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New Energy Code Requirements for Insulation
Written May 23, 2011 by Tom Russell, Architect LEED AP • Filed Under Energy Efficiency, Green As of January 1, 2011, many states, including Idaho, adopted new energy code requirements with the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). The new code has stricter requirements for the energy efficiency of the building envelope (a technical term for the part of a building that keeps the interior warm, dry, and comfortable). The new code requires a roughly 8-10% upgrade in building thermal efficiency from the previous code.
The biggest changes affect insulation values in ceilings, below grade walls, and to a lesser extent, above grade exterior walls. The insulation requirements vary within 8 different climate zones. North Idaho and much of the Intermountain West are in climate zone 6, which has only slightly lower insulation requirements than zones 7 & 8. Zones 7 & 8 encompass the very coldest parts of the country.
Here’s a quick overview of the new requirements:
- Ceiling insulation values have been increased from R-38 to R-49. (The R-value is a measure of thermal efficiency – the higher the number the more efficient the insulation). This is significant and potentially costly to homeowners, especially if they want vaulted ceilings. Typical roof framing members are not deep enough to accommodate enough conventional fiberglass insulation to achieve this high R-value. There are options that can be employed to meet this requirement and still have vaulted ceilings.
- Use deeper rafters. This is potentially expensive, an inefficient use of resources, and generally not recommended unless structural requirements dictate it.
- Use urethane spray foam insulation, which has a much higher R-value per inch. This product is more expensive than fiberglass insulation, but is an excellent air seal and eliminates the need for venting, which is sometimes difficult on complex roofs.
 Urethane spray foam insulation
- Use fiberglass insulation in the rafter space, and then a continuous rigid board insulation on either the ceiling below the rafters or on the roof above the sheathing. This reduces thermal bridging, which is a major source of heat loss in stick frame construction. Depending on the application, it may be better to put board insulation on the interior; putting it on the roof is physically easier but makes attaching some types of roofing problematic.
 Rigid Board Insulation
The code does allow for some R-value reductions if certain details are used, and there is an allowance for a maximum of 500 S.F. of vaulted ceilings with R-38 insulation value, subject to some restrictions.
- Basement wall insulation values have been increased from R-13 to R-19. These numbers are for insulation in wall cavities, if continuous board or spray foam insulation is used R- 15 is required. This accounts for the reduction in heat loss through thermal bridging, as mentioned above. One implication of this is that basement living space will potentially be reduced because walls need to be thicker to accommodate more insulation. Use of an ICF foundation system is an effective way to achieve this R-value without losing interior space.
 ICF Foundation
- Exterior wall insulation value has been increased from R-19 to R-20. This is significant because conventional fiberglass batt insulation is not able to achieve R-20 in a 2 x 6 wall. As an alternative, the code allows for a cavity insulation value of R-13 if a continuous board or foam insulation of minimum R-5 is used as a supplement. This is, again, an acknowledgement of the value of reducing thermal bridging. Urethane spray foam insulation can easily achieve R-20 in 2 x 6 stud cavities.
The new IECC has upped the ante for reducing building energy consumption, and future versions of the code promise further improvements. I have always been an advocate for maximizing the thermal performance of any new building, and hyper-insulating is a very effective means of achieving that goal. Money spent up front in insulation will be rewarded through reduced energy costs, smaller mechanical systems, and enhanced comfort levels for building occupants.
Tom Russell, LEED AP, Project Architect
Hendricks Architecture, mountain architects in Sandpoint, Idaho. Subscribe to Hendricks Architecture’s Blog
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Sandpoint’s Lost in the 50′s Parade
Written May 20, 2011 by John Hendricks, Architect AIA • Filed Under Sandpoint Sandpoint, Idaho has a great tradition during a weekend every May called Lost in the 50′s. A regional staple since 1986, it kicks off Friday night with the Lost in the 50′s Parade. Showcase vehicles come from all over the western USA and Canada. Although it may not be for everybody, it’s generally a lot of fun. Kids enjoy it for the glitter and noise, while the adults get taken back to earlier days – and probably enjoy the nostalgia of the noisy cars as well! Here are some photos from recent years. These are taken on Church Street where they first enter town. There are also special guests who come to town for the parade, dances, and car show. One of the guests last year was Bowzer from Sha Na Na.
 - Chevy Caprice
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 The Flame Car is a big hit. *
 - More than just 50′s cars
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 Police Car *
 The Flintstones Car *
 50's Suburban *
 Traffic jam from the past *
 School Bus *
 Into the Rainbow John Hendricks, AIA, Architect
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Why Hire An Architect?
Written May 20, 2011 by Tom Russell, Architect LEED AP • Filed Under Architecture, Energy Efficiency In today’s economy, just about everyone is closely watching every dollar they spend. Belt tightening has become a way of life, and many people are having to prioritize what is important to them when they make decisions about how their money is spent. For people who value quality, the choice to spend more on something that will last longer, perform better, and have a higher resale value isn’t as easy when the economy is bad and money is tight.
We have been finding lately that a lot of prospective clients are shopping around for design services, trying to get the most for their money. One point of confusion we see is when clients compare the price of hiring an architect to design their home against the cost of using an inexpensive drafting service. There are several important qualifications that distinguish architects, and clarifying them might help to explain why the services of an architect may cost you more than you would pay for someone to draw simple house plans. However, good quality architecture adds value to your home. If you are looking for someone to design a home or remodel for you, the following may help guide you in making a decision.
- Comparing architects to people who prepare basic house plans is like comparing apples and carrots. Architects have a high level of formal training, have served a lengthy apprenticeship, and have undergone rigorous testing. Architects are licensed to practice by the state, are required to adhere to a code of ethics, and are held to high standards of accountability. It is illegal for someone to call themselves an Architect if they don’t hold a current license. In contrast, there are no educational or training standards for someone who wants to draw house plans, and no assurance to you that they understand regulatory requirements, safety codes, or the construction process. There are certainly draftsmen and building designers who are well educated and very competent, but they have not been subjected to the rigorous vetting process that architects go through to achieve licensure.
- Architects are trained to design buildings that balance aesthetics, function, safety, quality, longevity, and cost. Architects are required to earn continuing education credits as a condition of their license, so they are kept up to date on evolving building codes, zoning requirements, building science, including energy efficiency, and the benefits and limitations of modern materials.
- Architects are required to stamp and sign anything of a technical nature that leaves their office. This is a certification that they are taking liability for the product, and that to the best of their knowledge it meets all applicable jurisdictional requirements. Several states and most upscale subdivisions require that building plans have an architect’s stamp. If design drawings are not stamped by a licensed professional, there is no legal assumption of accountability and no assurance to the homeowner that the drawings were prepared under the watchful eye of someone who is legally bound to stand behind them.
- Architects typically produce detailed drawings and specifications that allow builders to give accurate estimates, build with minimal change orders, and understand all aspects of the project before they start building. Cheap house plans very rarely contain all the necessary information required to properly price and construct the project. With poor plans to work from, contractors have to fill in the blanks, figure out how to make things work, and design the details themselves. This can lead to disappointing results and potentially unsafe conditions. Most contractors prefer a good set of detailed documents so they can provide you with the best product at the lowest cost.
- Architects bring creativity to a project. Homes that are the product of unskilled designers are easy to pick out and lack the aesthetic qualities of a properly designed home. On the other hand, homes designed by architects typically have well thought out details, appropriate scaling, and functional floor plans. Well conceived designs produce high levels of owner satisfaction and strong resale values.
- Professional accountability has real value. Anyone with a word processor can produce a “legal document”, but that doesn’t make them a lawyer. We all want the assurance of professional accreditation when we seek out medical care or take our kids to the dentist. For what it costs to build or remodel a home, and the potential for problems that can result from poor design, hiring an architect to guide the process seems like a wise investment.
It is pretty easy to find someone to prepare inexpensive plans for your new home or remodel. As with anything, you will get what you pay for. If the home you want to build is very simple or is a modification of stock plans from a book, a drafting service may be a good choice for your project. If you want a unique, quality custom home you will likely be better served by hiring an architect.
When you hire an Architect you are paying for their education, creativity, accountability, knowledge of construction technology, and assurance of quality. It makes good financial sense to enlist the services of a trained professional when you are preparing to make what is likely one of the biggest financial commitments of your life.
For more information on the value of hiring an Architect, see the American Institute of Architects website at AIA.org.
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