Infusion Design Home

08/17/10

Spray Foam Insulation

Though unseen, one of the most important components of a structure is its insulation. Insulation can determine whether or not your home is quiet, energy efficient, and comfortable.

We chose Demilec’s Sealection Agribalance insulation for the EverLife Design home. County Group Insulation provided the material and installed the product. Sealection Agribalance is a semi-rigid, open-cell polyurethane foam insulation that is sprayed into the wall cavities. Once a thin layer is applied, the product expands to fill the gaps and seal all cracks. Not only does this insulation provide a higher R-value (4.45 per inch) than traditional...

Posted at 11:22 AM | Permalink | Comments: 2

07/29/10

Roughing It!

After the shell of a home is constructed, the rough-ins for the mechanical systems are installed, including electrical, plumbing, HVAC, security system, central vacuum system and surround sound system. Some consumers also desire in-home communication intercom systems and smart home technology systems. For some jurisdictions, sprinkler systems are required as well. This blog posting will cover the rough-ins for the electrical and surround sound systems for the EverLife Design home.

One of the most tedious tasks that must be determined is the lighting layout and design for a new home. In some instances, this can be fairly straightforward, but in...

Posted at 11:09 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

06/22/10

Heating and Cooling Using the Earth: Geothermal HVAC

This blog post will cover installation of the geothermal heating and cooling system we installed in the EverLife Design home.

Geothermal heating and cooling is a method that has been around for several decades, but has only recently gained popularity for its energy efficiency properties and reduced use of natural resources. In extremely abbreviated terms, geothermal units recruit the earth’s base temperature of about 55 degrees through continuous closed-circuit piping, called “loops,” that are filled with a solution of water and antifreeze. The solution is then pumped into a heat pump that recruits the BTUs from that consistent 55-degree temperature. The heat pump then either “flash heats” and distributes the heated air through the ductwork in the...

Posted at 01:32 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

05/12/10

It’s More Than Just a Wrapper!

This blog post will cover installation of the exterior siding on the EverLife Design home.

Every siding project starts at a beginning point. We installed a watertable at the base of the home, which acted as the starting point for building up the siding. We used Azek materials for our exterior trim. Azek is a composite material made, in part, of PVC. While PVC is known to be processed in a decidedly unfriendly manner for the environment, it also will not rot, decay or require maintenance. Like many choices that must be made regarding materials and the impact it has on the environment, sometimes one aspect outweighs others in...

Posted at 10:40 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

04/12/10

Room With a View

Some of the most important energy features of a home are the doors and windows. This blog posting will cover the windows and doors we selected to enhance our EverLife Design. Believe it or not, doors and windows impact EverLife Design not only for energy efficiency, but also the other component of EverLife Design: accessibility.

We chose Paradigm vinyl windows for our project for their low maintenance. Paradigm windows are manufactured in Portland, Maine. We chose casement style windows that open with a crank lever, which are easier to open than standard double-hung doors for those with dexterity issues. Casement windows swing open fully and when closed, create a continuous seal for low air infiltration. The windows we chose are...

Posted at 03:15 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/10/10

Copperhead

For the barrel roof features on the front and rear porches, we elected to use copper as the finish material for its durability, since it is a lifetime product, and for the special look it acquires over time. The copper here is being installed on the rear porch, which overlooks the C&D Canal. Copper is recyclable and slowly develops a “patina” through an oxidation process.

The copper sheets are installed in rows, and each edge is crimped and clamped to the preceding row to create a seam.

Posted at 12:37 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

02/19/10

Do a Little Dance…

This portion of the blog will show our porches being installed using seamless concrete texturing techniques.

We chose a tinted colored concrete, which is mixed into the concrete in the concrete mixer truck on site. The pump truck then pumps the tinted concrete mix from the concrete truck into the prepared forms for the porches.

Concrete is pumped into the forms that will be the back...

Posted at 04:36 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

02/03/10

Let it Snow!

Shingles for the roof are boomed to the rooftop.

In addition to the Zip Roof System, we used ice and water shield as an extra weather barrier (see the roof is now black instead of red). We chose CertainTeed’s new Solaris Solar Reflective Shingles for the main parts of the roof. Solaris shingles have imbedded granules that reflect solar energy and radiate heat, purporting to reduce the roof temperature by as much as 20 percent in the summer. Solaris shingles...

Posted at 04:53 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

01/18/10

What’s in a Name?

There is no business like small business. Just ask any entrepreneur. The lows can be tough, but the highs are unbeatable.

A few years ago, we were visiting our favorite vacation spot in the Bahamas, and on our first night at the resort, we happened to be sitting next to an older gentleman dining alone. We were introduced through our waitress, who said in her sweet Bahamian accent, “You two look familiar.” Tony and I laughed, “Yeah, we are back. We never go anywhere twice, but, we really like it here.”

The waitress smiled broadly and replied, “Mr. Wright would like to hear that.” She nodded her head to the...

Posted at 03:28 PM | Permalink | Comments: 1

01/07/10

Garage Rockin'

Happy 2010!

In order to achieve a no-step entry in the garage, we filled with stone dust. Stone dust is a byproduct material, compacts well and is inexpensive.

Detached garage filled, with holes prepared in the concrete foundation in preparation for rebar.

Posted at 04:45 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

	08/17/10 Spray Foam Insulation Though unseen, one of the most important components of a structure is its insulation. Insulation can determine whether or not your home is quiet, energy efficient, and comfortable. We chose Demilec’s Sealection Agribalance insulation for the EverLife Design home. County Group Insulation provided the material and installed the product. Sealection Agribalance is a semi-rigid, open-cell polyurethane foam insulation that is sprayed into the wall cavities. Once a thin layer is applied, the product expands to fill the gaps and seal all cracks. Not only does this insulation provide a higher R-value (4.45 per inch) than traditional... Posted at 11:22 AM \| Permalink \| Comments: 2
	07/29/10 Roughing It! After the shell of a home is constructed, the rough-ins for the mechanical systems are installed, including electrical, plumbing, HVAC, security system, central vacuum system and surround sound system. Some consumers also desire in-home communication intercom systems and smart home technology systems. For some jurisdictions, sprinkler systems are required as well. This blog posting will cover the rough-ins for the electrical and surround sound systems for the EverLife Design home. One of the most tedious tasks that must be determined is the lighting layout and design for a new home. In some instances, this can be fairly straightforward, but in... Posted at 11:09 AM \| Permalink \| Comments: 0
	06/22/10 Heating and Cooling Using the Earth: Geothermal HVAC This blog post will cover installation of the geothermal heating and cooling system we installed in the EverLife Design home. Geothermal heating and cooling is a method that has been around for several decades, but has only recently gained popularity for its energy efficiency properties and reduced use of natural resources. In extremely abbreviated terms, geothermal units recruit the earth’s base temperature of about 55 degrees through continuous closed-circuit piping, called “loops,” that are filled with a solution of water and antifreeze. The solution is then pumped into a heat pump that recruits the BTUs from that consistent 55-degree temperature. The heat pump then either “flash heats” and distributes the heated air through the ductwork in the... Posted at 01:32 PM \| Permalink \| Comments: 0
	05/12/10 It’s More Than Just a Wrapper! This blog post will cover installation of the exterior siding on the EverLife Design home. Every siding project starts at a beginning point. We installed a watertable at the base of the home, which acted as the starting point for building up the siding. We used Azek materials for our exterior trim. Azek is a composite material made, in part, of PVC. While PVC is known to be processed in a decidedly unfriendly manner for the environment, it also will not rot, decay or require maintenance. Like many choices that must be made regarding materials and the impact it has on the environment, sometimes one aspect outweighs others in... Posted at 10:40 AM \| Permalink \| Comments: 0
	04/12/10 Room With a View Some of the most important energy features of a home are the doors and windows. This blog posting will cover the windows and doors we selected to enhance our EverLife Design. Believe it or not, doors and windows impact EverLife Design not only for energy efficiency, but also the other component of EverLife Design: accessibility. We chose Paradigm vinyl windows for our project for their low maintenance. Paradigm windows are manufactured in Portland, Maine. We chose casement style windows that open with a crank lever, which are easier to open than standard double-hung doors for those with dexterity issues. Casement windows swing open fully and when closed, create a continuous seal for low air infiltration. The windows we chose are... Posted at 03:15 PM \| Permalink \| Comments: 0
	03/10/10 Copperhead For the barrel roof features on the front and rear porches, we elected to use copper as the finish material for its durability, since it is a lifetime product, and for the special look it acquires over time. The copper here is being installed on the rear porch, which overlooks the C&D Canal. Copper is recyclable and slowly develops a “patina” through an oxidation process. The copper sheets are installed in rows, and each edge is crimped and clamped to the preceding row to create a seam. Posted at 12:37 PM \| Permalink \| Comments: 0
	02/19/10 Do a Little Dance… This portion of the blog will show our porches being installed using seamless concrete texturing techniques. We chose a tinted colored concrete, which is mixed into the concrete in the concrete mixer truck on site. The pump truck then pumps the tinted concrete mix from the concrete truck into the prepared forms for the porches. Concrete is pumped into the forms that will be the back... Posted at 04:36 PM \| Permalink \| Comments: 0
	02/03/10 Let it Snow! Shingles for the roof are boomed to the rooftop. In addition to the Zip Roof System, we used ice and water shield as an extra weather barrier (see the roof is now black instead of red). We chose CertainTeed’s new Solaris Solar Reflective Shingles for the main parts of the roof. Solaris shingles have imbedded granules that reflect solar energy and radiate heat, purporting to reduce the roof temperature by as much as 20 percent in the summer. Solaris shingles... Posted at 04:53 PM \| Permalink \| Comments: 0
	01/18/10 What’s in a Name? There is no business like small business. Just ask any entrepreneur. The lows can be tough, but the highs are unbeatable. A few years ago, we were visiting our favorite vacation spot in the Bahamas, and on our first night at the resort, we happened to be sitting next to an older gentleman dining alone. We were introduced through our waitress, who said in her sweet Bahamian accent, “You two look familiar.” Tony and I laughed, “Yeah, we are back. We never go anywhere twice, but, we really like it here.” The waitress smiled broadly and replied, “Mr. Wright would like to hear that.” She nodded her head to the... Posted at 03:28 PM \| Permalink \| Comments: 1
	01/07/10 Garage Rockin' Happy 2010! In order to achieve a no-step entry in the garage, we filled with stone dust. Stone dust is a byproduct material, compacts well and is inexpensive. Detached garage filled, with holes prepared in the concrete foundation in preparation for rebar. Posted at 04:45 PM \| Permalink \| Comments: 0

Going Green with Universal Design

08/17/10

07/29/10

06/22/10

05/12/10

04/12/10

03/10/10

02/19/10

02/03/10

01/18/10

01/07/10

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