2026 Update:
We are excited to announce that this home will be featured in an upcoming book, Passive House Retrofit Details: Case Studies in North American Climates.
This 1950s home outside of Boulder, Colorado needed some upgrades for both performance and durability. The homeowners decided to use the most natural and healthy materials possible, to craft a home they can feel great about living and raising their kids in.
Living Craft offered our expertise to oversee an exterior envelope remodel that started with removing the old sheathing and insulation. We replaced the 2×4 insulation batts with new-carbon sequestering hemp based batt insulation. Next, we added new sheathing and a self-adhered, vapor-open, smart membrane air and water barrier from 475 High Performance Building Products. After that, we installed a 4″ wrap of continuous, hemp board insulation. The final layers are a rainscreen dimple mat, which will allow the wall components to stay dry, and a three coat exterior lime plaster as a beautiful and fire resistant finish.
Indoor upgrades also include a new integrated whole house ERV for keeping indoor air quality high. We replaced the old attic insulation with new R-60 blown in cellulose, plus added fire and ember resistant attic venting from Vulcan Vents into the stained cedar soffit. These changes will result in a healthy, quiet, high-performance home with reduced energy costs and increased comfort.