Search results for "Maintain extreme" in Home Design Ideas

Your front door is your best defender. It protects you, your family, and your most valuable personal belongings from theft and damage.
Furthermore, VDom Doors insulate your home from extreme weather conditions, as well as unwanted animals, insects, and dust from entering. Due to its versatility, metal-plastic entrance doors are perfect for both private houses and shops, offices and administrative buildings.
Our doors have several superior features:
- Metal-plastic doors – lighter than iron and steel doors, but no less strong and reliable! Scratch and impact resistance, easy of care and environmentally friendly
- In principle, we use only all-welded reinforcement, 1/10" thick (!) for the entrance doors. Such reinforcement is a necessary condition for real burglary resistance.
- We use an aluminum threshold with a special thermal insert that cuts off the cold from the room. We also complete with an amplifier to securely fix the bottom of the door and cut off the cold.
- HPL sandwich panel, consists of foamed extruded Styrofoam, with rigid PVC overlays high pressure on both sides.
- Energy savings double-glazed safety windows.
- Quality insulation serves to reduce unwanted external noise, as well as protect against extreme heat, and severe cold.
Introducing the Manux collection of modern metal-plastic doors in a stunning white silk color. These doors are expertly crafted from durable metal-plastic material and feature European roller hinges and an aluminum threshold, ensuring both longevity and security for your home.
Model - 8666 Manux
Color - Black
Glass - Safety Tempered Clear glass.
Door thickness - 2 3/4"
Frame thickness - 2 3/4"
Exterior design - Coating of the door - Matte Black finish, Full clear glass.
Interior design - Coating of the door - Matte Black finish, Full clear glass.
Hardware included:
- Aluminum frame 2 3/4" thick - dimensions of the door 72" x 80" with the frame is 74" x 82".
- Aluminum threshold.
- Plate-type, primary lock for armoured type of metal-plastic (uPVC) doors, doors are captured in 3 places. The lock has replaceable core and 5 keys.
- Cylinder.
- 3D Hinges.
- Turnknob for cylinder.
- Handles
Each door comes prehung in a sturdy frame for easy installation. Sidelites (if included) can be installed on either the right or left side of the door - the design is universal. Please note: sidelites ship separately and require simple assembly on site.
A canopy over the door is recommended to maintain the warranty.

Furthermore, VDom Doors insulate your home from extreme weather conditions, as well as unwanted animals, insects, and dust from entering.
Our doors have several superior features:
- Single sheet of metal is used in construction. No welded seams are best as these can significantly weaken the structural integrity of the entranceway. Our doors are also more resilient to mechanic damage, such as sledgehammer strikes.
- The advantage of a single, non-welded door is that it reduces interior internal condensation. Over time, condensation can negatively affect the door mechanisms.
- Stiffening Ribs: These non-visible details add to our door's security.
- Quality insulation serves to reduce unwanted external noise, as well as protect against extreme heat, and severe cold.
Introducing our modern exterior entrance door, a sleek and stylish addition to any contemporary home or building. Crafted from a single sheet of metal, this door features a sturdy metal frame and threshold for added durability and security. The exterior design boasts a sophisticated gray graphite color with four horizontal strips, while the interior design features a crisp white color with four matching horizontal strips for a cohesive look. The simple yet striking design is perfect for those who prefer a minimalist aesthetic. Trust the Deux collection, the leading name in modern front doors, for a product that's both stylish and functional. Upgrade your entrance with our modern exterior entrance door today.
Model - 1105 Deux
Color - Graphite Gray
Door thickness - 3 1/4"
Frame thickness - 4"
Exterior design - 4 horizontal strips (stainless steel inserts on the left and right side; glass in the middle - glass looks mirrored from exterior view). Coating of the door - Moisture resistant MDF layer 2/3", gray enamel.
Interior design - 4 horizontal strips (stainless steel inserts on the left and right side; glass in the middle - glass looks see-through from interior view). Coating of the door - white enamel.
Hardware included:
- Metal frame 4" thick - dimensions of the door with frame is 38" x 82".
- Metal threshold.
- Plate-type, primary lock for armoured type of steel doors, locked by 3 key turns, doors are captured in 3 places. The lock has replaceable core and 5 keys.
- Cylinder K2.
- Hinges Combi Arialdo.
- Turnknob for lock.
- Armor plate for the lock.
- Stainless steel Handle
To maintain the warranty, a canopy is required over the door.

This compact modern bathroom remodel features intentionally placed colors, patterns, materials, and finishes to perfectly execute the homeowner’s style. In addition to a distaste for the bathroom’s existing brown color scheme, there was an extremely large and deep soaking tub with a shower combo that had been installed by a previous owner which made accessibility extremely difficult for these new homeowners to use the shower. The homeowners expressed a love for modern, contemporary, and sleek design styles with strong preferences for grey and slate tones and a dislike of brown tones and ornate patterns. In addition, Interior Designer Elizabeth noticed that they would get excited when discussing whimsical features. The final bathroom design involved replacing the bath vanity, toilet, flooring, and removing the obtrusive tub to create an easy-access tile shower with a sliding shower glass barn door. The existing unique bathroom layout was a narrow room open to the Primary Bedroom with no door and contained all fixtures on the interior wall facing away from the Primary Bedroom entrance. We utilized a floating vanity to give the illusion of a wider bathroom and the open space below the cabinet makes it easier to round the corner to enter the bathroom without running into the cabinet. To create a bathroom design that expressed the homeowner’s style of modern, grey, and whimsy, Interior Designer Elizabeth proposed a grey mosaic tile that formed a whimsical pattern via the grout lines, and maintained the desired modern feel by having this mosaic tile installed over the entirety of the back wall with large format tiles of the same color/collection installed on the side walls. The cool tones of the grey tile shower and charcoal tile floor are balanced with the warmth of a natural rift white oak vanity and recessed medicine cabinet mirror to create this luxurious modern bathroom.
Find the right local pro for your project

Benefits of AirField in a green roofing system include:
• AirDrain creates and helps maintain a more consistent Gmax for Synthetic Turf
• ASTM testing proves AirDrain’s shock absorption properties reducing strain on joints and ligaments
• AirDrain can be reused when the Synthetic Turf must be replaced
• Can help qualify for LEED™ and other green building credits
• A smaller carbon and development footprint with reduced site disturbance
• Water harvesting reclamation and reuse is easy
• AirDrain creates a one inch air barrier on the rooftop increasing the insulating properties.
• AirDrain is a 100% recycled copolymer with the impact modifier “metallocene” qualifying it as a “No Break” plastic. Making it able to withstand extreme heat and cold and still maintain performance.
• Resins can be made to the following specification “Flammability UL 94, Flame Retardant, High Impact Polypropylene Copolymer Resins”
Synthetic Turf Provided and Installed By:
Mike Harkrider
ForeverLawn Austin
9601 Gray Blvd.
Austin, Texas 78758
512.310.7320 office

Here’s a photo of a Best Hot Tubs client who clearly has made using his Bullfrog Spa a priority — no matter the amount of snow. Note the deep path he has shoveled (right side of hot tub). He’s a man who truly wants access to his hot tub…polar vortex or not.
After Snow Storms: After it snows, clear a path to your hot tub — not just so you can use your spa — but so you can maintain it during freezing or snowy weather;
3. Protect Spa Pipes: To keep pipes from freezing, once a week check that the hot tub is running and make sure the water temp is at least above 90 degrees. (Note: In extreme cold temperatures, it is cheaper to maintain the temperature than letting it cool down and reheating it again.)
Spa Water Level: While checking its temperature and that it is running, also watch your spa’s water level. If the water gets too low, the pumps and heaters are affected by insufficient water, and this can contribute to freezing in spa’s plumbing lines;

Products making their television debut in this project were Anthology Woods Northwest Blend (a naturally weathered wood installed on a section of the ceiling, unfinished) and the extremely hard & durable Left Coast White Oak, a unique species growing only in a narrow strip of Oregon and bit in California & Washington (installed for the flooring, finished with Rubio Monocoat White natural oil). The homeowners were able to easily apply the finish themselves prior to installing the floor, and the zero VOC nature of the oil insured it was safe to move right in! The White tint to the oil gives a subtle white-washed look to the floors while maintaining a natural look and a supple feel underfoot.
The couple participating in the episode loved their floor so much they decided to add more, installing it in their master bedroom, as well! The rich character of this natural Oak in a flat sawn (the old "European" way to cut Oak) wood product adds a timeless element & warmth to the feel of the space. Looking closely at the grain, you'll see cathedral patterns in many boards, along with a great mix of flat grain with rift areas as well. Finishing out the details of the room, the Bath Crashers team added natural carerra marble in the shower with tones of white & gray, and apron-front vanity sinks for extra charm.

This LEED Platinum certified house reflects the homeowner's desire for an exceptionally healthy and comfortable living environment, within a traditional neighborhood.
INFILL SITE. The family, who moved from another area of Wellesley, sought out this property to be within walking distance of the high school and downtown area. An existing structure on the tight lot was removed to make way for the new home. 84% of the construction waste, from both the previous structure and the new home, was diverted from a landfill. ZED designed to preserve the existing mature trees on the perimeter of the property to minimize site impacts, and to maintain the character of the neighborhood as well as privacy on the site.
EXTERIOR EXPRESSION. The street facade of the home relates to the local New England vernacular. The rear uses contemporary language, a nod to the family’s Californian roots, to incorporate a roof deck, solar panels, outdoor living space, and the backyard swimming pool. ZED’s careful planning avoided to the need to face the garage doors towards the street, a common syndrome of a narrow lot.
THOUGHTFUL SPACE. Homes with dual entries can often result in duplicate and unused spaces. In this home, the everyday and formal entry areas are one and the same; the front and garage doors share the entry program of coat closets, mudroom storage with bench for removing your shoes, and a laundry room with generous closets for the children's sporting equipment. The entry area leads directly to the living space, encompassing the kitchen, dining and sitting area areas in an L-shaped open plan arrangement. The kitchen is placed at the south-west corner of the space to allow for a strong connection to the dining, sitting and outdoor living spaces. A fire pit on the deck satisfies the family’s desire for an open flame while a sealed gas fireplace is used indoors - ZED’s preference after omitting gas burning appliances completely from an airtight home. A small study, with a window seat, is conveniently located just off of the living space. A first floor guest bedroom includes an accessible bathroom for aging visitors and can be used as a master suite to accommodate aging in place.
HEALTHY LIVING. The client requested a home that was easy to clean and would provide a respite from seasonal allergies and common contaminants that are found in many indoor spaces. ZED selected easy to clean solid surface flooring throughout, provided ample space for cleaning supplies on each floor, and designed a mechanical system with ventilation that provides a constant supply of fresh outdoor air. ZED selected durable materials, finishes, cabinetry, and casework with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and no added urea formaldehyde.
YEAR-ROUND COMFORT. The home is super insulated and air-tight, paired with high performance triple-paned windows, to ensure it is draft-free throughout the winter (even when in front of the large windows and doors). ZED designed a right-sized heating and cooling system to pair with the thermally improved building enclosure to ensure year-round comfort. The glazing on the home maximizes passive solar gains, and facilitates cross ventilation and daylighting.
ENERGY EFFICIENT. As one of the most energy efficient houses built to date in Wellesley, the home highlights a practical solution for Massachusetts. First, the building enclosure reduces the largest energy requirement for typical houses (heating). Super-insulation, exceptional air sealing, a thermally broken wall assembly, triple pane windows, and passive solar gain combine for a sizable heating load reduction. Second, within the house only efficient systems consume energy. These include an air source heat pump for heating & cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation, and high efficiency appliances. Lastly, photovoltaics provide renewable energy help offset energy consumption. The result is an 89% reduction in energy use compared to a similar brand new home built to code requirements.
RESILIENT. The home will fare well in extreme weather events. During a winter power outage, heat loss will be very slow due to the super-insulated and airtight envelope– taking multiple days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. An engineered drainage system, paired with careful the detailing of the foundation, will help to keep the finished basement dry. A generator will provide full operation of the all-electric house during a power outage.
OVERALL. The home is a reflection of the family goals and an expression of their values, beautifully enabling health, comfort, safety, resilience, and utility, all while respecting the planet.
ZED - Architect & Mechanical Designer
Bevilacqua Builders Inc - Contractor
Creative Land & Water Engineering - Civil Engineering
Barbara Peterson Landscape - Landscape Design
Nest & Company - Interior Furnishings
Eric Roth Photography - Photography

Sponsored
Sunbury, OH
J.Holderby - Renovations
Franklin County's Leading General Contractors - 2X Best of Houzz!

This West Village is the combination of 2 apartments into a larger one, which takes advantage of the stunning double height spaces, extremely unusual in NYC. While keeping the pre-war flair the residence maintains a minimal and contemporary design.

This addition and extensive interior renovation optimizes front and rear river views, natural light and indoor / outdoor integration. The use of craftsman detailing – adding a front porch – makes this home naturally inviting, functional and extremely livable.
The design was challenged due to the waterfront lot restrictions, lot coverage restrictions (car port instead of garage), slope stability challenges and septic restrictions (only 15% of existing footprint was allowed). The rear eating area / sunroom addition was built on pillars to achieve septic clearances. The second storey addition utilized sloped ceilings, which finished at 10 ft. in order to create spacial volume. Open to below areas allow more sunlight in and help achieve square footage requirements. The carport helped meet lot coverage restrictions, but more importantly, helped lessen the environmental impact. Driveways and walkways feature natural stone for water runoff.
The home exceeded the design objectives by maintaining formal entertaining, by eliminating walls and organizing spaces, creating comfortable family areas and by introducing natural light throughout the home.
2012 Finalist in the Canadian Home Builder’s SAM Awards for a Whole House
Renovation $250,000-$500,000
2012 Ontario Home Builders Association Awards Finalist for Most Outstanding Home Renovation $100,000 – $500,000
2012 Greater Ottawa Home Builders Association Awards Finalist for
Renovations/Additions $350,000 – $499,999

This LEED Platinum certified house reflects the homeowner's desire for an exceptionally healthy and comfortable living environment, within a traditional neighborhood.
INFILL SITE. The family, who moved from another area of Wellesley, sought out this property to be within walking distance of the high school and downtown area. An existing structure on the tight lot was removed to make way for the new home. 84% of the construction waste, from both the previous structure and the new home, was diverted from a landfill. ZED designed to preserve the existing mature trees on the perimeter of the property to minimize site impacts, and to maintain the character of the neighborhood as well as privacy on the site.
EXTERIOR EXPRESSION. The street facade of the home relates to the local New England vernacular. The rear uses contemporary language, a nod to the family’s Californian roots, to incorporate a roof deck, solar panels, outdoor living space, and the backyard swimming pool. ZED’s careful planning avoided to the need to face the garage doors towards the street, a common syndrome of a narrow lot.
THOUGHTFUL SPACE. Homes with dual entries can often result in duplicate and unused spaces. In this home, the everyday and formal entry areas are one and the same; the front and garage doors share the entry program of coat closets, mudroom storage with bench for removing your shoes, and a laundry room with generous closets for the children's sporting equipment. The entry area leads directly to the living space, encompassing the kitchen, dining and sitting area areas in an L-shaped open plan arrangement. The kitchen is placed at the south-west corner of the space to allow for a strong connection to the dining, sitting and outdoor living spaces. A fire pit on the deck satisfies the family’s desire for an open flame while a sealed gas fireplace is used indoors - ZED’s preference after omitting gas burning appliances completely from an airtight home. A small study, with a window seat, is conveniently located just off of the living space. A first floor guest bedroom includes an accessible bathroom for aging visitors and can be used as a master suite to accommodate aging in place.
HEALTHY LIVING. The client requested a home that was easy to clean and would provide a respite from seasonal allergies and common contaminants that are found in many indoor spaces. ZED selected easy to clean solid surface flooring throughout, provided ample space for cleaning supplies on each floor, and designed a mechanical system with ventilation that provides a constant supply of fresh outdoor air. ZED selected durable materials, finishes, cabinetry, and casework with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and no added urea formaldehyde.
YEAR-ROUND COMFORT. The home is super insulated and air-tight, paired with high performance triple-paned windows, to ensure it is draft-free throughout the winter (even when in front of the large windows and doors). ZED designed a right-sized heating and cooling system to pair with the thermally improved building enclosure to ensure year-round comfort. The glazing on the home maximizes passive solar gains, and facilitates cross ventilation and daylighting.
ENERGY EFFICIENT. As one of the most energy efficient houses built to date in Wellesley, the home highlights a practical solution for Massachusetts. First, the building enclosure reduces the largest energy requirement for typical houses (heating). Super-insulation, exceptional air sealing, a thermally broken wall assembly, triple pane windows, and passive solar gain combine for a sizable heating load reduction. Second, within the house only efficient systems consume energy. These include an air source heat pump for heating & cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation, and high efficiency appliances. Lastly, photovoltaics provide renewable energy help offset energy consumption. The result is an 89% reduction in energy use compared to a similar brand new home built to code requirements.
RESILIENT. The home will fare well in extreme weather events. During a winter power outage, heat loss will be very slow due to the super-insulated and airtight envelope– taking multiple days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. An engineered drainage system, paired with careful the detailing of the foundation, will help to keep the finished basement dry. A generator will provide full operation of the all-electric house during a power outage.
OVERALL. The home is a reflection of the family goals and an expression of their values, beautifully enabling health, comfort, safety, resilience, and utility, all while respecting the planet.
ZED - Architect & Mechanical Designer
Bevilacqua Builders Inc - Contractor
Creative Land & Water Engineering - Civil Engineering
Barbara Peterson Landscape - Landscape Design
Nest & Company - Interior Furnishings
Eric Roth Photography - Photography

Photo: Ashley K.
Shower Door: Shower Doors of Houston
Fixtures: Grohe and American Standard
Transitional gray tile and ceramic tile bathroom photo in Houston with an undermount sink, furniture-like cabinets, black cabinets, marble countertops and a one-piece toilet
Transitional gray tile and ceramic tile bathroom photo in Houston with an undermount sink, furniture-like cabinets, black cabinets, marble countertops and a one-piece toilet

This addition and extensive interior renovation optimizes front and rear river views, natural light and indoor / outdoor integration. The use of craftsman detailing – adding a front porch – makes this home naturally inviting, functional and extremely livable.
The design was challenged due to the waterfront lot restrictions, lot coverage restrictions (car port instead of garage), slope stability challenges and septic restrictions (only 15% of existing footprint was allowed). The rear eating area / sunroom addition was built on pillars to achieve septic clearances. The second storey addition utilized sloped ceilings, which finished at 10 ft. in order to create spacial volume. Open to below areas allow more sunlight in and help achieve square footage requirements. The carport helped meet lot coverage restrictions, but more importantly, helped lessen the environmental impact. Driveways and walkways feature natural stone for water runoff.
The home exceeded the design objectives by maintaining formal entertaining, by eliminating walls and organizing spaces, creating comfortable family areas and by introducing natural light throughout the home.
2012 Finalist in the Canadian Home Builder’s SAM Awards for a Whole House
Renovation $250,000-$500,000
2012 Ontario Home Builders Association Awards Finalist for Most Outstanding Home Renovation $100,000 – $500,000
2012 Greater Ottawa Home Builders Association Awards Finalist for
Renovations/Additions $350,000 – $499,999

Sponsored
Sunbury, OH
J.Holderby - Renovations
Franklin County's Leading General Contractors - 2X Best of Houzz!

Located at the Toll Brothers Model Homes the Enclave at Yorba Linda. Toll Brothers envisioned a raised overflow pool with glass walls, allowing guests to see underwater from the outside. Extensive care was taken during the difficult design and build process to ensure that excellence was achieved and Toll Brothers was completely enamored with the results.
This pool features a very modern look with straight, clean lines, square columns and LED lights accenting the acrylic pool walls. The bar area touts an acrylic wall and in-pool bar stools, while the tile inside the pool matches the house, bringing continuity to the entire space.
An extreme amount of coordination was required for the 2.5 inch thick pieces of acrylic to fit perfectly within the slots on the columns while still maintaining the structural integrity of the pool. We were in continual communication with the structural engineer and acrylic manufacturer, ensuring that each piece fit perfectly. The completed acrylic walls were then craned over the house due to their weight.
With a vanishing edge on the front three sections and a negative edge along the back, it was absolutely imperative that the pool was perfectly level and that the water filtration system operated perfectly so that the flow was even over each wall. The water cascading over the front walls collects in a trough that ties into to the rear negative edge basin, where it recirculates back into the pool.
The rear negative edge was designed so as not to distract from the breathtaking view of the valley below, while the lounging deck overhangs the pool with a freestanding cover ensuring that the view is completely unobstructed.
An elegant piece of artwork frames the back of the pool, completing the look for this intriguing swimming pool.

An extreme renovation makeover for my clients teenagers bathroom. We expanded the footprint and upgraded all facets of the existing space. We selected a more mature, sophisticated, spa like vibe that fit her likes and needs, while maintaining a modern, subdued palette that was calming + inviting and showcased the sculptural elements in the room. There really was nowhere but up to go in this space.

The Tice Residences replace a run-down and aging duplex with two separate, modern, Santa Barbara homes. Although the unique creek-side site (which the client’s original home looked toward across a small ravine) proposed significant challenges, the clients were certain they wanted to live on the lush “Riviera” hillside.
The challenges presented were ultimately overcome through a thorough and careful study of site conditions. With an extremely efficient use of space and strategic placement of windows and decks, privacy is maintained while affording expansive views from each home to the creek, downtown Santa Barbara and Pacific Ocean beyond. Both homes appear to have far more openness than their compact lots afford.
The solution strikes a balance between enclosure and openness. Walls and landscape elements divide and protect two private domains, and are in turn, carefully penetrated to reveal views.
Both homes are variations on one consistent theme: elegant composition of contemporary, “warm” materials; strong roof planes punctuated by vertical masses; and floating decks. The project forms an intimate connection with its setting by using site-excavated stone, terracing landscape planters with native plantings, and utilizing the shade provided by its ancient Riviera Oak trees.
2012 AIA Santa Barbara Chapter Merit Award
Jim Bartsch Photography

Fat Tony
Mid-sized tuscan l-shaped ceramic tile open concept kitchen photo in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, blue backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island
Mid-sized tuscan l-shaped ceramic tile open concept kitchen photo in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, blue backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Interior shot of year round living space. Space includes: exterior grade video monitor that can withstand extreme elements and reduce glare; direct vent gas fireplace to keep space warm all year long; exterior grade grill capped with commercial grade exhaust hood, allowing client to bring grilling inside; panoramic doors system which allows space to convert from a wall of insulated glass panels to a completely open-air room; a full width screen system that retracts into the soffits; and Zuri decking, which can withstand all elements while maintaining an elegant design. Photographed by Michael Braun.

This LEED Platinum certified house reflects the homeowner's desire for an exceptionally healthy and comfortable living environment, within a traditional neighborhood.
INFILL SITE. The family, who moved from another area of Wellesley, sought out this property to be within walking distance of the high school and downtown area. An existing structure on the tight lot was removed to make way for the new home. 84% of the construction waste, from both the previous structure and the new home, was diverted from a landfill. ZED designed to preserve the existing mature trees on the perimeter of the property to minimize site impacts, and to maintain the character of the neighborhood as well as privacy on the site.
EXTERIOR EXPRESSION. The street facade of the home relates to the local New England vernacular. The rear uses contemporary language, a nod to the family’s Californian roots, to incorporate a roof deck, solar panels, outdoor living space, and the backyard swimming pool. ZED’s careful planning avoided to the need to face the garage doors towards the street, a common syndrome of a narrow lot.
THOUGHTFUL SPACE. Homes with dual entries can often result in duplicate and unused spaces. In this home, the everyday and formal entry areas are one and the same; the front and garage doors share the entry program of coat closets, mudroom storage with bench for removing your shoes, and a laundry room with generous closets for the children's sporting equipment. The entry area leads directly to the living space, encompassing the kitchen, dining and sitting area areas in an L-shaped open plan arrangement. The kitchen is placed at the south-west corner of the space to allow for a strong connection to the dining, sitting and outdoor living spaces. A fire pit on the deck satisfies the family’s desire for an open flame while a sealed gas fireplace is used indoors - ZED’s preference after omitting gas burning appliances completely from an airtight home. A small study, with a window seat, is conveniently located just off of the living space. A first floor guest bedroom includes an accessible bathroom for aging visitors and can be used as a master suite to accommodate aging in place.
HEALTHY LIVING. The client requested a home that was easy to clean and would provide a respite from seasonal allergies and common contaminants that are found in many indoor spaces. ZED selected easy to clean solid surface flooring throughout, provided ample space for cleaning supplies on each floor, and designed a mechanical system with ventilation that provides a constant supply of fresh outdoor air. ZED selected durable materials, finishes, cabinetry, and casework with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and no added urea formaldehyde.
YEAR-ROUND COMFORT. The home is super insulated and air-tight, paired with high performance triple-paned windows, to ensure it is draft-free throughout the winter (even when in front of the large windows and doors). ZED designed a right-sized heating and cooling system to pair with the thermally improved building enclosure to ensure year-round comfort. The glazing on the home maximizes passive solar gains, and facilitates cross ventilation and daylighting.
ENERGY EFFICIENT. As one of the most energy efficient houses built to date in Wellesley, the home highlights a practical solution for Massachusetts. First, the building enclosure reduces the largest energy requirement for typical houses (heating). Super-insulation, exceptional air sealing, a thermally broken wall assembly, triple pane windows, and passive solar gain combine for a sizable heating load reduction. Second, within the house only efficient systems consume energy. These include an air source heat pump for heating & cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation, and high efficiency appliances. Lastly, photovoltaics provide renewable energy help offset energy consumption. The result is an 89% reduction in energy use compared to a similar brand new home built to code requirements.
RESILIENT. The home will fare well in extreme weather events. During a winter power outage, heat loss will be very slow due to the super-insulated and airtight envelope– taking multiple days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. An engineered drainage system, paired with careful the detailing of the foundation, will help to keep the finished basement dry. A generator will provide full operation of the all-electric house during a power outage.
OVERALL. The home is a reflection of the family goals and an expression of their values, beautifully enabling health, comfort, safety, resilience, and utility, all while respecting the planet.
ZED - Architect & Mechanical Designer
Bevilacqua Builders Inc - Contractor
Creative Land & Water Engineering - Civil Engineering
Barbara Peterson Landscape - Landscape Design
Nest & Company - Interior Furnishings
Eric Roth Photography - Photography

Products making their television debut in this project were Anthology Woods Northwest Blend (a naturally weathered wood installed on a section of the ceiling, unfinished) and the extremely hard & durable Left Coast White Oak, a unique species growing only in a narrow strip of Oregon and bit in California & Washington (installed for the flooring, finished with Rubio Monocoat White natural oil). The homeowners were able to easily apply the finish themselves prior to installing the floor, and the zero VOC nature of the oil insured it was safe to move right in! The White tint to the oil gives a subtle white-washed look to the floors while maintaining a natural look and a supple feel underfoot.
The couple participating in the episode loved their floor so much they decided to add more, installing it in their master bedroom, as well! The rich character of this natural Oak in a flat sawn (the old "European" way to cut Oak) wood product adds a timeless element & warmth to the feel of the space. Looking closely at the grain, you'll see cathedral patterns in many boards, along with a great mix of flat grain with rift areas as well. Finishing out the details of the room, the Bath Crashers team added natural carerra marble in the shower with tones of white & gray, and apron-front vanity sinks for extra charm.
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