Choosing the materials you will use in building and finishing your timber frame home will be a critical next step. Using high quality, environmentally responsible materials is key to building a green home. Sustainability, energy efficiency, and the impact of the products you use on the health of the homes occupants are the key elements in building your new home.
High performance products that are produced by companies committed to the environment have been and continue to be developed. Building with regional materials is a responsible way to build with lower embodied energy. Products that have increased durability and reduced maintenance will continue to pay off long term. Energy efficiency is important in all decisions from appliances to windows. Be sure to use Energy Star rated components whenever possible.
As a client of Timber Frame Homes, you will choose to build a home that is either a timber framed home wrapped in R-24 wall and R-40 polyurethane structural insulated panels, a hybrid home consisting of some timber framed areas and other areas built with the same structural insulated panels with timber roof support, or a panelized home built with structural insulated panels with timber roof support. Any of these options have given you a head start on building your home in a green, responsible fashion.
Explore the options for finishing your new home carefully. Take your time in making these decisions. Even when you are looking for a cost effective option, you will have many choices.
* Durability is key to the materials and products you use. Durable products are less likely to end up in the landfill in a few years. The manufacturing process is very energy intensive. The more durable, longer lasting a product is and the less maintenance it requires, the more energy it saves.
* Gather samples so you can compare the color and quality of your choices.
* While it is comforting to buy from companies with a responsible track record and with names that we’ve heard for years, don’t rule out a newer company who is offering a product that is comparable and is getting good reviews.
* Buying a product that is available regionally can help keep your project timeline on target. Waiting for a special order product that has to be shipped from another country or region can cause delays. Transportation is costly and polluting. Locally or regionally produced materials save money and are more environmentally responsible.
* Keep in mind the long term maintenance and longevity of the products you choose. No matter how much you like a product, research how much time and money will be required to keep it looking good. Will the product need to be replaced in a few years? Will the maintenance be a drain on time and resources.
* Recycled and salvaged building materials can add charm to your home and reduce landfill use. Sacrificing energy and water efficiency by reusing windows and plumbing fixtures isn’t a good idea, but interior doors, moldings, cabinets, hardware, and lumber are all good choices.
* High efficiency heating and cooling equipment, properly sized for your home and insulation values, save money and produce less pollution. Mechanical ventilation is necessary in today’s tight homes. Energy or heat recovery ventilators will ensure healthy indoor air.
* Water efficient plumbing fixtures (water conserving showerheads, toilets, and faucets) save water and reduce the demand on septic systems and sewage systems. Reducing water usage saves on the water system and reduces energy costs to heat the water.
* Listen carefully to your own voice as you make decisions. The input of the professionals is critical, but you and your family will live in your home. Accept their suggestions and advice, but use only what works for you and your family.
The above items are the big picture. The harder decisions will be smaller, more detailed, but every bit as critical to building a sustainable, energy efficient home. Your home as a whole is the end result of many, many smaller pieces. We will start defining energy efficient and sustainable building products early in the design/build process and will be available to help you evaluate your choices.
Building a sustainable, energy efficient timber frame home doesn’t have to be difficult and isn’t rocket science. Just spend the time and energy necessary to make good choices and you’ll end up with a home built for generations.
And when you build…don’t forget to build boldly.
Hey Ric:
You are so right! Most building departments require an engineer’s stamp. Every home Goshen builds is stamped by a registered engineer (one with heavy timber experience). When we do sell plans, we offer to work with an engineer for our clients or to refer them to an engineer.
A home plan isn’t typically required to be engineered, but the timber frame, panels, and often the foundation should be engineered. And they can’t be sold generically stamped because the engineering will be site/locale specific.
Thanks for bringing up this subject. We’ll look forward to hearing from you again.
Bonnie – Goshen Timber Frames
Hello,
I have been reviewing various plans available online and information about plans and after consideration I came upon a serious question. If timberframe construction relies on the integrity of the design and the anticipation of stress, snow loads, wind, etc isn’t it prudent to purchase plans that have been reviewed by an architect or engineer?