Making it Green World

The perfect place to start is this course that will  present an overview of products to make your home Green as well as an overview of the process to actually achieve a green home designation.

Camp Counselors

The class will be taught by two local leaders in the Green Building Industry.  Tyler Steele, Leed AP, of Greenovate,  Ohio’s leading supplier of environmentally friendly and healthful building materials. Tyler’s commitment is to expanding the local economy through education, activism, and leadership.

Our other presenter is WattWorks, president, Don Hall, P.E.   WattWorks is at the forefront of many green technologies included LED and cold cathode fluorescent lighting and is key team member with Westerville’s Smart Grid and Solar Power Pilot Project.

Tyler Steele (right) with Mary Jo Kilroy

Where and When

The class will be offered February 23, 2010, 7–9 p.m. at the Décor Blvd showroom, 3436 Millennium Ct., in Columbus. For reservations or to view other upcoming classes and events, visit http://customhomebuildingcamp.com. Classes are free, but space is limited. Reservations are required.

The Cost to operate a Geothermal system is but a fraction of other systems and you will never be at the mercy of oil prices, embargos or other world event again.

When it comes to an expensive sophisticated product like geothermal you want a true professional designing and installing your system and there isn’t anyone in Central Ohio with more experience than our instructor Steve Mullins of Complete Comfort, not only in the Heating, Cooling and ventilation field, but Geothermal as well.

Steve will explain the features and benefits of a geothermal system and discuss several other aspects of heating and cooling. The current tax benefit of a geothermal system help make it a viable choice for anyone considering building. The details of the tax credit will also be discussed.

The class on will be offered March 9, 2010, 7-9 p.m. at the Décor Blvd showroom, 3436 Millennium Ct., in Columbus. For reservations or to view other upcoming classes and events, visit http://customhomebuildingcamp.com. Classes are free, Classroom space is limited, but this class is available online as well. Reservations are required

Product expert Nick Bajzek reviewed this product in October of 2009

On this cold and snowy day,  we thought it would be good to feature one of those products we can all look at and say “why didn’t I think of that”?

Of course genius is never simple and it took the experts at Dow quite a few years to develop, but finally there is an insulation product that you can install without gloves, respirator, or Hazmat suits.

Dow’s SafeTouch fiberglass-free insulation looks, handles, and ships like traditional batts, but that is where the similarities end.  Unlike most other batt insulation SafeTouch doesn’t have formaldehyde or acrylic binders and no borates either. What it’s made from exactly there aren’t saying, but the company says it’s the same stuff in bedding and clothing.

You may not want to use SafeTouch as a pillow as suggested by the friendly DOW PR person, but you can use SafeTouch in all the areas you’d expect: exterior stud walls, for sound deadening, in floors, ceilings, crawlspaces and in basements. You get R-13 in 2×4 stud walls and R-19 in 2×6. Check out Nick’s review of this product.

The Product Guy Reviews SafeTouch

I am Gary Dunn,  Co-owner of Dunmoor Homes.  Bill Moorhead  and I started Dunmoor Homes 10 years ago after spending many years working for one of the large local homebuilders.   We have always felt that the greatest joy we receive is helping people achieve the home of their dreams.

The Custom Home Building Camp is an extension of that feeling.

Through the camp, our group of Builders, Sub-contractors, and Suppliers have created a way for the average person to learn more about custom home building and remodeling without having to enter into discussion with a sales person or make commitments before they are ready to do so.

We call it doing business on your terms.  We want the classes to provide as much information and as many facts and figures as possible so you can make an informed and not an emotional decision.

You are bombarded with “Great Offers” and “Special Discounts” every single day, but what do these really mean?   That great price for granite counter tops from one of the big box stores  looks fantastic,  but only until they start adding little extras like edging, cut-outs, and polishing.   We will give the facts about counter tops and virtually all other home products.

Level the Playing Field

By just taking one or more of the camps you will be provided real cost information and insight into how the process works.  You will become a better negotiator to help achieve your goal of a new home or a new kitchen.

Camp Offerings

Camp classes run the gamut from Design to how to budget for your home and include the following.

Making it a Green World

Alternative Building

Custom Home Budget

Beautiful Baths

Remarkable Kitchens

Personalize your Home

Engineered Wood and Systems Building

Find and Evaluate a Home Site

Remodeling 101

Geothermal, Home Comfort, and Tax Credits

Female Focused Design

We invite you make plans to attend a camp session today.

Beginning this week we are happy to include one of the country’s foremost experts on new products for your home.

Each Tuesday,  we will be presenting  a new product or construction details as showcased on Nick’s blog at HousingZone.com.   HousingZone.com is a valuable  source for home building and related industry news.  Nick has the enviable task of reviewing new products from all over the world  and we hope you will  enjoy following Nick and his spin on new products for your home.

Home Sprinkler Systems: In November of 2009, the International Code Council (ICC) endorsed a code change that will require fire sprinkler systems to be installed in all new single family homes beginning January 1, 2011.

As reported by Nick,  Darren Palmieri, national product manager, Residential Fire Protection for Tyco Fire Suppression & Building Products, says we’ll see quite a lot of changes in the way we approach new home construction, indicating that homes with sprinklers will the safest possible homes for families.

Cost estimates vary greatly as builders and sprinkler specialist continue to work out construction details and requirements, but early figures indicate costs will range between $1.50 and $4.00 per square foot of sprinkled area.  For a typical 2,400 Square Foot home this will add between $3,600 – $9,600.

A potential offset to cost increases might be some reduced development costs as they relate to the need for easy access for fire fighting equipment and spacing of fire hydrants.

Keep an eye out for news on this subject as we will be providing more information as it is received.

The course is designed for someone that is beginning their introduction to green and will present an overview of the NAHB Green Program as well as providing detailed information and cost on a host of “Green” products and construction methods.

The class will be offered February 23, 2010, 7–9 p.m. at the Décor Blvd showroom, 3436 Millennium Ct., in Columbus. For reservations or to view other upcoming classes and events, visit http://customhomebuildingcamp.com. Classes are free, but space is limited. Reservations are required.

Geothermal to the Rescue. Simply put Geothermal means Earth Heat.  In today’s uncertain world,  how important is it to install a heating system for your home that will use an unlimited resource, the earth’s temperature,  to heat and cool your home. 

The Cost to operate a Geothermal system is but a fraction of other systems and you will never be at the mercy of oil prices,  embargos or other world event again.

When it comes to an expensive sophisticated product like geothermal you want a true professional designing and installing your system and there isn’t anyone in Central Ohio with more experience than our instructor Steve Mullins of Complete Comfort,  Steve is not  only an expert in the Heating, Cooling and ventilation field, but Geothermal as well.

Steve will explain the features and benefits of a geothermal system and discuss several other aspects of heating and cooling.   The current tax benefit of a geothermal system help make it a viable choice for anyone considering building.  The details of the tax credit will also be discussed.

The class on will be offered March 9, 2010, 7-9 p.m. at the Décor Blvd showroom, 3436 Millennium Ct., in Columbus. For reservations or to view other upcoming classes and events, visit http://customhomebuildingcamp.com. Classes are free,  Classroom space is limited, but this class is available online as well.  Reservations are required

The class offering from the Custom Home Building Camp is designed to show you how you can achieve the balance of design and function for your kitchen and still have it meet your budget needs.

Remarkable Cabinets: The latest in cabinet materials, styles and designs will be presented by a local KCMA certified cabinet designer.  You will learn tips on how to turn a basic kitchen plan into a design that is uniquely yours.  You will also be presented with a few of the must have features that will make your kitchen work better for you, such as simple organizers that can turn a mundane cabinet into a truly efficient addition to your home.

Remarkable Counter Tops: What are the latest materials for the kitchen of today?  How can you achieve an attractive and functioning counter top with out a huge expense?  The answer to these questions plus an in depth presentation of all of the most popular counter top possibilities  are provided in the class.

Remarkable Sinks and Faucets: From under mount sinks , to hands free faucets the latest in plumbing fixtures for the kitchen will be presented.  You will learn some of the latest products, but also how to determine the cost and quality of the products you are reviewing.

Remarkable Appliances: From the power and performance of restaurant inspired appliances to sleek the designer look  with multiple form and function you will discover all of this and more in segment as presented by Kelly Berry of HH Gregg Finelines.

Remarkable Kitchens will be the first Custom Home Building Camp to be offered on line as well as at the beautiful Décor Blvd Showroom.   You won’t be able to smell or taste the delicious live cooking demonstration by a local Chef ,  but you will  be able to interact with the presenters, ask questions and otherwise enjoy and learn from the experience ,plus  you won’t have to brave cold or inclement weather.

The class will be offered February 13, 2010, 7–9 p.m. at the Décor Blvd showroom, 3436 Millennium Ct., in Columbus. For reservations or to view upcoming classes and events, visit http://customhomebuildingcamp.com. Classes are free, but space is limited and reservations are required for both classroom and online courses.

Female Focused Design –  focuses on current lifestyles

A home design class geared to women (but open to everyone) is being offered as part of  a series of free Custom Home Building Camps now available in central Ohio. Although men have traditionally dominated home construction and design, women now make more than 75 percent of the buying decisions in real estate

Led by Carolyn Fallon with the Columbus Real Estate Company, Female Focused Design will show how to design a home based on current and future needs rather than on traditional design. The class provides an insider’s look at how simple design changes, such as shifting a wall, can improve a home’s overall flow and function without raising costs.

The class will be offered February 18, 2010, 7–9 p.m. and February 20, 2010,  11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Décor Blvd showroom, 3436 Millenium Ct., in Columbus. This class is also offered in Webinar format so you can take the class online from the comfort of your home.  For reservations or to view other upcoming classes and events, visit http://customhomebuildingcamp.com. Classes are free,  Classroom space is limited, and reservations are required for either the classroom or online.

Radon-resistant measures can be installed for very little extra money or effort during home construction

It seems Radon appears in the news every few months or so.  The last “Radon Scare”  suggested that granite counter tops were a serious source of radon.  This claim was proved incorrect by the EPA.

The fact remains that Radon is believed to be the second leading cause of lung cancer in America and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.

Radon comes from the natural decay of uranium that is found in nearly all soils. It typically moves up into the home through cracks and other holes in the foundation and it can be present in any home

What to ask your builder.

Most home buyers never perform a radon test. The truth is radon-resistant measures, can be installed for very little extra money or effort.  By insuring their is home “prepped” for a radon mitigation system the home buyer can test their home a few months after occupying and if the levels are high the complete remediation system can be installed relatively inexpensively.

According to EPA, nearly one out of every 15 homes in the U.S. has elevated radon levels. EPA publishes a map at www.epa.gov/radon that shows radon potential by county, Zone 1 having the highest potential and Zone 3 the lowest. Regardless of the potential, elevated levels of radon gas have been found in homes in every state. (Zone Map is shown below).  The EPA recommends radon levels should be less than 4 pico curries per liter (pCi/L)

Reducing Radon.

Basic radon-resistant construction involves the following elements of a passive (i.e., no electrical power required) soil-gas collection and venting system (Figure 1):

A. Gas Permeable Layer – Place a drainage bed, usually a 4-inch layer of clean gravel, beneath the slab or flooring system to allow the soil gas to move freely underneath the house.

B. Plastic Sheeting – Place plastic sheeting—on top of the gas permeable layer and under the slab to help prevent the soil gas from entering the home. In crawlspaces, place the sheeting over the crawlspace floor.

C. Sealing and Caulking – Seal all openings in the concrete foundation floor to reduce soil gas entry into the home.

D. Vent Pipe – Run a 3- or 4-inch gas-tight line, usually PVC pipe (commonly used for plumbing), from the gas permeable layer through the house to the roof to safely vent radon and other soil gases.

E. Junction Box – Install an electrical junction box in case an electric venting fan is needed later.

In most cases the passive venting system reduces the radon levels to acceptable readings, but if the levels still exceed 2 pCi/L, the passive system is easily turned into an active system by adding a fan to the vent pipe in the attic.  Your builder should have already made sure a junction box, or electrical outlet, is installed near the vent pipe, so a fan can be installed quickly and easily.

What does it cost?

Cost can vary, but installation cost of  the passive system will be between $400 and $600 and to complete the active system, with a fan,  will add another $300-$500.

If you would like more information on radon,  visit www.epa.gov/radon.