Vapor barries and various forms of insulation should be a the top of your list of items to determine when designing a project.  Anyone planning a project with an exterior wall or roof needs to consider the best way to keep moisture out and conditioned air in.

RCS has listed below two products from the DuPont website that you may want to consider.

Wrapping a home or building in a weather-resistant barrier is not just good sense, it’s good building practice. Because it helps combat water, moisture and air infiltration that are any structure’s worst enemies. Allowed to penetrate behind siding, wind-driven rain and moisture can saturate walls, creating a breeding ground for mold, mildew and wood rot. The properties of DuPont™ Tyvek® do not support the growth of mold or mildew. Air infiltrating from outside can create comfort-robbing cold or warm spots while increasing heating and cooling costs.

DuPont™ Tyvek® acts like a windbreaker and wrapped over the sheathing and under the exterior siding—cut out around windows and doors and taped securely at the seams—resists air infiltration and water intrusion and makes for a more comfortable, energy-efficient home or building.

Here are two products that can increase the performance of your home or project against the elements:
DuPont™ RoofLiner with Elvaloy®:

“Trusted for its excellent durability, DuPont™ Elvaloy® has been incorporated into a new premium roofing underlayment that provides superior durability and protection against leaks compared to roofing felt.”

Here are some advantages over roofing felt.

DuPont™ Tyvek® ThermaWrap™:

“… helps to regulate the radiant energy of wall systems for increased comfort and reduced energy costs. In winter, DuPont™ Tyvek® ThermaWrap™ helps keep radiant energy that’s accumulated in the wall sheathing from releasing to the exterior. In summer, the metalized surface reflects radiant heat out of the wall, helping to keep the interior cooler. Reducing radiant heat flow through the wall system is particularly important at the studs, plate lines, joists and headers where conductive heat flow through the wall is the greatest. This not only saves energy and reduces heating and cooling costs, it also changes the dew point in the wall to help reduce the risk of condensation which can lead to mildew, mold and wood rot in wall cavities.”

For more information about remodeling or new construction and incorporating DuPont™ Tyvek® elements into your new space, CONTACT REDBUD Construction Services at 865-250-9172.

From the NARI website:

What is Green Remodeling?
· NARI’s approach to teaching Green Remodeling is an all-encompassing approach that emphasizes making a home healthy, comfortable, and efficient. Consideration is given to indoor air quality, energy conservation, resource conservation, reduced material waste, and the use of products that are better for the environment (and for people).

Why Go Green?
· It’s easier on the earth, it lowers costs, and it provides a healthier home in which to live. According to the Sustainable Building Industry Council (SBIC), housing alone consumes 20% of America’s energy.
· Homeowners who choose to remodel green can lower their energy consumption by 30-50%. It’s widely agreed that forests produce 40% of Earth’s oxygen, and that building supplies use 25% of its forests.
· Remodeling green by incorporating recycled materials or sustainable species will help homeowners to tread more lightly on Earth’s natural resources.
· Green remodeling is becoming more popular as homeowners consider health issues, skyrocketing energy costs and Earth’s natural resources.

The article covers the following aspects of Green Remodeling:

1. Energy Conservation
2. Indoor Air Quality
3. Reduced Material Waste and Resource Conservation
4. Environmentally Safe Products

Here are ways that you can implement Green Into Your Home:

Non-toxic paints and sealants
Programmable thermostats
Energy efficient appliances
Natural flooring
Local building materials
Natural fiber rugs and fabrics
Recycled material roof shingles and tiles
Energy efficient lighting
Insulated hot water pipes
Tankless water heaters
Quality insulation
Native plants for landscaping

For more information about remodeling and incorporating green elements into your new space, visit the NARI Web site or CONTACT REDBUD Construction Services at 865-250-9172.