The Marriage of Post-and-Beam Homes with Precast Concrete Foundations

Timberpeg Independent Representative and Architect, Ken Wertheim, talks about using Precast Concrete Foundations in his Timberpeg homes in the below article. All photos featured in this post are of homes that were designed by Kenneth J. Wertheim, AIA.

Architect Ken Wertheim places a high priority on enriching mountain settings with his custom home designs. Once completed, his popular timber-framed homes serve as landscape accents to their natural surroundings.

Timber frame home featuring Superior Walls® foundation.

"My home designs primarily feature timber frame designs that complement their western North Carolina locations," says Wertheim, AIA and principal of his practice in Asheville, N.C. "I specialize in Timberpeg® projects that feature authentic timber framing on both the interior and exterior of the home, using mortise and tenon joinery. Timberpeg packages provide a weather-tight shell, including the timber frame structure, SIPS (structural insulated panel) wall and roof systems, as well as exterior finish materials."

This timber frame home is 1600 sq. ft. with 2 bedrooms.

Wertheim has married many of his post-and-beam homes with precast concrete foundation systems that also provide weather-tight packages. To achieve optimum energy-efficiency benefits, he starts by specifying Superior Walls® XiTM wall panels for his foundations.

"The 5,000 psi concrete strength of these wall systems is amazing," says Wertheim. "The walls come pre-insulated, so they provide the homeowners with an energy-efficient basement. And, the builders appreciate using them because they install in less than a day. That means a builder can start the construction process the day after the foundation system is installed."

Top-of-the-line Superior Walls Xi wall panels feature steel reinforced concrete and 2-1/2-inches of DOW® StyrofoamTM insulation. The panels are custom designed and constructed in a factory-controlled setting. Unique features of the Xi wall panels include:

- 5,000+ PSI concrete
- Steel-reinforced top bond beams, concrete studs and footer beams
- Horizontal steel rebar inside top and bottom beams
- Vertical steel rebar inside each stud
- Access holes for ease in wiring and plumbing
- Galvanized steel stud facing ready for drywall finishing
- Insulated corners, studs and bond beams

"Superior Walls products are resource efficient, using up to 70 percent less concrete in a new home than conventional foundations," says Dave Varner, president of Superior Walls of North Carolina. "Stud facings eliminate the need for additional wood framing prior to interior finishing. Using fewer materials helps reduce the carbon footprint of the new home's construction process."

Wertheim has specified Superior Walls systems for several dozen of his home projects over the past 12 years. One of his most recent home designs, in Black Mountain, N. C., used the Xi system as the foundation for the 2,800-square foot timberframe home.

2,800 sq. ft. timber frame home in Black Mountain, North Carolina, featuring Superior Walls® foundation.

"The family in this home enjoys the sense of ‘connection' with the mountain setting," says Wertheim. "Part of that connection is a sense of stability and security that comes from having a precast concrete foundation. The systems available from Superior Walls of North Carolina complement my overall home designs and bring long-lasting energy-efficiency benefits to the homeowners."

The Superior Walls insulated precast concrete wall systems specified by Wertheim in his projects have earned the Green Approved Product designation by the NAHB Research Center. Builders choosing to use Xi and R-5 foundations can earn up to 13 points on a project toward a National Green Building Certification.

The Green Approved Products Certificate #00071 provides builders the following points for the use of Superior Walls foundation systems:
• Practice 601.2 - 3 points - Structural systems/advanced framing techniques optimize material usage.
• Practice 601.5 (1-3) - 4 points - Precut/preassembled components, panelized, or precast assemblies are utilized for a minimum of 90% of floor, wall, and/or roof system.
• Practice 607.1 - 3 points - Products containing fewer materials are used to achieve the same end-use requirements as conventional products.
• Practice 701.4.3.1 (1) - Mandatory - Insulation is installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions or local code. Mandatory for certification.
• Practice 903.2.2 - 3 points - Capillary break is added on footing.

For additional details on Superior Walls products, visit www.superiorwalls.com or www.superiorwallsnc.com. For information on Mountain Architecture by Ken Wertheim, visit http://www.mtnarc.com/. 

Timberpeg Home Featured in Annapolis Home Magazine

Timberpeg customer, Dr. Ken Green, was recently featured in Annapolis Home Magazine along with his Timberpeg home, which he has fondly named "GREENNEST." When Dr. Green began his project of designing and building a timber frame home, he wanted it to be as "green" as possibly. He researched his many options for building a sustainable and efficient home. In fact, he is one of the few customers who actually visited the forests where the Forest Stewardship Council Certified wood for the timber frame was originally harvested. Visit the Timberpeg website to read the article, see photos and learn how Dr. Green built a sustainable and energy-efficient timber frame home.

Is Making Your House Energy Efficient Worth It?

Timberpeg Independent Representative, Don Wolkins of Raven's Nest & Co., Inc. talks to local television station about the "good and bad" investments that can be made regarding purchasing energy efficient appliances for your home. Watch the story.

Timber Frame Open Homes

Timberpeg's National Spring Open Home Event Begin's this Sunday!
Check out our website to find one near you.
The timber frame open homes are located all over the country and will be shown this Sunday, April 25th or next Sunday, May 2nd (and some will be shown both Sundays!).

Our website has photos of most of the timber frame homes and many of the homes even have a gallery of the construction process linked.

Energy Efficient Timberpeg Timber Frame Home Just Completed

Timberpeg customer, Dr. Kenneth Green of SusDev Tech, Inc., just completed his home he fondly refers to as "GREENNEST." This home has many energy efficient and sustainable building features. Included in the Timberpeg package, as usual, are FSC certified Douglas fir timbers, Energy Star windows as well as energy efficient wall and roof enclosures and exterior siding materials. The home also features many other sustainable and energy efficient materials. Read more about this timber frame home, GREENNEST, here.  

View more finished photos of this timber frame home.

View photos of this timber frame home under construction.

View Other Timberpeg Timber Frame Homes

Timber Frame Open House

November 7th, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Location: Below Home Located in Purcellville, VA
The Renewable Energy Resources & Timber Framing Seminar that was scheduled for this day has been postponed. The seminar will be rescheduled for some time in January. Stay tuned for the announcement of the new date and times!

You are still free to visit and take a tour of this beautiful timber frame on November 7th. The Kenney's would love to chat with you!

Topics for January Seminar Will Include:

• How to implement solar, wind and water into your Timberpeg^® home.
• Why a Timberpeg^® home is considered "Green" and how the home can save on energy consumption resulting in lower energy bills.
• How to live totally "off the grid", or "grid tied."
• How to sell excess power back to the grid, or back up systems for power outages and short term emergencies.

For more information, please contact:
Steve or Joanne Kenney, Hidden Creek Timber Homes
Phone: (703) 772-9027
Email: info@hiddencreektimberhomes.com
Or
Mike Stoner, Tuscarora Timber Homes
Phone: (877) 379-5647
Email: sales@tuscaroratimberhomes.com

Free Green Home Seminar & Open House Tour October 11, 2009

Timberpeg Independent Representative Old Hampshire Designs and Bonin Architects are hosting a seminar and open house. October is a great time to come visit New England so now you have two reasons to visit us!

Free Seminar on Green Building

Best Western Sunapee Lake Lodge 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

(registration starts at 8:30 AM)

1403 Route 103, Newbury, NH 03255

Seminar topics:

Green Home Design by Jeremy Bonin, AIA NCARB LEED AP

Timber Framing & SIP Panels by Jay Tucker, Old Hampshire Designs

Free Open House Tour of Timberpeg Green Hybrid Home

Lot 22, Summit Road, Sutton, NH 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

(home is under construction)

Seminar pre-registration is requested, but not required.
Register for the event today!

Energy Star Rated Timber Frame Homes

Check out some of the Timberpeg timber frame homes that have received Energy Star Certification.

Glennwood Springs, Colorado - View Energy Audit and More Photos

Cortland, New York - View Energy Audit and More Photos

Hazelhurst, Wisconsin - View Energy Audit and More Photos


Westmoreland, New Hampshire - View Energy Audit and More Photos

Habitat for Humanity Home Receives 5-Star Plus Energy Star Rating

Timberpeg and Upper Valley Habitat for Humanity are proud that the home in Norwich, Vermont has received a 5-Star Plus rating from Energy Star! The goal for this home, and any home provided through Habitat for Humanity, is "to provide simple, decent, affordable home ownership for deserving families in our community who could not otherwise afford to buy a home." Having received a 5-Star Plus rating means that not only is the home affordable, but it will also be sustainable for the family. Energy costs will be far lower than the average home. We're so happy for Brian, Marie and their three children!

Building a "Green" Home - What Does it Really Mean?

Everyone is interested in building a “green” house, but what that means will vary depending upon the owner’s goals. In general, a green house will be one that is designed to use fewer non-renewable resources, and to conserve land, water and energy. The best way to do this is to limit the footprint and size of the building. The reason is simple physics: a smaller house uses less material, and will require smaller energy inputs to be comfortable for its inhabitants. So the first rule is to have a compact house, with less interior volume needing to be heated and cooled.

The second most important factor is to have a tight house, without air infiltration or leaks. Fortunately, timber framed houses enclosed with either structural insulated panels (SIPs) or built-up rigid foam insulation (Timberpeg's “wrap & strap”) are inherently tight, and therefore efficient. With solid timbers providing structure, the exterior walls and roof can be either SIPs or built-up vented rigid foam systems, using sheathing, foam, strapping and finally siding. The vented air space allows any condensation forming in the walls and roof to dry harmlessly, and helps to preserve wooden finishes. The result is a tight, well-insulated house that lasts.

Next most important is insulating the foundation, walls and roof so energy transfers are kept as small as possible. This means a high “R” factor, which is a measure of resistance to the flow of heat. In the Northeast, roofs should be around R-38 and walls R-23 to keep heating (and cooling) bills low. As oil increases in price, the relative payback for more insulation shortens, so even higher levels become more economical.

Another priority is to use high quality, well insulated doors and windows. Even the best double hung windows have a U factor of .35 to .31, which is equivalent to only R-2.86 to R 3.23. So even modern, tight double-hung windows transfer far more heat than wall surfaces, which is why windows should be limited and carefully placed for optimum views and solar gain in the winter.

The foundation is also a concern. Insulated walls are a must, and simply two inches of rigid polystyrene on the exterior is no longer satisfactory. Foundations can be insulated on the inside, or insulated concrete forms (ICF’s) can be used to form and insulate in one step. Like structural insulated panels (SIPs), these provide continuous, uninterrupted insulation, and are therefore more effective than traditionally framed walls, with 2x studs every sixteen to twenty-four inches. Not only is wood a relatively inefficient insulator at R 1.25 per inch, but the nails or screws act as small conductors, drawing heat through the walls. SIPs and ICF’s are more efficient and effective.

Using Energy Star rated appliances will help to limit electrical loads, and controlled mechanical ventilation is a must in a tight house. By using a Heat Recovery Ventilator even more energy can be saved, while providing needed fresh air. If the house has air conditioning, an Energy Recovery Ventilator will work in both heating and cooling cycles. Although kitchen and exhaust fans can theoretically exhaust enough air to allow fresh air in, they require adequate make-up air to function properly, and a modern timber frame house is so tight that sufficient fresh air cannot be assumed without controlled, mechanical ventilation.

Water conservation is also part of building green. Low and dual flush toilets and restricted showerheads help to conserve fresh water, and it is possible to isolate gray water for use as irrigation in dry climates. How the house is sited, and having porous paving and on-site water collection areas are other key elements in minimizing fresh water use.

Finally, one can look for renewable sources for producing heat and electrical power. Solar water heating panels have improved, with higher efficiencies, and photovoltaic panels will work well given unshaded southern or western exposures. For this reason, the orientation of the house is critical, although remotely sited photovoltaic panels can be used if necessary.

Today there are many ways to build in a more responsible and conserving manner. Keeping the house small, using naturally renewable materials like wood, and insulating well are all key design elements that will yield big rewards. Using efficient windows, and limiting their number, also helps, as does using Energy Star rated appliances and low water use fixtures. Buildings consume some forty per cent of all energy consumed annually in the United States; we owe it to our children to design and build in a more sustainable and supportable fashion.