Our Insulation thoughts

Administrator — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 06:28:48 +0100

Our Insulation thoughts; what is the best financial investment to achieve the end goal of good insulation, good indoor air quality and sound control?

After you’ve completed sealing the thermal envelope, what goes behind the drywall is a big decision. Let’s start with basics.

INSULATION / R-VALUE

R-Value is a measurement of thermal efficiency or measurement to the resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-Value numbers the greater resistance the insulatioRead More...

Sealing the thermal envelope

Administrator — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 03:41:02 +0100

We are currently preparing for close-in on one of our more unique and challenging custom homes. What makes it challenging? Two factors; it’s a significant renovation; which meant keeping the original foundation built in 1960 and then constructing a magnificent modern designed structure.

Our client is extremely concerned with energy consumption. To this end, we thought we would blog about “common household air leaks” and what to do. The main areas to address are:

Can you say, "Trimed Out?"

Administrator — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 09:22:31 +0100

Just had to share; Joe and Keith finished yesterday! looking Good!!

Check out the Congressional Design Build online portfolio for additional ideas on our outstanding custom trim work or send us an email at info(at)cdbmd.com

How to purchase a "Green Cabinets?"

Administrator — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 08:58:23 +0100

From the mail bag; "could we help suggest how to buy "Green Cabinets?"

Here we go: While purchasing cabinets are simple to some, multiple components affect resource efficiency and indoor air quality, requiring careful consideration during this selection process. To us, most importantly, you’ll also need to examine the woods that make up the veneers, trim, doors, and drawer fronts. Austin Energy Green Building&rsquoRead More...

Can you simply just cover my existing roof shingles?

Administrator — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 08:44:01 +0100

I received an e-mail request if we could just give them a price on covering an asphalt roof ... below is our thought on Roof Covering Replacement:

When contemplating the replacement of any type of roof covering during remodeling or renovation, it is important to hire a reputable roofing contractor. The question is not just whether to install new shingles over the existing or to remove the existing layer first. Attention must be paid to the condition of the roof sheathing.&nbRead More...

Wide-Plank Bamboo Floors

Administrator — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 18:46:14 +0100

From the mail bag; " Is there a wide-plank bamboo flooring manufacture we would recommend?"

Yes, above is a photo from Teragren. And yes, I know the photo isn't that of wide-plank, but have you ever seen a black bamboo floor?

The floors are installed with a fold-down locking system and comes with microbevel edges and ends. They are finished with a seven-coat aluminum oxide/polyurethane finish.

Windows with Nanotechnology? Yep!

Administrator — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 18:33:37 +0100

Recently we explored several window tinting options and this, in our option, is mind numbingly cool!

What would you say if we told you we could install a system that will allow you to control daylight and heat transmittance in your windows, skylights, and/or curtainwall using nanotechnology? Never again will you have to get out of bed or chair over privacy concerns or that forever irritating early morning light after a short night’s sleep … sounds cutting edge cool, right? We&rsqRead More...

One Cool Home

Administrator — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 17:34:00 +0100

Having been extremely busy bringing one of our most spectacular homes to life over the past few weeks, we are back on-line and are going to BLOG your socks off with innovative products and technology we have been coming across recently, so click back often.

Today, above, is a sneak peek to internationallRead More...

Armed Service Members Tax Credit

Administrator — Fri, 07 May 2010 02:24:26 +0100

Armed Service Members Tax Credit

We were informed today that members of the military, foreign service, and intelligence communities have an additional year to buy a home and claim the home buyer tax credit, which expired on April 30.

The law provides qualified service members who served on official extended duty outside of the United States for 90 days or more at any time between January 1, 2009, to April 30, 2010, another year to buy a home and claim the credit. They have uRead More...

What is the difference between Concrete and Cement?

Sun, 25 Apr 2010 16:51:39 +0100

A prospective client called to ask, “What is the difference between Concrete and Cement?”

This is the first time I had ever been asked this and suspect that the catalysis for such a question is a competing proposal for an exterior hardscape project we are currently bidding. I assume our competitor has used the term Cement. To this end, we thought it would make for an informative post.

Cement and concrete are mixtures, not elements or compound elements. Cement is a mixture oRead More...

Why does indoor air quality matter?

Administrator — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 10:33:34 +0100

Why does indoor air quality matter?

Having a four-year-old son that is allergic to everything and I do mean everything, your paradigm changes. Things that once had little relevance now capture your immediate attention. Anything I can do for him, I do. In spending countless hours researching construction practices and technologies to make his life easier, we at CDB made a commitment to educate those that are increasingly concerned about mold, radon, carbon monoxide, and toxicRead More...

What is ENERGY STAR?

Administrator — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 01:08:38 +0100

What is ENERGY STAR?

ENERGY STAR is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency.The mark identifies new homes, buildings, and more than 50 types of products that are energy efficient and offer the features, quality, and performance today’s consumers expect.

Homes that earn the ENERGY STAR are significantly more energy efficient than standard homes. By purchasing an ENERGY STAR qualified home, your customers can have all the features they desire in their new homes,plus bettRead More...

Glass Treads Anyone?

Administrator — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 02:36:58 +0100

Glass Treads Anyone?

We received a phone call from a prospective client asking if we have built a custom staircase with glass treads? The answer, no; however, we have built several custom homes with glass rails and have worked thru the idea of incorporating the tread with several local metal fabricators, but the final cost has always been the contributing factor to not moving forward. To this end, if anyone is looking to build a custom home with an entire glass stair and rail, we Read More...

Light Transmitting Counter Top

Administrator — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 23:17:11 +0100

We received an e-mail asking for any ideas for a light transmitting counter-top for a basement bar?

While several come to mind, there is one we are currently using we think is cutting edge cool. Not to mention, their local rep has wowed us with their customer service, which is extremely helpful when it comes to working through a complicated custom “S” curved counter-top that glows. As they say, “The Devil is in the details” and their shop hasn’t missed a beat.

Neighbors Scaling Concrete Stoop

Administrator — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 03:13:45 +0100

Today my neighbor asked me...

Today my neighbor asked me over to look at his concrete stoop. As I got closer to the steps, I noticed that the concrete surface was scaling. Thinking it was builder error, I asked him if he had been using rock salt as his ice melt? He said yes! Well, that’s the culprit and here’s why:

While concrete can be one of the longest lasting surfaces you can use, its useful life will be reduced if its weaknesses are exposed. When subjected Read More...

Vanity Height

Administrator — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 03:32:51 +0100

Today I received a call asking our standard vanity height?

Since everything is normally custom, it’s driven by our client’s personal program, but I would have to say it’s usually 29” to 31” high. There was an occasion we built to 40”, but he was 6’5” and I built my personal ones to 36" high. Remember to take the following into consideration:

Most vanity tops are ¾” or 3cm thick

In secondary bathrooms,Read More...

Blog entries

Our Insulation thoughts

Sealing the thermal envelope

Can you say, "Trimed Out?"

How to purchase a "Green Cabinets?"

Can you simply just cover my existing roof shingles?

Wide-Plank Bamboo Floors

Windows with Nanotechnology? Yep!

One Cool Home

Armed Service Members Tax Credit

What is the difference between Concrete and Cement?

Why does indoor air quality matter?

What is ENERGY STAR?

Glass Treads Anyone?

Light Transmitting Counter Top

Neighbors Scaling Concrete Stoop

Vanity Height