The devastating effect of high winds and floods on residential homes is catastrophic, but there are precautions you can take in the short term that will help to bolster the strength of your home and keep your family safe. We bring you a two-part guide to hurricane, tornado and tropical storm preparation so that you can be ready for any high-wind event.
If it’s time to replace your roof, cedar roof shingles are an attractive, but more expensive option than asphalt shingles. In fact, cedar roof shakes can be six or seven times the price of asphalt roofing. If you are considering a shift from cedar shingles to asphalt, there are a number of factors to consider.
When installing attic insulation, a case can be made for both radiant barrier sheathing with typical types of insulation as well as spray foam insulation. A number of factors should be taken into consideration when choosing between these two, especially the climate zone that you’re building in. Radiant barrier sheathing is inexpensive and reflects thermal radiation to keep attic spaces cool. Spray foam offers insulation and provides some sound proofing from outside noise.
Vent-free fireplaces expedite installation as they don’t require outside exhausts. While some homeowners and builders promote the use of vent-free fireplaces because of reduced installation and running costs, others see them as a liability. We take a look at both sides of the argument.
Essex Homes builds over 350 homes each year while maintaining their small-town personal touch and strong commitment to values. They focus on energy efficiency to provide homeowners with effective building envelopes that are environmentally friendly.
“Whit Davis Lumber Plus…Where the Plus is Service” reads the slogan and it’s certainly service that this plucky lumber company is focused on. Whit Davis partners with thousands of contractors to supply building materials and services. One of its greatest assets is its employees who collectively bring hundreds of years of experience to the table. This month, Whit Davis celebrated its 60th year in the building supply trade.
Building inspectors play a vital role in safety and enforcing the law and helping to keep residents safe.
England Training Division was first established in 1992. Created by John England, the company is the only one of its kind in the southeast to assist federal, state and local jurisdictions with training of professionals in International Building Codes.
Climate change poses extraordinary challenges for the construction industry. An increase in severe storms and rising sea levels present a barrage of problems that can, in part, be addressed through more stringent building codes and design. As building products and techniques improve and are able to provide increased protection from the elements, so too must building codes evolve to incorporate those improvements that encourage building to a higher standard.
When remodeling your home or planning a new build, selecting the right contractor will ensure seamless success. Selecting the right contractor also relies on you providing adequate time and information for an accurate bid. Selecting the best contractor takes time and effort, but it’s well worth the investment.
An energy audit is a series of tests run to determine the efficiency with which your building utilizes energy. Whether you are planning a renovation to reduce energy consumption, or have just completed a new build, energy audits establish the efficiency level of your building envelope. Energy audits help to show where you can get the most savings for your building buck and what improvements will give you the best return on investment.
