High-Performance Design and Construction on a Budget Momentum behind zero energy building design and construction is increasing, presenting a tremendous opportunity for advancing energy performance in the commercial building industry. At the same time, there is a lingering perception that zero energy buildings—which produce as much renewable energy as the total energy they consume on…
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At BuildSMART, we believe that higher expectations for building performance, durability, and occupant health make building today more challenging than ever before. Take for example the 2000 IBC, which increased the possibilities for wood construction by (among other things) officially recognizing additional fire protection strategies for wood frame buildings. As the IBC continues to evolve…
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In the film Field of Dreams, farmer Ray Kinsella has a vision that compels him to build a baseball field in the middle of a corn patch. Chris Lee had a similar vision – to build a house in the middle of his corn field for himself and his wife, Judy. Several years ago, the…
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Computerizing and automating home panelization Tedd Benson has “only a small ambition,” he told assembled guests at the grand opening of his Unity Homes factory in Keene, N.H., in 2018. “We intend to change the building industry. Dramatically.” Benson’s roots as a builder go back to the 1970s, when he helped to kick-start the timber-framing…
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Consumers are attracted to the cost savings green features provide. Nearly half of home buyers are willing to invest between $1,000 and $9,999 for $1,000 annual savings on their utility bills, with 37 percent willing to spend upward of $10,000. This according to the 2019 NAHB survey of nearly 4,000 home buyers. To achieve their…
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R-Value/SIPS Panels Information The type of insulation you choose can result in thousands of dollars saved in utility bills over the life of your home. Insulation is rated by R-Value, which measures a material’s thermal resistance. Insulating materials with a higher R-Value correspond with increasingly better performance. However, studies have shown that determined R-Values have…
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The Blossom Park project will receive a financial commitment from the federal government of more than $2.9 million with 34 new affordable housing units being constructed. A new affordable housing building is getting an influx of cash from the federal government. https://www.facebook.com/1047HeartFM/videos/612090759230538/ The Blossom Park project will receive a financial commitment from the federal government…
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4 Undeniable Benefits of Offsite Construction It takes an average of four to six months to build the typical new construction home and in the homebuilding business, time is money. Complicating the issue for most builders is a shortage of skilled tradespeople, including framing carpenters, the constraints of weather-related delays, and countless other risks associated with construction…
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BuildSMART is proud to be partnered with the Award Winning Alpen High Performance Products: Award Winning LCA EARLY LEARNING CENTER PROJECT STATISTICS Location: Murfreesboro, TennesseeType: Preschool and Child CareSize: 10,180 sq. ft. (floor)ICF Use: 18,000 sq. ft.Cost: $1.6 millionTotal Construction: 60 weeksICF Installation Time: 90 days FAST FACTS 22-foot Tall WallsDoor Frames Set Before the PourLease Back ArrangementHouses 150 children Award Winning…
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FastFlash is the first and only fluid-applied flashing to be evaluated and approved by the International Code Council Evaluation Service. FastFlash has racked up yet another industry first – it’s the first and only fluid-applied flashing included in an Evaluation Service Report (ESR) from the International Code Council Evaluation Service (ICC-ES). The organization, a third…
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