Looking for a better method to air seal your energy efficiency project? Introducing the SIGA Air and Wind-tighness System of Sealing Tapes.

Air sealing a structure to prevent heat loss has been around for quite some time. The methods of doing so vary in degree of success depending upon how carefully the job is performed as well as the methods used to test for effectiveness.

With the current industry standard method of blower door testing, the accuracy of where air leaks occur can be traced and corrected to prevent future energy loss.

So what is the best method for air sealing in new structures as well as existing structures? We think SIGA tapes, sealants and vapor control layers do a great job with this process. Offering everything you need for completely sealing the building envelope, SIGA is a Swiss company that has been producing top quality products since 1985.

New to the U.S. marketplace, SIGA’s long standing track record for quality, durability, non-toxic products and manufacturing processes have them leading the industry in Europe. With meticulous quality control and dedicated environmental protection policies, SIGA is a product you can count on as it is free from residential toxins, such as solvents, high boilers, formaldehyde, chlorine and plasticizers.

With SIGA Tapes you can achieve maximum comfort and minimum energy consumption by sealing all joint, overlaps and penetrations into a homes structure.

We are New England’s authorized dealer for SIGA products and can help you determine how to improve the effectiveness of your air sealing project. For more information stop in the store or call us today!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Maine Green Building Supply

We have some fantastic deals on products we have in our warehouse. Stop by and see what we have in stock and see what is going on in our thriving building at the same time.

Save up to 50% on your Green building supplies and/or finishes. Here is a sampling from the sale:

Lush Yolo low VOC exterior paints are 50% off and Yolo interior low VOC paints are

20% off as well. Beautiful colors!

We have some amazing deals on the Paperstone slabs we have in stock, please call or

email for current in stock colors and  save 20% off.

We also have a couple beautiful and high efficiency Regency Woodstoves. Who doesn’t love the heat from a wood stove.

We are currently offering 10% off our the Ultra Touch Denim insulation which is a terrific sound insulator as well as qualifying for several LEED credits should your project need that.

Other great deals exist on copper water line, Marathon hot water storage tanks, other Solar Thermal products, Eco Story LED light bulbs and American Clay and more.

Also come see our new MBF windows  display and talk to Jason about your MBF or Intus window needs

Maine Green Building Supply

I think the idea of the Pretty Good House, or PGH is to have a general list to use as a guide while making the design and build choices that every project has to make. It is a higher bar to set for the every day builder that does not require certification.

Here is a basic list of things for a Pretty Good House. These are based on two Building Science Discussion Groups for homes in Maine and posts from Mike Maines blog on GBA. (and I am sure I have missed some things)

These are things we talk about everyday with people who visit our showroom.

Let us know what you think!

General:

Use locally sourced materials and labor

Use local suppliers

Commission and test performance after completion

Supply an Owners Manual for the house

Make things durable

Reduce construction waste and recycle materials

Use materials that have low embodied energy

Site Considerations:

Use an in-fill site if possible

Face the sun in an appropriate way for your location

Plan for food cultivation in a home garden

Design:

Keep the conditioned living space relatively small per occupant (maybe 600 s.f. for the first and 300-400 s.f. per additional occupant)

Keep the structure less complex

Design around mechanicals (plan for duct work, keep plumbing runs short)

Build around a service core for plumbing, wiring and ductwork

Use an Energy Model

Design should be Performance based (how about a design load of less than 12 btu’s per s.f.)

Foundations:

If basement – R-10-20 below slab, R-20+ walls

If slab only – use appropriate insulation levels and techniques (R-40 below, R-50 perimeter)

Air-Seal perimeter

Building Envelope:

Walls – R-40 with thermal break

Ceiling – R-60 with thermal break

Airtight – 1.5 ACH 50 or better (air seal)

Aim for whole wall system values (IECC 2012 Code)

NO fiberglass insulation

Air-seal electrical outlets in exterior walls (or avoid them altogether)

Avoid recessed light cans in ceiling (or at least air-seal them)

Use a rain screen wall detail

Windows:

Whole window U-value below .20

High solar heat (SHGC) on south windows (.55 or better)

Use fewer operable windows

Air-seal around all rough openings

Mechanicals:

Avoid using fossil fuels

Use HRV or ERV with programmable controls

Use the right type of heating system for the design load

Install active solar hot water and / or electric or (solar ready at least)

Insulate hot water pipes

Use low-flow fixtures

Interior Finishes:

Use non-formaldehyde plywoods, glues and products

Use low or No VOC finishes and paints

Use Non-Toxic materials

Focus on Indoor Air Quality!

Maine Green Building Supply

Two months ago we knocked around Dan Kolbert’s idea of the “Pretty Good House”. Mike Maines, one of our BSDG regulars, posted a blog on Green Building Advisor and received many comments and additional opinions. People really liked this PGH concept. The idea that we could develop a general guide for people to work from without a formal system (with associated costs) was appealing to many.

Most builders are not reaching for the high goals of Passiv Haus or LEED. Most builders need a basic guide to make solid incremental improvements and informed trade-offs to what they build. Attainable building science for the everyday project.

Based on responses to Mike’s blog there are many views on how the choices should be made. Our group, based in Maine, looked at things based on our climate. Many comments were from other regions that have very different needs. It would be great to have regional lists developed so please comment including where you are located.

We have decided to start a separate blog section for the Pretty Good House. I encourage you to write your list and post it as a comment in that section.

Maine Green Building Supply

Maine Green Building Supply

Apricus solar hot water collectors offer an exciting break through in the field of solar thermal technology. Highly efficient and advanced in design, Apricus collectors capture useful solar heat even on cold winter days. The advantage over other solar hot water collectors is Apricus’ evacuated glass tube technology. The sun’s energy is absorbed and efficiently converted to heat with little loss due to an insulating vacuum sealed within the tubes’ double glass walls.

Apricus collectors offer a simple, modular design that allow for ease of installation by professionals and amateurs alike. Unlike flat plate collectors which are heavy and cumbersome, the light weight Apricus collector is assembled in pieces and can be installed in the space of a few hours. The Apricus collector is maintenance free, durable, and designed to provide years of reliable, worry-free performance.

Maine Green Building Supply

Maine Green Building Supply

Maine Green Building Supply