Many new homes are taking advantage of that space above the attached garage for an additional bedroom / bonus room space. It was made possible by the invention of the attic frame truss that is able to span a two car garage and provide a 12′ wide usable room above. However,...

Back to the building science questions. What can you tell me about this room just by looking at the picture? Also, how do you fix it?

What makes a community a great place to live? There are likely many things that come to mind immediately and probably very different from one person to another. However, there are some strong components found in many of these communities. The American Institute of Architects has...

Do you need a dehumidifier? We live in a mixed humid climate in Virginia and so often, you hear from the heating and cooling contractors in the area that there is a need to add humidification. If the house is tight – energy efficient, healthy, and durable, you should not...

When we moved to the area we looked at a lot of houses. This one was just finished and still had the new home smell (VOC’s). This kitchen is clearly not designed to be functional at all. Notice the cabinet above the refrigerator. This is the cabinet where you store the...

We have been focused on building science issues, but this one is simply a design flaw. What do you see? Stay tuned tomorrow and we will elaborate on why we think design matters.

Simple change to your home will lower your energy bills and increase your comfort.

A safe room is a hardened structure specifically designed to meet criteria that make it “nearly indestructible.”  These requirements vary depending on the scenarios that you plan for in your home or business. A safe room can be designed to withstand anything from...

Green Term Defined: Encapsulated Crawl Space

All it takes in our industry to create change is for one person to step forward and lead with passion. Others will follow if the outcome is seen to make a positive contribution. The goal should not be more, rather the goal should be the best quality. CSI needs you to be involved...