So far, the investments in my new home that I am the happiest with are (generally, in order of bestest first)

1.  Acrylic Latex caulk w/silicone, 10.1 oz; 5 cases - $150
2.  Spray can foam, polyurethane based, (12 oz, 16 oz); 40 cans  - $150
3.  Backer rod, closed cell polyurethane, 1100' - $150

Get the idea?

These are the tools that helped me seal the place up and achieve the best results despite the repeated failures of subcontractors to follow basic sealing guidelines.

A cordless jigsaw and drill/driver, a box of screws, a few tubes of adhesive and OSB odds and ends scavenged off the cutoff pile were also a big help.

For anyone who is building new, I highly recommend that you plan to spend this time and money to help assure that your other larger investments (envelope, insulation, heating plant, etc.) are not wasted.

Feel free to post what you feel are your best investments in your new construction.

2a. Investing in a $50 pro style pistol-grip foam gun that screws onto the 20-24oz cans would be a good substitute for #2, since they're nicely adjustable, easier to use, waste less foam than the box-store throwaways with the poly-straw tips, but it's all good, eh? (My index finger carpal tunnels get sore just thinkin' about 40 cans worth!) Air sealing is as good as it gets for ROI on energy efficiency & comfort factor.

I'd also add:

4. Exploring and adjusting costs & benefits of different aspects using with energy use modeling freeware like BeOpt or Hot2000 before breaking ground is a worthwhile time investment. Designing should be an iterative process- design the loads down, adjust the mechanical systems to suit, repeat. Adjusting sizes, U-factor, and SGHC of the windows for the climate & orientation can be a very cost effective way to minimize annual energy use too.

Good point on #4. I agree, but instead of DIY'ing that, I went right to professional consultation. Their approach got me jump started on understanding the energy issues and I took it from there. I think their fee was worth every penny but it was a dramatically larger cost than the items noted here. Considering how much effort we see to avoid basic engineering fees, I think my approach would be hard for people to buy into. Although, when you are making a $200,000 investment, a few thousand for understanding the energy situation or the engineering options, is really nothing and worth it in the long run.

Another good point - you can't do it all in one weekend. About 4 hours of sealing at a time is all I could take.

Battery powered Ryobi caulk gun! With the amount of caulk I used in my new house, it was a lifesaver.

I did LOTS of materials scrounging, probably recovered 75% of what the contractors threw out, for future projects.

Battery powered Ryobi caulk gun! With the amount of caulk I used in my new house, it was a lifesaver.

Ha Ha. Yes, I got one, too. It was wonderful. One of the best things about it is that the plunger "relaxes" at the end of an extrusion which nearly eliminates the leaking from the nozzle until you squeeze the trigger again.

It is also very useful if you are perched precariously and reaching out to get something. Having to squeeze the trigger on a conventional armstrong-powered gun makes it really hard to hit the target as the tube wavers around.

1 My galvalume standing seam roof. It means i should never have to get up there again!
2 Use of sips and superior walls. No ROI yet but thats coming
3 Hardy siding over airgap painted with two coats SW duration with the best caulk you can buy.
4 White pine interior, feels warm and sounds warm.
5 CASES of great stuff and pella sticky tape!


I sure wish i would have purchased that ryobi caulk gun. Makes of cheap caulk guns should be shot and then hung!