In an effort to achieve conformity throughout the state, Maine has adopted the "Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code". These new codes now affect Home Builders in Maine in many cities and towns, and will be enacted state-wide by July 1, 2012. As Contractors in Maine we welcome these new codes. Quality Contractors in Maine have always had a strong focus on energy efficiency and have typically exceeded code in an effort to achieve tight, well insulated houses that are easy to heat. Some of the required changes however will add additional cost to a building project for Home builders in Maine. As an example, foundation walls will now require continuous R-10 insulation, and concrete floors will require R-10.There are minimum U-Factor requirements for windows and skylights as well. The following summary details the requirements by building enclosure element for Maine zone 6 ( all of Maine is zone 6 except Aroostook county which is zone 7).
- Fenestration U-Factor: 0.35
- Skylight U-Factor: 0.6
- Ceiling R-Value: 49
- Wood Frame Wall R-Value: 20 or 13+5(R-13 cavity insulation plus R-5 insulated sheathing)
- Mass Wall R-Value: 15/19 (the second R-Value applies when more than half of the insulation is on the interior of the mass wall)
- Floor R-Value: 30
- Basement Wall R-Value: 10/19(R-10 continuous insulation on the interior or exterior, or R-19 cavity insulation on the interior)
- Slab R-Value and Depth: 10, 4ft
- Crawl Space Wall R-Value: 10/13
There are a number of strategies for Home Builders in Maine to achieve these new requirements. If you have questions about how these changes might effect your future project and which solutions will best balance performance and cost please contact us as we look forward to speaking with you further about how as Contractors in Maine we might assist you with your project.
Building science case studies are educating Contractors in Maine on the importance of properly managing moisture in new building construction. It is unsettling that practices which were considered acceptable by Home Builders in Maine for many years are now being questioned as ineffective and even potentially damaging regarding proper moisture management.
As Contractors in Maine our goals for moisture management are:
- To prohibit bulk moisture from entering the building envelope from the exterior by effectively weather sealing the structure
- To regulate how moisture vapor on the interior of the building enters wall assemblies
- To provide an opportunity for any moisture within the wall assembly to be able to dry to either the exterior or the interior
Best industry practices should always be utilized by Contractors in Maine for weather sealing to prohibit bulk moisture from entering the structure.
This includes proper installation of roofing materials and flashing detail, weather barrier wrap installation and sealing, window and door installation, and exterior cladding installation and detail.
Wall systems should be designed so that moisture vapor within the conditioned space is regulated from entering the assembly, yet able to dry either to the exterior or to the interior if it does enter an assembly.
The first strategy by Home Builders in Maine to keep moisture vapor from entering the structure is extensive air sealing all gaps, joints and seams in the frame as air movement from conditioned to unconditioned space is the principal cause of moisture entering insulated assemblies.
With a few cans of DOW Professional foam and a little time, Home Builders in Maine can effectively seal all sheathing seams, plate joints, window and door perimeters and mechanical system penetrations which will make a big impact on the energy efficiency and comfort of a new home.
