In this part of the off-grid build series, I discuss one of the most important parts of any build: sealing the envelope. This entails sheathing, weather resistive barriers (WRBs), and air sealing. I also talk about a technique I’m using to create thermal breaks within the assembly.
Building
Building an Off-Grid House Part 5: Courtyard Deck and Insulating the Slab Edges
In part five of this build series, I go over how I built the floating deck for the courtyard, and I also discuss insulating the edges of the slab-on-grade foundation.
Building an Off-Grid House Part 4: One Year Progress Update (Ceiling Framing, Wall Framing, and More…)
It’s been one year since I started building our new home. In that time, I excavated the land, built retaining walls, built the slab-on-grade foundation, and framed up the walls and the ceiling. Here’s a detailed overview of the frame, plus a little extra stuff.
The Pros and Cons of Spray Foam Insulation (Open Cell and Closed Cell)
*If you don’t want to read the entire article, scroll to the bottom for a quick summary of the pros and cons* I’m going to be using a little bit of spray foam here and there in the new house I’m building, so I thought it might be a good time to talk about the…
How to Put Up Heavy Wall Frames by Yourself
I’m in the process of framing a house using 2×6 studs. If you’ve discovered this post through a search engine, I’m going to assume you just realized how heavy a 2×6 wall frame is – or even worse, a 2×8 – and you’re looking for a way to make it easier to erect. If, like…
Building an Off-Grid House Part 3: Framing Exterior Walls
Eight months ago I started building a new house on my off-grid property. By the end of this month I’ll be finished with the exterior walls, so I thought now would be a good time for a video update. Check out the progress below…
Should Metal Roofing Screws Go Through the Valleys or the Peaks? Let’s Settle This Debate Once and for All
There’s a debate that’s been raging for decades, with no signs of slowing down: Should metal roofing screws go through the valleys of the corrugated metal or through the peaks? I’ve noticed those who prefer going through the peaks are vehement in their position. They insist there is no better way to do it, and…
Miter Joint vs. Butt Joint: Why I Don’t Like Miter Joints
Over the years, I’ve noticed myself getting more and more away from miter joints. In fact, just before writing this point, I was contemplating using a miter joint for a detail on our new house, but quickly rejected the thought. In this post, I’ll go in depth on why I think a simple butt joint…
Cabin vs. House: What’s the Difference?
I’m currently in the process of building a new off-grid house, and I often find myself wondering: What kind of house am I building, exactly? It’s too big to be a tiny house; it’s too small and boxy to be a ranch-style house; it’s too lo-fi and lacking amenities, mechanicals, etcetera… to be a modern…
How to Make a Smokeless Fire Pit for Less than $100
The Internet is full of people demonstrating how to make a smokeless fire pit. The problem is: they’re all using the same design. It’s a good design, but it’s a bit pricey and not exactly the easiest thing to make. Firstly, you need a lot of pavers or solid concrete blocks. At a price of…
