What’s the difference between a “hot” and “cold” roof? The big challenge for Alaska roofs is to retain heat effectively and control moisture trying to escape from inside. The colder the weather and the longer the winter, the more pronounced the issues can become....
I can see frost on the underside of the roof in the attic. What’s causing this? The frost is the result of water vapor condensing. As the air in the attic cools, it can no longer hold the same amount of moisture. Cold surfaces, such as the back side of roof plywood,...
How do I keep my chimney clean and safe? The beginning of each heating season is a good time for a chimney inspection, including stoves as well as boilers and furnaces. One of the most common causes of chimney fires is the pipe coming in contact with combustibles....
Using thermal mass to capitalize on passive solar design Do you feel like you should be taking advantage of our seemingly endless hot summer days, but you’re not quite ready to invest in solar panels? Many homes in Alaska capture heat during parts of the year with...
The Moisture Issue Controlling moisture is one of the greatest challenges for homes in cold climates. That’s because we produce a lot more moisture inside our homes than most people realize through everyday activities like cooking, bathing, and having plants and pets....
