Videos:

View the Following Construction Related Videos featuring our “GREEN” approaches:

• Panelized or Component Built Homes
• ICF – Insulated Concrete Forms
  

To follow is an overview of Construction Methods, Materials and Considerations utilized in each of our new homes and constitute our approach to “GREEN CONSTRUCTION & ENERGY STAR CERTIFICATION”:

Construction:

One method in which we build new homes is called "panelized" or “component built”(see the video in this section) After designing our client’s homes, rather than dropping a pile of lumber on the jobsite, we build every wall and floor section (panel) indoors in controlled environment.

• This method also allows us to control:
  • quality of materials
  • "squareness" of walls
  • fastener usage (correct amount of nails and glue, not haphazard as often times occurs on-site during stick-framing)
  • "weather sealing" of all windows (including sill-boot)
  • Exposure to the elements
• The computerized material saw makes “best-use” of every piece of framing lumber. A 2,200 square foot home generates less than one garbage can of scrap material when constructed this way. The scrap is then re-sold for use in "other" manufacturing processes and bedding materials for livestock. We operate with a "NO-WASTE" Policy (via recycling).

Foundations:

• All foundations receive R-10 (2") Foam to the top of the foundation wall.
• All foundation insulation is aluminum flashed to protect it from UV or misc damage (above grade but below siding)
• Spray foam insulation is also used to insulate the floor system where it meets the foundation (“box-sills”) insuring air-sealing of the space and best “R” value in this otherwise high heat-loss area.

Walls:

• 2" x 6" construction for all exteriors walls and
• 2" x 4" construction for interior walls.
• "finger-joint" (machine rated) studs at all "openings" (windows and doors, interior and exterior) and kitchen cabinet walls. These are recycled/engineered wood studs which are more "true" and, made from recycled materials.
• Cellulose insulation (recycled materials) which better air-seals each stud cavity and provides better R-Value than fiberglass. Additionally, it performs in the field at a rate of about 25% better than conventional fiberglass does.
• GREEN rated exterior façade materials (siding and trim details)

Roof Systems:

• Trusses are all "energy heal" heights (8" minimum, 10" normally) allowing “full-depth” insulation (R-50) above the framed wall.
• Ceiling/attic insulation is stable cellulose of R-50.

Mechanical Systems:

• Geothermal HVAC - This method of heating, cooling and domestic hot water supply will heat, cool and supply hot water to a typical 2,200sq.ft. home for less than $100/month (averaged)
• Geothermal also eliminates the need for exterior A/C condenser, eliminating, entirely, exterior noise pollution, and the "always a challenge", of where to place the unit outside the home so it can't be seen or heard.
• Lighting and lighting controls are handled with compact fluorescents and dimmers for incandescent and LED lighting.
• Low flow shower heads with temperature sensing shut-offs reduce hot water consumption, typical over-use of water and energy waste.
• Dual-Flush toilets allow for reduced consumption when flushing “yellow” and full capacity for solids.
• Masonry Heaters or Tulikivi Heaters can be used to supplement the heating of the home. The purpose of a masonry heater is to allow for a short, hot fire (1-1.5 hours) which warms the masonry materials (soapstone) and then slowly releases that heat during the following 12-18 hours, simply, radiating heat to continually warm the living space without re-firing.
  
  Interior:

• Flooring - Bamboo, Lyptus, Cork and hardwood milled from trees removed from the build-site (as in our "WOODS OF TROY" project, which has oak and cherry trees on-site & available for re-use).
  
• Cabinets – Beautiful Custom-Built doors and face-frames from lumber re-claimed from barns and buildings being torn-down/demolished; and
  
• Countertops - Concrete, Romanite (solid-surface) and our newest offering is a recycled glass and concrete combination which is spectacular.
  
• Plumbing fixtures - reduced consumptions with enhanced flushing offerings.
  
• Low and no V.O.C. (volatile organic compounds - which negatively impact our ozone layer) paints, glues and adhesives
  

Prefinished millwork (eliminating site finishing and release of V.O.C's to the atmosphere) along with finger-joined poplar trim (Recycled materials)

OVERALL:

• Our homes are "site-positioned" to take best advantages of wind-block and sun exposures whenever possible.
  
• We strive to gain natural lighting and minimize the need for electric usage during the days.
  
• We generate at least 50% less waste during construction (FYI - 40% of all the landfill waste is generated from the construction industry)
  
• We burn less fossil fuel during the construction process (and obviously reduce [equally] exhaust emissions. Typically 70% less on site.
  
• We reduce "travel" to the jobsite for the framing process by about 70%. (This effects highway usage along with oil and gasoline consumption, etc)
  
• Because our homes are built faster, we waste less energy building the home and move our clients into their new homes faster.
  
• Our homes are more valuable over time because their cost of upkeep and normal operation are substantially less than typically constructed homes.
  
• Lastly, and to some, most importantly, built by incorporating these and many more of our normal practices, the environmental impact of one of our homes is equivalent to permanently removing two cars from the highways or the planting of at least 750 trees.
  

Simply, none of what we do is rocket-science. Ours is a proactive way of doing everything we can with every home we build to make a difference for our clients, the environment and future generations. All builders could build as we do this if they "chose" to; unfortunately, most continue to do things as they always have……change is typically not embraced by the building industry.

Advances in building science technologies and manufacturing process coupled with a proactive construction approach collectively make the "difference" in how we do it, compared to the majority of builders.

If you are interested in learning more about what we do, building with us, or visiting one of our award winning "green homes", please give me a call, I assure you that the investment of time to sit-down with us for an hour or two will be well worth it as you consider your options.

We encourage our clients to learn about our homes; once they do, the question seems to evolve from, “if I’ll build GREEN”, to “how GREEN can/will I build”. We can and will help at every level.