Sometimes a homeowner will come to us with a general list of wants and needs. Others begin the homebuilding process knowing exactly what they want, right down to the number of outlets in the garage. The latter was the case with our latest custom-built home in Marion.
While the contemporary style features a clean and modern aesthetic, the home is filled with details that were on the homeowners’ list from day one. Working with a custom builder makes it possible to bring dream home plans to life.
The three-bedroom, two-bath 2103 square-foot home is designed in an L-shape to accommodate the pie-shaped lot and an oversized five-car garage. The layout also makes the most efficient use of space while incorporating expansive 9′ ceilings with vaulted ceilings in the living space and primary bedroom. A slab-on-grade foundation virtually eliminates potential radon gas and water leakage issues that can incur with a home with a basement. It also eliminates sump pits and failed sump pump water backup issues.
Primary goal: energy efficiency
At the top of the homeowners’ wish list for the home: achieve the highest level of energy efficiency. As a certified ENERGY STAR home, this home not only meets the program’s strict requirements (at least 10% improved efficiency than homes built to code), it exceeds them. The target was to achieve a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) of 50. We anticipate the home will have a HERS® Index Score in the 30s, pending confirmation from the Department of Energy (DOE). A score from 30–40 means it uses 60–70% less energy than a new home built to code.
The home is also a Zero Energy Ready Home, making it so energy efficient that a renewable energy system could offset most or all of the home’s annual energy use, leaving the homeowners with a net zero energy consumption profile and lower recurring monthly energy bill. Additionally, the home has an air infiltration rate of 1.52 ACH 50. The code for the area is 3.0 ACH 50. The lower the number, the more air-tight and energy-efficient the home is. This tested performance level is approximately 50% lower than the code-maximum infiltration rate.
Design features for sustainability and style
These remarkable energy efficiency and sustainability benefits were achieved through a variety of design features:
- High-performance insulation in the home (R60 Ceiling/R23 Walls/R10 Floor) and garage (R38 Ceiling/R15 Walls/R10 Floor)
- Air ceiling and draft-stopping detail
- In-floor heat via on-demand Natural Gas Combi Boiler
- Heat pump forced air cooling
- Whole house Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) system brings fresh air into home and exchanges energy from the exhausted indoor air
- Solar-ready roof sections
- Fully-integrated Wi-Fi-enabled HVAC
- A 240-volt circuit in garage for one car charger, with a panel that has capacity for three total chargers
- Plywood roof for improved structural performance over Oriented Strand Board (OSB) roof sheathing
- High wind load installed shingles to withstand winds up to 130 mph
- 18.4R-value insulated garage doors
Both inside and out, the home seamlessly meshes its practical features with a contemporary style.
- Eco-friendly cork flooring in the main living space and natural stone in the entry way
- Steel roof accents
- Low-maintenance and sustainable exterior siding in steel and stone, including TruCedar® Steel Siding for the look of natural wood
- F5 tornado-rated six-person storm shelter
- High efficiency fiberglass windows for style, durability, and longevity
The benefits of working with a custom home builder
In addition to getting a unique, one-of-a-kind home, working with a custom homebuilder also offers more flexibility than working with a production builder. In this case, the homeowners’ goal was to achieve superior energy efficiency and sustainability. To ensure the budget accommodated those requirements, they took advantage of cost-saving opportunities by procuring some items themselves, such as bathroom vanities, interior door hardware, and lighting fixtures.
We also provided advice and options on additional sustainable and cost-saving measures such as Hydroseed rather than sod, a manifold plumbing system, and the pros and cons of specific construction materials to meet their objectives.
“There’s much more to custom home-building than selecting countertops and cabinets,” says Paul Brundell, CEO, Allan Custom Homes. “A true custom home builder finds solutions that align with our clients’ needs. Whether that’s determining the best foundation options based on site planning, incorporating the latest sustainability technology, or even ensuring design choices are within budget, we work with everyone in the process—the homeowner, architect, designers, and contractors—to be proactive, as well as the problem solvers.”