Roofing

CEUs for Contractors: The What, How and Why of Thermal Envelope Improvements

PTC's Award-Winning Continuing Education Tour covers difficult new energy code requirements for roofs and walls
Feb. 16, 2023
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This award-winning collection of ProTradeCraft video resources was used in the Continuing Education classes, HIGH-PERFORMANCE BUILDING, taught in partnership with Northstar Associates, for the State of Minnesota and Wisconsin Contractor Certification February 16, 2023.

  1. Building Blocks of Building Science
  2. Airtight Walls in the Real World
  3. Four Superinsulated Walls
  4. Windows in Thick Walls
  5. Roof Improvements

Following the 40-45 minute classes are the individual videos, animations, podcasts, and articles used in the classes.

Also included at the bottom is info on the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).

1: The Building Blocks of Building Science

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Insulation & Air Sealing

Thermal Bridging: A Podcast About BS (#buildingscience)

A thermal bridge is an area of the building enclosure—whether it be the walls, roof, or foundation—that has significantly higher heat flow than intended.
16th April 2021
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Insulation & Air Sealing

Air Barriers: 7 Minutes of BS—Building Science, Syncopated

You can't simply go down to the hardware store and buy a box labeled air barrier
22nd Aug. 2018
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HVAC & Mechanicals

The Psychrometric Chart: 7 Minutes of BS (Building Science)

This chart explains how moisture behaves in the air as temperatures rise and fall—rainstorms, flooding, and glaciers in wall cavities are distinct possibilities.
16th Oct. 2018
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Roofing

Moisture Management Guide: Three Design Rules

When plumbing lines burst, people notice. Unfortunately, a lot of the moisture damage in houses has nothing to do with bulk water.
4th June 2020
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Concrete & Masonry

Building Performance Begins on the Blueprints

Thermal shorts and good design don't mix
28th March 2016
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Insulation & Air Sealing

Heat Flow: 7 Minutes of BS (#buildingscience)

Three mechanisms usually work together to move electrons from more to less. These three mechanisms can conspire to move heat AROUND your insulation.
12th Feb. 2021
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Roofing

The Pen Test for Air-, Water- and Thermal-Tightness

Water and air leaks in a building shell are difficult enough to detail on simple buildings. Complex structures can cause headaches for builders, remodelers, and architects who...
15th Jan. 2016
HVAC & Mechanicals

Understanding Relative Humidity: It's All Relative

But some buckets are *more* relative
14th Dec. 2015

2: Airtight Walls in the Real World

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WRB & Flashing

Weatherization Nation 4: The WRB is a BFD

The Tyvek weather-resistive barrier can be a water barrier and an air barrier, but it is NOT a vapor barrier
3rd Feb. 2023
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WRB & Flashing

How To Install House Wrap #TheRightWay

Stop rot with house wrap​
30th Jan. 2023
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Insulation & Air Sealing

Weather Barrier #DoneRight

Weather Barriers done right means weather barriers that go to work on more than just sunny days
7th March 2016
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Insulation & Air Sealing

Flashing Pipes, Framing, and Exhaust Vents in Exterior Walls

For walls with a pre-applied weather barrier, make sure the tape is compatible with the WRB coating—or use a primer
25th April 2017
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WRB & Flashing

ViscoElasticity: 7 Minutes of BS (#BuildingScience)

The science of stickiness: a molecular look at tape's adhesive and cohesive properties
6th Oct. 2018
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Insulation & Air Sealing

Model Remodel Show: Four Smart Energy Upgrades for Compact Houses

Simple upgrades to steps you take anyway can significantly boost the energy performance of a home
23rd June 2018
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Framing

Air Sealing Basics—Begin at the Plate

It's easy to air seal the middle of the wall where there are no gaps, cracks, or joints. The edges are a different story, especially when one edge is wood and the other is concrete...
12th May 2015

3: Four Superinsulated Walls

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Framing

A Modified Larsen Truss Using I-Joists on a Passive House Retrofit

Screwing I-joists to the outside of a wall—really—makes a lot more room for insulation on a deep energy retrofit in NW Connecticut
13th Feb. 2017
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Framing

Framing Double Stud Walls

Transfer the layout, and frame the openings a little bigger—just in case
4th Feb. 2021
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Insulation & Air Sealing

Exterior Roof and Wall Insulation Retrofit (Unvented Roof)

Wrapping an old house in a blanket of insulation is a no-brainer when you're replacing the roofing and siding anyway
10th Dec. 2020
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Insulation & Air Sealing

Exterior Foam Insulation Retrofit: How To Install Polyiso Panels, Part 2

The second layer of foam is the air barrier and drainage plane.
1st Oct. 2015
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Insulation & Air Sealing

Exterior Foam Insulation Retrofit: How To Install Polyiso Panels

The first layer of foam is mostly an insulation layer; the outer layer is the air barrier and drainage plane. This video is about the first layer.
29th March 2018
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Siding & Exterior Trim

Awesome Wall: Because Sometimes We Screw Up

Belt, suspenders, rainscreen, and redundancy make this wall awesome.
18th Sept. 2020

4: Windows in Thick Walls

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Insulation & Air Sealing

Exterior Roof and Wall Insulation Retrofit (Unvented Roof)

Wrapping an old house in a blanket of insulation is a no-brainer when you're replacing the roofing and siding anyway
10th Dec. 2020
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WRB & Flashing

Innie Window Details for Walls with Thick Exterior Insulation

Recessed into thick layers of insulation, innie windows are protected from the weather
7th Nov. 2016
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Insulation & Air Sealing

Outie Window Details for Walls with Thick Exterior Insulation

A thermal break and solid backing puts the window on the outer face of a thick wall. Now, there's room on the inside window sill for cats and bowling trophies
10th Oct. 2016
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WRB & Flashing

Window and WRB: Integration Keeps Water Out of Walls

Sealing the layers—and overlapping them right—is how high-performance building gets done
8th Sept. 2016
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WRB & Flashing

In-Betweenies: Installing a Flangeless Window in the Middle of a Thick Wall

Three videos covering the step by step process for flashing, installing, and airsealing an in-betweenie window in a Passive House Retrofit
4th July 2016
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WRB & Flashing

Innie vs. Outie Sill Details for Thick Foam

The WRB is a BFD when choosing where to put the window
12th June 2015
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WRB & Flashing

How to Flash an Innie with Non-Stretch Tape (#TheHardWay)

The least expensive window flashing tape is also the most complicated to install. Unless you've done it a bajillion times
4th Aug. 2015

5: Roof Improvements

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Framing

Decking A StormProof Roof (4 of 4): Sealing the Seams

Tape layers should overlap shingle-style up the roof
19th June 2018
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Framing

Stormproof Roof: Design and Construction Advice

Overlapping tapes with gravity in mind keeps water out of the house
24th April 2018
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Roofing

How Ice Dams Form, and How To Stop Them

Four ways to prevent ice dams in three types of roof, for two climates in one video. Boom.
6th Feb. 2017
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Roofing

Kickout Flashing That Won't Leak

Ground zero for roof rot is often where roofs meet walls.
20th Sept. 2016
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Insulation & Air Sealing

Exterior Roof Insulation Retrofit (Unvented Roof)

Covering the roof of an old house with a blanket of insulation makes the house more comfortable and it cuts energy use.
15th Oct. 2015
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Roofing

Dormer Flashing Details in 4D

Concentrate on the corners and think like water when overlapping the layers
29th Oct. 2016
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Roofing

Exterior Roof Insulation Retrofit (Vented Roof)

#ÃœberRoof: A site-built ventilated SIP roof sandwich.
17th Sept. 2015

The Classes

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Roofing

Typical Roof Trouble Spots (PTC's Continuing Education Tour, Part 5)

Flashing, ventilation, and ice dams
4th Feb. 2022
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WRB & Flashing

Windows in Thick Walls (PTC's Continuing Education Tour, Part 4)

Innies, outies, and in-betweenies
27th Jan. 2022
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Framing

Four Superinsulated Walls (PTC's Continuing Education Tour, Part 3)

Fat walls mean skinny energy bills
20th Jan. 2022
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Insulation & Air Sealing

Airtight Walls in the Real World (PTC's Continuing Education Tour, Part 2)

Every layer you add has two sides that can become air pathways to the inside of a building
13th Jan. 2022
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Insulation & Air Sealing

The Building Blocks of Building Science (PTC's Continuing Education Tour, Part 1)

The basic BS boils down to 'stuff goes from more to less,' more or less
11th March 2021

Answers to Questions asked after class

Dan Morrison
Replace A Window Wall Continuous Insulation Foam
WRB & Flashing

Replacing a 30-Year Old Replacement Window in a 100-Year-Old Wall That Was Upgraded With Exterior Foam Insulation 25 Years Ago

Protradecraft traveled to the home of Building Science Corporation founders Betsy Pettit and Joseph Lstiburek, aka Dr. Joe, to film a replacement window replacement scenario not...
10th Oct. 2024

The 2021 Energy Code Minimums Are Even Steeper

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HVAC & Mechanicals

2021 Energy Code Survival Guide

The updates are really only a big deal if you live in climate zones 4 or 5, like 65% (or so) of America does. But don't worry, climate change is making it smarter than ever to...
1st March 2022
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Residential State Code Map 2021
Construction Phase

Exterior Insulation Is Required in Zones 4 and 5, and Other 2021 IECC updates

There are new words and numbers in the energy code, like 'tested for tightness,' R-60, and 20+5
12th Sept. 2024

About the Author

Dan Morrison

Dan Morrison is a founding editor of ProTradeCraft.com, where he is also the editor-in-chief. Fun fact: Dan is also a founding editor of Green Building Advisor and executive editor of Fine Homebuilding.

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