How to Pick a Hardwood Floor

At Pinnacle Homes we are always helping customers with the pros and cons of choosing hardwood floors.  Part 1 of this article will deal with the three main types of hardwood floors to consider.

Each type is available in both an unfinished and a pre-finished version.  Unfinished flooring must be job-site sanded and finished after installation.  Pre-finished flooring is sanded and finished at the factory and delivered ready to install.  The three main types of solid wood flooring are:

Strip flooring – This type of wood is most recognized by its thickness and width.  Strip wood flooring comes in a variety of thicknesses and can range in thickness from 5/16” to ¾” of an inch.   However it’s only available in widths of 1 ½”, 2” and 2 ¼”.

Wood Plank

Plank flooring – Plank flooring is cut to only two thicknesses, however unlike strip flooring the widths can vary.  Plank wood can be purchase in thicknesses of ½” or ¾” inch and a range of widths from 3 inches to 8 inches.  Here’s a video of a home we built that used plank wood that was hand scraped and stained.

Parquet flooring – Parquet floors provide a unique look compared to typical hardwoods. Typically they constructed into geometric patterns composed of individual wood slats held in place by mechanical fastening or an adhesive.

Engineered Wood

Engineered wood flooring is a catagory of its own and should not be confused with laminate or solid wood flooring.  Engineered wood flooring is constructed by adhering layers of plastic laminate veneer with real wood.  The main difference between this type of wood and solid wood floors is thickness of the wood.  Typically the finished wood of engineered wood flooring is 3/8”.  On the other hand, laminate flooring contains no actual wood.  I will discuss laminates in an upcoming part to this article. 

So, are you confused yet?  Here are few factors to keep in mind that might help you decide.  Solid hardwoods may cost a little more and require a little more upkeep than engineered wood flooring, but they can always be re-sanded and refinished.  If properly maintained, solid wood floors will retain their value better than engineered woods.  

In addition, choosing between strip, plank or parquet is, for the most part, a question of taste.  If you like thin, long planks of wood, you should choose strip flooring.  If you prefer the look of wider planks of wood, then plank flooring is the best selection.  And, if you want a more decorative approach then a parquet floor will be a better match. 

Part II will discuss the species of hardwoods and finishing options.

The Best Storm Shelters

Recently I was going through my YouTube station and was astonished to see that one of our videos had over 32,000 views!  Of course that was a big surprise but what was even bigger was the subject manner – storm shelters/safe rooms.

Thinking back or the last several years there has been a steady increase in interest.  So much so that I now routinely include the cost of above ground and below ground storm shelters as an option in my home bids.

Let’s take a look at the different types of shelters.  Recently we contracted RhinoVault to construct an 8 x 10 above ground safe room.  RhinoVault specializes in custom sizes and

RhinoVault Safe Room

can build a safe room or security vault to fit any specifications.  Safe rooms and Vaults must be anchored to a sound concrete slab to provide FEMA rated high wind protection.  This is achieved by using high strength wedge type anchors along the bottom flange of each safe room and vault.  Our recent install integrated the unit into the floor plan and all electrical, HVAC, security and communication were figured into the design.  This install was protected from detection by hiding the structure from view.  The room was also equipped with a FEMA 320 rated door.

Other above ground safes rooms can be constructed on site and integrated into the construction of the home using FEMA’s guidelines.

The second type of storm shelter is below ground.  In areas of the country where there are basements these below ground rooms can be easily constructed inside the basement. 

Garage Installed Safe Room

FEMA also has specification for this type of construction.  In most areas in the south the ground is too volatile to cost effectively build a basement, so below ground shelters are prebuilt modules that are built into the slab of the home.  Storm Safe Tornado shelters are prebuilt metal modules that install easily in the garage, on the patio, or in an outbuilding.  These shelters come in a variety of sizes and are easy to access.   These shelters are designed and approved by a Registered Professional Engineer Seal and meet or exceed FEMA guidelines.

Feel free to contact me at mike@etpinnaclehomes.com if you have any questions about these types of shelters.

Tornado Protection: What did we learned from 2011 tornado’s

The recent “Journal of Light Construction” took a look at the damage inflicted on new wood frame homes by the April 2011 tornado’s in North Carolina and Alabama. 

According to analysis by the National Weather Service nearly 95 percent of tornado’s are rated EF0, EF1, or EF2; these weaker tornado’s produce winds that a well-built home should be expected to withstand.

In response to the recent storms, the APA has developed construction recommendations designed to strengthen the overall structural shell so that it can withstand the forces of tornado’s and hurricanes. 

Rectangular Cut Nails

The picture shows the failure of rectangular cut nails to hold the bottom plate to the foundation.    The recommendation is to use 6 inch “J” bolts on 48 inch centers.  The “J” bolts use a square washer and bolt the bottom plate to the foundation. 

Non-Structural Sheathing

The picture shows walls that were blown out in areas where there was not structural grade sheathing attached to the frame.  The new recommendation includes the use of structural sheathing around the entire home.    

Sheathing Detached

The picture illustrates how walls failed if the sheathing was not adequately attached to the bottom and top plate.  The APA recommendation was to more thoroughly attach the sheathing to the bottom and top plate.

Metal Ties

The last photo shows that the framing anchors stayed attached to the top plate but the wind force pulled the roof and top plate from the frame.  The recommendation was to continue to use metal ties or hurricane straps but instead of applying them to inside of the top plate they should be nailed to the outside of the top plate in alignment with the load path through the structural sheathing.

These recommendations provide a prescriptive approach with details that rely on standard framing and sheathing materials, with a minimum of additional hardware.  Although Pinnacle Custom Homes already does most of the recommendations we have implemented remaining recommendations which will optimize the structural performance of homes without great expense to our customers.

How to Pick the Best East Texas Builder or Remodeler

House Frame

In 2003, the Texas Legislature created the Texas Residential Construction Commission(TRCC). Its primary goal was to register builders and remodelers, establish minimum construction and warranty standards and assist consumers with dispute resolutions.

In 2009, the Texas Legislature decided to Sunset the regulatory agency because of it lacked enforcement authority. In other words it passed many well-meaning regulations that it lacked the ability to enforce. As someone who was registered with the TRCC I can acknowledge that the majority of builders ignored the agency requirements. The agency officially closed it doors on August 31, 2010.

Engineered Foundation

In September 2010, Texas reverted back to the pre-TRCC law, the Residential Construction Liability Act.

Ned Muñoz, vice president of regulatory affairs and general counsel for the Texas Association of Builders, said a bill passed that will allow counties to enforce building codes and to conduct home inspections in unincorporated areas — something that will help regulation in the absence of TRCC. “I think that bill is an important thing to have passed in light of the TRCC’s demise,” he said. “It benefits homeowners. It protects home builders to make sure someone who doesn’t build to code won’t undercut the industry.”

What does this mean for consumers? It means consumers need to do their due diligence.

Here are 10 questions you should ask every builder or remodeler.

• Were they registered with the Texas Residential Construction Commission?
• Do they still follow the TRCC construction and warranty guidelines?
• Does the Builder provide for independent 3 party inspections?
• Does the Builder use Texas Association of Home Builders contracts?
• As required by law did the builder provide you with a Disclosure Statement?
• Does the Builder provide an engineered foundation?                                                    
• Is the Builder a member of a local and national Builders Associations?
• Does the Builder construct homes to generally accepted building codes?
• Will the Builder provided you with a detailed list of materials to be used in the construction of your home?
• Does the Builder offer fixed price and cost-plus contracts.

Pinnacle Custom Homes

Pinnacle Homes can affirm each of these questions and doesn’t stop there.  Feel free to contact us to find out what we believe are additional essential practices.

Got Stone? LOL

Let me clarify.  Today more and more buyers are interested in stone exterior and interior features.  Stone fireplace, archways, half-walls, floors, outdoor fire pits, grills, patio’s etc. abound.

2-story wrap around stone

There is not doubt that the use of stone is going to be a desired option for sometime.  With the increased interest and use of stone Pinnacle Homes has seen an explosion in the different sizes, colors and textures to choose from.  Adding to the confusion is the interchangeable use of nomenclature to describe stone is different from region to region.  For example in the south Texas flagstone is a 3-5 thick stone most commonly used in wall construction but in the north Texas flagstone is 1.17″ thick and most commonly used on floors and patios. 

Adding to the variety and widening

Austin chalk stone

possible application is the introduction of nature cut stone.  The cut stone reduces the weight and allows stone to be applied without the use of a brick ledge.  Cut stone is particularly useful in remodels.  Yes, the prices are as varied as the colors and sizes ranging from $80 to $200 per ton.  Depending on the size and shape a mason can lay about 40-50 square feet of stone per ton. 

Natural stone fireplace

Choosing what stone to use depends largely on the application.  In new construction, I recommend a “builders” stone that sets on a brick ledge.  On vertical interior applications like fireplaces and archways I prefer a cut stone because you can buy cut corners, which makes the install process easier and provides the appearance of thick stone.  However, you must be certain to apply a vapor barrier underlayment when appling stone to sheet rock.  I also prefer the cut stone on chimney applications. 

Natural stone if thoughtfully selected and installed properly will give you years of beauty and durability.

Changing Times, Changing Designs

Although the housing market has tightened there are many that see the lower interests rates, construction costs and improved energy-efficient products as creating a tremendous value for potential home owners. 

Wrap Around Porch

The families that are taking advantage of this time in history are changing design trends.  Gone are the days of media rooms, excise/fitness, hobby, workshops and guest wings.  Today’s buyers are more interested in designs that emphasize practicality, informality, accessibility and energy efficiency.

Architects and builders alike are seeing smaller air-conditioned space with growing interest in outside living areas. 

Family Style Kitchen

 

Additional practical aspects include home offices which appeal to telecommuting and home based employees, kitchens that emphasize family interactions and involvement and

Drop Zone With Seat and Hidden Storage

mudrooms which reflect the emphasis on outdoor living and provide additional closet and storage space.

Radiant Barrier

Foil Faced Roof Decking

Radiant Barriers are a hot topic especially in the sunny southern states.  Foil faced radiant barrier is an intricate part of Pinnacle Custom Homes EEE Program.  There are many different types of after market barriers but the most cost-effective barriers are installed during construction. 

This process involves buying decking that has a thin layer of aluminum foil laminated onto the attic side of the roof decking.  Even though aluminum is a great conductor of heat energy it also has very low emissivity and blocks as much as 97% of the radiant heat.

Radiant Barrier Illustration

In other words, the heat that normally travels through your roof and heats your attic is blocked by the aluminum backed radiant decking.

As a result attic temperature can be up to 40 degrees cooler, which puts less of a load on HVAC systems and cuts utility costs by up to 20%.