A custom Post and Beam Cedar Home

We have taken our most popular large post and beam cedar home and pared it back with custom options that proved most popular over the years.

Check out the floor plan, keeping in mind that this cedar home can be buit as a log home, or a post and beam home, and can be customized to suit your needs.

Plenty of living space make this log home suitable for the growing family.

Free Seminar on Green Homes

Join us for a Free Seminar on Green Homes!

Saturday, January 31, 2009

1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

 

Holiday Inn Rutland / Killington

476 US Rt. 7 South
Rutland, Vermont

 

                Do you want to know more about building a green home?  Do you have questions about costs and options?  Get advice from industry professionals at a Free Seminar on Building a Green Home, where you can learn about topics such as:

 

·         Energy Efficient Home Design

·         Building a home with Structural Insulated Panels

·         Timber Framing and Post and Beam Homes

·         Geothermal and Solar Energy Systems

 

We have assembled a group of industry experts to present short seminar topics on energy efficient home design, materials, and construction.  You’ll walk away with specific details on how to get started designing a custom green home, energy efficient Structural Insulated Panels, timber framing, geothermal and solar energy systems, and more!

To see the proposed Itinerary and to register for the seminar, contact Bonin Architects & Associates at 603-504-6009 or visit www.boninarchitects.com.

 

 

Preaching to the Choir: Why Wood Homes make sense.

Natural resources fuel the building industry, and many of the materials used deplete those resources at an accelerating rate. The world is becoming more conscious of how human actions can impact the planet. The best emerging choice is wood, a sustainable resource. With proper management, wood can supply our needs for generations while new young forests absorb more carbon dioxide and release more oxygen than old forest reserves.

New England Cedar Homes draws from these reserves and also with the implementation of new Timber Frame Building systems, many of our products are engineered to utilize smaller pieces of wood applied together to make a stronger, more efficient building member. Drastically reducing wood waste.

Why Wood?....
We build with a variety of materials, from traditional products such as steel, wood, concrete and masonry to more modern alternatives such as plastics and composites. Assessing the environmental impact of each of these materials requires a look at the full life of the product, from its extraction to manufacturing through its use in service to disposal. At every step, each of these products can impact our environment. Out of all of these materials, wood emerges as the most environmentally responsible choice available today. Wood's natural attributes make it uniquely suited to both the performance and environmental demands for modern building materials.

Wood is the only naturally renewable building material produced today and its existence alone generates many good things for the environment. For example, a young forest produces 1.1 tons of oxygen and absorbs 1.47 tons of carbon dioxide for every ton of wood fiber, which stores the carbon. A typical 2,400 square foot wood house represents 28.5 tons of stored carbon dioxide, or the rough equivalent of seven years' of emissions from a small automobile.

As a natural material, wood is safe to handle and use, is biodegradable and can be recycled easily. Wood is converted into thousands of products, from lumber, panels and paper to shoe polish, liquid soaps and cologne.

Forest harvesting and renewability....
There is a popular misconception that America's forests are disappearing and that we are running out of trees. The facts, however, show just the opposite.
Forest growth in the U.S. has exceeded harvest continually since the 1940s. According to the Forest Service , the U.S. forest inventory has actually increased by 39 percent since 1952.

The U.S. is the leader in reforesting, planting some 2 billion new trees a year. The forest products industry is responsible for 41 percent of all replanted forest acreage. Thanks to these efforts, there are 10 million more acres of forestland in the U.S. today that there were 15 years ago.

The forest products industry does more than just plant and harvest trees. As foresters, wood products companies follow rigorous standards and forest practices to protect the trees, soil, air, water and wildlife.

Responsible choices....
It all comes back to choices. If we are to join the growing number of responsible people who advocate the sustainable and wise use of our natural resources, we must measure our choices between one building material and another. We must look at all aspects of each material, from extracting to manufacturing to final use, and consider the variety of impacts such actions can have on our planet.

By nearly any measure, wood offers the best choice among building materials for most uses. It is strong, light, durable and safe to handle. It uses less energy over its lifetime, generates little pollution and is biodegradable for disposal. It is naturally renewable and there are ways to assure that the wood we use is being produced sustainably and responsibly.

We have the ability to take anything we want from this earth. But we also have the responsibility to take it wisely and give back what we can.
We all have choices. In building materials, there is only one clear choice: wood.

Finance your Log Home - Reality Check

Log Home Mortgage Reality Check

1. First, I think it is important to know that FUNDING IS AVAILABLE. We’ve surveyed several national bank managers throughout the US and they have indicated that many banks are finding that their local lenders have shifted away from construction lending. Therefore, there is a feeling that banks are not lending on new construction currently. While it is true that many banks are reducing risk in their portfolios by eliminating construction programs, there are certainly many banks that are still offering fair and competitive construction options. More than ever before, you may need to more aggressively look for those lenders that still support new construction lending.

2. It is very important that you understand that borrowers WILL NOT be able to get approved for as large of loans as they could in the past. One of the most important factors that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have altered is the maximum debt to income allowance. Moving forward, the maximum total debt allowance will be 45%, based on verifiable taxable income. In the past, the debt ratio could go as high as 60% in some cases, if the credit scores were high and the loan to value was lower than 80% - these compensating factors allowed investors to allow for higher debt to income approvals. Now, as a result of the millions of people that cannot currently afford their payments, the investors have established a more conservative and firm line. How does this impact someone planning to build? For example, a couple with gross earnings of $8,000 per month and current debt obligations of $2,000 a month, would qualify for roughly $50-$80,000 less of a loan amount. Clearly, this will make a HUGE impact on the budgets that you can afford. For this reason, more than ever before, you will want to be sure you pre-qualify for financing as early as possible. Don’t risk your time and effort to find out that you cannot fund the home you are planning.

3. Build up – not down. I have stressed this in the past, but it can never be covered too many times. Finished space (including bedrooms and baths) that are planned for the basement area, regardless of whether it is a walk out, WILL NOT be counted by the appraiser when they look for comps. From my experience, especially in the current housing market, I would recommend that you do not consider home plans with less than three bedrooms and two baths that are all above grade (for those folks needing construction loans). If you are using cash or an equity line to build, they can do anything you desire. However, you will be at risk should you need to sell the property later. For customers needing conventional financing, if a customer needs additional finished space, it is always better to build a second story than finish rooms in a basement.

4. I wanted to again review the current credit score requirements and maximum loan to value allowances. For borrowers with credit scores of 700 or higher, we can currently offer up to 95% financing in most cases (based on the lower of the appraisal or the acquisition cost of the land plus the turnkey build costs) for a new primary residence. For borrowers with credit scores ranging from 660 to 699, the maximum financing is 80%. For second homes, the maximum lending currently allows for 80% (based on the lower of the appraisal or the acquisition cost of the land plus the turnkey build costs).

5. As we are all aware, home values in many areas have been decreasing. As a result, mortgage insurance providers have restricted their issuance for coverage in many areas to mitigate risk. These new “restricted” market lists essentially limit the maximum loan to value to 80% in certain parts of the U.S. To find out if the areas where you sell are affected, go to the website of major mortgage insurer MGIC at http://mgic.com/guides/restrictedmarkets.html. Or, after you meet a customer, plug in their property zip code. The site will let you know whether the market qualifies for standard or restricted mortgage insurance guidelines. These guidelines will change quarterly based on housing sales data. If your area is restricted, you can be mentally prepared that your customers will need 20% down payment from their lot equity or from available cash.

6. A fast moving trend that has occurred over the past 12-18 months is the addition of builder approval requirements to obtain construction lending. As banks consider risk management, especially for new construction, it is not only the borrower that can make a loan go south. While the bank does not have a direct relationship to the chosen GC for the build, indirectly they will want to know that the builder is on relatively solid financial footing. They will also want to see that the GC has a reputation of paying sub-contractors and/or materials providers. As a result, they will be asked to provide financials or tax returns, as well as agree to a credit check as part of the borrowers overall loan approval processing.

7. Finally, one of the biggest changes that will impact our industry is the elimination of Owner Builder or Owner General Contractor loans. One only needs to look to the failure of IndyMac Bank to understand why lenders no longer offer these construction loan options. While the concept of Owner Builder and/or Owner GC seems solid on paper, the statistics for failure to meet original budget or finish within the allowed construction term for these loans are simply overwhelming. Based on our experience, there is roughly a 33% failure rate. As a result, and as stated in the past, American Home Bank has completely discontinued any options for Owner Builder or Owner GC projects. In our current program, the borrower will be allowed to submit a maximum of three separate contracts to establish their turnkey budget and they must have a general contractor of record. As stated above, the GC must meet the banks builder approval requirements.

Uncle Sam Offers Down Payment Help for Home Buyers

Many of us are shocked and dismayed at the amount of money the federal government is spending on Wall Street businesses that are failing. Well it is about time that Uncle Sam did something for Main Street and now its happening!

The Federal Government wants to help you to participate in the dream of buying your own home. As part of the Housing Stimulus Bill, Congress created an unbelievable opportunity for first time buyers, in the form of a tax credit for those who purchase a home before July 1, 2009. With most lender programs now demanding higher down payment, that $7500 can be the bridge to your future.

The tax credit is a "refundable" credit, of up to $7,500 or 10% of the purchase price of their home, whichever is less.

Who is eligible? Any person who has not owned a principal residence in the three years prior to closing and meets the income limitations $75,000 individual and $150,000 for married couples. Also $95,000 individual and $170,000 married can receive a partial credit.

How do you qualify? Meet the definition of "first time buyer" you must purchase and close on a home prior to 1 July 2009. Log homes, post and beam homes, timber frame homes, and modular log homes qualify and sales are expected to heat up because of this new path to home ownership.

Do I have to pay the money back? Yes - but not immediately. The credit is an interest free loan for up to 15 years. The credit must be repaid at a rate of 6.67% per year starting two years after the purchase. Unpaid balance due at time of sale. You could even pay the full $7,500 by increasing your Federal income tax withholdings by only $20 per paycheck!!

Not quiet free money but a very economical way to get the down payment you need to buy your own home. Probably the only opportunity we will enjoy in our lifetime for an INTEREST FREE government loan.

How do I get the money? Talk to your tax advisor. It appears that you can receive a credit against your 2008 or 2009 Federal income Tax. It will reduce your tax bill and increase the amount of your refund. Dont Wait. Now is the time to start the paper work so you will in a position to purchase your home as soon as your 2008 federal tax return is ready to mail in.

We have loans ready for your new home. You can check out our lenders or contact us for assistance.

Green energy Savings for Log Homes

Green Energy Savings for Log Homes, Post and Beam Homes, and Timber Frame Homes

Congress has just given a generous boost to homeowners who want to convert their homes to solar energy or cut their electricity bills with a wind turbine. The "Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008" (the 2008 Energy Act), which was enacted on Oct. 3, 2008, contains tax breaks for homeowners who invest in a home solar-power system or small wind turbine. These tax breaks, when combined with incentives that already exist in many states, mean that homeowners may be able to get back a sizeable portion of their investment in such projects from the government.

Here are the details.

Solar tax credit extended and enhanced. Under pre-2008 Energy Act law, homeowners were eligible for tax credits for qualified solar water heating and photovoltaic systems. Solar water heating systems produce hot water; photovoltaic systems produce electricity. The credits, which were available for systems placed in service between Jan. 1, 2006 and Dec. 31, 2008, were for 30% of the cost of the system. For individuals the maximum credit was $2,000 for photovoltaic systems and $2,000 for solar water heating systems in any tax year.

The new law makes several improvements on the previous rules. First, it extends the credit for an additional eight years (through 2016). Second, it scraps the $2,000 cap, which didn't go far with most solar installations.

The $2,000 cap meant that a homeowner who installed a $40,000, 5-kilowatt rooftop system could get only $2,000 back through the tax break. Under the new law, that same homeowner receives a $12,000 (30% ? $40,000) tax cut.

With similar or even more generous incentives available in many states, that means that a homeowner will often be able to get more than half the investment in a home solar-power system back from the government. A third improvement under the new law is that the tax credit is made applicable against the alternative minimum tax (AMT). Under pre-2008 Energy Act law, an individual could not use the credit to reduce his income tax below the level at which the AMT kicked in. The new law allows the credit to be used to offset the AMT.

I should also mention that the new law contains another important provision for solar enthusiasts, which is that it allows utilities to take advantage of a production tax credit for solar projects, making it more likely that they will invest directly in them.

Tax credit for small wind turbines. It has long been argued by wind energy proponents that high up-front costs were preventing homeowners and businesses from installing small wind systems on their property to generate electricity, and that a federal tax credit for small wind turbines similar to the solar tax credit should be provided to encourage more taxpayers to undertake such projects.

The new law responds to these arguments by creating a 30% credit on the installed cost of small wind turbines (defined as those with rated capacities of 100 kilowatts or less) for residential or commercial applications. The credit, which is capped at $4,000, applies to wind turbines placed in service through 2016. To give an idea of the value of such a credit, industry sources report that a typical 10-kilowatt residential wind turbine costs about $32,000 and takes about 15 years to pay for itself in terms of lowered electricity costs. The new credit, by shaving $4,000 off the up-front cost of the turbine, should reduce the payback period of the project. In addition, the new law allows the credit to be used to offset the AMT.

Price cuts on Log Homes and Post and Beam Homes

While many log home producers have been putting their prices up, New England Cedar Homes have announced that they will buck industry trends and reduce the prices on all of their log homes, post and beam homes, and modular log homes. Across the entire model range a price reduction of $15 per square foot has been applied.

“This is a great time to lock in a great price on a new log or post and beam home, a saving of $24,000 on a average 1600 square foot home.” said Simon Halliday, General Manager at New England Cedar Homes. “We have worked with our suppliers to reduce costs, and the recent decline in fuel costs has allowed us to realize savings that we are passing on to our customers.”

Finance is available at great rates.

Many customers have been putting off the purchase of their home due to the concern of finding an affordable mortgage. New England Cedar Homes has access to some of the best rates in the industry and can take the pain out of finding finance.

“We thought we would have problems getting finance but New England Cedar Homes got us a great deal, and it was painless! said Barry Lynx of Vermont, who has just moved into his dream vacation home. “And I got to take advantage of my VA status”.

Great homes available now

New England Cedar Homes offers custom designed and built western red cedar log homes, post and beam homes, timber frame homes, and modular log homes. With design offices in New Hampshire, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Virginia and North Carolina, New England Cedar Homes works with customers on a national basis.

New England Cedar Homes, headquartered in New Hampshire, is a leader in the timber home industry. With design offices in New Hampshire, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Virginia and North Carolina New England Cedar Homes works with customers on a national basis.
New England Cedar Homes can be contacted Toll Free on 800 998 6132 and found on the web at http://www.newenglandcedarhomes.com/

Western Red Cedar Windows and Doors

WESTERN RED CEDAR WINDOWS AND DOORS


Our cedar grows in the Pacific Northwest, from British Colombia along the coast all the way to Alaska. Known to be highly resistant to decay, this aromatic species is offered by Bonneville for those who want something a little more unique. Its palette ranges from reddish, pinkish and soft brown to the ivory of its sapwood. This rustic wood is perfect for those who want to add a touch of understated elegance to their home.

A Classic French Beauty.
Our French door has a style and elegance that will add beauty to any room. It is available in eastern white pine, western red cedar or clear vertical grain Douglas fir. It is built with 1 1/4" (32 mm) thick stock frames, which are available in depths of 4 9/16" (116 mm), 6 9/16" (167 mm), 7 3/16" (183 mm) or 9 3/16" (233 mm). The dry-sealed glazed tempered insulated glass finishes the job to perfection. And, it is available with true or simulated divided lites or grilles for a more historical look.

La Creme de la Creme.
All our French doors come with a color choice of four different handles which include a multi-point locking mechanism, consisting of two latches and a dead-bolt lock to ensure security. A two-way hinge system allows you to adjust the door panels horizontally and vertically, so as your house settles, you will be able to fit your doors accordingly and operate the doors easily and smoothly. You may clad your new French door in ten standard colors or leave it natural.

Energy Efficient.

The Bonneville French door has rugged compression weather strips and a sophisticated door sweep system to keep the cold air out. The door sill is capped with heavy-duty extruded aluminum making this a strong, quality threshold.

Green Living Sod Roof System for your Log Home, Timber Frame Home, or Post and Beam Home

Green Living Sod Roof System


The innovative Green Roof System is designed for superior Storm Water Management creating a sustainable green roof. We can work closely with you from conception stage to ensure you maximise the benefits of this green roof system.





GREEN ROOF SYSTEM - ADVANTAGES

• 
  ECOLOGY: the units are made from 100% recycled plastic.


• 
  EXTRAORDINARILY stable, practical, and quick to assemble, due to its easy-to-use attachment system (an unskilled worker can lay more 80 m²/hour ).


• 
  HIGH waterproofing protection, due to the staggered layout of the feet, which have large, circular, support surfaces.


• 
  PRACTICAL: Pipes can pass through the empty cavity between the waterproofing and the ground.


• 
  SUITABLE for use with any type of watertight facing, without damaging it, thanks to its completely smooth, large, circular feet.


• 
  HIGH level of drainage of rainwater, thanks to the number of holes allowing it to run through.
  PERFECT hole diameter, which does not allow the root to pass below the system.


• 
  UNBELIEVABLE resistance to compression more than 10,000 kg/m² , allowing it, when dry, to stand up even to heavy loads (such as small rubber-tyred loaders, mini-excavators etc.). It works as loading sharing out and distributing of the ground over.
  
  Special attachment connectors which allow the elements to follow the contour of the roof without unhooking from each other, even with extreme slope changes.


• 
  EFFICIENT water tanks, providing plants with a constant water supply, allowing them to grow, problem-free.


• 
  ETERNAL: Will not deteriorate, even if attacked by mould and bacteria, or by chemical agents, such as fertiliser.


• 
  VERSATILE: it can even be assembled on roofs with a slope greater than 15% using Porous Paving Grid onto the Green Roof, to hold the soil in place.


• 
  EFFECTIVE: thanks to special attachment system that follows the different sloping or curved surfaces.


• 
  EASY to shape with a saw or grinding-disc.

Shingle and Slate Roofing for your Timber Frame and Log Home

Shingle and Slate Roofing for Timber Frame and Log Homes

Synthetic Slate Roofing Material, with the beauty of quarried slate, a fraction of the cost
Your synthetic roof should look so genuine only your roofer will know it is not from nature. We believe a synthetic slate roof should truly enhance the beauty of your home. With a DaVinci Slate roof, you will enjoy:

A carefully crafted synthetic slate roofing material displaying rough edges and natural stone-like surface textures
A synthetic slate with a natural thickness that casts deep shadow lines at DaVinci slate is twice the thickness of other synthetic slates
A color scheme that perfectly mimics nature, yet with our wide array of color options, coordinates well with the look of your home
A synthetic slate roof that looks like quarried slate because the roof field has so many different tile widths, providing a natural non-repeating appearance that can be laid in a straight or staggered coursing
A synthetic roof that will endure for years with the same beauty as the initial installation as a result of our color-fast materials and manufacturing process
DaVinci Synthetic Shake ...an artificial cedar shake with the natural style of rough-hewn cedar.

Everyone viewing your shake roof from DaVinci will wonder if woodsmen chiseled the tiles from trees in an old-growth forest and never guess it is artificial. Our synthetic-wood shakes will enhance the unique beauty of your home.

With a DaVinci Shake roof, you will enjoy:

A carefully crafted synthetic shake roof that displays a deep-grained surface reminiscent of the texture of natural cedar shakes
An artificial shake with a realistic thickness that casts deep shadow lines DaVinci Shake is nearly twice the thickness of other synthetic shakes
A color scheme that blends multiple colors to mimic the natural variations of rough-hewn cedar most competitors offer only monochromatic colors
An array of color options to perfectly coordinate with the look of your home
A synthetic roof that will endure for years with the same beauty as the initial installation due to our color-fast materials and manufacturing process

DaVinci Low Maintenance and Easy Installation

A worry-free and low maintenance roof because our synthetic slate will not retain water making it freeze-thaw resistant
A dramatic savings on the cost of installing your synthetic slate roof as our installed cost is 50% less than quarried slate
A roofing process completed more quickly than natural slate roofing due to our care in packaging the product collated bundles arrive at the job site pre-sorted for both color and width, eliminating sorting and guesswork at the site
An easy-to-install product requiring no special training and wasting less material since our product will not break like natural slate tiles, which will crack or break up to 15%
A lighter weight product than natural slate eliminating the need and cost of extra roof support to handle a heavy load

DaVinci Product Safety and Warranty

A safer and more secure home for your family as our synthetic roofing material has achieved the highest possible UL ratings for fire and wind tests approved and preferred by cities & subdivisions nationwide

A peace of mind that comes from a owning a maintenance-free product backed by our 50-year warranty

Why use Douglas Fir for your Timber Frame Home.

Why Use Douglas Fir for Your Timber Frame

Douglas-fir is a superb timber for building. It offers real benefits because of its strength, stiffness, durability and decay resistance. This makes it particularly suitable for use in frames and trusses and because Douglas-fir does not have a low stiffness core it is able to deliver large section beams, joists and rafters in MSG (machine stress graded) 8, 10 and better. There are opportunities to use Douglas-fir as an Untreated Chemical-free choice because of its inherent properties. There are treated and non-treated options for use.

Building with wood means you are making a worthwhile contribution to improving the overall environmental performance of the building - by reducing the use of energy and resource greedy materials and processes, and reducing environmental impacts in ways like helping to redress global climate change.

Wood manufacture produces less air and water pollution than the production of many other building materials. Wood also uses the least energy in its production of any of the most common building materials and tends not to create the same pollution factors.

Not only that, but wooden homes tend to be much more energy efficient. Wood has a naturally good insulating value compared to other materials.

Clever design means that your home can be chemical-free using wood. There are places where you can confidently use untreated Douglas-fir for your home and designs that eliminate or minimise the requirement for treated timber. Where the Building Code does require treatment, Douglas-fir treated with Boron, a naturally occurring earth element, can often satisfy Code requirements. Douglas-fir does not give off the chemical vapours that might contribute to allergies.

Wood lasts. There are temples in Japan and buildings around Europe still standing after a thousand years! Historic wooden buildings around the world, many dating back to the 16th century or beyond.

Why we recommend ICF foundations for your Timber Frame Home.

Why we recommend ICF Foundations

Energy Efficiency

The expanded polystyrene (EPS) panels used in ICF provide an insulation R-value of 20. When this is combined with concrete thermal mass, temperature fluctuations inside the home are considerably minimized. This highly effective combination greatly reduces the amount of energy required for heating and cooling. When used in conjunction with with other high quality systems such as windows and roofing, homeowners have historically experienced an average of approximately 30-50% savings on heating and air conditioning costs annually. In addition, Drafts and hot and cold spots are virtually eliminated and a room's temperature remains consistent, providing exceptional comfort.

Energy Efficient Financing & Lower Insurance Rates

ICF foundation owners in the United States may also enjoy indirect cost savings from flexible financing through energy efficient mortgages.

Due to the increased resistance to natural disasters, ICF foundations may also qualify for reduced insurance rates.

Federal Tax Credits

Since the EPS insulation in ICF foundations meets 2000 IECC & Amendments under the United States Energy Policy Act of 2005, Amvic home owners can qualify for an IRS tax credit up to $500. For more information on this Consumer Tax Credit click here.

Lasting Value

Over time, ICF foundations become stronger, sturdier and require much less repair and maintenance than conventionally built homes. As a result, they retain their value for a longer period of time. ICF foundations are built to last and get stronger every day.

Sound Barrier

Insulated concrete forms provide exceptional sound attenuation. While a wood framed house has a sound transmission class (STC) rating of 36-38, an ICFs foundation has an STC rating of 50+ which corresponds to a reduction in over two thirds of transmitted noise. With ICF foundations, you will always enjoy peace and quiet in your home.

Superior Insulation

ICF system replaces commonly used fiberglass insulation with expanded polystyrene (EPS). Traditional fiberglass insulation is a network of intertwined fibers which allows air to move though the gaps in the insulation. ICFs on the other hand consist of closed plastic cells that together with concrete walls prevent air movement creating an airtight seal around the entire perimeter of a building. ICF is the premium insulation choice for your long-term comfort.

High Indoor Air Quality

The use of EPS insulation in ICF eliminates all air borne glass fibers and insulation settlement caused by fiberglass insulation. Also, the impermeable walls prevent the entry of dust, pollens and pollution. ICF foundations provide the highest indoor air quality and qualify for Enviro-home status in Canada (the highest possible air quality rating given to an occupied shelter).

Superior Structure

Unlike conventional foundations where walls and floors loosen and shift over time creating warps and creaks, an ICF foundation will remain straight and quiet making your home more comfortable.

Wind and Storm Resistant

ICFs are constructed with reinforced concrete, which tremendously increases strength and maximizes resistance to high winds and storms. In addition, drafts typically found where conventional floor joists rest on foundation walls, are considerably reduced due to the system's unique design.

Fire Resistant

ICFs are manufactured using only approved raw material bead with flame-retardant agents and have a 3 hour fire rating. Consequently, ICF foundations provide much greater fire resistance.

Mold Resistant

ICF foundations virtually eliminate this problem since they are constructed using the highly effective combination of non organic materials, EPS and concrete.

Insect Prevention

Since there is no food value for insects in the ICF system, the possibility of structural damage due to insects like termites is entirely eliminated. Also, insects cannot penetrate the concrete core of an ICF wall and therefore cannot enter your home.

Reduced Emissions

One of the major issues we are faced with today is global warming, which is negatively affecting the environment and weather patterns worldwide. Global warming is a direct result of harmful gas emissions into the earth's atmosphere. An ICF foundation may reduce energy consumption on average by 30-50% monthly, which translates to an equivalent reduction in harmful emissions. ICF products can generate as little as 1% construction thus, greatly reducing land filling which produces methane emissions. Furthermore, steam and cold water os used to produce ICFs. No CFC's, HCFC's, formaldehyde or any chemicals are used in the manufacturing process and no off-gassing is present.

Saves Trees

Worldwide deforestation adds 1-2 billion metric tons of carbon to the atmosphere annually! In order to protect our atmosphere and ourselves, it is essential to reduce the number of trees we cut down. Every ICF foundation saves several trees, which absorb carbon dioxide and give us oxygen. Do your part, build with ICF.

Recycled Materials

ICF webs are manufactured using recycled polypropylene. This means that over 60% of the weight of an ICF block is comprised of recycled materials.

What is difference between Log, Timber Frame, and Post and Beam Homes?

What is the difference between Log, Timber Framing, and Post and Beam?
Timber framing is one of the oldest wood working crafts in the world. Archeologists are finding evidence of oak frames in England dating back thousands of years. Utilizing heavy timbers that are joined together utilizing mortise and tenon joints, a timber frame is much like a huge piece of furniture.
Log construction utilizes horizontally stacked logs, which are either round or squared off, to create the walls.
Post and Beam construction utilizes upright posts to support horizontal beams that can be joined with traditional joinery or use metal brackets to secure the frame.
What are the benefits of Timber Frame building?
Energy Efficiency: Most often, timber frames are completely enclosed in an envelope of insulated panels creating an extremely efficient enclosure. These panel systems acheive High R (insulation rating) values and little to no air infiltration.
Aesthetics:A timber frame building embraces you with warmth, strength and beauty. The knowledge that your home is handcrafted by caring people adds a palpable quality.
Flexibility: A timber frame structure provides an open space with no interior load bearing walls This allows for an open, flexible floor plan and for significant ceiling heights.
Longevity: Timber frame that were built hundreds of years ago remain active and stable to this day.
Many have survived major natural disasters, including hurricanes and earthquakes, in very good condition.
Do you offer a design service to help me with my plans?
Initial Consultation: New England Cedar Homes offers a complimentary initial design consultation. Once we receive your initial design sketches and some details about your project we will work with you to develop an initial design for your frame. You can Email or fax your project ideas including: size, location, wood species, time frame, and budget. We will call you to further discuss your project. This initial consultation is of no cost to you. From this process you will receive a base budget for your frame and panel system to work from.
Design Consulation: We are available to review site conditions and design concepts to determine the project's feasibility and to produce concept drawings. This is a fee based service.
Design: To ensure design integrity, we prefer to be involved from design concept. Working directly with either your Architect or our Design Team we provide structural timber frame drawings to create a seamless construction package. Our focus is on strong comunication between all parties. The fee for this service is applied to the timber framing contract.
How much do Timber Frames cost per square foot?
This question is similar to asking, How much does a new car cost? The answer is, It depends. There are so many variable influencing this cost that until you have a basic floor plan and rough frame design, and some ideas about the choices of wood and degree of finish and embellishment you are interested in, you will not get a very useful estimate. It can be stated, however, that the cost of a timber frame is comparable to a well-built custom home with extensive cathedral ceilings and open space with comparable finishes.
Some builders will give a range of cost per square footage, but it is in your best interest to really understand what affects this range. Also, keep in mind that how square footage is calculated directly affects any estimate given in terms of square footage. Including porches, garage, etc. in the square footage of the home will of course skew the price from a quote that includes heated space only. If you are comparing estimates, make sure the square footage is calculated on the same basis in each case. The price of a timber frame varies according to how many pieces are in it, what species and quality of wood is chosen, how the timbers are finished, what embellishments are added, and any exceptional site requirements.
Efficiency of frame design: In the same floor plan, you could add a bent or two and have 20% to 30% more timber in the project which will clearly completely change the cost per square foot.
Wood selection: Quality. (Dryness & growth pattern). You have choices ranging from green wood, which could be either old growth or second growth, to kiln dried or recycled wood. Each of these can markedly affect the price of the frame. Basically, the more stable the wood (drier, denser) the less the joinery will open over time, and the less checking you will see. In a well-built timber frame, these two issues (shrinkage and checking) do not tend to be structural, so this decision is based on aesthetics vs. cost.
Species: There are many species that can be used in a timber frame. Individual builders tend to have a few choices of wood species that they work with, and they can tell you the pros and cons of each choice. Some are available in longer lengths, some offer greater strength in a smaller dimension, some are considered prettier or more interesting.