Asheville NC Custom Builder explains ENERGY STAR Home Rating System

To earn the ENERGY STAR, a home must meet guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These homes are at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC), and include additional energy-saving features that typically make them 20 to 30% more efficient than standard homes. And with home buyers increasingly interested in green building, energy efficiency is the place to start. That's because the energy used in homes often comes from the burning of fossil fuels at power plants, which contributes to smog, acid rain, and risks of global warming. So, the less energy used, the less air pollution generated. And the easy way to make sure a new home is energy efficient is to look for the blue ENERGY STAR mark, the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency.

ENERGY STAR qualified homes can include a variety of 'tried-and-true' energy-efficient features that contribute to improved home quality and homeowner comfort, and to lower energy demand and reduced air pollution: effective insulation, high efficiency windows, tight construction and duct work, efficient heating and cooling equipment, efficient lighting, appliances, water heaters, and getting a third party verification to make sure the whole house operates optimally as an energy saving system. Advantage Development Co. Is an award winning custom green builder that gets the Energy Star rating on ever home they build in Asheville NC and the surrounding WNC areas. Call us at 828-215-9064 or visit us at http://www.advdevco.com/ to learn why we are the better custom home builder.

Asheville NC Custom Builder shares on Benefits of Finger Joint Studs

Finger-jointed studs use short pieces of 2x dimensional lumber material glued together to form standard length studs. While they may be manufactured in any species, products are most commonly available in: Douglas Fir, Hem-Fir, Spruce-Pine-Fir, and western woods. The use of finger-jointed studs and lumber is widely practiced and accepted. Finger-jointed studs in short lengths (pre-cut to 12') are stocked at many building supply and lumber retail stores. Long lengths usually have to be ordered. Finger-jointed casing is available at home improvement centers. The cost of finger joint studs is the same as regular dimensional lumber.

Specifying finger-jointed lumber reduces the use of solid sawn lumber. Moreover, solid sawn studs may have weak spots and may twist and warp. The builder usually ends up having to replace a lot of solid lumber studs, thus increasing construction costs. Finger-jointed studs are resource-efficient engineered materials, which are as strong as, but straighter and more stable than solid-sawn studs. This radically reduces the need to cull bad studs, normally required with solid-sawn studs. This saves material, time and money. Advantage Development Co. is an award winning custom green builder in Asheville NC for over two decades now and knows the benefits of using engineered wood in their fine custom homes. Call us at 828-215-9064 for a free consultation or visit us at http://www.advdevco.com/ to learn more about us.

Asheville NC Custom Builder talks about Hempcrete, a great Green Building Product

How to build green is a topic on everyone persons mind these days, and hempcrete fulfills the requirements of being made from natural materials, being non-toxic, and providing energy efficiency. Formed into foot-thick walls on a wooden frame, the material eliminates the need for both insulation and sheet rock. Such walls are breathable and have a pleasant, natural appearance, as well as the ability to alleviate noise pollution from the outer world.

Hempcrete, which can be used in the same way as concrete, is made by mixing hemp, lime, sand, plaster and cement. It is mixed on site and sprayed onto the frame. Aside from doing away with the need for insulation, the material is waterproof, fireproof, and resistant to weather, rodents, and rot. It is said to be seven times stronger than concrete, as well as being more elastic, thus less prone to crack, and half the weight of concrete. Rather then emitting carbon dioxide, the construction of a hempcrete building can remove carbon dioxide from the air and trap it. Advantage Development Co. Is a pioneer in the field of custom green building in Asheville NC. Call us at 828.215.9064 or visit us at http://www.advdevco.com/ to learn why we are the better builder in Asheville and the surrounding areas. Starting in May 2009, we will host a free monthly green building seminar on the fourth Sunday of every month at New Hope Presbyterian Church, 3070 Sweeten Creek Rd., 2-4PM so call us and RSVP today.

Celebrate Earth Day with Asheville NC Custom Green Builder, Join The Green Revolution

Earth Day 2009, April 22, will mark the beginning of The Green Generation Campaign which will also be the focus of the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day in 2010. With negotiations for a new global climate agreement coming up in December, Earth Day 2009 must be a day of action and civic participation, to defend The Green GenerationTMs core principles: A carbon-free future based on renewable energy that will end our common dependency on fossil fuels, including coal, an individuals commitment to responsible, sustainable consumption, creation of a new green economy that lifts people out of poverty by creating millions of quality green jobs and transforms the global education system into a green one.

Earth Day is a time to celebrate gains we have made and create new visions to accelerate environmental progress. Earth Day is a time to unite around new actions. Earth Day and every day is a time to act to protect our planet. Advantage Development Co. is an award winning custom green builder in Asheville NC committed to saving this earth, one home at a time. We are hosting free monthly green building seminars from May 2009 through 2010 to support the Green Generation Campaign and show that we are an integral part of the green revolution. Call us at 828-215-9064 or visit us at http://www.advdevco.com/ to learn more about the "green" revolution and why we are the better builder.

Asheville NC Custom Builder likes Standing Seam Metal Roofs

A metal roof is a premium roof system that adds value to your most important investment-your home. Initially, a metal roof will likely cost more than an asphalt roof, comparable to some other systems like tile or shake and less than slate. While these premium roof systems look good initially, they breakdown over time and you wind up having to install two or more while your metal roof will keep on providing the protection for you and your home. A metal roof will indeed save you money over time; in fact, most metal roofs come with a true 30 to 50 year warranty.

Then, add that all in with what you'll save in roof maintenance costs. To make sure an asphalt roof lasts as long as possible, extra roof maintenance is essential. But a metal roof is just about maintenance-free. All you have to do is occasionally hose it down from the ground. Metal roofs not only save you money, they'll save you time and worry, too. Advantage Development Co. is an award winning custom builder/certified green professional in Asheville NC and has two decades of experience with standing seam metal roofs. Call us at 828-215-9064 or visit us at http://www.advdevco.com/ to see why we are the better builder in Asheville.

Asheville NC Custom Builder explains R-Value for Insulation

An insulation materials r-value refers to its ability to stop or slow down the transfer of heat. It is based on a laboratory measurement, called an r-factor. The r-factor, multiplied by the thickness of the material in inches, gives you the r-value of the insulation. Laboratory measurements, however, do not always accurately reflect conditions in the real world. Most insulation materials lose their effectiveness when crammed into a tight space between walls. In addition, temperature can also make a big difference, some insulations operate better in colder temperatures, while others work best in warmer environments. In addition, if a material is stretched too thin or installed improperly, the r-value could diminish.

Good insulation can make your home more energy efficient, or it can leak the valuable energy you spend to regulate the temperature of your home. Which insulation you choose is an important decision, but it is even more important to make sure you hire a reputable contractor to apply the insulation. Many homes have incorrectly-installed insulation that causes serious energy issues, and the owners can go years without realizing the problem. Your insulation can go a long way toward making your home greener and more energy efficient. Advantage Development Co. is an award winning custom green builder in Asheville NC and understands the importance of sealing the house envelope & using the best insulation for the home design parameters. Call us at 828-215-9064 or visit us at http://www.advdevco.com/ to learn why we are the better builder.

Asheville NC Custom Builder talks about Home Energy Efficiency

Energy-efficient homes are in demand. That is because they save your customers money, provide greater comfort and help protect the environment by using less energy. Home Advantage homes are ENERGY STAR certified making them at least 15 percent more energy efficient than standard homes. They also enjoy a 5 percent Progress Energy discount for the life of the house. Home resale prices are typically much higher for ENERGY STAR Rated homes, and homes sell quicker with ENERGY STAR certifications.

Energy efficiency pays off for your customers and can be your competitive advantage in todays challenging market. We illustrate to potential buyers how the slightly higher cost of efficiency upgrades is more than offset by energy savings. For example: If you add $1,500 for energy-efficiency upgrades to the cost of a $200,000 home: The mortgage goes up by just $9/month, assuming a fixed 30 year, 6 percent mortgage. The monthly utility bills could come down by at least $31/month. That's a savings of $22 per month in the first month of ownership. The homeowner could ultimately save at least $264 a year. Building your new home to ENERGY STAR standards just makes plain good sense and Advantage Development Co. is an ENERGY STAR Rated Builder with two decades of experience in Asheville NC. We are also a NAHB Certified Green Professional ready to meet all of your green building needs. Call us at 828-215-9064 or visit us at http://www.advdevco.com/ and learn why we are the better builder when it comes to residential and green home design & building.