In this episode of Forever Home, architect Steve Baczek breaks down the insulation strategy for a climate zone 5 build, walking through how Rockwool stone wool batts, continuous exterior insulation, and advanced air sealing work together as a system. He covers wall assembly R-values, the impact of framing factors and glazing ratios on whole-wall performance, and why triple-pane windows—despite being the weakest link in the envelope—are worth the investment. The episode also gets into attic detailing, ERV integration, and how the team engineered airtight solutions around recessed lighting and bath fans without compromising the air barrier.

Be sure to watch the first 9 episodes of the series for full context.
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