Done! Your intellectual capital is affording me great confidence and expert competence as I repair and renovate my own home. A "cup of coffee" every now and then, in exchange, seems a grand bargain.
Joe was the presenter at an energy seminar I attended close to 30 years ago. Still probably the single best source of building info. Good to see him again.
From 4 years ago when you were a youngster, Matt. Sort of gushing and looking like a kid meeting his hero. You have come a ways since then, and are promoting the same to general public and industry -- good work, and good legacy.
I just watched a video before this where Joe said you can't avoid an ice dam unless the roof is vented. He actually made fun of un-vented roofs. I know they're not addressing ice dams here, but he was really preaching vented roofs in the last video from 2014.
I think it has something to do with the HVAC ducting. Austin buildings are slab on grade. The only place that ducting has to go is in the attic. Therefore his recommendation is to "condition" that space. This includes sealing it. Then possibly adding an exterior vent system outside of the conditioned attic. I felt the same. I went back and looked at it. It seems like he would prefer a conditioned space for ducting and vents that is NOT this attic though. Then just having adequate soffit vents and a ridge vent in an unconditioned attic with properly sealed ceiling with enough insulation on top of that.
My impression is that this is all Texas-Specific. I live in the mountains of VA, where it's 97 in the summer but we can get multiple feet of snowfall every year. I think we have completely different needs from a barrier/vapor standpoint, but it's tough to get answers that are reliable.
I think both vented & unvented attics can work, when executed properly. I live in Northern CT, & built my house in 2001. I have 18" vented eave overhangs & ridge vents & meticulously installed attic fiberglass installation that extends out past the exterior walls, (with proper vents) eliminating heat escape spots. I have never had ice dams on my house. I get calls all the time from people who have bad ice dams & the solution is insulation/ventilation. Not cheap to retrofit, but effective.
building science is climate and geoigraphy specific. what works in one place doesnt in others. building science is also dynamic and evolving too with new research every year. building science is also influenced by company endorsements. they obviously praising huber zip system in this vid.
we are all confused and its annoying because i want to know if i need to vent my office/bedroom attic space. it gets too hot and too cold in both summer and winter and insulating properly my best bet.
I've watched a few of his videos, he seemed to like Vented Attics before IF they are properly built and air sealed, but he seems very pragmatic and realizes that they are usually horribly designed with more holes than swiss cheese due to customer desires and traditional build practices, which is the reasoning behind his "perfect wall" concept that he shows after all the vented/non vented discussion which he went *and built himself*. I rememeber he said in a presentation, (and I'm paraphrasing) "we're not allowed to fail college students anymore, so if they are stupid and can't make it, at least I can tell them to always build the wall like this, and it will work..." "It works in all climate zones". Rain Screen/AirGap/ThermalControl/Water-Air-VaporControl/Framing Inside...
This is fantastic ...... thought i saw all your vids ... this is a great joy of info from a very bright man. edit: can you do a longer interview with him again?
So I just recently watched 3 hours of Joe's videos, where he said he wanted a vented attic, or a raised roof system..... NOW he says a vented roof is BAD????? At some point going for perfection is a downfall. Good is Good.... And going for Perfection may have some long term serious consequences. Like Where is the Studies on Oxygen vs. Toxic Air on low air exchange. If you are going to say that less air infiltration is better, then show the safety studies on the Oxygen vs. Toxic Air. Maybe 3 Air Exchanges per hour is Not a good thing for insulating, but maybe it is better for your health. I know that you bring in air, but what if that mechanical intake of air breaks down, how long can you stay in the house before you pass out. At Some Point, going after perfection NEEDS to be a OPTION !!!!
I saw that one too. I think he was saying he didn’t like the term unvented; he like the term condition attic and they are good. But in the video I got that he says there needs to be airflow to prevent ice dams and ridge rot mold damage. I agree with your comment and Joe said in the video the simplest attic is vented and works in many climates but at the end he said something about beauty and how he would pay more for it
@@GEODAHERO I believe the best of both worlds was close to the end of that video were the main roof was insulated and they had built almost a secondary roof on top that was vented which had basically two separate fascia. I'm in Ontario, Canada and have been trying to find the best solution for the climate as I'm doing the work myself, can't pay huge money for a contractor
That's funny, the same guy Joe Istiburek in his video from 8 yrs ago "Building Science Insights: To Vent or Not to Vent" was saying do not do unvented roofs. I guess opinions change. I'm just worried about trapping moisture if I foam the roof, there is a leak and u end up with a rotted deck.
Matt - when he mentioned dump the tape when discussing Huber products, I'm assuming he was only referring to windows and such, but tape would still be used to seal the panel sheathing?
I would like to see an insulated zip roof panel. Take care of my insulation, sheathing, and roof underlayment in one fell sweep and have one warranted system! I'm really curious to hear what structural engineers think about the insulated wall panels though... To maintain shear they have always made me have the sheathing in direct contact with the studs. Please tell me this has been addressed.
For walls, most of the ZIp-R stuff is considered structural (I don't think their thickest foam option is). As you increase the foam thickness, ZIP-R requires tighter and tighter fastener spacing to comply and to maintain the shear structural strength.
I have no idea what that comment was about, unless it was southern-climate specific. In northern climates, there's no contest--all else being equal, a vented attic is about 25 - 30% more efficient than an unvented one just because of the physics at work on a larger surface area, and Lstiburek has pointed this out for many years.
Reflected Miles, I had the same thought - for years Lstiburek has advised that vented attics are applicable in all climate conditions. I found that comment confusing and would love some context behind what it meant during his and Matt's conversation.
Lstiburek has long been in favor of vented over-roofs for SIPS and very heavy snowfall areas where ice dams must be stopped from forming, and the article cited assumes the value of an unvented / conditioned attic space under certain environmental scenarios and, most importantly, when HVAC is being installed up there or the ceiling leaks beyond remedy. There is little doubt that unvented is the right option in such cases, but I think the confusion comes in putting it out there as an equivalent or even improvement upon a vented attic done right, in general, without those factors being present. I suspect that closed-cell spray foam has had a big impact on the equation as well, but in my area we're still seeing significant doubts about its potential shrinkage over time when there's nothing else in the stud bay or rafters to back up any failures. A current project in the Northwest calls for 2" of 0.75 open-cell to be sprayed against the sheathing with 3-1/2" mineral wool inside of that. If the foam holds and seals consistently, great; if it pulls back at all in time (which no one will be able to see), the wall can still perform significantly well.
Is it an unvented attic you want or unvented roof? Joe talks about how great venting a roof is in his video "To vent or not to vent" (ua-cam.com/video/Ld8pzIu45F8/v-deo.html) - is this still the accepted practice?
I'm late to the conversation, but I had the exact same thought when I saw this interview. Joe, in the presentation you cited above, is adamant that a vented attic is the best solution. But, in this interview, and here buildingscience.com/conversation/air-sealing-and-ventilation, on his own website, he is very clear that unvented attics are superior.
@@erichays9033 it's been sometime since your comment but it's information that's still very relevent! Unfortunately that video is not available! Man that's a kick in the slats
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
I almost feel criminal that all this great material is free. You're the best, Matt. Glad you reused that intro music, as well. Love it!
+MrDanAustin if you are feeling bad you can always buy me a cup of coffee with the "donate" button on my blog page! Matt Risinger.com 😎
Done! Your intellectual capital is affording me great confidence and expert competence as I repair and renovate my own home. A "cup of coffee" every now and then, in exchange, seems a grand bargain.
Joe was the presenter at an energy seminar I attended close to 30 years ago. Still probably the single best source of building info. Good to see him again.
From 4 years ago when you were a youngster, Matt. Sort of gushing and looking like a kid meeting his hero. You have come a ways since then, and are promoting the same to general public and industry -- good work, and good legacy.
This video couldn't be more applicable, given the power outages across Texas now!
Joe is the best. Love his column in the ASHRAE journal
VERY glad to hear his comment about liquid sealers versus tape. Time to get the Aerofixx system. Keep up the great work!
I just watched a video before this where Joe said you can't avoid an ice dam unless the roof is vented. He actually made fun of un-vented roofs. I know they're not addressing ice dams here, but he was really preaching vented roofs in the last video from 2014.
I think it has something to do with the HVAC ducting. Austin buildings are slab on grade. The only place that ducting has to go is in the attic. Therefore his recommendation is to "condition" that space. This includes sealing it. Then possibly adding an exterior vent system outside of the conditioned attic. I felt the same. I went back and looked at it.
It seems like he would prefer a conditioned space for ducting and vents that is NOT this attic though. Then just having adequate soffit vents and a ridge vent in an unconditioned attic with properly sealed ceiling with enough insulation on top of that.
My impression is that this is all Texas-Specific. I live in the mountains of VA, where it's 97 in the summer but we can get multiple feet of snowfall every year. I think we have completely different needs from a barrier/vapor standpoint, but it's tough to get answers that are reliable.
I think both vented & unvented attics can work, when executed properly. I live in Northern CT, & built my house in 2001. I have 18" vented eave overhangs & ridge vents & meticulously installed attic fiberglass installation that extends out past the exterior walls, (with proper vents) eliminating heat escape spots. I have never had ice dams on my house. I get calls all the time from people who have bad ice dams & the solution is insulation/ventilation. Not cheap to retrofit, but effective.
He recommends a non vented roof unless it will have more than 50 lbs of snow per square inch
building science is climate and geoigraphy specific. what works in one place doesnt in others. building science is also dynamic and evolving too with new research every year. building science is also influenced by company endorsements. they obviously praising huber zip system in this vid.
Common sense, but in the event that isn't enough this man can pull out the pedigree and get technical. I enjoy listening to him teach.
I watched the vent or not to vent. Joe was all about venting. What happened. Or is this talking just about the south. I’m In Wyoming.
Lucky Cactus yeah, that was odd
I had the same thoughts
we are all confused and its annoying because i want to know if i need to vent my office/bedroom attic space. it gets too hot and too cold in both summer and winter and insulating properly my best bet.
I've watched a few of his videos, he seemed to like Vented Attics before IF they are properly built and air sealed, but he seems very pragmatic and realizes that they are usually horribly designed with more holes than swiss cheese due to customer desires and traditional build practices, which is the reasoning behind his "perfect wall" concept that he shows after all the vented/non vented discussion which he went *and built himself*. I rememeber he said in a presentation, (and I'm paraphrasing) "we're not allowed to fail college students anymore, so if they are stupid and can't make it, at least I can tell them to always build the wall like this, and it will work..." "It works in all climate zones". Rain Screen/AirGap/ThermalControl/Water-Air-VaporControl/Framing Inside...
This is fantastic ...... thought i saw all your vids ... this is a great joy of info from a very bright man. edit: can you do a longer interview with him again?
So I just recently watched 3 hours of Joe's videos, where he said he wanted a vented attic, or a raised roof system..... NOW he says a vented roof is BAD?????
At some point going for perfection is a downfall.
Good is Good.... And going for Perfection may have some long term serious consequences.
Like Where is the Studies on Oxygen vs. Toxic Air on low air exchange.
If you are going to say that less air infiltration is better, then show the safety studies on the Oxygen vs. Toxic Air.
Maybe 3 Air Exchanges per hour is Not a good thing for insulating, but maybe it is better for your health.
I know that you bring in air, but what if that mechanical intake of air breaks down, how long can you stay in the house before you pass out.
At Some Point, going after perfection NEEDS to be a OPTION !!!!
I saw that one too. I think he was saying he didn’t like the term unvented; he like the term condition attic and they are good. But in the video I got that he says there needs to be airflow to prevent ice dams and ridge rot mold damage. I agree with your comment and Joe said in the video the simplest attic is vented and works in many climates but at the end he said something about beauty and how he would pay more for it
@@GEODAHERO I believe the best of both worlds was close to the end of that video were the main roof was insulated and they had built almost a secondary roof on top that was vented which had basically two separate fascia.
I'm in Ontario, Canada and have been trying to find the best solution for the climate as I'm doing the work myself, can't pay huge money for a contractor
Does Joe have a channel?
That's funny, the same guy Joe Istiburek in his video from 8 yrs ago "Building Science Insights: To Vent or Not to Vent" was saying do not do unvented roofs. I guess opinions change. I'm just worried about trapping moisture if I foam the roof, there is a leak and u end up with a rotted deck.
Matt - when he mentioned dump the tape when discussing Huber products, I'm assuming he was only referring to windows and such, but tape would still be used to seal the panel sheathing?
I would like to see an insulated zip roof panel. Take care of my insulation, sheathing, and roof underlayment in one fell sweep and have one warranted system! I'm really curious to hear what structural engineers think about the insulated wall panels though... To maintain shear they have always made me have the sheathing in direct contact with the studs. Please tell me this has been addressed.
I too am curious about the shear concern with insulation between the stud and sheathing. Buildingscience may have some info on the matter.
isn't that called a sip panel?
yeah, basically a SIP panel, just with the zip built-in vapor permeable water-resistive barrier so you're one-and-done
For walls, most of the ZIp-R stuff is considered structural (I don't think their thickest foam option is). As you increase the foam thickness, ZIP-R requires tighter and tighter fastener spacing to comply and to maintain the shear structural strength.
The Godfather!
Sounds like Un-Vented attics is the way to go. What is your suggestion for the Northern Climate areas? Vented or Un-Vented?
I have no idea what that comment was about, unless it was southern-climate specific. In northern climates, there's no contest--all else being equal, a vented attic is about 25 - 30% more efficient than an unvented one just because of the physics at work on a larger surface area, and Lstiburek has pointed this out for many years.
Reflected Miles, I had the same thought - for years Lstiburek has advised that vented attics are applicable in all climate conditions. I found that comment confusing and would love some context behind what it meant during his and Matt's conversation.
Yeah, I was confused by that too. Curious if they meant unvented "attic" when they said roof (as in, conditioned attic with a vented roof)
more info: buildingscience.com/documents/digests/bsd-149-unvented-roof-assemblies-for-all-climates
Lstiburek has long been in favor of vented over-roofs for SIPS and very heavy snowfall areas where ice dams must be stopped from forming, and the article cited assumes the value of an unvented / conditioned attic space under certain environmental scenarios and, most importantly, when HVAC is being installed up there or the ceiling leaks beyond remedy. There is little doubt that unvented is the right option in such cases, but I think the confusion comes in putting it out there as an equivalent or even improvement upon a vented attic done right, in general, without those factors being present. I suspect that closed-cell spray foam has had a big impact on the equation as well, but in my area we're still seeing significant doubts about its potential shrinkage over time when there's nothing else in the stud bay or rafters to back up any failures. A current project in the Northwest calls for 2" of 0.75 open-cell to be sprayed against the sheathing with 3-1/2" mineral wool inside of that. If the foam holds and seals consistently, great; if it pulls back at all in time (which no one will be able to see), the wall can still perform significantly well.
Is it an unvented attic you want or unvented roof? Joe talks about how great venting a roof is in his video "To vent or not to vent" (ua-cam.com/video/Ld8pzIu45F8/v-deo.html) - is this still the accepted practice?
Good question. Unventilated is usually more energy efficient. Vented is usually more durable
I'm late to the conversation, but I had the exact same thought when I saw this interview. Joe, in the presentation you cited above, is adamant that a vented attic is the best solution. But, in this interview, and here buildingscience.com/conversation/air-sealing-and-ventilation, on his own website, he is very clear that unvented attics are superior.
So basically there is more risk of destroying a home unventilated . You’re definitely safer as a contractor to to vent and insulate .
@@erichays9033 it's been sometime since your comment but it's information that's still very relevent! Unfortunately that video is not available! Man that's a kick in the slats
A few years ago this guy was making fun of unvented roof systems. You can watch it for yourself here: ua-cam.com/video/Ld8pzIu45F8/v-deo.html
🤔🤔🤔 did he say continuous foam on the outside AND filled with spray foam?
😏😏😏
Unvented rooooooves.
Both of you guys drive me crazy by saying "rooves" instead of "roofs." Get in the groof!
The snidest guy in construction.