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#705: Straw Bale Construction, Home Greenhouses, and ZIP System Sheathing

⏱️ 51:38 🎤 Patrick McCombe, Randy Williams, Ian Schwandt, Cari Delahanty
AUDIO EPISODE
#705: Straw Bale Construction, Home Greenhouses, and ZIP System Sheathing
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Chapters

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  • 0:00
    Anderson 100 Series Windows
    The hosts open with a promotional message for Anderson 100 series windows as a strong and cost-effective alternative to vinyl.
  • 0:27
    Randy's Canadian Cabin Trip
    Randy recounts a fishing trip to his brother's 70s-era, uninsulated cabin in Canada, highlighting its comfortable amenities despite its rustic description.
  • 0:47
    Ian's Landscaping Project
    Ian describes a multi-weekend landscaping project involving a deer fence and new plants, aided by a recently acquired tractor loader.
  • 1:42
    Pop-Top Addition Update
    Ian provides an update on a quick-paced pop-top addition project, noting efficient framing and demolition work despite a client's stress over missing roof sections.
  • 2:17
    Interconnected Smoke Detectors
    A discussion on local building codes forcing a client to replace modern wireless smoke detectors with traditional interconnected wired ones, sparking debate on technological regress.
  • 3:02
    Patrick's Custom Cabinets
    Patrick shares his experience building custom kitchen cabinets, emphasizing the challenge of design and the satisfaction of using affordable materials despite wonky house framing.
  • 3:43
    Dividing Large Spaces
    The team revisits a listener's question about dividing a large open space, discussing furniture solutions, movable wall sections, and the potential for loft additions.
  • 5:15
    Straw Bale Construction
    A fascinating letter from May describes building practices in an eco-village focused on straw bale construction, local materials, and thermal performance, despite challenges with air sealing and code compliance.
  • 7:33
    Home Greenhouses
    Kevin asks for advice on building a heated, insulated, and air-sealed potting shed, prompting discussion on humidity control, electricity needs, and material choices like MGO board.
  • 9:42
    ZIP System Sheathing
    Austin inquires about the availability and cost of ZIP System sheathing in Canada, leading to a discussion on its labor-saving benefits, air-tightness, and alternatives like taping seams on other panel products.

Speakers

P
Patrick McCombe
Host — senior editor
R
Randy Williams
Host — green building advisor editor
I
Ian Schwandt
Host — contributing editor and production manager for TDS Custom Construction
C
Cari Delahanty
producer

Key Takeaways

✦

Consider Anderson 100 series products as a durable and similarly priced alternative to vinyl windows, especially for high heat applications or dark colors.

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When undertaking extensive landscaping, plan for multiple weekends of work, as projects often expand to include tilling, mulching, and edging for a complete finish.

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For attic or third-story additions, be prepared for client stress regarding open roofs and potential weather exposure; effective communication and rapid project execution are key.

✦

In humid indoor environments like greenhouses, prioritize moisture-insensitive building materials such as concrete or steel framing, and consider advanced environmental controls like Johnny's Seeds' integrated heating, AC, and dehumidification systems.

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For projects requiring high air tightness, ZIP System sheathing offers significant labor savings and a reliable air barrier, but assess local availability and cost against alternative methods like taping seams on standard OSB or plywood.

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If using ZIP System, emphasize proper tape application—rolling for adhesion and utilizing specialized tapes like stretch tape for penetrations—to ensure system integrity and weather tightness.

✦

When facing challenging building codes or inspections, understand the rationale behind requirements (e.g., wired smoke detectors for reliability during power outages) and consider long-term client intentions.

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