Don't miss the HBA Home & Outdoor Living Show, April 12 - 14, 2024 Wilson Logistics Arena  |  Ozark Empire Fairgrounds  |  Springfield, MO
Don't miss the HBA Home &
Outdoor Living Show
April 12 - 14, 2024
Wilson Logistics Arena
Ozark Empire Fairgrounds
Springfield, MO

Builders’ Circle Blog: Do People Dream in Color?

Jim Baker, B & G Drafting

It is an old question, but it seems Yahoo has figured it out. In a 2012 Yahoo study it was discovered that Americans today dream of a “Green” home. They found that 81% of Americans want to own a home and 50% of them want it to be “Green.” The second favorite “dream” was a home with a water view (38%), followed by the 27% who wanted a beach front. All I can say is, when “Green” becomes more desirable than a water view, those of us in construction should take note.

The good news is that while a lake view may be very costly, a “Green” home is not. The HBA Habitat project is proof. Prior to doing the first NAHB Rough Field Inspection, I was dreading the job of verifying the quality of installation of the wall fiberglass. It is the usual place of failure for Energy Star and NAHB Green Verifying, a “grade-one” install being required for both. If insulation could be viewed as art, then a “grade-one” would be considered fine sculpture with no gaps, puckers, compression, tears or voids. To my inspector’s eyes this is beautiful “art”.

The volunteers did an outstanding job on this house. What I found went far beyond what was expected. With the perfect “grade-one” insulation install, they had added caulk in places that generally never sees caulk. They added caulk to each stud against the OSB, which may seem to be a lot of extra work, but the final product will greatly reduce air infiltration into this house. A 4×8 sheet of OSB has major seams that are not airtight. You would not build a swimming pool out of 2x4s and OSB, as it would not hold water. Nor, would it be air tight.

Under the constant pressure changes in a house, air is sucked through these seams around the studs and through electrical outlets and wire cavities. This takes energy out of the house, and adds moisture into the wall insulation. Wet insulation is the same as “no insulation”. But, that will not happen in this house, not with the caulking job I saw.

All the extra caulk will perform somewhat like Spray Foam or EcoSeal, making a very air tight unit. Because the insulation was stapled on top of the studs, instead of the inside edge, they added tape at the insulation seams making the whole assembly extremely tight.

We will not know the final result until the Blower Door test is completed, but the family that will live in this house will have their “Green Dreams” come true.

Jim D. Baker, B & G Drafting—HERS Rater and NAHB Verifier with this project.
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In January 2011, the HBA of Greater Springfield announced it would partner with Habitat for Humanity of Springfield to build the first two homes in Habitat’s new Builders Circle development. The homes will be certified to the National Green Building Standard and their construction will serve as a demonstration of flexible and affordable methods by which construction professionals can build green in a residential setting.
Jim Baker (B&G Drafting) is a Certified Green Professional (CGP), a HERS Rater, and a certified NAHB Green Building Verifier.  He also helped design these and other green-built homes throughout the area. This Builders Circle Project Blog helps keep HBA industry professionals and curious consumers up to date on the latest green building features being incorporated into the project. The blog also provides updates on the project’s latest progress and upcoming needs. Those who would like to help with the project are encouraged to leave their comments at the end of blog posts, or on the project’s facebook page, to offer your assistance.

Jim D. Baker, B and G Drafting – HERS Rater and NAHB Verifier on this project.