Project Spotlight: Wood-Based Insulation In The Desert On Arizona’s First Smart Enclosure Assembly

Lucas Johnson, Western Regional Manager of 475 High Performance Building Supply, walks us through this 20-slide, 6.5 minute PechaKucha-style presentation on the fundamentals of his favorite recent project in Arizona. This home was a collaboration between Beckett Construction, Design Tank, and Vali Homes, with the client setting the directive to build for optimized health, low-carbon materials, and the highest performance possible. Lucas focuses on the use of Gutex wood fiber board insulation and Pro Clima airtightness and vapor control to achieve the aspirational goals of this project.

[reidable]

I live in Chicago and have a 2x4 wood frame two flat built in 1896 that seems to have no insulation. I want to take off the vinyl siding and add Gutex or rock wool exterior insulation. If I go with the Gutex, then I should add it to the sheathing and then add the vapor barrier? I will probably use LP smart side as new siding. Thanks for the video!

[ArthurDentZaphodBeeb]

You said too many staples were used to attach the Gutex, so what spacing do you recommend?

[boedillard]

I'm wonder how they hold up to wood boring insects and termites.

[timgleason]

So with Gutex window details, is solid enough that you don’t need to buck out the frame?

[Dollapfin]

I can tell you guys build 100 year houses.