Sponsored: Matt Risinger takes thermal performance to a new level.

See how Matt Risinger improves thermal performance. 

Matt Risinger has made a name for himself by going above and beyond with his projects. A building-science expert, Matt focuses on the craftsmanship of each build – ensuring best practices are prevalent throughout. This home is a perfect case in point. Located in Austin, Texas – home base for Risinger & Co – this house has been built to be well beyond the building code requirements. 

While Austin would fall into Zone 2 on the climate map, the methods used in this build would be sufficient up to Climate Zone 5 – covering all but the far north. And, despite being over 170 miles from the Gulf Coast, this home was built to withstand a coastal environment; including extreme weather events like hurricanes and tropical storms, as well as the heightened humidity levels that come with building in the hot/humid Southern US.

Ensuring the house will dry to the outside.

The house was framed using LVL 2x6 studs – a plywood stud that’s typically only used in the headers and beams. This provided double the strength of traditional 2x6 framing. The prevalence of wood in the structure meant that there was an even greater need to control moisture. Matt and his team used a vapor-open yet airtight peel & stick housewrap and ROCKWOOL’s continuous insulation product COMFORTBOARD™ 80 on the exterior. COMFORTBOARD™ is a vapor-open insulating solution; this ensures the house will dry to the outside. The team used 2” COMFORTBOARD™ 80 to achieve an R6 rating. This application is well beyond current building codes, but any fluctuations in temperature – such as a cold snap – or changes in humidity would not affect the structure’s moisture control.

Exceeding today’s building codes.

Self-motivated builders like Risinger seek to raise their own standards; an approach that makes good business sense. This presents a significant benefit to potential clients and enhances the demand for Risinger-built homes. Matt celebrated the choice to use COMFORTBOARD™ for the exterior continuous insulation, knowing the benefits it will deliver. “The exterior insulation will lead to a lifetime of energy savings, better durability for the structure – since we don’t have to risk any negative impacts inside the house caused by condensation – and we’re providing the added benefit of fire resistance,” he said.

Using the Home Energy Rating System index – the industry standard for measuring a home’s efficiency – this house achieved a score of 48; roughly 50% more efficient than the standard code-built home.