Released at the 2010 International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas last month, the Commentary provides valuable insight to the intention and implementation of the practices and provisions found in the standard.  Developed with the input of members of the ICC 700-2008 Consensus Committee who developed the standard, the Commentary is a useful resource for any designer or builder using the ICC 700-2008 as a rating system for developing or renovating residential properties of all types, to reduce their relative environmental impact.

The National Green Building Standard is a scoring tool and certification protocol that assures projects have met stringent benchmarks in energy, water and resource efficiency, indoor environmental quality and lot and site design. It is the first such system to be approved by the American National Standards Institute. The standard covers single-family homes, apartments and condos, residential land development and home remodeling projects, and is administered by the NAHB Research Center, which also accredits local verifiers around the country.

“This new resource allows readers to better navigate the National Green Building Standard,” said Bob Jones, NAHB Chairman and a home builder from Bloomfield Hills, Mich. “Each chapter breaks down the different components contained in the standard, allowing builders and remodelers to learn the best way to build green in their own communities.”

www.nahb.org

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Concrete Footer

As with all sound structures, a home needs a good foundation. We start our homes by digging trenches that will be constructed into footers. These trenches are strategically dug in configuration of the homes.

These trenches are then lined with wire and rebar to ensure the proper depth and strength of the concrete, which will soon be the homes base.

The concrete is poured into the trenches at precisely the right depth, using the rebar as a guide. This method has been tried and proven to promote strength and consistency for the footers, which will enable the entire home to be even, level and sound.

Arguably, the footers or base of a home is the most critical in the building process. Done properly, the footer or base will keep the home level for life. Footers constructed incorrectly will allow the home to sink, or sag in areas, thus causing structural damage and loosing the integrity of the building.

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Positive Things from 2009 (no particular order):

• My Health – It takes a lot of work, but is worth every second
• My Family – Mom & Dad are always a positive
• Friends – Numerous groups, chambers, and associations provide good friendships
• Trucks – Chevy makes a nice Silverado
• Lake Norman – Relaxing, boating, or fishing this is very nice
• Weather – We do enjoy great weather
• Website – My webmaster cares and it shows, Thanks Kevin!

Merry Christmas

Tom Wise
Owner: DV Wise Inc.

Throughout the country, green home building has become more common and more mainstream in recent years. The number of home builders using green building technologies and techniques has been steadily increasing as they see its market advantages. While building green isn’t for everyone, the need to make sure that green building programs remain voluntary, market driven, and based on sound technical information is a key issue for NAHB. In fact, NAHB Green is the result of years of builders’ and local associations’ efforts throughout the NAHB federation. These efforts have led to the construction of thousands of green homes all over the country, as well as the development of dozens of local green building programs coordinated by or associated with state and local home builder associations.

Local programs are a home builder’s primary source for information, education, and networking on all topics-and green building techniques are no different. Green home building, however, also has led to the development of additional needs, like establishing a locally credible green rating criteria and certifying homes to those criteria. Working these services into a local program, and bringing in education and networking activities can be tremendous opportunities for an association to expand its scope and revenue.

This tool kit is designed for state and local associations seeking resources for their members; associations that are interested in starting local programs; and existing programs that want to take advantage of national resources. In all cases, there are instructions here about affiliating with NAHB Green, as well as descriptions of various resources that will help as you get a local program underway.

Read More: http://www.nchba.org/images/stories/councils/hba_green_toolkit_aug08.pdf

Source: www.nchba.org

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For example, lots of LEED buildings are in urban centers, where they get points for being located near public transit and basic services. Watson associates those points with reduced vehicle miles traveled, which is the intent of those credits. But wouldn’t most of those projects have been in those locations regardless of whether or not they pursued LEED? The only way I can think of to correct for this assumption would be to interview a representative sampling of LEED project teams about their decision-making process for each credit, and find out which points were actually affected by their decision to go for LEED certification.

To some extent this is a matter of semantics. In talking about reduced VMT and water use, Watson refers to the “savings from LEED,” but in discussing operation energy savings he refers to the benefits “from LEED buildings.” The latter is less presumptive, because it doesn’t imply that LEED itself is responsible for all those benefits.

Source: www.BuildingGreen.com

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“The severe lack of available credit for acquisition, development and construction (AD&C) financing constitutes a significant threat to thousands of home building and development companies, as well as to the immediate and long-term future of the housing industry,” said NAHB Chairman Joe Robson, a home builder from Tulsa, Okla. “Given the current situation, an innovative approach was called for to help our members find new sources of debt and equity financing while reinvigorating the traditional sources of housing credit, and that is the aim of the Partnership Pavilion.

“NAHB members build roughly 80 percent of all new housing in this country every year, and about 95 percent of them are the key decision-makers within their business – including presidents, CEOs, owners and managing partners,” Robson continued. “Many of them are already planning to travel to the International Builders’ Show (IBS), which is the largest and best-attended annual building industry tradeshow in this country. It just makes sense to provide a confidential setting within that venue for such professionals to meet one-on-one with potential new backers for their projects.”

As envisioned, the pavilion will be a centrally located forum with private office space and concierge services at the International Builders’ Show, which takes place Jan. 19-22 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Here, NAHB members will have the opportunity to discuss their funding needs with representatives of a variety of capital sources and financing advisors.

Builders and developers who are interested in participating in the Partnership Pavilion will need to qualify in advance of the show by providing specific information on their proposed projects via an online portal soon to be available on NAHB’s Web site. At that time, potential funding sources will review the information, and those who are interested in further exploring a given deal will be able to set up a meeting at the pavilion with the designated applicant. Additional information and a sign-up form for financing and investment companies who wish to participate are available at: www.nahb.org/partnership.

“At a time when credit for housing production is extremely difficult to come by, we hope that the Partnership Pavilion will provide a new channel through which home builders, developers and potential investors can communicate and conduct business while attending our industry’s most important trade show of the year,” said Robson.

Source: www.nahb.org

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Most people spend at least half their lives inside their homes. The air inside can be more harmful to your family’s health than the air outdoors. Is the air in your home safe to breathe?

Children can spend 90% of their time indoors. For their size, children breathe up to twice as much air as adults. That means children are at greater risk for health problems that come from indoor air pollution.

It is not always easy to tell if you have poor air quality. You may notice bad smells and see smoke, but you cannot see or smell other dangers, like carbon monixice or radon. This chapter and those on asthma and allergies, mold and carbon monoxide will help you ask the right questions to find out if the air inside your home is safe and healthy. They will also give you ideas about how to fix any problems you might find.

Source: http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov

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Sponsored by the NAHB Building Systems Councils, the BSC Excellence in Marketing and Home Design Awards has promoted excellence in the systems-built housing industry for more than ten years. The winners were announced at an awards luncheon in Marco Island, Fla., held in conjunction with the BSC SHOWCASE event-the leading trade show and conference for the systems-built housing industry. Home manufacturers, builders and industry associates were among the groups recognized.

“This year’s award winners prove that even in a slow housing market, the systems-built industry is raising the bar in residential marketing and home-design concepts,” said BSC Chairman Michael H. Weber with Lancaster Redevelopment Corp. in Selinsgrove, Pa. “Not only are our award winners receiving recognition for their great work, but they are also shedding a positive light on the building-systems industry as a whole.”

Awardees were recognized for excellence in achievement in several marketing and design categories, and covered a range of concrete, log, modular and panelized homes.

There were scores of entries submitted for award categories ranging from outstanding model/sales center to presentation of home plans and best Web site. This year’s most contested category was one of its newest-multifamily modular homes.

Source: www.nahb.org

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The standard covers lot design, resource, energy and water efficiency; indoor environment quality; and owner education.

Currently the first and only ANSI-approved green building rating system, the National Green Building Standard is the benchmark for green homes.

Source: http://www.nchba.org/

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Memorial Day is a nationally recognized holiday, for those brave men and women who paid the ultimate price for our freedom and rights. Recently, a WWII veteran was welcomed into the most peaceful and everlasting resting place. His bravery and courage, in the defense of our country, has been recognized by senators, congressmen, governors and all military personal.

This day is for him, and all those like him, so as we enjoy a warm summer breeze, cool lemonade, watching our children playing in the sun, and all the beauties of summer, remember to thank those that made all of this possible.

Thank you Doug, rest peacefully my friend.

DV Wise