2X CODE INSULATION - Simple Trick!

In this episode Matt is visiting a nearly 100 year old Bungalow being re-built to Passive House standards. Architect Trey Farmer is building his family home and has some great tricks to double the insulation of a standard code built home without breaking the bank.

Huge thanks to our Show sponsors Polywall, Huber, Dorken Delta, Prosoco, Rockwool & Viewrail for helping to make these videos possible! These are all trusted companies that Matt has worked with for years and trusts their products in the homes he builds. We would highly encourage you to check out their websites for more info.

[firmurdrr]

Please keep posting on Passive Houses, and sharing all the latest and greatest on this. If more are built, the cheaper they will become. Allowing more people to be able to afford a comfortable, low energy demanding house. A win for people and the environment!

[kevinweber]

I think it would be great if you do a show going back to these houses and talking to the owners on how the faired in the freeze.

[danielfronc]

Another great build video Matt. It reminds me of an interesting story.

A couple years back an asian immigrant came to California. At the top of an established hills and canyons development, with single houses on each side of the community road he built a concrete block house with triple glazed windows and a roof with the curved thick red masonry shingles you tend to see more of in Florida. A great many of his neighbors, with their wood framed, tar based shingles ridiculed him mercilessly, that is until an out of control wildfire raced up the hills through the community. All that was left were burned out shells of the wooden homes except for the gentleman's concrete build, which didn't suffer any damage, not even scorch marks. Needless to say it made the network news shows. I'm not saying build a siege-proof castle but at least be a little proactive, recognize the risks of where you live and build or retro-fit accordingly. It will certainly reap you benefits, today or in the future.

[i.i.iiii.i.i]

I have nothing to do with building, I'm not even planning to renovate a house,
but for some reason I still find your videos super interesting :)

[stevensimpson]

When I first saw your videos I thought your just another goon contractor that likes to make videos but your are one of the most well informed contractors I've seen in 30 years in construction you do your homework well most dont

[lordrichard]

2x the level of code insulation- simple trick - gut and redesign the house!!

[solarheat]

Nice job. I like how the only spray foam was used on the outside of the house. 0.2 Air changes per hour at 50 pascals is super good.

[Ryan-dwng]

It's really important people like Matt are posting videos, a lot of clients don't even know these options are available. All it takes is for a client to ask about passive house standards and watch the rats run for the hills.

[benjaminolsson]

Nice rebuild there. I like that he kept spray insulation out of his living space. I know many don't mind it but some of us do. You spend most of your time in your home and we should be cautious about what we put in there.

[StoneysWorkshop]

I love how you guys totally geek out on all this tech.
I am super interested in a tight house like this! Thanks for all the info

[roberth]

With the use of rockwool in a conditioned attic, did they follow 2018 IRC and install a vapor diffusion port and add conditioned air to the attic ? A video on the roof structure would be very interesting.

[wgmskiing]

2x6 insulated walls with exterior insulation and R38 roof. Up here in the north that's the code minimum. The airtightness and windows make a tremendous difference.

[gtobob]

Excellent looking build. I like the idea of the Rockwool as a fire barrier and insulation vs using the 2lb closed cell exclusively. Great combination of mixing the insulations to get that house insulated and tight!

[FirstnameLastname-bpcm]

It’s really satisfying to see all that insulation! Love passive house tours!

[ytsui]

The Panasonic ERV at 4:09 has a label in Chinese saying this unit is a evaluation sample only and not sellable, after demo it has to be returned to Panasonic.

[kylemacht]

The public need more videos like this! Nice work!

[wjthehomebuilder]

Matt, I just did almost this exact scenario (but on new construction). I dropped a comment on your latest AeroBarrier video yesterday. Roxul R-23 Batts with Zip R-6.6. Same Panasonic ERV, and had AeroBarrier out yesterday (Thursday) to achieve a 0.21 ACH overall.

[anthonyman]

I want to become a builder! So sick of everyone building very quick to rot and inefficient homes!

[ouagadougou]

Did they build the crawl space wit the cylindrical concrete posts 100 years ago? It looks like the house was lifted, I think a good idea but no mention of it.

[bluebird]

Really like this architect! I like the choices of insulation and consciousness to off gassing. Really like the way the house looks outside too. Has some nice curb appeal.