"In Washington state and in Oregon ... the new codes will really begin improving the performance of buildings overall; holistic ways of looking at buildings and environments."

Designing a gallery wall is one thing—rewiring your electrical panel is another. Here are five questions you should ask yourself before investing in a DIY remodel project that could lead to disastrous results and a devalued home.

"The building sciences community has always been really adamant about the fact that we want buildings that are healthy, safe, durable, and affordable to operate and maintain."