Henderer Design + Build

Green products

I am often asked about this 'new' green movement and how we implement green building practices into our projects.  I thought I would comment on this as well as talk about some specific products that we frequently use on our products.
First, let me state that I believe that remodeling in general is a form of green building.  Rather than building a completely new structure, possibly on a new site where there would be obvious ecological impact, we are choosing to modify and/ or add to the existing structure, rather than abandon it for a new structure or site.  There are other basic green reasons for not vacating an existing home and moving to another, but I won't go into those any more.

Another thing to note before just diving in and making your purchase is that there is a lot of "greenwashing", where manufacturers and suppliers make claims that their products are green products while in reality this may not be entirely true.  This is one reason that we have not been able to fully embrace the green building movement as a lot of information needs to be sifted through in order to determine what really makes sense.

As for products that I feel completely confident recommending, here are a few:

    -Marmoleum flooring- Manufactured using mostly raw natural products such as linseed oil, rosins, and wood flour.  There are a multitude of colors and patterns and it can be a really striking floor.  This is a great flooring choice for allergy sufferers.
    Marmoleum

    - Paperstone countertops are another really nice product that uses cashew nut resins and recycled paper to create a very durable, beautiful countertop material.  This material can be fabricated with standard woodworking tools (routers, table saw, orbital sander).
    Paperstone

    - Low VOC (volital organic compounds) paints- if you are sensitive to odors that are generally associated w/ paints and finishes, most manufacturers produce paints that have little or no odor.

    - Bamboo and other sustainably harvested wood flooring-  We've been using bamboo a fair amount lately and it is really a very durable floor.  Much harder than a lot of other wood floors and the factory finishes are really incredible.  The sites below are a couple of sources for bamboo and other floors:

Sustainable flooring

Ecotimber

Prep Work For A Home Addition

Q:  I am thinking of building an addition on our home.  How long does it take to get plans, obtain a permit and start construction?

A:  Factors such as the size and complexity of the addition will play a large role in determining the length of the design process.  For a fairly simple family room addition you should allow at least 2-3 months for preliminary design through completed construction drawings.  A larger or more complex addition may take 4-6 months or even longer to develop.  This may seem like a long time, but it is important not to rush this phase.  One of the advantages of hiring a design/build firm is that a preliminary cost estimate can be prepared at the same time as the preliminary design.  This streamlines the process and enables the contractor to develop a design that will fit the client's budget.

Once design and construction drawings are complete, it usually takes 2-3 weeks to obtain the building permit.  The beginning of construction largely depends on both the client and contractor's schedules.  Another advantage of a design/build firm is that scheduling can be integrated into the design phase and updated as the design and construction drawings progress.

Email us with your design/build questions!

Basement Remodel

Q: I have an unfinished basement that I would like to make into a couple of bedrooms and a bathroom.  A friend told me that this would be a lot less expensive than adding out or up.  Is this true?

A:  In short, maybe, but not necessarily.  First, you will need to determine if you have the minimum ceiling height.  If not, is it practical to lower the floor height in the basement?  Also, bedrooms require an egress window or door directly to the outside.  This often requires cutting concrete and making wells- with or without steps.

Another consideration is your heating and cooling system.  Are there ducts that would need to be relocated in order to make the space useable and attractive?  Basements do make great spaces when finished properly, allowing you to gain square footage without sacrificing your yard.

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