3 MIN READ
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Deck Builder
Connecting Guard Posts to Deck Frames
11 MIN READ
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How To
Guards, Handrails, and the 2021 IRC
6 MIN READ
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www.intertek.com
Webinar: Plastic Composite Decking Codes and Standards
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Deck Builder
Webinar: Deck Posts and the Code
1 MIN READ
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Deck Builder
Solutions for Stronger, Safer Decks
1 MIN READ
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How To
Air-Sealing Code Update
9 MIN READ
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How To
An App For Right-Sizing Water Pipes
3 MIN READ
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How To
Letter to the Editor: Euro Lumber in the Marketplace
4 MIN READ
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How To
Health-Based Ventilation Rates
2 MIN READ![1. International Residential Code (IRC) ventilation requirements are calculated using the formula: [7.5 cfm x (number of bedrooms + 1)] + (sq. ft. x .01). 2 The ASHRAE 62.2 (2013) ventilation rates are calculated using the formula: [sq. ft. x .03] + [(number of bedrooms + 1) x 7.5 cfm]. This air-flow rate remains in the 2016 and 2019 versions of the 62.2 Standard. 3. Formula for Hayward Score (HS) recommended ventilation rates: 20 cfm x (number of bedrooms + 1) + [(sq. ft. - 1000) x 0.3]. a. Formula assumes 9-ft. ceilings b. Occupancy dictates ventilation rate for the first 1,000 sq. ft., then add 30 cfm per 1,000 sq. ft. (at 9-ft. ceiling height), as smaller volumes are quickly overcome by occupant CO2 c. It matters where you put the air: Bedrooms must get their 20 cfm per occupant, as healthy air at night is priority number one. d. As home square footage increases, two or more systems will be required. Focus on the "casita" (core area) first - the main bedroom and primary occupancy area, which includes the kitchen, baths, and home offices. As occupancy increases (families grow) additional systems can be added. e. Supply air to bedrooms, home office, living space, fitness/wellness room. Exhaust air from kitchen, laundry room, bathrooms and closets. Balance by zone. f. The Hayward Score (HS) recommendations assume stand-alone, balanced, energy-recovery ventilation (ERV), and are based on experience with high-efficiency ERV at 90% energy recovery and 60% moisture recovery with additional dehumidification where climate dictates. g. For best ventilation performance, consider the following: i. Design ventilation system to deliver HS recommended ventilation at 50% of capacity to optimize energy consumption. ii. In winter climates with increased levels of ventilation, supplemental humidification may be necessary to maintain 35-55% RH. iii. Installing a 4-inch MERV-13 filter in the main forced-air HVAC system can assist significantly in reducing dust and particle count indoors. It helps if the HVAC system is a variable-speed system that can operate continuously between heating and cooling cycles. iv. Infiltration air (natural leakage) is typically contaminated and needs to be diluted as well as cleaned. v. In the first two years after construction, chemical off-gassing from building materials and new furnishings is higher and may require running the ventilation system at higher than 50% operating speed. vi. Ideally the envelope of the house should be built to an air tightness of less than 2 ACH @50p. (Code maximum is 3 or 5 ACH, depending on climate.) It doesn't make sense for healthy, conditioned air to compete with infiltration air. Airtightness must be central to this discussion. This example that illustrates the importance of the envelope: A home built to airtightness limit of 3 ach @50Pa. has a natural leak rate (with no wind or significant temperature differential) of .17 ach - more than 50% of the air being introduced and conditioned by the ERV. 4. While four and five bedrooms are unlikely in these smaller houses, air-flow numbers have been provided here because the number of bedrooms often serves as a proxy for house occupancy. It is not uncommon for smaller houses to have 5, 6 or more occupants, and as we have learned human occupancy is a more important driver of ventilation need than house size.](https://jlconline.stg.zonda.onl/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2021/hs-recommended-corrected.jpg?w=232)
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How To
A Builder’s Guide to Breathable Indoor Air
15 MIN READ
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Business
The Hayward Score: A Rating of Home and Human Health
2 MIN READ
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HVAC
Ventilation Code Simplified
2 MIN READ
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Q&A
Solving Basement Egress
5 MIN READ
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How To
Understanding Isolated Footings for Post Supported Structures
Brought to you by AG-CO3 MIN READ
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Deck Builder
Webinar: The Most Prescriptive Post
1 MIN READ -
Deck Builder
Webinar: Deck Codes & Lateral Loads
1 MIN READ
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Deck Builder
Behind the Scenes of Sizing Beams
1 MIN READ
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How To
Tracing Air Leaks With a Blower Door
6 MIN READ
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Building Codes
Common Code Mistakes
10 MIN READ
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Energy
Managing Solar Gain
7 MIN READ
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Structure
2021 Deck Code Highlights
3 MIN READ -
How To
5 Cable Rail Secrets
Brought to you by Feeney, Inc.3 MIN READ
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BUILDER
Practical Air-Sealing
1 MIN READ
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BUILDER
ICC Offers New Guidelines for Virtual Inspections
1 MIN READ