Archives

Attic ventilation has long been treated as a rule of thumb—cut in some vents and call it good. But in today’s high-performance homes, especially in the mixed marine climate of the Pacific Northwest, that approach can create more problems than it solves. In this session, building science expert Mark LaLiberte breaks down when vented attics work, when […]

To close out BuildRight 2026, moderator Josh Salinger leads an all-star panel—Mark LaLiberte, Ben Bogie, Steve McKana, and Charlotte Mustard—for a dynamic and insightful wrap-up of this year’s conference.  The discussion will focus on what truly matters in building and selling high-performance homes, from evolving codes and building strategies to costs, client communication, and creating […]

Housing affordability pressure, rising rates, and slower buyer qualification cycles are forcing builders to rethink how they move inventory and sustain margins. In this session, we unpack a powerful new strategy supported by the National Association of Home Builders that helps bridge the gap between custom builds and speculative inventory — while unlocking buyers who are […]

The 2021 and 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) introduced new and evolving energy efficiency requirements that impact structural building systems. From increased insulation and air sealing to the integration of continuous insulation and advanced framing techniques, these changes create new challenges and opportunities for designers, engineers, and builders. Additionally, as energy codes encourage moving […]

The BuildRight Conference +Expo is establishing an award to celebrate an individual’s outstanding efforts in high-performance homebuilding. It is named for Dan Wildenhaus, a spirited and passionate pioneer incorporating building science into everyday homebuilding. The award is to acknowledge one’s efforts in high-performance homebuilding and to encourage new generations of educators and builders to build […]

Air barriers are essential to energy performance, comfort, and durability, yet most industry guidance focuses on achieving a blower-door number at final inspection rather than understanding how airtightness holds up over time. Earth Advantage, in partnership with NREL’s Building America program, conducted a multi-year study evaluating how common residential air-barrier materials and assemblies perform under […]

The integration of AI into our workflow is creating a new work environment by reducing repetitive administrative tasks, simplifying coordination, and shifting more time toward high-value contributions. This allows our people to operate more as creators and doers — creators who solve problems, innovate, and improve how we work, and doers who execute, build, and […]

Building success at every step starts with collaboration. Builders have made great strides in meeting 45L tax credit requirements, raising the bar for energy-efficient construction. However, with the credit sunsetting in June 2026, builders will need to find other ways to maintain that momentum. This session will uncover new strategies to ensure the industry continues […]

The next Oregon energy code, known as the 2026 Oregon Residential Specialty Code (ORSC) is in its draft form and has several significant changes that this session will cover. The draft has a new Additional Measures table, new rules for installing ductwork outside the envelope, including performance testing and accommodations for “small” homes. There are […]

Join Ben Bogie for a compelling opening keynote that traces the evolution of building science—from early rule-of-thumb construction methods to today’s high-performance, data-driven homes. Drawing on more than two decades of hands-on experience and a family legacy rooted in the first generation of super-insulated buildings, Bogie connects the lessons of the past with the innovations shaping the future.  This […]