Building the Structure
This is where your vision takes shape. From structural framing and exterior envelope to custom millwork, cabinetry, tiling and final interior finishes, we coordinate every trade and detail to deliver a beautifully built home that feels cohesive, comfortable and entirely your own. See below some of our particular specialties that go beyond your general contractor.
Structural Framing
Modern building science has progressed over the past decades. And, the choice in engineered structural building materials which we now incorporate into our current houses has never been more widespread and cost-effective…
We are truly in a golden age of residential building!
LVL beams and columns allow us greater (and stiffer) interior clear spans than is possible with standard dimensional lumber:
- Engineered open-web floor joists also allow greater spans between bearing elements but, perhaps most importantly, allow faster installation and routing of mechanical components;
- Engineered roof trusses allow us to build ever-more complicated roof massing with speed and accuracy.
- Taking the time to provide accurate structural framing for your project is the underlying requirement to continue working efficiently on all subsequent steps as we build your house to completion.
Our goal is to achieve spectacular results for the both the interior and exterior finishing of your new home.
Metal Beamery
Many new home designs call for a more open concept featuring larger spans of open ceiling, and hence, fewer internal partition walls.
While engineered wood beam products can handle some of these smaller spans, the truly longer, more dramatic spans can only be achieved with metal beams and columns. Also, larger window and door spans, when brick & stone exterior packages are specified, usually also require metal components to accept the long term loading without sagging.
The planning and insertion of metal beams are specified by the architect & engineer as the design of your new home progresses. Great care in detailing the finished look of the beams should be considered in conjunction with the requirements and location of various parts of the HVAC distribution system.
Once a new foundation has been backfilled, the next step is the arrival of a crane to start the installation of metal beams.
Optional: Crane-Lifted Customized Pre-Built Walls
The framing cycle of your new house can be shortened with the off-site preconstruction of customized wall panels for your project. The resulting economies in both wall construction time and money is certain! But call early as additional preparation and production lead time is required.
Consider this: Once the big day arrives (and your floor decking is ready and the crane is onsite) a four-man team place over 300 LIN-FT of custom walls in just one day… The next day we start building the next floor, or the roof structure, as the case may be. WOW!
Please call us to discuss this option.
Passive House
A certified passive house accreditation is the reward for building an extremely efficient and scientifically advanced house which, in comparison to other houses currently being built, have negligible heating and cooling costs. One of the main focuses when building passive-style is to design and install a very detailed thermal envelope which greatly reduces (ie. avoids) thermal bridging and air leakage.
The process of accreditation is lengthy and detailed and involves energy audits before construction. Solar orientation is also very important. Before post-construction accreditation is finalized, a passive house must undergo a series of tests which involves pressurization and de-pressurization to record air exfiltration and infiltration rates.
But the end result is a house which is truly remarkable! A passive house hardly uses any electricity, is very quiet to outside noise (sheltered by elevated insulation layers & triple glazed windows) and has a very calming and Zen feeling afforded its occupants and guests. Homeowners rave about the experience!
