Efficiency

Vents in Glass Block are a Terrible Idea

October 11, 2023
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We get multiple requests a year for basement glass block windows with vents and we have to explain why they are a terrible idea. Here’s why: Humidity In the summer, your basement tends to be cooler than the rest of the house.  Warm moist air rushes into your basement when you open a vent and…

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Why Black is a Horrible Color for a Roof

March 7, 2022
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Black roofs put fashion over function and are a horrible choice for energy. There are ethical reasons to choose a lighter color as well. Ask yourself these important questions before making a horrible decision: These are all important questions and it’s also important to go into a situation like this knowing why most contractors are…

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House wrap should protect against Moisture

February 23, 2022
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There are many house wrap products available and even why you would need house wrap.  Moisture management, air barriers and wind reduction are some of the key benefits of a good house wrap.  If you understand the benefits, you would never want to install siding without it. Some builders and remodelers will skip house wrap…

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Building Better – Industry Innovation

December 17, 2020
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If you’re the type of person who likes to improve yourself or your projects each time you do one, you’ll appreciate our approach.  Building Better explains how we do things — every project, like every class or seminar, is an opportunity to improve.  We ask ourselves, how could this have been done better? Skepticism toward…

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Understanding Ice Damming

March 5, 2015
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In late winter I get many calls from people asking me if I could put new gutters on their houses to solve their ice damming problems.  I have to be honest with them and explain that ice damming is a product of ventilation and insulation gutters won’t fix their ice damming problems.  It may not be good for business,…

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Choose a Light Colored Roof to Save Energy

October 17, 2012
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Q: As an apartment-dweller in SoCal (or anywhere): I’m curious as to how a tenant could effectively persuade/encourage her landlord to upgrade the property to be energy efficient — using a company such as yours? A: Needs are definitely different in Southern California than they are in Wisconsin. For instance, you often see times of…

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Don’t Waste Money on a Door at the Big Box Stores

June 18, 2011
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Did you ever hear the saying, “buy cheap, buy twice?” That saying is very important when considering purchasing a door. I get calls all the time from customers who thought they were saving money by buying from a big home improvement store only to be frustrated when it comes time to get their doors or…

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Energy Rebates and Credits Vary by Product

January 21, 2011
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It seems that every salesman in their respective industry is willing to tell a homeowner what they want to hear — there is a tax credit that will pay for your new home improvement. Unfortunately it’s not always true. Tax credits and tax deductions vary from year to year (if they exist at all for…

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Soffit and Fascia Do’s and Don’ts

January 8, 2011
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“Yeah, I can do that” has become a commonplace phrase as unemployment has soared and the market has generated a surplus of unlicensed handymen. One day they are installing carpeting and the next day they tell you they’re an expert installing soffit. So how do you know what is the right way to do things…

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Triple Pane vs Double Pane: Is it worth the cost?

October 13, 2010
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One of the most common questions I get from customers is whether or not it is worth it to upgrade their order from double pane to triple pane. The honest answer if you live in cold weather climates like Wisconsin is almost always yes. Energy bills continue to rise and far outpace the rate of…

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