A new 4,200 Square Foot home constructed (seen from Alton Bay) overlooking the beautiful Lake Winnipesaukee bay area. Such features included a "Rustic Pine" sitting room overlookin the 1st floor deck with an expansive Winnipesaukee view, open concept kitchen, air tub and steam shower, Geo Thermal heating & cooling, dense pack cellulose insulation, and much more!

Earthshade Safeshade Roller; Single Shade; Happy Screen 3: Winter Magic; Outside Mount; Regular Roll; Privacy: 4** Shading: 65% Insulating: r2.15 Light control: 12%*** Grass, Cellulosic Fiber, Min Poly No Chlorine, Unfinished, Compostable Daylighting, Partial Privacy, Heat & Fade reduction, Glare Control EURO Clutch; Right; Color: White (W)

Photography by Natalie Marotta Bungalows are lovable homes, but how can they be better? Along with many of our clients, we find that older (early 20th c.) homes have a lot of character and a comfortable scale, but are leaky, damp (especially in the basement), have fair to poor air quality, and use unconscionable amounts of fossil fuels to heat. The owners of this bungalow were ready to change that, and wanted to do so with minimal upfront carbon emissions as well. The gut renovation included replacing the basement slab and providing capillary breaks and insulation continuously below grade. The brick structure was treated with a fluid-applied air and water barrier from the interior and insulated entirely with cellulose, a carbon-storing insulation. The roof used HFO-blown spray foam to provide sufficient insulation while allowing headroom for bedrooms, bathrooms, and laundry. One great benefit of a full renovation is the possibility of reconfiguring spaces to suit the family’s lifestyle, and to make the best of indoor-outdoor connections. We opened up the main rooms on the first floor, creating a family gathering spot with a view to the back yard, and a spacious kitchen that supports the family’s commitment to cooking for healthy eating. The stair uses a north-facing skylight to bring light from above into the middle of the home, where it was previously dark. As a decarbonization retrofit, the inefficient furnace was replaced with two small ducted heat pump systems, water heating and clothes drying are powered by air-source heat pumps, and cooking uses an induction cooktop plus electric ovens. Energy recovery ventilation provides filtered fresh air continuous exhaust from the kitchen, baths, and laundry, and supplies fresh, highly filtered air to bedrooms and living spaces. The Better Bungalow now makes sense for the 21st century–it now fits the owners’ life-patterns, is super comfortable, has great air quality, and uses a fraction of the energy it did before, greatly lowering the demand on the utility grid. In the near future, when solar PV is installed, it can achieve net zero or near net zero emissions, and with battery backup, can provide great resilience in the event of power outages.

The goal set by the owners, a couple with farm family backgrounds, for a vacation and ultimately retirement home on 30 acres in the Mount Washington Valley was a high performance, low maintenance, Greek Revival inspired farmstead. The program included an open plan living/dining/kitchen area, first floor master suite, open and screen porches, mudroom, second floor guest bedrooms, and a barn to house farm equipment, recreational vehicles and a bocce court. The building envelope includes continuously insulated R-32 walls, R-60 roof, R-18 foundation walls, and R-20 under the basement slab. Dense packed cellulose in wall and roof assemblies minimized the use of spray foam. A blower door test of 0.76 ACH50 confirmed a tightly constructed envelope. Traditional details, using non-traditional synthetic and composite products, were developed to clad the exterior and a 23 kW PV array was added to the south facing barn roof. Energy efficient heating and cooling systems, along with balanced ventilation using an energy recovery ventilator (ERV), were integrated with the interiors. The second floor hallway is partitioned off from the stair to reduce heating and cooling loads when the guest rooms aren’t occupied. All LED lighting, including a cove light tucked into custom ceiling moldings, and Energy Star appliances reduced the electrical load. Two 30-yard containers of wood, plastic and cardboard were recycled during construction. The home achieved a HERS (Home Energy Rating System) rating of -30 (negative 30!), an order of magnitude below the 52 HERS average for New Hampshire and climate zone 6A in 2020. The electric meter has been running backward since the project was completed. The result is a home that is healthy, comfortable, durable, and efficient, with electricity produced on site that more than offsets its use of fossil fuels.

A Cold Winter is Coming; Take These Steps to Prepare: http://mainlinehes.com/a-cold-winter-is-coming-take-these-steps-to-prepare/

upstairs bathroom
Example of a country bathroom design in Boston

This ranch style home was gutted and insulated with cellulose wall spray insulation in the exterior walls. Framing was examined and strengthened. All the plumbing and electrical was out of date and was replaced for safety reasons. Efficiency upgrades included a 95% EFF Triangle Tube Prestige Solo LP gas boiler with Uponor radiant floor heat throughout for the ultimate in comfort. A high efficiency Rheem AC system keeps the occupants comfortable in the summer months. Completely new kitchen cabinets with LED task lighting help to complete the upgrades.

Virginia Hamrick Photography
Inspiration for a modern blue three-story wood exterior home remodel in Philadelphia with a shingle roof

Garage photo in Chicago

Features on This Classic Garden Shed Studio Office and Art Studio Buy this home studio office building and it can be in your backyard within weeks. Get away from the noise of the house and focus on your work like never before while still enjoying your work from home. - 9 Lite Entrance Door for extra light in the Backyard Office - Three 24x36 Thremopane Windows - Floating hardwood floor for easy care - Full ELECTRICAL PACKAGE with Outlets, Exterior Light and Two interior lights - Cellulose Insulation with Beadboard Paneling on walls - Ridge vent, Gable vents, Felt Paper and MUCH MORE!! Chris @ Sheds Unlimited INC.

Example of a mid-century modern pool design in DC Metro

Before: An uninsulated, roughly built, lean to addition on a gorgeous stone century home, with roof rafters made of cedar logs and some gorgeous timber frame post and beam holding it all together. After: We preserved a few of the post and beams as an aesthetic nod to this spaces's past. Added a huge amount of natrual light with tripe pane windows, a significant amount of R value with dense pack cellulose (our preferred insulation!). This space is now useable part of this family's home with plenty of hidden storage, airy space, and gorgeous details. We loved taking on this project, and can't wait to see become a part of the family home.

This 3,700 SF high performance, net-zero home built by Dwell Development achieved 5-Star Built Green certification. The home includes solar panels and an electric vehicle charging station. It also includes efficient heating and cooling through use of a Heat Recovery Ventilation System, which also provides the highest level of indoor air quality. The exterior walls of the house have a total thickness of 12”, which is then packed with blown-in cellulose insulation for a very efficient envelope, making it consistent and comfortable no matter the season. The floors are solid hardwood and polished concrete, while the tile and countertops throughout the house are made of recycled contents. The paint and grout were specifically chosen for the house to have no VOC’s.

The Campbell family bought this New Hampshire lake side property to build a family summer residence. The home was integrated into the landscape and takes advantage of views as well as solar gain. The configuration of the rooms allows each family member to enjoy their own private spaces in both winter and summer months. The Residence is a timber frame using Douglas fir from Washington State, where the Campbell's live. The home is wrapped with a wide porch with screened in areas. One corner overlooking the lake has an outdoor fire place integrated into the porch timber framing. This provides a wonderful outdoor fire experience under the roof. The large open concept living and dining room is lit by dormers from above. This two story space is bordered by the stairs to the second floor with a half round look out, all timber framed. The home is well insulated throughout using blown-in cellulose and the foundation insulation was carefully configured to prevent thermal breaks. In addition to the custom timber frame, a variety of custom built-in furniture elements were constructed using a variety of wood types depending on lighting and location.

Bungalows are lovable homes, but how can they be better? Along with many of our clients, we find that older (early 20th c.) homes have a lot of character and a comfortable scale, but are leaky, damp (especially in the basement), have fair to poor air quality, and use unconscionable amounts of fossil fuels to heat. The owners of this bungalow were ready to change that, and wanted to do so with minimal upfront carbon emissions as well. The gut renovation included replacing the basement slab and providing capillary breaks and insulation continuously below grade. The brick structure was treated with a fluid-applied air and water barrier from the interior and insulated entirely with cellulose, a carbon-storing insulation. The roof used HFO-blown spray foam to provide sufficient insulation while allowing headroom for bedrooms, bathrooms, and laundry. One great benefit of a full renovation is the possibility of reconfiguring spaces to suit the family’s lifestyle, and to make the best of indoor-outdoor connections. We opened up the main rooms on the first floor, creating a family gathering spot with a view to the back yard, and a spacious kitchen that supports the family’s commitment to cooking for healthy eating. The stair uses a north-facing skylight to bring light from above into the middle of the home, where it was previously dark. As a decarbonization retrofit, the inefficient furnace was replaced with two small ducted heat pump systems, water heating and clothes drying are powered by air-source heat pumps, and cooking uses an induction cooktop plus electric ovens. Energy recovery ventilation provides filtered fresh air continuous exhaust from the kitchen, baths, and laundry, and supplies fresh, highly filtered air to bedrooms and living spaces. The Better Bungalow now makes sense for the 21st century–it now fits the owners’ life-patterns, is super comfortable, has great air quality, and uses a fraction of the energy it did before, greatly lowering the demand on the utility grid. In the near future, when solar PV is installed, it can achieve net zero or near net zero emissions, and with battery backup, can provide great resilience in the event of power outages.

Example of a 1960s kitchen design in DC Metro

Pool - mid-century modern pool idea in DC Metro

Our client wanted a SIP built home and we incorporated this and many other energy and sustainability features into this home which was in the Sheboygan County Parade of Homes. Named "The Green Balanced Home", this project was all about creating practical and stunning living spaces that combined with sound environmental building materials and methods. By showcasing an assortment of leading-edge- green technologies, the Green Balanced Home was the talk of the Parade that year. In cooperation with our client, our methodology was: Start with the site: 1. Protected tree lines 2. Drought resistant vegetation 3. High proportion of natural, plantings versus higher maintenance lawn 4. Optimal home placement on lot for solar exposure 5. Narrower streets Build a high thermal envelope: 1. R-10 Gold Guard laminated EPS foam under basement, garage, and patio. 2. R-10 Gold Guard laminated EPS foam around exterior foundation walls. 3. R-10 ESP foam "shirt" around foundation 4. R-24 Structural Insulated panels (SIPs) for exterior walls, including garage 5. Sprayed foam in basement box sills and attic separation walls 6. R-15 garage door 7. R-60 blown cellulose attic insulation Add efficient heating, cooling, ventilation, and electric utilization elements: 1. High efficiency fireplace with auxiliary ducting 2. Pull-out exterior wood-loading drawer 3. Air-to-air heat pump 4. 95% efficient, ultra-quiet variable capacity furnace 5. 19 SEER air conditioner 6. Five zones with programmable thermostats 7. Heat reclamation from hot water usage 8. LED lighting 9. Skylights 10. Energy Star appliances 11. Prep for in-floor heating system 12. Prep for photovoltaic (PV) solar 13. Prep for solar hot water Incorporate water conservation: 1. Rain water recapture for toilet flushing and irrigation 2. Motion activated hot water circulation system 3. Power flush toilets 4. Dual flush toilets Create high indoor air quality: 1. HEPA and UV filters 2. Air-to-air exchanger 3. Ultra-quiet bathroom fans with moisture sensor activation Integrate sustainable, efficient materials: * Expanded polystyrene (ESP) foam that does not emit HCFC "greenhouse" gases * Oriented strand board (OSB) based siding, trim, and shutters * SIPs panels that contain ESP an OSB * Carpeting pads made from recycled materials * Stewardship-certified cabinet manufacturing * Job site recycling and reduce waste with SIPs

This 3,700 SF high performance, net-zero home built by Dwell Development achieved 5-Star Built Green certification. The home includes solar panels and an electric vehicle charging station. It also includes efficient heating and cooling through use of a Heat Recovery Ventilation System, which also provides the highest level of indoor air quality. The exterior walls of the house have a total thickness of 12”, which is then packed with blown-in cellulose insulation for a very efficient envelope, making it consistent and comfortable no matter the season. The floors are solid hardwood and polished concrete, while the tile and countertops throughout the house are made of recycled contents. The paint and grout were specifically chosen for the house to have no VOC’s.