Building Material Optimization

Advanced Framing Techniques are used in the design and construction to reduce amount of materials used while maintaining structural integrity.

Detailed Material Takeoffs

Planning in the design and installation phases through a framing plan provides a layout of each piece of lumber and an accurate count of materials that reduces job-site waste.

Use of Engineered Lumber Systems

A pre-cut floor and roof package are marked by location on a layout plan that is provided on the blueprint or with the package. Delivery can be scheduled for just-in-time delivery to minimize site disturbance, not having to cut or calculate the position of the components of the systems ensures structural integrity, efficient construction and eliminates onsite waste.

Building Materials Require No Additional Finish Resources On-Site

These materials do not require additional finish resources and save on priming, painting, and/or additional resources at the installation stage.  Additionally fewer resources are needed for recurring maintenance offering greater sustainability.

Gutter and Downspout System to Divert Water Away from Foundation

Storm Water is diverted from the roof and into surrounding landscaping. Such a technique can help beautify the yard, reduce the amount of mowing needed, and reduce the need to use potable water for watering.

Weather Resistant Barrier

Building envelope is protected from water intrusion by installing a secondary, exterior-wall water management system.

Ice Flashing at Roof Edge

Ice flashing is a redundant barrier that protects the sheathing near the roof edges and keeps water from wind-driven rain, clogged gutter backup, and freeze-thaw cycles out of the attic and walls.

Recycled Content Building Materials

The impact of home building on the environment is reduced through the use of recycled content materials.

Certified Wood used for Wood Based Materials

Forest certification systems are practices that maintain and restore forest health and ecosystems and help identify producers that assure a reliable supply without damaging forests.

Products Contain Fewer Resources than Traditional Products

Minimize the resources consumed by and the environmental impact of building a house.

Use of Locally Available and Indigenous Materials

Make the home building process more environmentally acceptable by minimizing transportation and processing costs and using materials that are common to the local region.

Increased Effective R-Value of Building Envelope through Advanced Framing Techniques

Enhance the insulating value of the building envelope by selecting an efficient and cost-effective framing package.  Framing Techniques can eliminate thermal bridges, i.e., areas where there is no room for insulation.

ENERGY STAR® Rated Windows

Assure optimum building envelope performance. In addition, they are a source of direct solar gains in the summer, which can add to the cooling load.

HVAC Contractor NATE Certified

Equivalent of a “technical degree” for an HVAC contractor, offers added assurance that the HVAC system in the home is designed and installed in accordance with the industry’s best recommended practices.

ENERGY STAR® Qualified Energy Efficient Appliances

Appliances that reduce energy use in the home.

ENERGY STAR® Qualified Water Efficient Appliances

Reduction of water consumption through water-efficient major household appliances.

Water Efficient Sink and Kitchen Faucets

Save water through sink and kitchen faucets with aerators that cut flow to levels below the federal minimum standards for faucet flow rate.

Vented Space for Space Heating and Water Heating Equipment

The back-drafting potential of space heating and water heating equipment is minimized by the use of direct-vent (sealed combustion) or mechanical/induced-draft (power vented) equipment.

Direct Vent Fireplaces

Direct-vent sealed combustion gas fireplaces minimize the risk of smoke and combustion byproducts back-drafting into the home. Outdoor air is also supplied directly to the combustion chamber so that indoor air is not required for combustion.

Kitchen Range Exhaust Vented to Outside

Remove moisture, odors, and combustion byproducts.

Moisture Resistant Backerboard under Tiled Wet Areas

Reduce the risk of problems if water penetrates tile surfaces in kitchens and baths.

Low VOC Paints

Reduce the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released to the outdoors and to reduce the formation of ground-level ozone.

Manufacturers Operations and Practices Include Environmental Management System Concepts

Institutionalize and consistently apply the concept of incorporating environmental considerations into all phases of the company’s operations.