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Bump-Out
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A
bump out is a general term for a room that breaks a
straight running line of a wall and extends beyond the
majority of the house plan into the yard of the home.
Common places a bump out is seen is foyers, bay windows,
breakfast nooks, sunrooms, etc...Larger bumpouts can
be created to enlarge bedrooms or create architectural
elements for the exterior view of the home. Some bump
outs also vary the type of ceiling in the room because
of a change in direction of the roof line at the bump
out. Unique ceilings that match the slope of the roof
create architectural interest in the home. To many bump-outs
can complicate the design and significantly increase
the cost of the home.
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Ceilings
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Ceilings
come in many styles and forms. There are flat, 8 foot,
9 foot, 10 foot, two-story, cathedral, vaulted, ceilings
with skylights... There are so many choices to what
a ceiling is today we could not describe all the options.
Decorative accents and intricate plaster and fiberglass
mouldings can create a unique look to your home. Beams,
spray on foams with texture and glitter and textured
spackling are some of the many choices that can be added
to your home. Our company can create gorgeous ceiling
accents for every room in your home or just dress up
the formal areas to create a luxurious atmosphere.
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Drywall
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Drywall
is formed sheets of gypsum with paper backings that
come in 4 x 8' or 4 x 12' sheets. They are nailed to
studs and the cracks between sheets are taped and compound
is spread to cover the seams. Compound is also spread
over all nail holes. The compound is spread in thin
layers with each layer wider than the one before, allowed
to dry, evenutally sanded flat and painted. It takes
considerable skill to install drywall and finish is
to a flat and smooth surface. Drywall is an excellent
option for a homebuyer that winters in the south. Plaster
cracks when exposed to extreme temperatures...drywall
does not.
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Decking
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Decking
commonly refers to the floor of the home. Floor joists
assembled over the foundation with plywood or oriented
strand board (OSB) sheets nailed on top. Prior to the
arrival of any home package the decking is installed
over a cured foundation so that when the home package
arrives by truck it can be installed immediately.
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Floor
Joists
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Floor
joists are the horizontial beams that are strung from
one side of a foundation to the other and are the framework
for the floor or decking of the home. Floor joists come
in several forms. 2' x 10" lumber...laminated beams...steel
I
beams...and quite popular on the market are the engineered
floor joists. These wood I
beams are excellent for spanning distance and can provide
the possibility of open spaces in the basement level
of a home without vertical support that breaks up a
space and prevents multiple uses. Wood I
beams generally span a maximum of 20 feet.
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Footer
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A
footer is a poured concrete base several feet thick
that is placed in the ground below the frost line. A
foundation must be placed on a footer prior to construction.
A footer must cure prior to the remaining foundation
being placed on top.
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Foundations
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Poured
- a form is set on your footer and concrete is poured
to the desired depth. This foundation type works best
for complicated floorplans but can be used for all foundations.
A poured foundation must cure or harden before construction
begins. It is one of the more expensive types of foundations
but is worth the expense.
Concrete Block - A block foundation is a reliable
alternative to poured foundations. Concrete blocks are
set in layers to the desired height and then reinforced
with concrete poured into the openings in the block.
A block foundation does not have to cure as long as
a poured foundation. This style of foundation provides
an easy way to insert large windows in the basement
level of the home.
Precast
Basement Wall Panels
- concrete panels are poured into forms in a factory
and brought to the site by truck and lifted into place
by crane. They can be ordered with window openings precast
into the walls. These panels come with 2 x 4's pre-installed
and can receive standard insulation batting and are
easily finished with drywall for interior living space.
This is an excellent option if your home plan features
basement level living areas. Precast walls cost more
than poured or block foundations.
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Gable
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A
gable the triangular shaped area at the top of an exterior
wall of a home just under the roof in ranch homes. Most
gables are triangular, but some are shaped as a barn
roof (gambrel style roof) or have some other custom
detail that changes the shape of the gable.
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Plaster
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Plaster
is a compound that is spread over a framework. Thin
strips of wood were used in early homes to adhere the
plaster to the walls. Today there are many ways to plaster.
Many plasterers use a drywall base rather than the thin
furring strips and put a light cover coat over all the
drywall rather than only covering nails and seams. Plaster
is sensitive to extreme temperature changes and may
crack if your home is used on a seasonal basis. Plaster
costs significantly more than drywall and should be
installed by professionals only.
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Reverse
Plan
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A
reverse plan is when you take everything in a floor
plan and create a mirror image of that plan. A garage
that was on the left front is now on the right front
and the master bedroom that was at the right front is
now where the garage is on the plan. Reverse plans can
make a home plan you love fit your lot. We cannot tell
you how many people have passed on a plan because the
garage was on the wrong side of the home. Our staff
can take care of this detail in no time and you can
be on your way to that dream home!
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Sheathing
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Sheathing
is the 4 x 8' sheets of plywood or oriented strand board
(OSB) that is nailed on the exterior of a home to reinforce
the wall studs and as a base for siding materials.
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Stud
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A
stud is a 2' x 4' or larger grade lumber that is the
framework for sheathing, drywall and windows to be installed
upon. Studs also support the roofing system in the home
and are used to divide rooms and support cabinets, showers
and other components in a home.
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System
Built Homes
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Our
company uses high-tech system built products in the construction
of our homes. System built refers to portions of the home
being built in a controlled environment; inside where
rain and snow cannot cause damage to components during
the construction process. The components are built on
grids which don't allow for error and the standard of
excellence is easily maintained. The panels are created
the same way a builder does on site. Our panels are finished
with exterior sheathing, insulation and windows installed.
Inside the studs are visible for inspection and installation
of electrical systems. The panels are brought to the site
on a semi-trailer and are lifted into place with an industrial
crane just as if they were built on site and stood up.
The panels are nailed in place on your floor decking,
and once the walls are in place the roofing system is
put on and shingled. A home that would take 6 weeks to
frame can be on your site in days, ready for interior
finish work. Your home is secure from theft of building
materials because all entry points are already sealed.
Call us to see a video of the process. |
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Trusses
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Assembled
wood components with metal bracing and supports that
create a roof system. Trusses can create many types
of ceilings, flat, vaulted and cathedral. Trusses can
create a flat ceiling in a portion of a home and as
they continue across the home can become vaulted in
another room. They have become a standard roofing component
in most homes and are cost effective in comparison to
framing lumber.
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Zoning
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Zoning
regulations are created by municipalities to create
a standard for building appearance, lot setbacks and
construction. Zoning laws must be followed for whatever
municipality that you desire to locate. In some areas
not only zoning, but association regulations also apply.
Prior to construction your home plan must comply with
zoning regulations. An error of even a foot can cause
a zoning crisis and you might be forced to remove portions
of the home that are not in compliance. Where a zoning
issue is involved it is in the best interest of the
home owner to apply for a variance to prevent action
from being taken against them for a violation. If a
variance is impossible it might be necessary to look
at a different lot or change the design of the home
to accomodate the lot.
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