Posts Tagged ‘BUILDING GREEN IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS’

GREEN SHOULD NOT BE AN EXOTIC COLOR ON EVERGREEN COLORADO REAL ESTATE

Wednesday, November 4th, 2009

GREEN SHOULD NOT BE AN EXOTIC COLOR ON EVERGREEN COLORADO REAL ESTATE

 

The main problem that MARK ENGLISH CUSTOM HOME BUILDERS has with building “GREEN” is that everyone wants to stress the exotic, the expensive, the cutting edge instead of the basic, the easy, the reasonable, the economical. We all immediately jump into a discussion of a 30 to 35 thousand dollar geothermal system, or 10 to 15 thousand dollars of solar panels instead of weighing the costs against the benefits.

 

For years we have used 2 X 6 construction, 93% to 96% high efficiency furnaces, basement slab insulation, R-38 insulation in ceilings, high efficient appliances, low flush toilets, high efficient hot water tanks, hot water pipe insulation, natural gas, low-E insulated windows and patio doors, placement of the home to take advantage of solar heat, natural low water grass and shrubs, and on and on. All these features, although they add some cost are certainly within the budget of most homeowners and spec builders.

 

All these features will pay for themselves quickly, all are easy to maintain and easy to sustain, all protest the environment, all are stingy with the energy costs, and all are thoroughly do-able in any home from the basic starter to the high end executive mansion.

 

Please give us a call; we are concerned about You and Your needs. Give MARK ENGLISH CUSTOM HOME BUILDERS a call; we will educate You so that You will have the advantage. We are the one stop shop for all your Real Estate needs in the Rocky Mountains. Whether a home of Your own, a retirement investment, an EVERGREEN COLORADO HOME LOAN or an EVERGREEN COLORADO MORTGAGE REFINANCE call us at 303-674-0148, Email us at markenglishrealestate@msn.com, or visit us on the web at www.evergreencoloradoliving.com. Don’t forget to register for Your FREE INCENTIVES on our web site.

ABOVE ALL BUILDING GREEN IS A SYSTEM FOR EVERGREEN COLORADO REAL ESTATE

Wednesday, November 4th, 2009

ABOVE ALL BUILDING GREEN IS A SYSTEM FOR EVERGREEN COLORADO REAL ESTATE

 

It is important to understand that most ‘Green” building methods are part of a building system. You cannot just stick a high efficient window here or there and forget the placement of the window and the design of the roof soffit above the window. It gives you little benefit to use 2 X 6 wall construction in only some of the exterior walls, which I have seen many builders do. This kind of building shows a desire to cheat or fool the buyer or a total lack of understanding of the entire insulating system of a new home.

                       

Many of these features are designed to save you on your energy costs and to protect our environment. But remember that a home has an environment of its own. When you build a home the house has high-pressure areas and low-pressure areas that must be balanced. Your new home will have high moisture areas in laundry rooms, bathrooms and kitchens; and low moisture areas in bedroom and living rooms that again must be balanced.

 

Just like a weather system the high pressure and high moisture areas will try to balance with the low pressure and low moisture areas and you will get air leakage from the cold outside to the warm inside unless the system to complete. Nice solar sunlight coming through the windows in the winter is great but can be unbearable in the middle of July.

 

So remember that with every phase of the job from the foundation insulation, to the exterior sheathing and siding, to the roof and the framed walls; the integrity of every system must be maintained to produce the effective result that the design intended.

 

THREE DIFFERENT CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMS

 

We have 40 years experience in building custom homes. We are an EVERGREEN COLORADO CUSTOM HOME BUILDER and would be happy to talk to you about Your dream home. We have three different construction programs for you to choose from. We will show you how to take your project from conception, through land selection and financing to final move in. Please, give us a call at 303-674-0148, Email us at markenglishbuilder@msn.com or visit us on the web at www.evergreencoloradoliving.com.

INSULATING MECHANICALS FOR GREEN BUILD ON EVERGREEN COLORADO REAL ESTATE

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

INSULATING MECHANICALS FOR GREEN BUILD ON EVERGREEN COLORADO REAL ESTATE

 

We are continuing our look at the new “Green” building code updates to the IECC an IRC universal building codes. Today’s update has to do with mechanical piping. Any piping carrying fluids above 105 degrees F or below 55 degrees F must be insulated to a minimum of R-3.

 

This requirement is not only for your hot water piping but also for heating and cooling pipes for glycol or fluids for your hot water heating. This is really nothing new since insulating heating piping and duct works has been in the code for years but it does increase the mandate to insulate in all zones and under all conditions – no exceptions.

 

We are MARK ENGLISH REAL ESTATE and DISCOUNT MORTGAGES SERVICES and are Your one stop shop for all Your EVERGREEN COLORADO REAL ESTATE and CONIFER COLORADO REAL ESTATE. We are also an EVERGREEN COLORADO CUSTOM HOME BUILDER and are looking forward to serving You with all Your Real Estate needs. Please, give us a call at 303-674-0148, Email us at markenglishrealestate@msn.com or visit us on the web at www.evergreencoloradoliving.com . Don’t forget to register for Your FREE BUYER INCENTIVES.

BUILDING GREEN AND VAPOR RETARDERS FOR EVERGREEN COLORADO REAL ESTATE

Monday, November 2nd, 2009

BUILDING GREEN AND VAPOR RETARDERS FOR EVERGREEN COLORADO REAL ESTATE

 

This is a continuing blog detailing all the new Building Code changes in the IRC and IECC codes that reflect the new Green Building movement. One of the new code provisions is that in zones 5, 6, 7, and 8 the interior side of exterior framed walls must have a vapor retarder. This is an improvement over the older code which placed the vapor barrier on the exterior of the framed wall and retarded the ability of the wood frame to breath.

 

Wood, as are many building materials, is organic and must be vented with clean fresh air or they will fester and rot. Putting the vapor barrier on the interior wall allows the wood siding, the sheathing, and the studs to breath free. One of the dangerous trends in recent years is to put a vapor barrier on the exterior and the interior of the stud wall thinking more is always better. This could be a very dangerous practice if you do not know what you are doing, Double vapor barriers could severely damage the structure in just a few short years.

 

Please, give us a call and we will show you how to BUILD GREEN IN EVERGREEN COLORADO. We have 40 years experience in building custom homes. We are an EVERGREEN COLORADO CUSTOM HOME BUILDER and would be happy to talk to you about Your dream home. We have three different construction programs for you to choose from. We will show you how to take your project from conception, through land selection and financing to final move in. Please, give us a call at 303-674-0148, Email us at markenglishbuilder@msn.com or visit us on the web at www.evergreencoloradoliving.com  

INSTALLING MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT WINDOWS IN EVERGREEN COLORADO REAL ESTATE

Sunday, November 1st, 2009

INSTALLING MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT WINDOWS IN EVERGREEN COLORADO REAL ESTATE

 

The newer versions of the IRD and IECC building codes require the use of a more energy efficient windows. The heat gain in summer and the heat loss in winter from the windows cause a substantial loss of energy. Windows are rates by the U value, with a lower rating number meaning that a window is more efficient at stopping the flow of heated or cooled air.

 

In the warmer climates, zones 1 to 4, which are generally hotter in the summer and need air conditioning, the U values allowed have decreased, causing an increase in the energy efficiency of the homes.

 

Additionally, the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC), which measures how well the window blocks the heat from sunlight, has been lowered. The SHGC is designated by a number between 1 and 0 with the smaller the number the less solar heat transmitted. In hotter areas the SHGC requirement has been reduced to allow less energy to cool the home.

 

Better windows will cost more money. I would make sure that not only is the window glass and weather stripping superior but the tracts, hardware and mechanisms are sturdy and will go the distance.

 

We are MARK ENGLISH REAL ESTATE and DISCOUNT MORTGAGES SERVICES and are Your one stop shop for all Your EVERGREEN COLORADO REAL ESTATE and CONIFER COLORADO REAL ESTATE. We are also an EVERGREEN COLORADO CUSTOM HOME BUILDER and are looking forward to serving You with all Your Real Estate needs. Please, give us a call at 303-674-0148, Email us at markenglishrealestate@msn.com or visit us on the web at www.evergreencoloradoliving.com.

THE NEW BUILDING CODE FOR GREEN BUILDING AND EVERGREEN COLORADO REAL ESTATE

Saturday, October 31st, 2009

THE NEW BUILDING CODE FOR GREEN BUILDING AND EVERGREEN COLORADO REAL ESTATE

 

Another new standard for the Green Building Code is that you must increase the insulation in a Mass Wall. The code defines a Mass Wall as an above grade wall made of concrete blocks, concrete, insulated concrete forms, masonry cavities, brick, earth, adobe, compressed earth, solid timber logs.

 

The reason for the change is to over come what is know as thermal lag. This slows down the time it takes for cold or hot temperatures to transfer from the outside to the inside of the structure. Building materials like concrete and logs have notoriously poor insulating value and this code requirement is meant to compensate for this. This will mandate more insulation so the cost will rise. This is a good improvement since materials like logs, although most people think that they are good insulators, really are not.

 

We have 40 years experience in building custom homes. We are an EVERGREEN COLORADO CUSTOM HOME BUILDER and would be happy to talk to you about Your dream home. We have three different construction programs for you to choose from. We will show you how to take your project from conception, through land selection and financing to final move in. Please, give us a call at 303-674-0148, Email us at markenglishbuilder@msn.com or visit us on the web at www.evergreencoloradoliving.com  

THE NEW GREEN BUILDING CODE FOR EVERGREEN COLORADO REAL ESTATE

Saturday, October 31st, 2009

THE NEW GREEN BUILDING CODE FOR EVERGREEN COLORADO REAL ESTATE

 

There have been some new requirements to the IRC (International Residential Code) and the IECC (International Energy Conservation Code). I will take a few blogs to define and explain some of the recent changes.

 

Performing a Blower-Door test – The Blower Door Test measures the air tightness of the building after the home is built and roughed in. This will insure that the homes insulation envelope in less than or equal to 7 ACH (Air Changes per Hour). This will make it a priority that any air leaks discovered must be sealed.

 

Designing a home that is air tight and building and test that home is expensive and will add $500.00 to a $1000.00 to the hard cost of a home depending on the size. The pay back in energy savings will be negligible because all the systems that make a house tight have been incorporated into home construction for many years but now your will be required to proves it with an expensive test. I suppose it will eliminate a small percentage of the low quality national home builders who routinely find ways to get the energy ratings without spending the time and effort to insure the quality of their product.

 

But for most of us it is just another cost. You see great homes are created by design they don’t just happen. Although the causal observer may think that the décor of a home just happened, it really was planned and started way back with the initial design concepts. We are MARK ENGLISH BUILDERS and are an EVERGREEN COLORADO CUSTOM HOME BUILDER and have been creating dramatic homes for over 30 years. If You are in the market for renovating, or building a home, please contact us. We will be happy to discuss Your building plans with You. So give us a call at 303-674-0148, Email us at markenglishbuilder@msn.com , or visit us on the web at www.EvergreenColoradoLiving.com . We are the ONE STOP SHOP for all Your EVERGREEN COLORADO REAL ESTATE and CONIFER COLORADO REAL ESTATE needs- from Real Estate; to building, to financing; we will save You time and money. Don’t forget to register for Your FREE BUYER INCENTIVES.

THE SAD HISTORY OF THE FEDERAL BANKING SYSTEM FOR EVERGREEN COLORADO REAL ESTATE

Saturday, October 24th, 2009

THE SAD HISTORY OF THE FEDERAL BANKING SYSTEM FOR EVERGREEN COLORADO REAL ESTATE

 

President Andrew Jackson fought hard throughout his presidency to eliminate the federal banking system. This was a great victory for the common man and the working man and women. Now the Hugh money interests would have to work for their wealth just as every other citizen instead of gaining wealth on the backs of the workers, entrepreneurs and tax payers. Although this large economic monopoly was down it was not totally defeated and returned again in 1916 when president Wilson and the greedy politicians in power again sold out America to a central banking system called the Federal Reserve.

                        

The Federal Reserve is neither Federal nor does it have any substantial Reserves. It is a private bank owned by private companies. It is not listed in the phone book under the Federal Government. The stated purpose of the bank was to satisfy the credit and currency needs of the country. In short, their mandate was to supply money by creating it. The Government is the only constitutionally legitimate creator of the currency. The right to create money is much too powerful a right to delegate to any private entity. The results were inevitable; the Federal Reserve, serving its own private interests, has caused every major and minor economic recession and depression since their inception.

 

The Fed has again caused the current credit crunch we are experiencing. Along with the right to create money out of thin air the Fed was also given the mandate to regulate the banks. The failure of the derivatives and the swaps that caused the meltdown were enthusiastically embraced by the Federal Reserve. Now they are in charge of the clean up – a job they are totally incapable of performing.

 

How can a small investor compete in such a corrupt system? They can not. Whether you are a liberal, a conservative, and young or old you need to understand the basics to personally profit. We can help. Please give us a call. We are MARK ENGLISH REAL ESTATE and we are PROFESSIONAL EVERGREEN COLORADO REAL ESTATE BROKERS. We have the experience and know how to protect You and Your financial assets. We are also an EVERGREEN COLORADO CUSTOME HOME BUILDER and can represent you in every transaction from land purchase to complete home. Contact us at 303-674-0148, Email us at markenglishrealestate@msn.com or visit us on the web at www.evergreencoloradoliving.com . We are now offering FREE BUYER INCENTIVES for all our Real Estate and Mortgage customers, so please register on our web site.

HIGH EFFICIENCY VERSUS ENVIORNMENTALLY FRIENDLY

Sunday, March 15th, 2009

HIGH EFFICIENCY VERSUS ENVIORNMENTALLY FRIENDLY

 

Most customers I speak to equate building a high efficiency home to building an environmentally friendly home. Although the two are related they are not the same thing. A high efficiency home will take advantage of any solar energy, or use fossil fuel in a stingy manner, which will save the home owner money once they make an initial increased investment.

 

An environmental friendly home uses methods and materials that will not impact the environment but are not necessarily efficient. For example, You could separate all the waste generated during the construction process and recycle it. This is an added cost of a thousand to two thousand dollars a house which will save you nothing either now or in the future. You could use a composting septic system, which works like an old fashioned out house with a high tech twist, but lacks the luxury and ambiance of a modern bathroom. You could use only biodegradable chemicals for the construction and painting of your new home but you would suffer the durability and quality finish that traditional products afford. You could reseed with native grasses and plants, but will lose that sod like yard so many people enjoy. You could use natural fiber carpet underlayment, rather than synthetic, but You will need to replace the pad every 5-6 years.

 

So, as You can see, You can make a commitment to the environment but it will cost You time, money and convenience. You decide.

 

We are an EVERGREEN COLORADO CUSTOM HOME BUILDER and will be happy to discuss Your building plans with You. So give us a call at 303-674-0148, Email us at markenglishbuilder@msn.com or visit us on the web at www.EvergreenColoradoLiving.com . We are the one stop shop for all Your EVERGREEN COLORADO REAL ESTATE and CONIFER COLORADO REAL ESTATE needs- from Real Estate; to building to financing we will save You time and money. Don’t forget to register for Your FREE BUYER INCENTIVES.