About Northlane Home

A reference on residential insulation, moisture management, and energy-efficient construction for cold-climate homes across Canada. Based in Ottawa, Ontario.

What This Resource Covers

Northlane Home focuses on the building envelope challenges specific to Canadian climates — the conditions that separate a code-minimum wall from a wall that performs well for decades without moisture damage or excess energy consumption.

The articles on this site draw on the National Building Code of Canada, Natural Resources Canada's EnerGuide and R-2000 programs, ASHRAE standards, and primary research from Canadian building science institutions. Content is written for homeowners, general contractors, and renovation professionals who need technical accuracy without unnecessary complexity.

The three topics this site covers most thoroughly are:

  • Vapour barriers — placement, perm ratings, installation quality, and the difference between vapour diffusion and air leakage as moisture transport mechanisms
  • Thermal bridging — how framing members reduce effective wall R-value, and what continuous insulation and advanced framing do to change the numbers
  • Window performance — U-factor targets for cold climates, the role of low-e coatings and gas fill, and frame material selection for northern conditions

Contact

Questions about insulation assessments, building envelope consulting, or content on this site can be directed to:

Address 1204 Wellington Street West, Ottawa, ON K1Y 2Z5
Business Hours Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM Eastern Time

Disclaimer

The content on Northlane Home is provided for general informational purposes. It reflects current Canadian building codes and industry practice as of the publication date on each article but should not replace advice from a licensed building scientist, engineer, or certified energy advisor for site-specific decisions.

Building code requirements vary by province and municipality. Always confirm applicable requirements with your local authority having jurisdiction before starting construction or renovation work.

Our Team

Northlane Home is maintained by a small group of building science writers and energy consultants based in Ottawa.

David Marchetti

Building Envelope Consultant, RSW

Fifteen years assessing residential building envelopes in Ontario and Quebec, with focus on moisture management in wood-frame construction.

Claire Beaulieu

Certified Energy Advisor (CEA)

EnerGuide evaluator with experience in both new construction ratings and existing-home retrofits across Climate Zones 5 through 7.

Tom Sperling

Technical Editor

Background in mechanical engineering and residential HVAC. Focuses on heating system efficiency and heat pump cold-climate performance.