Category: Building Science

Energy Efficiency made Simple

On-Site vs. Off-Site: a Deeper Dive

Closer analysis of total cost leads to the ultimate concept of “total value” in home building After working a variety of construction jobs and for a large commercial lumber dealer in my youth, I cut my teeth after college at U.S. Steel, then Motorola—low-tech and high-tech manufacturing, respectively. I truly saw the good, the bad,…
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On-Site vs. Off-Site: a Total Cost Analysis

Most builders and component suppliers do a marginal job of calculating true, fully loaded, total cost when comparing various methods. It’s time to remedy that The articles, columns, seminars, and social media posts describing how off-site construction methods will revolutionize home building continue unabated. With labor shortages once again polling near the top of home builder concerns,…
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Sort of like a “Perfect Wall”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxaXvftlS2J/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link risingerbuild Modified SIPs panels! Sort of like a “Perfect Wall” sips with all exterior insulation. Saw this last week when I visited @prosocoinc in Kansas. This is their sister company Build Smart. BuildSmartNA.com check out my stories today to learn more. Intriguing system to say the least. #sips#framing#panelizedconstruction#passivehouse#alpenwindows#build#construction

Not your mama’s prefab: The rise of prefab passive house systems

Prefabrication is not new for the construction industry. Drawn to their cost-effectiveness, convenience, and streamlined design, consumers have been able to choose prefab homes since the early 20th century.  Though it has not had the same uptake in North America than in parts of Europe (84% of detached homes in Sweden are prefabricated), prefab is on the rise. …
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Healthcare Providers Want Prefabricated Construction

Prefabricated or modular construction is cheaper, faster and creates standardization that can provide a better patient experience. Prefabricated and modular construction is rapidly rising in popularity for healthcare developers and providers. Modular construction is not only more cost effective and has a faster construction timeline—two benefits that have attracted multifamily and hotel developers—the standardized facilities…
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Prefab houses were once the ‘holy grail of design.’ So why aren’t there more of them?

Design magazines love them. So do movie stars and environmental activists. New technology, including the use of robots in factories, makes them even easier to build. So why are advocates of prefab houses still talking about “disrupting” the home-building industry? Architects, environmentalists and some forward-thinking builders embrace prefab construction — whose products run the gamut…
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Zero Energy Buildings are Much Healthier Than Conventional Homes

Because the poor air quality of standard buildings creates a significant risk to health, zero energy homes and buildings have several health-related advantages over conventional buildings. Most conventional buildings and homes are constructed without much consideration for air quality and health issues. Many builders simply rely on compliance with standard building code. The requirements for…
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20 ADVANTAGES OF A Zero Energy Home

There are at least 20 amazing benefits to owning and living in a zero energy home. We call this the Zero Energy Advantage. Original Story by: Zero Energy Project

Prefabricated and Factory Built

With demand for Passive House-quality panels and modules on the rise, the factories producing these goods are expanding in number, capacity, and production. Most are new businesses producing Passive House-performance exterior wall, floor, and roof panels. Yet a strong contingent of existing businesses are also growing their product lines to include higher-performance, thermal-bridge-free Passive House…
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Solar installations make apartments more affordable

Solar installations make apartments more affordable In an ongoing effort to offer more affordable housing and help residents become climate resilient, Westside Housing Organization is installing solar on its apartment buildings in the Westside and Northeast neighborhoods of Kansas City, MO. Westside Housing is one of six organizations across the country selected for a $150,000…
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