Search results for "Efficiency" in Home Design Ideas

Polywood® Shutters are superior in product innovation, serving as the nation's category leader in plantation shutters, as they are exclusively engineered and custom crafted in the USA with a durable recyclable wood substitute. They are also the most optimal window treatment in achieving energy-efficiency, as each panel is insulated with a signature patented weather stripping.Moisture proof
Fire resistant
Termite proof
Sea salt resistant
UL Tested
UV Stabilized
70% more energy efficient than wood shutters
1600% more energy efficient than aluminum blinds
Earth-friendly: Made from recyclable wood substitute
Made in the USA
Lined with exclusively patented weather stripping for optimal window insulation
Available in any specialty shape window including arches, octagons, circles, angles, sunbursts, rakes, etc.
3 louver sizes- 2.5, 3.5, 4.5
Smooth or wood grain (emboss avail on louver only)
3 colors: white, off white, snow white
9 frame options
Standard tilt rod or hidden tilt rod
Lifetime warranty (all manufacturer defects & paint finish)
Won’t warp, split, or chip
Cordless Window Treatment
Optimal Light & Sound Control
Wipe with damp cloth
Curb appeal and home equity

The homes in Heritage Hills in Chapel Hill, NC are representative of the popularity and explosive growth of American Home Ownership that occurred during the economic expansion that followed the end of WW II. They were designed and built to foster the benefits and sense of “community”, where families could come together and share theirs and their children’s lives. They are typically in very desirable locations within their larger communities, and remodeling them with modern amenities, increasing the performance and efficiency of them, and having them Green Certified (independent third-party verified) makes them extremely attractive to buyers, and helps to raise other property values within the neighborhood.
Green Certified Remodeled Homes offer significant value and advantage in the marketplace over similar homes in their area, which is especially important as a new, younger era of home buyers enter the market. Current trends suggest that younger (as well as many “seasoned”) homeowners are interested in smaller, more efficient (and thus affordable) homes situated closer to shopping, their work, entertainment opportunities, and access to the economic and environmental benefits of mass transit.
These older homes also offer an additional value that is continuing to gain visibility and appreciation in the market place. They were built from lumber from slower-growth trees (denser and harder wood), and as such offer superior structural support compared to the same home built using lumber from today’s faster-growing (softer and less-dense wood) trees.
Robin and Kent had lived in their 2-story Gambrel Roof home in Heritage Hills since 1994. The house was structurally sound, due in large part to the old-growth (and denser) yellow pine that was used in its framing. They loved the quiet neighborhood, its sense of community and amenities, and their home. It suited their life-style and needs; and they had decided that they would remain in the home. It was showing its age, and was in need of general repairs and maintenance, and its energy, water, and indoor air quality performance was continuing to increase their ongoing cost of ownership.
Robin loved the screen porch that looked out on their private and nicely landscaped back yard, but she wanted to be able to use it in the colder months of the year. She was unsatisfied with the kitchen and the mud room / laundry room, and the darkness of other living spaces. A previous water leak in the laundry room had resulted in a large patch of mold that had compromised flooring, wall board, and insulation and contributed to the homes reduced indoor air quality.
The home lacked insulation in the crawl, and inadequate insulation in the attic. The single HVAC unit had been replaced a few years earlier with a more efficient unit, but with a single programmable thermostat control on the first floor and aging and un-insulated ducting, the second floor was often over-heated in the summer months.
The original wood windows had begun to deteriorate and were drafty and inefficient, and the original wood-burning fireplace was an open conduit for escaping conditioned air as well as an inlet for wood-smoke smelling air being pulled into the home. The siding had been replaced a few years earlier with a cement-fiber product, but the exterior wood trim was compromised and beginning to look unsightly. Its original architecture had been altered over the years in ways that presented ongoing maintenance and durability issues, as well as disrupting the elegance of the original design.
Kent has worked for over 30 years in the Environmental Sciences field, and is considered to be a national expert in understanding the sources of, and human exposure to pollutants in indoor environments. He had always been very conscious and cautious about the effects on indoor air quality that the construction, furnishings, and products used in home had on him and his family.
Project Goals
Increase the performance of their home by improving energy efficiency by at least 40% and lowering their natural gas and electric utility costs.
Increase the performance of their home by reducing water usage by at least 40% and lowering the water utility costs.
Increase the comfort of their home that was being compromised by an inadequate HVAC design, inadequate insulation, inefficient and compromised wood windows, and copious air intrusions and drafts.
Improve the healthiness of the homes indoor air quality that was being compromised by an open wood-burning fireplace, and prior water intrusion that had allowed colonies of mold to thrive.
Create a new Kitchen, Family Room, Home Office, Mudroom, and Laundry Room that featured some of the latest designs and trends and harmonized with the rest of the homes charm.
Increase the usefulness and aesthetics of the screened porch by creating a warm and inviting semi-conditioned 3-Season Room that extended the times during the year that it was comfortable.
Introduce day-lighting into areas of the home that were dark and uninviting.
Brighten and harmonize all of the interior finishes.
Protect and restore the exterior of the home with superior-performing products and finishes.
Achieve Gold Level Green Home Certification in conformance with the ICC 700-2012 National Green Building Standards (NGBS).

Polywood® Shutters are superior in product innovation, serving as the nation's category leader in plantation shutters, as they are exclusively engineered and custom crafted in the USA with a durable recyclable wood substitute. They are also the most optimal window treatment in achieving energy-efficiency, as each panel is insulated with a signature patented weather stripping.Moisture proof
Fire resistant
Termite proof
Sea salt resistant
UL Tested
UV Stabilized
70% more energy efficient than wood shutters
1600% more energy efficient than aluminum blinds
Earth-friendly: Made from recyclable wood substitute
Made in the USA
Lined with exclusively patented weather stripping for optimal window insulation
Available in any specialty shape window including arches, octagons, circles, angles, sunbursts, rakes, etc.
3 louver sizes- 2.5, 3.5, 4.5
Smooth or wood grain (emboss avail on louver only)
3 colors: white, off white, snow white
9 frame options
Standard tilt rod or hidden tilt rod
Lifetime warranty (all manufacturer defects & paint finish)
Won’t warp, split, or chip
Cordless Window Treatment
Optimal Light & Sound Control
Wipe with damp cloth
Curb appeal and home equity
Find the right local pro for your project

Polywood® Shutters are superior in product innovation, serving as the nation's category leader in plantation shutters, as they are exclusively engineered and custom crafted in the USA with a durable recyclable wood substitute. They are also the most optimal window treatment in achieving energy-efficiency, as each panel is insulated with a signature patented weather stripping.Moisture proof
Fire resistant
Termite proof
Sea salt resistant
UL Tested
UV Stabilized
70% more energy efficient than wood shutters
1600% more energy efficient than aluminum blinds
Earth-friendly: Made from recyclable wood substitute
Made in the USA
Lined with exclusively patented weather stripping for optimal window insulation
Available in any specialty shape window including arches, octagons, circles, angles, sunbursts, rakes, etc.
3 louver sizes- 2.5, 3.5, 4.5
Smooth or wood grain (emboss avail on louver only)
3 colors: white, off white, snow white
9 frame options
Standard tilt rod or hidden tilt rod
Lifetime warranty (all manufacturer defects & paint finish)
Won’t warp, split, or chip
Cordless Window Treatment
Optimal Light & Sound Control
Wipe with damp cloth
Curb appeal and home equity

Polywood® Shutters are superior in product innovation, serving as the nation's category leader in plantation shutters, as they are exclusively engineered and custom crafted in the USA with a durable recyclable wood substitute. They are also the most optimal window treatment in achieving energy-efficiency, as each panel is insulated with a signature patented weather stripping.Moisture proof
Fire resistant
Termite proof
Sea salt resistant
UL Tested
UV Stabilized
70% more energy efficient than wood shutters
1600% more energy efficient than aluminum blinds
Earth-friendly: Made from recyclable wood substitute
Made in the USA
Lined with exclusively patented weather stripping for optimal window insulation
Available in any specialty shape window including arches, octagons, circles, angles, sunbursts, rakes, etc.
3 louver sizes- 2.5, 3.5, 4.5
Smooth or wood grain (emboss avail on louver only)
3 colors: white, off white, snow white
9 frame options
Standard tilt rod or hidden tilt rod
Lifetime warranty (all manufacturer defects & paint finish)
Won’t warp, split, or chip
Cordless Window Treatment
Optimal Light & Sound Control
Wipe with damp cloth
Curb appeal and home equity

Polywood® Shutters are superior in product innovation, serving as the nation's category leader in plantation shutters, as they are exclusively engineered and custom crafted in the USA with a durable recyclable wood substitute. They are also the most optimal window treatment in achieving energy-efficiency, as each panel is insulated with a signature patented weather stripping.Moisture proof
Fire resistant
Termite proof
Sea salt resistant
UL Tested
UV Stabilized
70% more energy efficient than wood shutters
1600% more energy efficient than aluminum blinds
Earth-friendly: Made from recyclable wood substitute
Made in the USA
Lined with exclusively patented weather stripping for optimal window insulation
Available in any specialty shape window including arches, octagons, circles, angles, sunbursts, rakes, etc.
3 louver sizes- 2.5, 3.5, 4.5
Smooth or wood grain (emboss avail on louver only)
3 colors: white, off white, snow white
9 frame options
Standard tilt rod or hidden tilt rod
Lifetime warranty (all manufacturer defects & paint finish)
Won’t warp, split, or chip
Cordless Window Treatment
Optimal Light & Sound Control
Wipe with damp cloth
Curb appeal and home equity

Efficient layout, Optimized space, Customized, 3-d design, Energy efficient, Frameless Shower, Door, Tile Installation, Vanity, Waterproofing, Plumbing, Mold, Copper/Flex Plumbing, bathroom remodel, bathroom, full bathroom remodel, modern, white, grey, gray, architects, designers, design & Build firm, general contractors, home builders, kitchen designers, bathroom designers, kitchen remodelers, bathroom remodelers, bathroom & Kitchen remodelers, California, best contractors, contractor in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Bay Area, custom, shower

Architecture and Interior Designing has evolved significantly over the years in response to changing lifestyles, rapid urbanisation, and technological advancements. Today, the focus is no longer just on creating visually appealing spaces, but on designing environments that are intelligent, adaptable, sustainable, and deeply human-centric. Elite 18 reflects this evolution through a modern residential narrative that balances functionality, comfort, and emotional well-being.
Designed by Sandeep & Shreya Sahani, the project responds thoughtfully to the demands of contemporary urban living. As cities continue to grow denser, architecture is increasingly shifting towards smarter planning and efficient use of space. Compact yet breathable layouts, multifunctional areas, and vertical living concepts are becoming essential in modern residential developments. At Elite 18, the design approach embraces openness, fluidity, and practicality, ensuring that spaces remain functional while maintaining a sense of luxury and calm.
Changing lifestyles have also transformed the way homes are designed. With remote work and flexible routines becoming part of everyday life, modern residences now require adaptable spaces that can seamlessly support work, leisure, and social interaction. The interiors at Elite 18 are curated with clean lines, soothing tones, and uncluttered layouts that enhance comfort while supporting modern living patterns.
Technology has further reshaped architecture by introducing smarter and more responsive environments. Contemporary buildings increasingly integrate smart lighting, climate control systems, touchless features, and digital planning tools to improve convenience and efficiency. This shift towards intelligent architecture allows spaces to become more personalised and responsive to user behaviour.
Sustainability has also become a defining aspect of modern architectural thinking. With growing environmental awareness and climate concerns, architects are prioritising energy efficiency, natural ventilation, climate-responsive materials, and sustainable construction practices. At Elite 18, strategic placement of openings, balanced natural light, and thoughtful material selection contribute to a more energy-efficient and comfortable indoor environment.
Overall, architecture today is evolving beyond aesthetics to create spaces that are adaptive, environmentally responsible, and emotionally enriching. Elite 18 stands as a reflection of this transformation, where thoughtful design, sustainability, technology, and modern lifestyles come together to shape the future of urban living.

Eichler Orange is a stunning expression of mid-century modern architecture. The vision in modernizing this historic Eichler home with a 21st-century makeover was to honor the work of Joseph Eichler and restore it to the 1964 icon of California modernism it once was.
The clean aesthetics of this home features glass walls, post and beam, tongue and groove ceilings, and oversize porcelain tile floors throughout. The free-flowing indoor/outdoor floorplan is highlighted with a signature atrium, and all material selections were made to honor the time period. Custom cherry cabinets and warm slab walnut doors grace the interior.
This home had significant structural termite damage with three-quarters of the framing needing replacement. Additionally, the original house did not come close to meeting the current seismic codes. During reconstruction, we upgraded the post and beam structure with seismic hold-downs and concealed fasteners. The house lacked energy efficiency due to its flat roof and did not meet California’s current Title 24 energy-efficient standards. While honoring its era, this fully renovated residence is now updated with today’s energy efficiencies, including all-aluminum dual-glazed windows and doors, new spray foam insulation atop the flat roof, and tankless water heaters.
A new photovoltaic solar system was added. We abandoned the radiant floor heat and installed a new high-efficiency ductless heating and air units to each room. This increased the building’s performance and provided each room with its own thermostat and control. This system also allowed us to eliminate soffits and ductwork and maintain the exposed tongue and groove ceiling throughout the home.
The living space next to the family and dining room was repurposed to relocate the washer and dryer and allowed space to add a third bathroom. The primary bathroom was also reconfigured for a larger layout.
The sleek kitchen design includes frameless Crystal Cabinets, professional-grade Miele appliances, a large stainless steel Sub-Zero refrigerator/freezer, and a generous Caesarstone countertop workspace.
The outdoor backyard living space captures the natural beauty of Southern California and mid-century modern features, including drought-resistant landscaping with decomposed granite planter areas and all-new concrete hardscape. A new spa was added to the existing pool, along with a new BBQ area and firepit.
Photographer: Public 311 Design

Eichler Orange is a stunning expression of mid-century modern architecture. The vision in modernizing this historic Eichler home with a 21st-century makeover was to honor the work of Joseph Eichler and restore it to the 1964 icon of California modernism it once was.
The clean aesthetics of this home features glass walls, post and beam, tongue and groove ceilings, and oversize porcelain tile floors throughout. The free-flowing indoor/outdoor floorplan is highlighted with a signature atrium, and all material selections were made to honor the time period. Custom cherry cabinets and warm slab walnut doors grace the interior.
This home had significant structural termite damage with three-quarters of the framing needing replacement. Additionally, the original house did not come close to meeting the current seismic codes. During reconstruction, we upgraded the post and beam structure with seismic hold-downs and concealed fasteners. The house lacked energy efficiency due to its flat roof and did not meet California’s current Title 24 energy-efficient standards. While honoring its era, this fully renovated residence is now updated with today’s energy efficiencies, including all-aluminum dual-glazed windows and doors, new spray foam insulation atop the flat roof, and tankless water heaters.
A new photovoltaic solar system was added. We abandoned the radiant floor heat and installed a new high-efficiency ductless heating and air units to each room. This increased the building’s performance and provided each room with its own thermostat and control. This system also allowed us to eliminate soffits and ductwork and maintain the exposed tongue and groove ceiling throughout the home.
The living space next to the family and dining room was repurposed to relocate the washer and dryer and allowed space to add a third bathroom. The primary bathroom was also reconfigured for a larger layout.
The sleek kitchen design includes frameless Crystal Cabinets, professional-grade Miele appliances, a large stainless steel Sub-Zero refrigerator/freezer, and a generous Caesarstone countertop workspace.
The outdoor backyard living space captures the natural beauty of Southern California and mid-century modern features, including drought-resistant landscaping with decomposed granite planter areas and all-new concrete hardscape. A new spa was added to the existing pool, along with a new BBQ area and firepit.
Photographer: Public 311 Design

The owner of this distinguished Somerville late Victorian wanted not just a new kitchen, but a more efficient and healthier house overall. The challenge wasn’t just to capture the light and view towards the Boston skyline; we also needed to improve the space plan and work flow. Overlaid on those goals, we needed to respect the carefully maintained Victorian character of the rest of the home and bring that sensibility back into the kitchen space.
OPENING THE SPACE
We removed the wall that isolated the sink space to create one unified kitchen area. We relocated the sink to a center island so that we could replace the small window with a large sliding glass door out onto the deck and the view of the skyline.
REPURPOSING MATERIALS
We salvaged and re-used the honey-colored southern yellow pine wainscoting; we matched and extended it to a window seat and laundry room door to create continuity and tie those new elements to the old. The cabinets and counters have traditional styling in light colors to reflect the light from the new sliding doors deep into the space. More light from the rear utility stairs is brought into the space by means of a frosted glass door.
IMPROVING EFFICIENCY
More prosaically, but just as important to the client and the project team, we upgraded the insulation and air-sealing throughout the house to improve the home’s comfort and efficiency.
Photo by Jim Raycroft

The homes in Heritage Hills in Chapel Hill, NC are representative of the popularity and explosive growth of American Home Ownership that occurred during the economic expansion that followed the end of WW II. They were designed and built to foster the benefits and sense of “community”, where families could come together and share theirs and their children’s lives. They are typically in very desirable locations within their larger communities, and remodeling them with modern amenities, increasing the performance and efficiency of them, and having them Green Certified (independent third-party verified) makes them extremely attractive to buyers, and helps to raise other property values within the neighborhood.
Green Certified Remodeled Homes offer significant value and advantage in the marketplace over similar homes in their area, which is especially important as a new, younger era of home buyers enter the market. Current trends suggest that younger (as well as many “seasoned”) homeowners are interested in smaller, more efficient (and thus affordable) homes situated closer to shopping, their work, entertainment opportunities, and access to the economic and environmental benefits of mass transit.
These older homes also offer an additional value that is continuing to gain visibility and appreciation in the market place. They were built from lumber from slower-growth trees (denser and harder wood), and as such offer superior structural support compared to the same home built using lumber from today’s faster-growing (softer and less-dense wood) trees.
Robin and Kent had lived in their 2-story Gambrel Roof home in Heritage Hills since 1994. The house was structurally sound, due in large part to the old-growth (and denser) yellow pine that was used in its framing. They loved the quiet neighborhood, its sense of community and amenities, and their home. It suited their life-style and needs; and they had decided that they would remain in the home. It was showing its age, and was in need of general repairs and maintenance, and its energy, water, and indoor air quality performance was continuing to increase their ongoing cost of ownership.
Robin loved the screen porch that looked out on their private and nicely landscaped back yard, but she wanted to be able to use it in the colder months of the year. She was unsatisfied with the kitchen and the mud room / laundry room, and the darkness of other living spaces. A previous water leak in the laundry room had resulted in a large patch of mold that had compromised flooring, wall board, and insulation and contributed to the homes reduced indoor air quality.
The home lacked insulation in the crawl, and inadequate insulation in the attic. The single HVAC unit had been replaced a few years earlier with a more efficient unit, but with a single programmable thermostat control on the first floor and aging and un-insulated ducting, the second floor was often over-heated in the summer months.
The original wood windows had begun to deteriorate and were drafty and inefficient, and the original wood-burning fireplace was an open conduit for escaping conditioned air as well as an inlet for wood-smoke smelling air being pulled into the home. The siding had been replaced a few years earlier with a cement-fiber product, but the exterior wood trim was compromised and beginning to look unsightly. Its original architecture had been altered over the years in ways that presented ongoing maintenance and durability issues, as well as disrupting the elegance of the original design.
Kent has worked for over 30 years in the Environmental Sciences field, and is considered to be a national expert in understanding the sources of, and human exposure to pollutants in indoor environments. He had always been very conscious and cautious about the effects on indoor air quality that the construction, furnishings, and products used in home had on him and his family.
Project Goals
Increase the performance of their home by improving energy efficiency by at least 40% and lowering their natural gas and electric utility costs.
Increase the performance of their home by reducing water usage by at least 40% and lowering the water utility costs.
Increase the comfort of their home that was being compromised by an inadequate HVAC design, inadequate insulation, inefficient and compromised wood windows, and copious air intrusions and drafts.
Improve the healthiness of the homes indoor air quality that was being compromised by an open wood-burning fireplace, and prior water intrusion that had allowed colonies of mold to thrive.
Create a new Kitchen, Family Room, Home Office, Mudroom, and Laundry Room that featured some of the latest designs and trends and harmonized with the rest of the homes charm.
Increase the usefulness and aesthetics of the screened porch by creating a warm and inviting semi-conditioned 3-Season Room that extended the times during the year that it was comfortable.
Introduce day-lighting into areas of the home that were dark and uninviting.
Brighten and harmonize all of the interior finishes.
Protect and restore the exterior of the home with superior-performing products and finishes.
Achieve Gold Level Green Home Certification in conformance with the ICC 700-2012 National Green Building Standards (NGBS).

The homes in Heritage Hills in Chapel Hill, NC are representative of the popularity and explosive growth of American Home Ownership that occurred during the economic expansion that followed the end of WW II. They were designed and built to foster the benefits and sense of “community”, where families could come together and share theirs and their children’s lives. They are typically in very desirable locations within their larger communities, and remodeling them with modern amenities, increasing the performance and efficiency of them, and having them Green Certified (independent third-party verified) makes them extremely attractive to buyers, and helps to raise other property values within the neighborhood.
Green Certified Remodeled Homes offer significant value and advantage in the marketplace over similar homes in their area, which is especially important as a new, younger era of home buyers enter the market. Current trends suggest that younger (as well as many “seasoned”) homeowners are interested in smaller, more efficient (and thus affordable) homes situated closer to shopping, their work, entertainment opportunities, and access to the economic and environmental benefits of mass transit.
These older homes also offer an additional value that is continuing to gain visibility and appreciation in the market place. They were built from lumber from slower-growth trees (denser and harder wood), and as such offer superior structural support compared to the same home built using lumber from today’s faster-growing (softer and less-dense wood) trees.
Robin and Kent had lived in their 2-story Gambrel Roof home in Heritage Hills since 1994. The house was structurally sound, due in large part to the old-growth (and denser) yellow pine that was used in its framing. They loved the quiet neighborhood, its sense of community and amenities, and their home. It suited their life-style and needs; and they had decided that they would remain in the home. It was showing its age, and was in need of general repairs and maintenance, and its energy, water, and indoor air quality performance was continuing to increase their ongoing cost of ownership.
Robin loved the screen porch that looked out on their private and nicely landscaped back yard, but she wanted to be able to use it in the colder months of the year. She was unsatisfied with the kitchen and the mud room / laundry room, and the darkness of other living spaces. A previous water leak in the laundry room had resulted in a large patch of mold that had compromised flooring, wall board, and insulation and contributed to the homes reduced indoor air quality.
The home lacked insulation in the crawl, and inadequate insulation in the attic. The single HVAC unit had been replaced a few years earlier with a more efficient unit, but with a single programmable thermostat control on the first floor and aging and un-insulated ducting, the second floor was often over-heated in the summer months.
The original wood windows had begun to deteriorate and were drafty and inefficient, and the original wood-burning fireplace was an open conduit for escaping conditioned air as well as an inlet for wood-smoke smelling air being pulled into the home. The siding had been replaced a few years earlier with a cement-fiber product, but the exterior wood trim was compromised and beginning to look unsightly. Its original architecture had been altered over the years in ways that presented ongoing maintenance and durability issues, as well as disrupting the elegance of the original design.
Kent has worked for over 30 years in the Environmental Sciences field, and is considered to be a national expert in understanding the sources of, and human exposure to pollutants in indoor environments. He had always been very conscious and cautious about the effects on indoor air quality that the construction, furnishings, and products used in home had on him and his family.
Project Goals
Increase the performance of their home by improving energy efficiency by at least 40% and lowering their natural gas and electric utility costs.
Increase the performance of their home by reducing water usage by at least 40% and lowering the water utility costs.
Increase the comfort of their home that was being compromised by an inadequate HVAC design, inadequate insulation, inefficient and compromised wood windows, and copious air intrusions and drafts.
Improve the healthiness of the homes indoor air quality that was being compromised by an open wood-burning fireplace, and prior water intrusion that had allowed colonies of mold to thrive.
Create a new Kitchen, Family Room, Home Office, Mudroom, and Laundry Room that featured some of the latest designs and trends and harmonized with the rest of the homes charm.
Increase the usefulness and aesthetics of the screened porch by creating a warm and inviting semi-conditioned 3-Season Room that extended the times during the year that it was comfortable.
Introduce day-lighting into areas of the home that were dark and uninviting.
Brighten and harmonize all of the interior finishes.
Protect and restore the exterior of the home with superior-performing products and finishes.
Achieve Gold Level Green Home Certification in conformance with the ICC 700-2012 National Green Building Standards (NGBS).

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

poolcovertech, award winner, rigid slat pool cover, clear slat, polycarbonate, INVENTOR of rigid automatic pool cover, child safety, energy efficiency, no track, no pump, COVERTECH, residential pool, commercial pool, hotel pool, Grando

Polywood® Shutters are superior in product innovation, serving as the nation's category leader in plantation shutters, as they are exclusively engineered and custom crafted in the USA with a durable recyclable wood substitute. They are also the most optimal window treatment in achieving energy-efficiency, as each panel is insulated with a signature patented weather stripping.Moisture proof
Fire resistant
Termite proof
Sea salt resistant
UL Tested
UV Stabilized
70% more energy efficient than wood shutters
1600% more energy efficient than aluminum blinds
Earth-friendly: Made from recyclable wood substitute
Made in the USA
Lined with exclusively patented weather stripping for optimal window insulation
Available in any specialty shape window including arches, octagons, circles, angles, sunbursts, rakes, etc.
3 louver sizes- 2.5, 3.5, 4.5
Smooth or wood grain (emboss avail on louver only)
3 colors: white, off white, snow white
9 frame options
Standard tilt rod or hidden tilt rod
Lifetime warranty (all manufacturer defects & paint finish)
Won’t warp, split, or chip
Cordless Window Treatment
Optimal Light & Sound Control
Wipe with damp cloth
Curb appeal and home equity

Polywood® Shutters are superior in product innovation, serving as the nation's category leader in plantation shutters, as they are exclusively engineered and custom crafted in the USA with a durable recyclable wood substitute. They are also the most optimal window treatment in achieving energy-efficiency, as each panel is insulated with a signature patented weather stripping.Moisture proof
Fire resistant
Termite proof
Sea salt resistant
UL Tested
UV Stabilized
70% more energy efficient than wood shutters
1600% more energy efficient than aluminum blinds
Earth-friendly: Made from recyclable wood substitute
Made in the USA
Lined with exclusively patented weather stripping for optimal window insulation
Available in any specialty shape window including arches, octagons, circles, angles, sunbursts, rakes, etc.
3 louver sizes- 2.5, 3.5, 4.5
Smooth or wood grain (emboss avail on louver only)
3 colors: white, off white, snow white
9 frame options
Standard tilt rod or hidden tilt rod
Lifetime warranty (all manufacturer defects & paint finish)
Won’t warp, split, or chip
Cordless Window Treatment
Optimal Light & Sound Control
Wipe with damp cloth
Curb appeal and home equity

Polywood® Shutters are superior in product innovation, serving as the nation's category leader in plantation shutters, as they are exclusively engineered and custom crafted in the USA with a durable recyclable wood substitute. They are also the most optimal window treatment in achieving energy-efficiency, as each panel is insulated with a signature patented weather stripping.Moisture proof
Fire resistant
Termite proof
Sea salt resistant
UL Tested
UV Stabilized
70% more energy efficient than wood shutters
1600% more energy efficient than aluminum blinds
Earth-friendly: Made from recyclable wood substitute
Made in the USA
Lined with exclusively patented weather stripping for optimal window insulation
Available in any specialty shape window including arches, octagons, circles, angles, sunbursts, rakes, etc.
3 louver sizes- 2.5, 3.5, 4.5
Smooth or wood grain (emboss avail on louver only)
3 colors: white, off white, snow white
9 frame options
Standard tilt rod or hidden tilt rod
Lifetime warranty (all manufacturer defects & paint finish)
Won’t warp, split, or chip
Cordless Window Treatment
Optimal Light & Sound Control
Wipe with damp cloth
Curb appeal and home equity

Polywood® Shutters are superior in product innovation, serving as the nation's category leader in plantation shutters, as they are exclusively engineered and custom crafted in the USA with a durable recyclable wood substitute. They are also the most optimal window treatment in achieving energy-efficiency, as each panel is insulated with a signature patented weather stripping.Moisture proof
Fire resistant
Termite proof
Sea salt resistant
UL Tested
UV Stabilized
70% more energy efficient than wood shutters
1600% more energy efficient than aluminum blinds
Earth-friendly: Made from recyclable wood substitute
Made in the USA
Lined with exclusively patented weather stripping for optimal window insulation
Available in any specialty shape window including arches, octagons, circles, angles, sunbursts, rakes, etc.
3 louver sizes- 2.5, 3.5, 4.5
Smooth or wood grain (emboss avail on louver only)
3 colors: white, off white, snow white
9 frame options
Standard tilt rod or hidden tilt rod
Lifetime warranty (all manufacturer defects & paint finish)
Won’t warp, split, or chip
Cordless Window Treatment
Optimal Light & Sound Control
Wipe with damp cloth
Curb appeal and home equity

Jim Brady
A modern Mediterranean project, panoramic ocean view with Persian architecture and Frank Loyd wright inspiration. Designed based on passive solar design. lots of daylights, cross ventilation in all rooms, pyramid ceiling and pyramid skylights, stone flooring as thermal mass to moderate temperature. use of wind catcher to prevent mold and moisture issues on the basement. Water efficient landscaping was used through out. privacy and shade was provided.energy efficient and comfortable home.
energy star appliance and HVAC. solar panel, solar water heater and instant water heater were used.
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