the first optimum performance home · 2015. 8. 30. · velux skylights, wasco pyramid skylight, and...

Gary Reber

DESIGNoptimum performance home

Introduction

This is the nineteenth article in the series, documenting thedesign and construction of the first Optimum PerformanceHome®. The home has been under construction now for twoyears, after more than five years of design and plan develop-ment work. Construction financing is being provided by SanFrancisco-based New Resource Bank, a community bankchartered to fund “green” projects.

The project was selected by the U.S. Green BuildingCouncil (USGBC) for inclusion in the national Leadership InEnergy & Environmental Design (LEED®) for Homes pilot pro-gram, the nation’s most challenging green build certification ini-tiative, and the home is expected to exceed the creditsrequired for Platinum certification.

The home is being built at The Sea Ranch, located inSonoma County, along the Northern California coastline of thePacific Ocean, approximately 110 miles north of San Francisco.

To document the day-to-day construction of the home, aniBeam Systems time-lapse construction camera is up and run-ning. Visit www.ultimatehomedesign.com/oph.php and thenclick on the “Optimum Performance Home Build Cam” button.Photos are captured and automatically uploaded to iBeam’ssecure server every 15 minutes from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.each day. The images can easily be e-mailed or printed todocument job site conditions. To view time-lapse archiveimages, enter the user name ophsearanch and the password

synopsisSIPs and ICFs are superior structural componentsthat provide resistance to earthquakes and hurricanes while being more fire-, mold- and watervapor diffusion-resistant and providing high levelsof insulation, and in either case there is no airinfiltration or thermal bridging.

ISHN ThermaSAVE SIPs, unlike virtually all others,use fiber cement panels instead of sheets of OSBfor both the interior and exterior portion of thepanel with rigid EPS insulation foam sandwichedin between.

What one needs to realize when deciding on a SIPmanufacturer is that you will be dependent on thatmanufacturer to provide accurate working draw-ings and panel-cutting instructions.

Installed on top of the Cosella-Dörken DELTA-FOXXand Battens Plus’ BattenUP plastic battens wasTrimline Building Products black compositeDistinction Slate, which exhibits the rich, deep tex-tured appearance of natural slate, with deep chis-eled edges.

Another major effort was the installation of theVELUX skylights, Wasco pyramid skylight, andPella Windows and Doors.

✎

✎

Architectural Illustration By Ronald Devesa

exterior and interior infrastructurepart X IX

The First Optimum Performance Home®

✎

✎

✎

Ultimate Home Design • Issue 19 • February 201024 /17 For more information on this advertiser, circle 09

ophsearanch. These monthly videos are comprised of the dailytime-lapse images taken during each month the iBeam Systemhas operated, dating back to April 2008.

Using iBeam’s technology and an “always on” GetWirelessAirLink Raven X EVDO V4221-VA and AirLink Dual-Band EVDOAntenna, our team is able to view a high-resolution photoarchive of the entire project daily, including stunning 1920 x1080p (progressive) high-definition time-lapse movies eachmonth (see a standard-resolution version atwww.ultimatehomedesign.com/oph-photos.php).

Upon completion, the entire construction photo archive willbe featured as a 1080p high-definition time-lapse movie and willbecome part of a high-definition television program and educa-tional documentary that Steve Michelson Productions and I areproducing.

Ultimate Home Design® Concept

The showcase project is exemplary of the “Ultimate HomeDesign®” concept, which integrates age-friendly, universaldesign with the best sustainable building practices, while exert-ing minimal impact on the environment. Universal design is theinclusive, non-discriminatory design of products, buildings, envi-ronments, and urban infrastructure; as well as information tech-nologies that are accessible to and useable by (almost) all. Withrespect to home design, the idea is to design and build homesthat have no physical barriers, thus sustaining people of allages and all capabilities in a functional, comfortable, and aes-thetic lifestyle.

A building-science systems approach to home building is thecornerstone of the project, with emphasis on the relationshipbetween the home’s components and the envelope it creates.Also paramount is good stewardship—proper regard and


“A focus of the OptimumPerformance Home’s design is tostand as a showcase for the ‘green’movement and demonstrate means of reducing a home’s impact on theplanet through the use of Low-Impact Development and environmentally responsible and sustainable building materials.”

respect for the rights of neighboring homeowners and thesurrounding natural setting, and resource efficiency. Thegoal is to optimize occupant health, comfort, and safety;maximize energy efficiency and structural durability; andminimize environmental impact. In addition, the aim istoward providing a nurturing home environment to supportindependent living and sustainable lifestyles.

Part I of this case study series appeared in Issue 1,January/February 2006. The introductory article covered theproject scope. Thereafter, each issue has contained a partof the continuing series by working through site planningand preparation; Low-Impact Development (LID); furtherrefinements to the site plan and drainage design; The SeaRanch Design Committee-approved architectural/structuraland grading/drainage submittals, with conditions that trans-lated to clarifications on certain building components andmaterial finishes; particular aspects of the home’s mechani-cal plan; structural aspects of foundations, structural wallsincorporating Insulating Concrete Forms (ICFs), andStructural Insulated Panels (SIPs), as well as SIP roofing;the acoustical design of the dedicated OptimumPerformance Home Theatre™ and rear-projection room; inte-rior design approaches and materials; kitchen, bath, andhome fixtures; universal design architecture; fire-risk mitiga-tion; energy generation; and courtyard experience.“Breaking Ground” was the title of Part XIII, along with“Courtyard Experience.” Part XIV and XV, respectively, cov-ered the initial continuing phases of “Site And FoundationPreparation.” Part XVI and Part XVII further expanded on the“Site and Foundation Preparation,” as did Part XVIII.

The initial site grading, foundation, and mechanical,plumbing, electrical, and low-voltage infrastructure stageshave been completed. This complex and leading-edgeunder-slab infrastructure work has been documented in theday-to-day time-lapse photography and archived photoson the Ultimate Home Design Web site. Following theinstallation of the Cosella-Dörken DELTA®-MS UNDERSLAB

The First Optimum Performance Home®

At The Sea Ranch


Ultimate Home Design • Issue 19 • February 201026 /17 Ultimate Home Design • Issue 19 • February 2010Page 3/17 27

The Sea Ranch, Sonoma County, CaliforniaAerial Photo Courtesy Scott Simpson


vapor-retarding membrane and AFMCorporation R-Control® Perform GuardEPS foam slab insulation, the Uponor®

AQUAPEX® radiant floor was installedand the engineered suspended con-crete slab poured. Work is now com-plete on the erection of the Amvic® ICFwalls and the Amvic AmDeck® ICFfloor, to support the guest bedroomsand library/home theatre/surround musicroom, and the ISHN ThermaSAVE SIPwalls and roofs.

Completion of the home was antici-pated for April 2009 but due to themortgage market collapse and thecredit crunch, the project was impact-ed and its completion jeopardized. Theproject was impacted by the cold reali-ties of the credit freeze. Constructionwas stopped at the end of January.Fortunately we were able to renegotiatetwo extensions of our construction loanwith New Resource Bank, to enable thecompletion of the home, now anticipat-ed to be May 2010. Other unforeseenobstacles and disruptive circum-stances related to the SIP fabricationfurther delayed the project.

Unfortunately, The Sea RanchAssociation, which has been extremelydifficult to work with during the designand construction stages, continues tofine our project each month due tonon-completion within 12 months of theissuance of its permit. The Associations’Department of Design, Compliance &Environmental Management conductsautomatic inspections every 30 daysand fines our project as per the BoardViolation Policy. The Sea RanchAssociation has extended no supportfor the project. Our experience is trueto the song, “It’s Not Easy BeingGreen,” with no encouragement or sup-port from governing entities, eventhough this is an “extreme green”national showcase home that is slatedto receive the prestigious Platinum cer-tification under the LEED for Homesprogram of the U.S. Green BuildingCouncil. Then too, the project encoun-

The elevations of the Optimum Performance Home atThe Sea Ranch

tered, once again, severe rain stormsin February and March of 2009, whichfurther delayed recommencement ofconstruction. Construction resumed inApril 2009, but then severe rain stormsin January and February 2010, againdelayed construction.

It is our intent to produce a high-definition documentary for educationaluse by the U.S. Green BuildingCouncil, the organization who createdthe LEED for Homes rating and certifi-cation program, and for other “green”chartered organizations. Our presenta-tion will reveal the step-by-stepprocess for creating the first OptimumPerformance Home––expected to beone of the highest-rated LEED forHomes Platinum projects in the world!Separately, we have produced an HDpromo, which was requested by PlanetGreen, a network owned by theDiscovery Channel. This promo will bepromoted to secure national televisiondistribution of a program on the home,which we have titled, the UltimateHome Series. One can view the promoat www.ultimatehomedesign.com/oph-media.php. We are continuing our digi-tal photography and high-definitionvideo production efforts to documentthe construction of the home.Hundreds of still digital photos areavailable for viewing atwww.ultimatehomedesign.com/oph-photos.php.

Construction Scheduling

Below is the breakdown of the initialsite preparation, grading process, foun-dation work, engineered suspendedslab, the Amvic ICF wall and AmDeckICF floor construction, WaterFurnace®

geothermal vertical fields, the largepond, the EcoRain™ underground watercistern and above-slab SIP walls androofing. An outline will be provided inPart XX for the next stage of construc-tion relating to the interior preparationand finishing.


Pre-Construction Start MeetingsSite Work

• Clear Lot Vegetation• Lay Out House Pad• Install Curtain Drain Around Pad• Excavate Optimum Performance Home Theatre, Alcove, and Wine Cellar• Lay Out Footings• Install Temporary Electrical Power• Install iBeam Systems Time-Lapse Pro Construction Camera (See Part XIII)• Install GetWireless and WildBlue Internet Transmission• Activate Water Service• Form Underground ICF Home Theatre, Alcove, and Wine Cellar Walls• Verify Foundations’ Site Placement/Inspection• Rough Excavation Large Pond and Septic Trench to Designated Leech Field• Install StormTech Infiltration Chambers (See Parts II, III, and IV)

Foundations• Dig Initial Stage Foundation Footings and Install French Drain• Pour First Stage Engineered Controlled Density Fill (CDF) Concrete with Portland Cement and

Headwaters Resources Fly Ash (See Part VI)• Set Forms; Tie Rebar Steel, Hold Downs, and Anchor Bolts• Pour Final Stage Foundation Footing Concrete with Portland Cement, Headwaters Resources Fly

Ash, Kryton’s KIM Admixture, and Euclid Eucon Admixture (See Part VI)• Run Spunstrand Acoustically Treated Air-Conditioning Duct for Home Theatre (See Part V)• Conduit Trenching for Uponor AQUAPEX Plumbing (See Parts V and X)• Run Armacell Insulated Uponor AQUAPEX Hot and Cold Water Tubing• Run Plumbing Waste• Run Wardflex Flexible Corrugated Stainless Steel Fuel Gas Tubing• Run Underground Drain from Wine Cellar to StormTech Infiltrator Chambers Located Across the

Property Frontage• Install Gravel Around Plumbing• Run Plumbing Conduit and Supply• Run Electrical and Low-Voltage Conduit• Lay Out NuTone Central Vacuum System (See Parts IX and X)• Run WaterFurnace Geothermal Supply and Return Tubing• Finalize Underslab Infrastructure• Install EnergyEdge Insulated Form Around Perimeter of Slab• Underslab Inspection• Place Gravel and Sand Underslab• Install Cosella-Dörken DELTA-MS UNDERSLAB• Install AMF Corporation R-Control Perform Guard EPS Underslab Insulation• Prepare for In-Floor D-Box™ Technologies Custom Motion Platform In the Home Theatre (See Part VII)• Install Slab Rebar• Install Uponor AQUAPEX Radiant Floor Tubing• Pour Concrete Slab with Portland Cement, Headwaters Resources Fly Ash, Kryton’s KIM Admixture,

Euclid Eucon Admixture (See Part VI), and Forta Ferro (See Part XVI)• Backfill Courtyard and Spa Area• Install Zurn Flo-Thru Trench Drain• Pour Concrete Slab with Portland Cement, Headwaters Resources Fly Ash, Kryton’s KIM Admixture,

Euclid Eucon Admixture (See Part VI), and Forta Ferro (See Part XVI)• Install AMF Corporation R-Control Perform Guard EPS Around Perimeter of Slab Under EnergyEdge• Waterproof Concrete Stem Walls with Carlisle BARRICOAT-R• Backfill Foundation• Treat Concrete Slab with Nisus Corporation Bora-Care Termite Barrier Pretreatment

Exterior• Construct Amvic ICF Walls• Construct Amvic AmDeck ICF Floor• Pour Concrete Into Amvic ICFs and AmDeck• Waterproof ICF Walls with Carlisle BARRICOAT-R• Apply Cosella-Dörken DELTA-DRY Ventilated Rainscreen Air Barrier to ICF Walls• Apply Fiber Cement MaxiPanel and MaxiTrim Cladding to ICF Walls• Construct Firewood and Trash Shed• Install Underground 500-Gallon Propane Tank• Construct Owens Corning QuietZone Acoustic Wall Framing Studs• Position Dimension One Amoré Bay Spa in Courtyard• Install Kohler BodySpa Ten-Jet Tower Shower in Courtyard• Dig Five 310-Feet Deep Bore Holes for WaterFurnace Geothermal System• Pressure Test and Install WaterFurnace U-Bend Piping• Fill Geothermal Bore Holes with Dynacrete Bentonite Grout• Construct ThermaSAVE SIP Walls• Apply Fiber Cement MaxiPanel and MaxiTrim Cladding to SIP Walls• Install Roofing Structural Members• Construct Optimum Performance Home Theatre Structural Ceiling• Install ThermaSAVE SIP Walls

Ultimate Home Design • Issue 19 • February 201028 Page 4/17 Ultimate Home Design • Issue 19 • February 2010Page 5/17 29



• Install CETCO Akwaseal Pond Liner RollImagetextile Bentonite Clay Liner

• Fill Pond with Spring And Rain Water• Treat Pond with Seepage Control ESS-13

Environmental Soil Sealant

Underground Water Cistern• Install Stormwater Solutions EcoRain 2,400

Gallon Underground Water Cistern• Install Firestone Specialty Products EPDM

PondGuard Geomembrane Liner Over WaterCistern

• Install Resource Conservation TechnologiesSediment Filter and High-Efficiency Pump as PartOf Water Cistern System

John Feeney, who owns FeeneyConstruction, our previous on-sitesupervising contractor and lead car-penter, completed the foundation workand did not return to the project. RogerStevenson, our electrical contractor,who is also a fully licensed contractor,took over John’s role in 2009 as our on-site supervising contractor and leadcarpenter. Roger’s companies areSierra Pacific Builders and StevensonElectric. For a six-month period hisbrother Dean, an architectural designerand builder, worked on the project andshared supervising duties with Roger.The current crew consists of Alain

iBeam Time-Lapse Pro Construction Camera Perspective 2009-08-25

• Install ThermaSAVE SIP Roofing• Install Cosella-Dörken DELTA-FOXX Class A Fire-Rated Roof Underlayment• Install Batten Plus’ BattenUP Corrugated Plastic Roof Battens• Install Trimline Building Products Black Composite Distinction Slate on SIP Roofs• Install Attic Breeze Solar Attic Fan• Install Pella Windows and Doors Along with Fortifiber’s FortiFlash Flashing• Install VELUX Skylights• Install Wasco Pinnacle Pyramid Skylight• Seal Exterior with DOW FROTH-PAK Foam Insulation• MoonDance Painting Application of L.M. Scofield’s LITHOCHROME Tintura Dark Walnut

Stain• Instal EcoVantage’s PerfikDek EcoPrem Wood Decking in Spa Area• Instal EcoVantage’s PerfikDek EcoPrem Wood Decking in Master Bedroom Deck Area

Interior• Construct Interior Walls With Dietrich UltraSTEEL Framing Studs And Drywall Tracks• Install Johnson Hardware Series 2000 Heavy Duty Pocket Door Kits• Install PEARL (Permanent Escape And Resue Ladder) Fire Safety Ladders• Treat Interior Wood Beams and Framing with No-Burn Fire Retardants• Install RSF Wood-Burning Fireplaces’ Delta 2 Fireplace• Install Five Dimplex Electric Fireplaces• Install Kohler Escale BubbleMassage Bath in Master Bedroom Suite Bathroom• Install Sterling/Kohler OC-S-63 Series Rool-In Shower Modules in Guest Vanity Bathroom• Install Sterling/Kohler Accord Barrier-Free Bathing Module in Second Floor Guest Bathroom• Complete Rough Plumbing and Rough Electrical• Install Acoustiblok Reinforced Dense Noise Isolating & Sound Proofing Membrane in Select

Interior Walls and Ceilings

Wine Cellar• Construct Underground Wine Cellar with Amvic ICFs• Pour Concrete into Amvic ICFs• Construct Concrete Roof to Support Earth Garden• Waterproof Wine Cellar Walls with Carlisle Coatings• Install Weston Solutions GreenGrid Living Herb Garden

Garages• Construct West Amvic ICF Garage Wall• Pour Concrete into Amvic ICFs

• Construct ThermaSAVE SIP Boat Garage

Propane System• Install Underground 500-Gallon Propane Tank

Septic System• Dig Septic Trench, Cut Road, Install Pipes, Backfill

Trench, and Repair Road• Install Roth MultiTank and FRALO Septic Tank

Underground• Equip Septic Tanks with Orenco Risers, Float

Assemblies, In-Tank Filtration Systems, Effluent PumpingSystems and Electrical Controls

• install Sludgehammer Septic Tank Filter• Dig and Install Septic Leach Field

Geothermal System• Engage Weeks Drilling & Pump Company Drilling of

Five 310-Feet Deep Geoexchange Bore Holes• Install WaterFurnace Geothermal U-Bend Piping Lines• Seal Bore Holes with Dynacrete Heat Transfer Sand

and Bentonite Clay Grout• Install WaterFurnace Envision Series Heat Pumps

Large Pond• Complete Final Excavation of Large Pond• Install CETCO Akwaseal Pond Liner Roll Imagetextile

Bentonite Clay Liner• Install Smart Drain Geotechnical Drains at Large Pond

Location• Install Agri Drain Inline Water Level Control Structure

as Part of Large and Small Pond Systems• Fill Pond with Spring And Rain Water• Treat Pond with Seepage Control ESS-13

Environmental Soil Sealant

Small Pond• Complete Final Excavation of Small Pond

Bernal, Gabriel Bernal, and AaronDavila Romero, who all stayed on, plusRichard Howard, a carpenter, and AxelBernal. This crew, plus specialist sub-contractors, has been responsible forthe remaining construction. Variousspecialist sub-contractors have alsocontributed to the project, includingTravis Swithenbank and his specialistcrew at QUALCON on the constructionof the Amvic ICF walls, and MicCarmichael of SIPBuilder, an extremelyexperienced specialist in SIP design andconstruction, on the modifications anderection of the ISHN ThermaSAVE SIPwalls and roofs.

Matthew Jung, owner of 88HVAC, aGeothermal-Radiant-Solar company

operating in Marin-San Francisco-Burlingame, California, installed theWaterFurnace geothermal supply andreturn tubing under the slab, and willwork with our plumbers to complete theconnections for the elaborate geother-mal hot water system.

Sebastopol, California-based WeeksDrilling & Pump Company, under thedirection of Chris Thompson, CEO,drilled the five 310-feet-deep geoex-change boreholes. This was anardurous task that took two weeks tocomplete.

Don Bartlett of Bartlett MechanicalServices, along with Matthew Jung,were tasked with installing theWaterFurnace® geothermal system and


iBeam Time-Lapse Pro Construction Camera Perspective 2009-11-13

• Weeks’ drilling department can claim over 60 yearsexperience and has completed over 20,000 wellprojects throughout Northern California and the WestCoast, using sophisticated drilling methods to meetthe demand for water supply wells, environmental,geothermal bore wells, and irrigation wells.

Weeks Drilling & Pump Company

Weeks DrillingGeoexchange Drilling

Rig

SIP Fabrication & Modification On Site

have served as our plumbers through-out most of 2009 to the present. Theyhave worked on every aspect of therough plumbing, including the interiorconnections in the home, and installa-tion of the Uponor AQUASAFE® LoopedResidential Fire Safety System.

Unlike competitive stand-alone firesprinkler systems, the Uponor AQUASAFELooped Residential Fire Safety Systemintegrates into a home’s cold waterplumbing. Water circulates each timecold water is used and does not remainstagnant (typically for years in conven-tional systems). As long as water issupplied to plumbing fixtures, water issupplied to the sprinklers. Uponorengineers designed the system for theOptimum Performance Home, andplumbers Peffer and Spratt are installingthe system to Uponor specifications.

In addition to the work performed onthe Uponor AQUAPEX plumbing sys-tem and AQUASAFE LoopedResidential Fire Safety System, theplumbers installed in the laundry rooman In-O-Vate Technologies’ Dryerbox®

as a vent connection receptacle in thestairway wall. This saves space andenergy, improves dryer efficiency, pre-vents the flex transition hose from get-ting “squished,” and reduces a com-mon household fire hazard. TheDryerbox will allow the Whirlpool® Duet®

clothes dryer to be pushed backagainst the wall of the laundry roomwithout the fear of kinking the exhausthose.

I mentioned previously that we havereceived no encouragement or supportfrom governing entities for this“extreme green” project. I think that it isworthwhile to re-read in Part XVIII thefrustrating encounter that occurred withthe Sonoma County BuildingDepartment, in regards to our require-ments for a geoexchange bore fieldlocation on the property. As reported,Sonoma County did not waver fromtheir position, and required us tosecure another location for our sealed

complete the interface with the Spunstrand underground acoustically damped air-conditioning duct system for the Optimum Performance Home Theatre™. Don alsooversaw the installation of Uponor AQUAPEX® radiant floor tubing. The Spunstrand sys-tem was constructed and installed by Jerry Feeney and John Feeney.

Russell Peffer and William “Willy” Spratt, who both own their own independentplumbing companies, Russell Peffer Plumbing and Spratt Plumbing respectively,

ground loop boreholes. Fortunately, wewere able to locate one last area on thesite that met the county’s restrictionsand staked out the new ground looplocation. The county made a site visitand did some measuring. “The ‘wells’[the county has no classification otherthan “wells” for ground loops] must be25 feet or greater from our septic systemtightline (currently they are <19 feet).”Thus, we had to further move the groundloop location approximately 6 feet fromthe tightline affluent pipe path andrestake the location of the loopholes.

Upon another inspection, the countyapproved the relocation and issued usa new drilling permit. The newapproved location has required addi-tional engineering and an extendedpipe run from the front of the homearound the northern boundary to the farnortheastern corner of the property,which has added to the project’sexpense and delays.

As stated previously, we had to waitfor the ground to dry up enough tosupport the heavy Weeks Drilling rigthat was used to drill the geoexchangeholes. Weeks Drilling & PumpCompany completed the drilling of thebore holes over the course of twoweeks. The five bore holes are each310 feet deep and sealed with 14,000pounds/280 sacks heat transfer sandand 70 sacks of Bentonite clay groutwith .88 conductivity/2,254 gallons ofmaterial in bore holes (305 cubic feet).This special material was provided byDynacrete, based in Valley Springs,California. The special U-bend pipingwas provided by WaterFurnace andwas pressure tested before the pipewas put in the ground and after theholes were backfilled with grout (refer-ence IGSHPA Design Guidelines).

The exterior concrete roof of thewine cellar has yet to be protected witha BARRICOAT-R membrane manufac-tured by Carlisle Coatings &Waterproofing, Inc. Once completed,MiraDRAIN GR9200 will be applied




• Uponor’s AQUASAFE® Looped Residential FireSafety System integrates into a home’s cold watersystem. Water circulates each time cold water isused and does not remain stagnant, as with competitive stand-alone fire sprinkler systems.

Uponor® AQUASAFE®

• The Aquacore point-of-entry ultrafiltration system iscapable of producing a steady flow of microbiologicallypure water throughout the home.

Aquacore® Whole-Home Hollow-Fiber Ultrafiltration System

• The Whirlpool® Duet® dryer will be connected to TheDryerbox® by In-O-Vate Technologies. The Dryerbox is avent connection receptacle that saves space, saves energy,improves dryer efficiency, prevents the flex transition hosefrom getting “squished,” and reduces a common householdfire hazard.

Dryerbox®

• Dynacrete heat transfer sand and Bentonite claygrout used to seal geothermal bore holes.

Dynacrete

• The efficiency ratings of a geothermal system are upto five times higher than conventional heating and coolingsystems. WaterFurnace® leads the industry with its ENER-GY STAR®-qualified Envision Series, the first to achieve500 percent efficiency in heating.

WaterFurnace® Geothermal System

• BARRICOAT-R is a waterproofing and vapor barrier mem-brane designed for vertical surfaces, above or belowground. MiraDRAIN 6200 is a high-performance, high-strength drainage composite consisting of a three-dimensional, high-impact polystyrene core, and a nonwoven filter fabric.

Carlisle® Coatings & Waterproofing

Weeks DrillingGeoexcange Bore Holes & SIP Wall/Roof

Fabrication On Site

hydraulic stabilization feature by storingand managing excess moisture crossingthe site, including some of the perchedgroundwater, and to create habitatvalue for native and migratory wildlife.

A “beach” with subsurface horizon-tal geotechnical drains (provided bySmart Drain, LLC) was installed at the“upper,” or southeast corner of thepond, overlain by coarse sand androck chips, to intercept seepage andrunoff from the neighboring propertyand recharge the pond. The SmartDrain™ belting uses micro channels tomove water by capillary and siphoningactions. Unlike ordinary perforatedpipe, it doesn’t clog! Moreover, theexcess water is filtered, which reducessoil runoff. Nothing but clean water isdrained. Smart Drain’s capillary actionliterally sucks the water into its microchannels. The siphoning action pro-vides additional water-drainage force,to whisk the water away from thedrainage area. Once the soil is de-sat-urated, Smart Drain leaves just enoughmoisture to ensure optimum conditionsfor growth of grasses and trees.

A second, smaller pond, has alsobeen installed at the front of theOptimum Performance Home as a fea-ture of a small garden courtyard areaadjacent to the living room and theexterior wood shed.

The excavated ponds are construct-ed as a dip in the topography, withoutany constructed berm or engineeredcontainment. A CETCO Akwaseal PondLiner Roll Imagetextile was installed atthe ponds’ surface bottoms. The liner iscomposed of Bentonite clay, sand-wiched between two textiles, which areneedle-punched together. The result isan easy-to-install, self-healing, self-seaming liner requiring little mainte-nance. The swelling properties of theBentonite clay and cushioning of thetextiles eliminate the need for seamwelding and underlayments.

Now at the final stage, the pondshave filled with spring and rainwater



The Amvic ICF AmDeck Floor &Roof System is a modular, lightweight,stay-in-place form made of ExpandedPolystyrene (EPS). We used this systemto construct the second-story concretefloor over the two-car garage. The sys-tem provides structural strengththrough reinforced concrete and insula-tion through EPS. It utilizes 10-inchlightweight steel framing studs, whichcarry the temporary construction loadsuntil the concrete gains its requiredstrength, acting as furring strips towhich interior finishes can be attached.This system perfectly compliments ourICF structure, and together they pro-vide a complete energy-efficient struc-tural and thermal building envelope forthe second floor.

The EPS used in the green flooringsystem provides continuous insulationfor the concrete floor with embeddedUponor plumbing and radiant floorAQUAPEX tubing. The R-value is 17.8,or more, depending on other materialsused in conjunction with the system. Inour application, the R-value is inexcess of 40. The insulation is alsohighly effective at reducing the amountof noise that travels from one story toanother, due to the sound transmissionclass (STC) rating of 50 plus.

Aqua Nueva’s Terry McMains,based in Albuquerque, New Mexico,designed the site application of theEcoRain Stormwater Tank Modules’underground water cistern manufac-tured by Stormwater Solutions, LLC.The 2,400-gallon EcoRain cistern wasinstalled in May. The cistern will retainroof runoff from Gutter Helmet® gut-tered interior roof areas (see IssueXVIII). Already the cistern is completelyfull of rainwater runoff from the roofs.

The large pond at the eastern rearof the site is intended to both celebrateand accommodate the excess presenceof moisture moving across the site, con-tributed by several springs located onother properties surrounding the projectsite. The pond is designed to act as a

over the waterproof membrane. This sheeted membrane is designed specificallyfor green roofs, garden roofs, and large planter applications (in our case, an herbgarden). Used with the BARRICOAT-R waterproofing, this drainage composite pro-vides adequate water retention for sedums, grasses, and plant life, while providinga channel for excess water to drain.

Construction of the structural interior of the dedicated Optimum PerformanceHome Theatre has been completed, including the installation of the spring-loadedOwens Corning QuietZone Acoustic Wall Framing studs. (See Part VII for adescription of the design of the Optimum Performance Home Theatre.) The initialelectrical work has been completed and awaits Sonoma County inspection.Following approval, the Oregon Shepherd wool insulation batts will be installedand covered with two layers of Georgia Pacific wall board, to provide the finishedwall and ceiling surfaces for final interior finishing and acoustical treatment.

The Uponor AQUAPEX-encased Amvic ICF AmDeck radiant floor is complete,along with the necessary AQUAPEX plumbing, for the second-story guest bath-room and kitchen alcove. This work was described in the previous Issue XVIII.


• Uponor® 1/2- and 3/4-inch red and blue high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pre-sleeved corrugated AQUAPEX®

tubing is designed for durability and provides protection forinstallation in the soil, allowing for easy removal.

Uponor® Pre-Sleeved Corrugated AQUAPEX®

• Owens Corning QuietZone® Acoustic Wall Framing studs are specially engineered with built-in, acoustically resilient, spring-loaded metal clips designed to significantly reduce thesound vibration path and allow the wallboard on the inside of theroom to float and isolate sound wave vibrations.

Owens Corning QuietZone® Acoustic Wall Framing

EcoRain™ Stormwater Solutions• EcoRain Stormwater Tank Modules for 2,400-gallonunderground water cistern harvested from roof rainwater runoff.

• The Gutter Helmet® gutter protection system isa multi-patented, flow-limiting, ribbed design thatslows and spreads water, causing it to flow easilyinto the gutters, while debris falls to the ground.

Gutter Helmet®

• The Smart Drain™ belting uses micro channels tomove water by capillary and siphoning actions. Unlikeordinary perforated pipe, it doesn’t clog. Moreover theexcess water is filtered, which reduces soil runoff.Nothing but clean water is drained.

Smart Drain™

• CETCO Akwaseal Pond Liner Roll Imagetextile is a bottompond liner composed of Bentonite clay, sandwiched betweentwo textiles, and needle-punched together.

CETCO Akwaseal Pond Liner

• Seepage Control® manufactures the exclusive ESS-13 Environmental Soil Sealant formula, a non-toxic liquid vegetable oil polymer emulsion that is either poured into thewater, or mixed with the soil and compacted to provide a leakproof pond bottom.

Seepage Control®

• Oregon Shepherd wool reacts to changes in temperature and atmospheric moisture, achieves impressive R-value thermal performance, absorbs andrelease water vapor, contains no permethrin, pyrethroids,or formaldehyde, does not burn, and reduces the level ofenvironmental noise pollution considerably.

Oregon Shepherd



runoff. Soon the ponds will be sealed with a vegetable oil polymer (provided bySeepage Control) that is completely non-toxic and used for this purpose.

As part of the pond hydraulic stabilization workings, an Agri Drain INLINE05X04P(WCS 5'x4" PVC) inline water level control structure, including slide Valterra valveand anti-seep collars, was installed. The rugged 1/2-inch PVC structure is reinforced

with stainless steel and anodized alu-minum corner extrusions.

The septic system has beeninstalled, including the off-site leachdrainfield. We opted to employ two1,500-gallon septic tanks manufacturedby Roth Global Plastics––a black RothMultiTank and a blue FRALO Septech-branded Roth Tank. Internally, the RothMultiTank and FRALO septic tanks areequipped with Orenco® risers, floatassemblies, in-tank filtration systems(effluent filters, pump vaults), effluentpumping systems, and the electricalcontrols. These advanced productsand systems were provided by OrencoSystems, Inc. for the project and allowtreated effluent to be returned harm-lessly to the environment via our off-sitedrainfield located approximately 1,500feet away on The Sea Ranch commons.

Also installed is a 500-gallon under-ground propane tank at the westernedge of the firewood and trash shed.

The courtyard and spa concrete slabpour has been completed. The DimensionOne® Amoré Bay spa has been deliv-ered and has been positioned in the

courtyard, awaiting full connection. The spa is part ofthe courtyard entertainment area, which includes acustom Finnleo® Finnish sauna and a Kohler® 1000-H2-CP 10-Jet Tower BodySpa and Footbath thatuses recirculated water.

This Issue

In this issue, the focus continues to be on thevarious construction elements related to site andabove-foundation construction, the roof, and exteri-or and interior treatments.

As reported previously, the Amvic InsulatedConcrete Form walls in Buildings 2 and 3 havebeen constructed. Unlike the SIP wall construction,the construction is extremely straight-forward andperformed entirely on site. This is a real benefit inthat minor adjustments can easily be made on siteas required, unlike what is involved with SIP con-struction. The Amvic 5-in-1 system incorporatesstructure, insulation, vapor barrier, sound barrier,and studding attachments for drywall and exteriorsiding in one easy step.

While Structural Insulated Panels (SIP) can helpbuild a strong, energy-efficient structure and pro-vide high levels of insulation and air seal, weencountered problems. A tremendous amount ofeffort went into the on-site cutting and fitting of the


SIP Wall Construction

custom SIP walls and roofs that our construction team installed. Thelicensed IHSN ThermaSAVE panel manufacturer, Chandler, Arizona-based Prostruct, turned out to be difficult to work with. Owned byCameron Haddock, the son of ThermaSAVE’s founder H.H. “Hoot”

Caption

• Agri Drain’s Inline Water Level Control Structure is arugged 1/2-inch PVC structure reinforced with stainless steeland anodized aluminum corner extrusions. It is a workingpart of the pond’s hydraulic stabilization workings.

Agri Drain

• Both a virgin HDPE Roth MultiTank and a FRALOSeptech-branded blow-molded poly tank are used forthe septic system.

Roth MultiTank & FRALO Septech Septic Tanks

• A Dimension One Spas® Amoré Bayspa is featured in the courtyard area.The D1 Amoré Bay is the ultimate performance and comfort spa that isrenown for energy efficiency and reliability.

Dimension One Spas® Amoré Bay

• The Roth MultiTank and FRALO septic tanks areequipped internally with Orenco® risers, float assemblies, in-tank filtration systems (effluent filters,pump vaults), effluent pumping systems, and the electrical controls to allow treated effluent to be returned harmlessly to the environment

Orenco® Systems

• An authentic Finnish Finnleo® Custom-CutSauna with a floor-standing Maxi 6 kW heater(FSO-60SC) has been specified, with 70 poundsof Finnish Vulcanite rock that provides traditionalsoft dry heat.

Finnleo® Custom-Cut Finnish Sauna

• The outdoor shower assembly will be theKohler BodySpa Ten-Jet Tower (K-1000-H2) withseparate Kohler MasterShower® Rite-Temp® valvetrim with cylinder handle (K-T9492-7) and KohlerMasterShower Hotel Handshower Kit (K-8520).

Kohler® BodySpa Ten-Jet Tower


black mold (stachybotrus chartarum),or absorb moisture. No additional inte-rior drywall or exterior sheathing is nec-essary. The exterior fiber cement pan-els are cedar grain in appearance, withthe interior fiber cement panels finishedsmooth. They are pre-primed duringmanufacturing and require no addition-al primer prior to staining, plastering, orpainting.

The inner and outer pre-primed fibercement skins and termite-resistanttreated EPS core were glued togetherand dried under extreme pressure, tocreate uniform stressed-skin panelswith proven strength, durability, andthermal efficiency. The assembled SIPswere manufactured with factory-installed conduit or holes drilledthrough the foam, to provide racewaysfor wiring.

The ThermaSAVE patented splineconnection system joins together four-foot-wide panels to build walls, floors,and roofs that are relatively lightweight,yet can withstand high wind loads (110to 200 mph), earthquakes, and thetwisting and flexing that slowly deterio-rates conventional wood-framed build-ings. There are no wood parts extendedthrough the panels from face-to-faceexcept at openings, corners, beams,and roof edges. Therefore, termitesand vermin are not attracted to thepanels, and mold will not grow in thepanel system. The panels will not rot orwarp and are manufactured using non-toxic products, and they do not createtoxic wastes. According to ThermaSAVE,the structures in the home built withthese panels will have up to 75 percentless heat loss or gain, compared toconventional wood structures.

Noteworthy is that ISHNThermaSAVE’s SIP building system isICC (International Code Council)accredited. The State of Californiaaccepts the International CodeCouncil, but also has its own require-ments. California has high wind loadson the coast, high earthquake loads,


Haddock, Prostruct used Hamilton,Alabama-based Green SIPS, Inc., aThermaSAVE licensed manufacturingfacility, to manufacture and cut thepanels. A tremendous amount of timewas wasted due to inaccuracies inThermaSAVE’s working drawings andProstruct’s panel manufacturing andcutting delays and errors. I organizedand provided the actual raw materialthat comprised the fabrication of theSIPs––MixiPanel fiber-cement panels,AFM Corporation EPS foam insulation,Norbord FSC-certified OSB, andAshland adhesive. Even though wespent countless hours, weeks, andeventually months correcting inaccura-cies in the working drawings, when thefactory-fabricated-and-cut panels final-ly arrived to the site, we found much ofthe work to be flawed and inaccurate.Mic Carmichael, the SIP Builder (notassociated with ThermaSAVE), servedas a subcontractor and consultant, andled our construction team in the on-sitemodification work. Mic has had extensive

and they have strict Quality ControlPrograms to enforce the code. TheState of California also puts its ownstamp on the panel. By accepting theICC, the panels are stamped by theState of California, the ICC, the QualityControl Company, and ThermaSAVE.

As required by California law, theSIP panels were certified by a state-licensed inspector from an accreditedQuality Control Company that the pan-els are quality constructed in accor-dance with the QC Manual and ESReport for California. Home buildersshould be aware that the inspectioncosts, including the PE engineer’sseals required on the documents, canbe substantial. In our case, the costquote to inspect and certify 300 panelswas approximately $4,000, includingthree inspections, with an additionalCalifornia label fee of $5.00 per panel.No such fees are associated with ICFs.

The ThermaSAVE building systemimpressively passed the ICC fire con-tainment test and demonstrated thatthe fiber cement panels during expo-sure to the high-intensity heat did notoutgas noxious and poisonous fumesthat could result in affixation, a com-mon cause of death during residentialhome fires.

Also noteworthy is that ThermaSAVEis the building system choice of theFederation of American Scientists,which studied all building systems fortwo years with regards to mold, airquality, affordability, availability, ease ofconstruction, wind and water resist-ance, and earthquake resistance.

As an alternative to traditional woodframing methods, SIPs are praised dueto their advantage in being able to beinstalled more quickly, and of course,for their inherent more energy-efficientbasic design. SIPs provide higher R-values, reduced air infiltration, lessthermal bridging, and greater stability,compared to convention wood framing.

A critical element in the manufactur-er of SIPs are accurate panel-cutting

experience in erecting SIP panels.Much credit is due Mic because hewas able to “re-work” the panel cutsand make the adjustments required inthe construction of the home.

ThermaSAVE SIPs, unlike virtually allothers, use fiber cement panels insteadof sheets of OSB for both the interiorand exterior portion of the panel, withrigid EPS insulation foam sandwichedin between. AFM Corporation manufac-tured the recycled and recycleablerigid super-insulating Foam-ControlEPS with Perform Guard, an additivethat effectively resists termites. TheEPS used is fire retardant, with a flashpoint between 600 and 650 degreesFahrenheit. The Class A fire-rated 7/16-inch thick fiber cement panels(MaxiPanel) are manufactured byMaxiTile® and the special high-strengthISOSET A-322 adhesive and catalyst ismanufactured by Ashland PerformanceMaterials.

Fiber-cement board used as SIPskins will not rot, burn, support toxic


Sip Wall Construction & Owens Corning Acoustic WallFraming

• The IHSN ThermaSAVE® Structural InsulatedPanel (SIP) Building System consists of a MaxiTile®

(MaxiPanel®) inner and outer fiber-cement skin and acore of super-insulating expanded polystyrene (EPS)glued together with a special high-strength glue anddried under extreme pressure, resulting in astressed-skin panel that has amazing capabilities.

IHSN ThermaSAVE®

• MaxiTile’s® MaxiPanel® and MaxiTrim® fiber-cementproducts are dimensionally stable and resist cracking,rotting, and delamination. As well, they resist damagecaused by extended exposure to moisture, humidity, UVrays, and salt air. And they are non-combustible.

MaxiTile®

instructions that precisely match the CAD construction drawings with precise win-dow and door openings, as well as roof angles. As noted, our architectural design-er/CAD draftsman Ed Rose of Rosebud Studios, spent an enormous amount oftime with the draftperson at ThermaSAVE to verify that the panel dimensions wereaccurate, in order to ensure that panel assembly on the job site would proceedquickly, reducing labor costs and waste and allowing our builders to dry-in withoutweather or labor delays. As it turned out, the ThermaSAVE people failed to “manu-facture” a number of the SIPs accurately, and we ended up having to make exten-sive modifications on the job site. So much for the SIP industry promotion forreducing framing labor costs by using SIPs instead of traditional methods.

It is unfortunate that we found ourselves boxed in with no viable alternative at acritical time period in the construction of the Optimum Performance Home,because the ThermaSAVE SIP product itself has admirable merits and was select-ed by us for those merits during the home’s design stage.

What one needs to realize when deciding on a SIP manufacturer is that you willbe dependent on that manufacturer to provide accurate working drawings andpanel-cutting instructions for the dimensional panel-cutting, and provide precise

• The Amvic® ICF 5-in-1 system incorporates structure, insulation, vapor barrier,sound barrier, and studding attachments for drywalland exterior siding in one easy step. AmDeck isdesigned for floors.

Amvic® Insulated Concrete Forms


and plumbing assemblies, whichnecessitated at times cutting the interi-or surface of the SIP walls. Since ourinterior SIP skins are the actual fibercement wall surfaces, not an OSBintermediate, this additional panelcutout work proved time consumingand frustrating. With ICFs such tasksare easily accomplished, and the cos-metic defacing work is covered withinterior drywall.

SIPs and ICFs are superior structur-al components that provide resistanceto earthquakes and hurricanes, whilebeing more fire-, mold- and water-vapor diffusion-resistant and providehigh levels of insulation. In either casethere is no air infiltration or thermalbridging. This was an important con-sideration for construction in a coastalenvironment such as The Sea Ranch.

Once the SIP walls and roofs wereconstructed, the SIP roofs were cov-ered with Cosella-Dörken DELTA®-FOXX,the most vapor permeable roof underlay-


ment on the market. This extraordinary tough membrane has a very high water vaporpermeability, which ensures excess moisture is quickly removed from the roof. Awater-repellent dispersion coating makes DELTA-FOXX permanently and reliablywaterproof. DELTA-FOXX is Class A fire-rated.


quality control. Any errors in working drawings, manufacturing, and cutting will becostly to correct once the panels are delivered to the construction site and the errorsare discovered during erection. Unlike ICF construction, which is controlled on-siteby your contractor/builder, once engaged with a SIP manufacturer your project isbeholden to that manufacturer. In construction, capping costs and time expendedduring construction is paramount. I personally would not, based on our experience,recommend building with SIPs. Instead, I would recommend ICFs, which are extremelyefficient and cost-effective to construct on-site and are even more energy-efficientand thermally dense, due to their inherent greater mass compared to SIPs. ICFsalso provide the same protections from rot, mold, and fire that SIPs manufacturedwith fiber cement panels do. Amvic ICFs combine closed-celled EPS insulation andconcrete thermal mass, which evens out temperature fluctuation by absorbing andstoring heat. This prevents air movement in or around the cellular structure, creatingan airtight seal around the entire perimeter of the building. Building with Amvic ICFsgenerated perhaps only one percent of construction waste on average. Our on-siteSIP modification work generated substantially more waste, though that waste wasrecycled. Furthermore, Amvic uses steam and cold water to produce ICFs. NoCFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons), HCFCs (Hydrochlorofluorrocarbon), formaldehyde, orany chemicals are used in Amvic’s manufacturing process and no off-gassing ispresent. The impermeable walls prevent the entry of dust, pollens, and pollution.

Even though our unique SIP design used fiber cement panels instead of OSB,which resulted in the final exterior and interior wall structure, I prefer working with

ICFs. In our unique SIP construction,we did save the additional cost of nothaving to sheath over the OSB SIP sur-faces that are typically used by otherSIP manufacturers. Also, the use offiber cement board for the SIP skinseliminated the exposure to formalde-hyde, a binder inherent in OSB.

Our 6-1/2-inch thick SIP walls pro-vide R-30 insulation and our 11-inchthick SIP roofs provide R-36 insulation.In certain applications, our SIP roofexteriors were manufactured with exte-rior-grade 4 x 12-feet ForestStewardship Council (FSC)-certifiedTallWall OSB sourced from Norbord.TallWall rated structural panels aremanufactured using wood strands andwaterproof adhesives, and do not con-tain added urea-formaldehyde resins.The wood strands are arranged incross-oriented layers, to providestrength and performance propertiessimilar to an equivalent thickness ofplywood. The result is a structural engi-neered wood panel that is consistent inquality with no core voids, whichreduces wall air leakage up to 60 per-cent, for better indoor air quality.

While our experience with one par-ticular SIP manufacturer proved costly,both in terms of added labor costs anddamaging construction time delays,that is not to say that other SIP manu-facturers are prone to error and delay.The question that needs to be posed,though, is how does one ascertain thattheir project will end up as representedby the SIP manufacturer? There is noway to know for sure until completion ofSIP “manufacturing” and installation onthe site––after considerable construc-tion dollars have been spent. Shouldthere be problems, labor and materialcosts escalate and time is lost, in orderto “re-manufacture” or “re-cut,” andfinally re-erect. With ICFs the walls areconstructed on site and are easily cutand positioned to exact requirements.

Another drawback to SIPs that weencountered was installing electrical

SIP Roof Installation & Deitrich UltraSTEEL® Framing

FortiFlash®, DOW FROTH-PAK™

Foam Insulation, DELTA®-FOXX,BattenUP®, Distinction® Slate &

Akwaseal Pond Liner SIP Roof Fabrication & Installation

• Norbord TallWall rated structural panels are manufactured usingForest Stewardship Council-certified (FSC) wood strands andwaterproof adhesives, and do not contain added urea-formaldehyde resins.

Norbord


On top of the DELTA-FOXX roofunderlayment was installed Batten Plus’BattenUP, a corrugated plastic battentested and approved by ICC for Class Atile roof systems. The fluted plastic bat-tens solve many problems caused bythe use of wood battens. Wood battensrot over time because they do not allowair circulation under the roof tile, whichhelps keep the underlayment dry. Therotting of wood battens is also solved bythe fluted plastic battens, by allowingwater to drain through the large flutedchannels and off the roof. They are notporous, as wood is, so they won’t absorbmoisture.

Finally, on top of the BattenUP plas-tic battens, Trimline® Building Productsblack composite Distinction™ Slate wasinstalled on the roof by RichardHoward, a member of our constructionteam. Distinction Slate exhibits the rich,deep-textured appearance of naturalslate with deep chiseled edges for themost realistic composite slate avail-able. Distinction Slate is designed in atwo-piece panel in two different naturalslate surfaces. Distinction Slate isdurable and a third of the weight ofnatural slate, meaning it can beinstalled on existing buildings without

structural modifications. A primary rea-son for the selection of Distinction Slateis that it contributes to environmentalsustainability in the following ways:

• Eco-friendly content is 58 per-cent––18 percent recycled post-indus-trial content of which 5 percent is cellu-lose material and 13 percent is fly ash.Distinction Slate uses 40 percent halo-gen-free fire retardant additives and ischemically non-reactive.

• Reclaimed landfilledwaste––Distinction Slate utilizes a recy-cled cellulose material, along with acrystalline filler. Both of these ingredi-ents would be landfilled if they werenot reclaimed and reused.

• Manufacturing Process––Regrindplastic is used in 10 to 20 percent ofnew products. No in-process plasticfrom the Distinction manufacturingplant goes into landfills.

• Fuel Efficiency––Distinction Slateis 67 percent less weight than naturalslate and concrete/clay tile, and thetypical weight of shingles. Weightadvantage means more square footageon a truckload, which requires lesstransportation per roof.

• Durable––Distinction Slate is war-ranted for 50 years and is 100 percent

recyclable at the end of its life.Distinction Slate performs well underhigh UV light and low temperatures,can withstand a wide range of weatherfrom sub-zero temperatures to relent-less heat and sun exposure, and isnonfading.

Another aspect is the relationship tothe home’s rain catchment system. It isimportant to minimize any dirt, debris,or chemicals the water may pick up sothere is less to filter later in theprocess. Distinction Slate provides aslicker surface than composite or othersystems, so it does not collect as muchdust and debris. It washes off muchmore quickly. It is one of the mosteffective, quickest, and most reliablesolutions for efficient water catchment.With other types of systems, which aremore porous such as slate and otherclay and concrete tiles, grit, bird drop-pings, and other debris are harder towash off, and hold and harbor agreater danger of bacterial growth thatcan leach toxins. Distinction Slate inthis regard is preferable for potablewater systems. In addition, the pores inother roofing material naturally absorbwater, and porous catchment surfacescan experience as much as a 10 per-cent water loss, resulting from ineffi-cient flow and evaporation.

Early on during the design phase ofthe Optimum Performance Home, wehad favored natural slate. But afterextensive research into the substantialmaterial cost and the cost to retainspecialized labor to install the naturalslate, we decided to use instead oursecond choice, Distinction Slate, whichturned out to be substantially morecost and labor saving and more eco-friendly.

The Amvic ICF walls have beencladded, first with a layer of Cosella-Dörken DELTA®-DRY, prior to screwingon the 7/16-inch thick MaxiPanel and3/4-inch x 3-1/2-inch MaxiTrim (batons)Cedar grain fiber cement cladding. Thebatons were also screwed to the

Ultimate Home Design • Issue 19 • February 201042 Page 16/17


exterior SIP panels, to create a board-and-batt style appearance.

DELTA-DRY is an innovativeVentilated Rainscreen that provideshigh-drainage capacity, a completecapillary break, and excellent moisture-protection characteristics. It featuresbuilt-in drainage and ventilation layers,to provide reliable protection frommoisture build-up. Preventing solar-driven moisture from the outside tomigrate inwards is an essential require-ment to keep wall systems dry. This isespecially important for absorptivecladdings like manufactured stone,fiber cement siding, or conventionalstucco systems.

Even in difficult climates that onlyprovide short drying periods for thebuilding envelope, a rain-screen sys-tem offers outstanding protection forthe structure, by allowing for drainageof water that makes its way behind theexterior cladding material.

As previously noted, the projectoverlooks the Pacific Ocean and issubject to consequential moistureexposure from the salt air and rain.Thus, an important consideration in theconstruction of the home was to use allPHEINOX™ hardened stainless steeland Climatek™ coated screws and fas-teners, which are manufactured byGRK Canada Limited. Regarded world-wide as “The Industry's ToughestScrews,” the GRK Fasteners’ÜberGrade stainless screws and fas-teners used throughout the construc-tion of the home––concrete screws,composite deck screws, ICF and SIPscrews, fiber cement panel screws,wood screws, and the renown R4™

multi-purpose self-countersinkingscrew and RSS™ rugged structuralscrew—are guaranteed against stain-ing and rusting. Additionally, the nailsused in the construction of the homeare premium-hardened stainless steeland coated for long-term durability.

During construction we are usingexclusively caulks, sealants, and

adhesives manufactured by OSI Sealants,Inc., part of the Dusseldorf, Germany-based Henkel Group’s North AmericanConsumer Adhesives Businesses. Thecompany’s Green Series low-VOC con-struction adhesives, caulks, andsealants were chosen to meet theLEED for Homes guidelines.

In the Optimum Performance Home,Frazee Paint’s Envirokote Primer will beapplied directly to new drywall andsmooth fiber cement interior surfaces,providing a solid, bright white surface

for the application of Frazee’sEnvirokote Flat paint and Tobias Stucconatural clay earth plaster. Frazeeantimicrobial primers and paints arelow-odor, zero-VOC formulations thateliminate the aromatic solvents, heavymetals, and formaldehyde preserva-tives found in the typical paint or seal-er. The result is a non-polluting coatingthat also acts as a sealer to help reduceoff-gassing from the surface below.Tobias Stucco is also a mold- and mildew-resistant and zero-VOC formulation.

Ultimate Home Design • Issue 19 • February 2010Page 17/17 43

• DELTA®-FOXX is a vapor permeable roof underlayment,which ensures excess moisture is quickly removed from theroof, making the roof permanently and reliably waterproof.

Cosella Dorken DELTA®-FOXX

• Batten Plus’ BattenUP is a corrugated plastic battentested and approved by ICC for Class A tile roof sys-tems. The fluted plastic battens solve many problemscaused by the use of wood battens, which rot over timebecause they do not allow air circulation under the rooftile, which helps keep the underlayment dry.

Batten Plus BattenUP

• Distinction™ Slate has the deep textured appearance ofnatural slate with deep chiseled edges, creating the mostrealistic composite slate available.

Trimline® Distinction™ Slate

• DELTA-DRY is an innovative Ventilated Rainscreen thatprovides high-drainage capacity, a complete capillarybreak, and excellent moisture protection characteristics.

Cosella Dorken DELTA®-DRY

• GRK ÜberGrade stainless screws and fasteners areused throughout in the construction.

GRK Fasteners

• OSI Sealants’ Green Series™ low-VOCconstruction adhesives, caulks, and sealants are used throughout in the construction.

OSI Sealants, Inc.

• Tobias Stucco® Interior Wall Finish is an environmentally safe,non-VOC, mold-resistant, color-fast mixture that can be trow-elled on walls and applied with various techniques to achieve avariety of textures.

Tobias Stucco® Interior Wall Finish

• Frazee antimicrobial primers and paints are low-odor, zero VOCformulations that eliminate the aromatic solvents, heavy metals,and formaldehyde preservatives found in the typical paint or sealer. The result is a non-polluting coating that also acts as asealer to help reduce off-gassing from the surface below.

Frazee Paint® Company

• Attic Breeze Model AB-252A Solar Attic Fan is an all-black, solar-powered attic fan that uses a proprietaryvent housing based on venturiflow technology, to maximize hot-air removal from the attic over the largehome theatre.

Attic Breeze


ter bedroom support the extensivearray of VELUX skylights overhead. Offthe kitchen main beam will be theLindal Building Products solarium,which is in the final engineering stageand will soon be installed.

Another major effort was the installa-tion of the VELUX skylights, Wascopyramid skylight, and Pella Windowsand Doors. Pella products are acknowl-edged as a leader in ENERGY STAR®

efficiency. For the fourth consecutiveyear, the U.S. Environmental ProtectionAgency (EPA) and Department ofEnergy (DOE) announced that PellaCorporation has earned an ENERGYSTAR Partner of the Year award for theircommitment to manufacturing energy-efficient products and educating con-sumers about them. Additionally, for thesecond year in a row, Pella was hon-ored with ENERGY STAR’s most presti-gious Sustained Excellence award, inrecognition of their commitment to suc-cessfully managing energy use andpromoting ENERGY STAR productsand practices within the organization.

Pella windows and patio doors offerthe warmth and beauty of wood interi-ors. In the case of the OptimumPerformance Home, the wood is Pine,which can be painted or stained tomatch any decor. The exterior of Pellawood windows are protected by Pella’s



The VELUX skylights throughout theOptimum Performance Home also meetrelevant ENERGY STAR approvalguidelines for energy efficiency in allclimatic regions of the United States.Throughout the home VELUX skylightsare employed for overhead, out-of-reach applications or for in-reach appli-cations that do not require egressemergency escape capabilities.

The skylights are either fixed (FS),manually (VS), or electronically con-trolled (VCE), using an advanced RFremote. They are sized in a wide rangeand all are easily fitted with blinds.They feature an engineered, matchedVELUX flashing system and energy effi-cient glass, to provide comfort on hotsummer days and on cold winter nights.

The double-pane laminated glassconstruction with argon gas betweenlow-E coated panes reduces externalnoise and won’t discolor, leak, or allowdrafts. The design is engineered toprovide maximum protection from bothheat gain and fading by controlling up


On the south-facing roof of the dedi-cated home theatre was installed anAttic Breeze Model AB-252A Solar AtticFan. The all-black, solar-powered atticfan uses a proprietary vent housingbased on venturiflow technology, tomaximize hot air removal from the atticover the large home theatre. This venti-lation technology combined with high-efficiency 14-inch fan blades, long-last-ing variable speed motors, and power-ful monocrystalline solar panels resultsin greater airflow delivery than otherattic fans. The Model AB-252A 25-wattsolar attic fan can move an incredible1,550 CFM of airflow, capable of ade-quately ventilating an attic space of2,300 square feet! Attic Breeze’s all-metal vent housing construction usescorrosion-resistant zincalume alloy forsuperior performance in coastal cli-mates and high-efficiency aluminumfan blades, featuring ultra-quiet opera-tion. It is equipped with a thermalswitch and rodent guard. Themonocrystalline solar panels are indus-trial grade and are made with high-strength temperered glass and sturdyaluminum frames. The Attic Breeze fanis finished with a black, durable pow-der-coated finish and engineered towithstand extreme weather conditionsand high winds. Attic Breeze providesa lifetime parts warranty on all their res-idential solar attic fan products.

A challenging aspect of the SIP roofconstruction was the positioning andinstallation of the elaborate Parallamparallel strand structural beams, whichprovide differing room heights and inte-rior angles, to create interior character.The beams over the kitchen and mas-

low-maintenance EnduraClad® Plus, analuminum cladding system that doesn'tneed painting.

All Pella windows and doors through-out are triple pane and are constructedwith energy-saving, low-E insulatingglass. The triple-pane glass construc-tion provides for between-the-glassblinds or fabric shades that can furtherincrease energy savings and can evenreduce outside noise. Both PellaDesigner Series and Pella ArchitectSeries windows and doors with triple-pane glass are used in the OptimumPerformance Home. They are rated #1for noise reduction when compared totop national brands with similar glazing.

A product’s Solar Heat GainCoefficient (SHGC) rating and U-Factorvalues gauge energy efficiency. TheSHGC rating will tell you how effectivethe product is at blocking the heatcaused by the sun (the lower the num-ber, the less heat it allows in). The U-Factor value indicates how well theproduct keeps heat inside a home (thelower the number, the better it insu-lates). Pella’s products offer some ofthe lowest U-Factor values in the indus-try. Most Pella products with low-Einsulating glass meet or exceed ENER-GY STAR guidelines in all 50 of theUnited States, with some that have U-Factor values that significantly exceedU.S. ENERGY STAR guidelines.

In our application, the Pella low-EInsulShield® argon gas-filled insulatedglass windows are certified with a U-Factor of 0.27 (US/I-P) or 1.5 (Metric/SI)and a SHGC of 0.28! The Pella slidingFrench patio doors are certified with aU-Factor of 0.27 (US/I-P) or 1.5 (Metric/SI)and a SHGC of 0.22! The Pella exteriordouble and single French doors are cer-tified at 0.32 and 0.24, respectively. Theapplication of Pella’s triple-pane windowsand doors further reduces outside noiseby up to 80 percent, for an extremely quietinterior environment, which is furtherenhanced with the effectively insulatedICF walls and SIP walls and roof.

to 83 percent of the sun’s fade-causingrays. The U-Factor and SGHC ratingsfor the VELUX skylights in the home are0.44 and 0.32, respectively.

The walkway of the custom Lindalvestibule entrance is designed withthree large VELUX fixed FS606 curbmounted skylights. The kitchen andmaster bedroom suite employ 10 deck-mounted fixed FS601s. These installa-tions, in particular, are unique designfeatures in the Optimum PerformanceHome.

A specialized 14-inch, low-profileTRG VELUX Sun Tunnel™ tubular sky-light will be installed in the under-ground wine cellar ceiling, with a highlyreflective rigid tunnel perturbing out tothe above-ground Weston SolutionsGreenGrid roof garden. This will pro-vide the brightest daylight capture fromall angles.

Newer VELUX deck-mounted sky-lights are now available. They are des-ignated The No Leak Skylight becausethey provide three layers of water pro-tection and feature advanced LoE3glass for better energy efficiency, high-er visible light transmittance, and

Pella has received the J.D. Power AndAssociates award for “Highest in CustomerSatisfaction Among Window and DoorManufacturers” three years in a row.

The window selection includesDesigner Series and ArchitecturalSeries fixed, angled, and double-hungdesigns. The Designer Series doorsinclude double and single French andsliding French patio styles. All exteriorcladding is low-maintenance aluminumfor protection from the elements, withthe added protection of PellaEnduraClad Plus finish. This finish ismade with full 70 percent Kynar 500®

resin, which ensures superior weather-ability and longer-lasting protectionagainst chalking, fading, corroding,and exposure to the sun’s UV rays.Sash corners are joined three ways, forsuperior strength, using special metalfasteners, and to protect against saltair, high winds, driving rain, fog, andhumidity––elements of The Sea Ranchenvironment. Additionally, Pella’sSeacoast Exterior Paint Finish wasapplied to provide even greater per-formance over time.

A major challenge in new homeconstruction is water leaks, and thebiggest cause of these leaks is waterintrusion through windows, doors, andother exterior penetrations. To protectagainst water intrusion, all of the win-dow and door openings are protectedwith FortiFlash®, a self-adhesive flexibleflashing product developed by theFortifiber Building Systems Group®.FortiFlash sets the industry standard foreffectively protecting windows, doors,and other areas of penetration fromwater intrusion into wall systems.FortiFlash is engineered to deliver last-ing protection against water intrusion inthe most demanding environmentalconditions. FortiFlash is reinforced by astrong cross-laminated high-densitypolyethylene film and a self-sealingrubberized asphalt core, which isdesigned to stay in place in the mostpunishing weather conditions.

• The Lindal solarium and vestibuleentrance/walkway combine kiln-dried premium-grade Western red cedar withenergy-efficient windows of the highestindustry rating for their ability to preventair and water infiltration under the tough-est test conditions.

Lindal SunRooms

• FortiFlash® sets the industry standard for effectively protectingwindows, doors, and other areas of penetration from water intrusioninto wall systems.

FortiFiber® FortiFlash®

• The GreenGrid® green roof is composed of a series of preplanted modules made of recycled plastics that can easily beplaced directly on a roof or other structure, with sufficient structuralcapacity.

Weston Solutions GreenGrid®

• VELUX® skylights meet ENERGYSTAR® approval guidelines for all U.S.climactic regions. VELUX remote-controlled venting electric skylights(VSE) are the ultimate skylight for natural daylighting, conrolled fresh airventilation, and eliminating condensation.

VELUX® Skylights


improved solar heat gain performance.These units had not been introducedwhen we were under construction, butthey are now available across thecountry and provide many new fea-tures and even better performance.They also carry an industry-first ten-year installation warranty, in addition toproduct warranties.

A custom 4- x 4-foot thermally-enhanced aluminum-framed Pinnacle300 pyramid skylight was designed forthe library/home theatre/surround musicroom and manufactured by Wasco®

Products, Inc. The rugged, one-piecePermatherm® Vinyl Curb reduces ther-mal conductivity and condensation andfeatures a built-in condensation chan-nel to control indoor moisture in higher

humidity areas. A co-extruded WeatherGasket ensures minimal air infiltration.The glazing is Performance Plus 2, atempered low-E, argon gas-filled glaz-ing, with a U-Factor of 0.23 and aSHGC of 0.47. The durable QuakerBronze enamel Kynar® finish is engi-neered for long-lasting protectionagainst the harshest environmental ele-ments. As installed, this custom-config-ured structural skylight is visually stun-ning and sets off the home’s uniquetower structure architecture.

The extensive copper rain guttersystem has been installed. The materialfor the all-copper rain gutters wassourced from Revere Copper Products,Inc. Founded in 1801 by Paul Revere,a prominent silversmith and maker of

cast bronze bells and marine hard-ware, Revere Copper is one of the old-est, if not the oldest, manufacturingcompanies in the United States. Ourarchitectural designer/draftsman, EdRose, provided The Sea Ranch-approved recessed gutter design andCopperCraft fabricated the gutter sys-tem. CopperCraft was established withthe goal of preserving the high-qualityand craftsmanship found in old worldmetalworking, while enhancing tech-niques with computerized layout, cut-ting, and forming. This insures quality,consistency, and competitive pricing.Once the gutters were delivered to theconstruction site, some additional cop-per metal work was performed by ChrisAttchison’s team at CNA Metalworks,Inc., which is located on The SeaRanch. The rainwater is captured bythe copper gutter system and deposit-ed into the on-site underground watercistern for courtyard and garden irriga-tion use. The 2,400-gallon EcoRain cis-tern has completely filled from the cap-tured roof’s rainwater.

The Gutter Helmet gutter protectionsystem has yet to be installed on all ofthe full-size copper rain gutters. Themulti-patented, flow-limiting, ribbeddesign slows and spreads water, caus-ing it to flow easily into the gutters. Thesimple physical law of surface tensionforces water around the Gutter Helmetnose and into the gutters, while debrisfalls to the ground. A 2/8-inch horizon-tal gap handles the heaviest rains butkeeps out animals and debris. GutterHelmet’s patented Perma-Life™ coatingwill not fade or chalk and is not affect-ed by corrosive acid rain. A blackPerma-Life coating has been chosen tocomplement the black TrimlineDistinction Slate roofing.

Once the exterior building envelopewas constructed, we sealed variouscrevasses, both on the exterior andinterior, with DOW FROTH-PAK™ FoamInsulation, to insure an air-tight struc-ture. FROTH-PAK Foam Insulation is a



two-component, quick-curepolyurethane foam that fills cavities,cracks, and expansion joints for insula-tion and air sealing. It is Class-A firerated.

The interior walls are constructedwith UL® Classified and UL Fire RatedDietrich UltraSTEEL® Framing studsand drywall tracks. Dietrich UltraSTEELFraming is an internationally patentedmethod of altering the characteristicsof base strip steel, providing higher-strength capacity from lighter-gaugematerial. This next-generation light-gauge roll-forming technology signifi-cantly increases product performance,including greater load-carrying capaci-ty, higher limiting heights, betteracoustical and fire performance, andeasier installation. The mechanicalproperties of UltraSTEEL are higherthan traditional steel, which translatesto an increase in stiffness and load-car-rying capacity. Because steel has asignificantly higher strength-to-weightratio than wood, it thus has greaterearthquake resistance. The uniquedimpled surface of the framing compo-nents has been shown to reduce thelevels of noise transmission throughwalls and ceilings. Steel framing also isimpervious to rot and termites. Steel isnon-combustible and does not con-tribute fuel to the spread of a fire, andsteel is an inorganic material, whichdoes not provide an environment onwhich mold can grow. In addition, steelis recycled and recyclable.

As part of the Dietrich UltraSTEELFraming, we installed six JohnsonHardware® Series 2000 heavy-dutypocket door kits with ball bearingwheels, to work with the finished interi-or doors. Johnson’s quality heavy-dutypocket door system consists of:

• Heavy-duty precision-extrudedaluminum jump-proof “I” beam track.

• Four-wheel heavy-duty ball bear-ing wheels, for smooth low-resistancerolling. The hanger features a unique“rocker” design that ensures constant

four-wheel track/wheel contact and equal weight distribution. “Flip-of-a-clip” sepa-rates wheels from door plate for easy door installation/removal. All steel parts arezinc plated.

• Self-adjusting floor anchors. Long vertical fingers slide into split studs, allow-ing for floor settling without disturbing horizontal alignment of header and track.

• Steel-wrapped split studs with heavy-gage galvanized steel sides and backsfor maximum rigidity, to protect the door cavity against accidental nail penetration.

Pella® Windows, Dimplex® Electric Fireplace, VELUX®

Skylights, ICF/SIP Construction, Distinction® Slate, &Dietrich UltraSTEEL® Framing

• Class-A Fire rated FROTH-PAK™ Foam Insulation is a two-component, quick-cure polyurethane foam that fills cavities,cracks, and expansion joints for insulation and air sealing.

DOW FROTH-PAK™ Foam Insulation

• UltraSTEEL® Framing is a next-generation light-gauge roll-forming technology that significantly increases product performance, including greater load-carrying capacity, higher limiting heights, better acoustical and fire performance, and easier installation.

Dietrich UltraSTEEL® Framing

• Johnson Hardware® Series 2000 heavy-duty pocket doorkits with ball bearing wheels will work with the finishedinterior doors.

Johnson Hardware®


• Revere Copper Products, Inc. copper alloy sheetswere fabricated into gutters by CopperCraft, an oldworld metalworking company.

Revere Copper Products, Inc. & CopperCraft

Wasco® Products, Inc.

• A custom thermally-enhanced Wasco®

aluminum-framed Pinnacle 300 pyramid skylight was designed and manufactured for the library/home theatre/surround music room.


We have yet to install four Johnson 2610F Wall Mount Door Hardware kits,which are surface mounted outside the wall. One will be installed for workshopaccess in the garage area and the other three on the outdoor shed. The aluminumtrack has a concave, one-point hanger channel for an unobstructed glide. Double

wheel ball bearing hangers with swiveldesign hold nylon wheels evenly ontrack, are jump proof, and never needlubricating.

The next step, following SonomaCounty Building Department inspec-tion, will be to cover the interior ICFwalls and Dietrich UltraSTEEL Framingstuds with Serious MaterialsQuietRock® and Georgia Pacific (GP)ToughRock® drywall.

Three PEARL® (Permanent EscapeAnd Rescue Ladders) fire safety lad-ders have been installed in the secondstory SIP walls. Two PEARLs areinstalled at the south and north SIPwalls on the guest bedrooms’ deck.The third is installed below the westfacing Pella window in the library/hometheatre/surround music room. ThePEARL ladders provide the ultimateescape solution in the event of a fire orother home emergency for anyone onthe second floor of the home. The lad-ders are ruggedly built using high-techengineering and durable materials,including anti-slip rungs and standoffs,which can support up to 1,500 pounds.This ensures that the ladder is strongenough to support multiple peopledescending the ladder and stableenough for children to use. In addition,the PEARL ladder can easily support afirefighter in full gear performing rescueoperations. The paint-grade cabinetdoor will be painted finished to blendseamlessly with the Tobias Stucco clayplaster décor.

The beautifully sculptured Delta 2fireplace by RSF Wood-BurningFireplaces has been installed in the liv-ing room. The Delta 2 has a huge fire-box, gently curving panoramic glassdoors, and beautifully handmade fire-bricks. It utilizes RSF’s patented cleanburn technology, to achieve exception-ally low emissions. Although the fire-place is environmentally sound, it isalso capable of heating large areas, asis the case with the open-plan designof the home’s main residence. The

48 Page 16/17


Delta 2’s huge bay window offers anunequalled view of the fire from threedifferent living spaces––the livingroom/kitchen, window seats, and din-ing room. The large 4.4-cubic-foot fire-box has a handmade firebrick liningand easily holds 24-inch logs. Anoptional firescreen enables the Delta 2to be burned with the glass door open,to mimic a traditional masonry fireplacewith the crackle of a real wood fire. TheDelta 2 was tested by a certified EPAfacility to burn as clean as an EPAPhase II wood heater, at 3.548 gramsper hour. On the exterior of the roof isDelta’s sleek 8-inch diameter stainlesssteel EXCEL chimney, the most techno-logically advanced chimney available.

Five Dimplex® electric fireplacesalso have been installed––in the masterbedroom suite, the guest bedrooms,library/home theatre/surround musicroom, and the home office. These elec-tric fireplaces feature the ultra-realisticDimplex patented flame effect. The fire-places are energy efficient and operatefor pennies per day. Unlike some tradi-tional fireplaces, electric fireplacesrequire no standing pilot and contributeno particulates or emissions, such ascarbon monoxide, to inside or outsideair. They reduce environmental impactby consuming no wood or fossil fuelsand provide thermal comfort throughefficient zone heating. All of theDimplex BF33DXP electric fireplacesfeature the built-in Purifire® AirTreatment System. Dimplex Purifire fire-places are the world’s first integral air-filtering electric fireplace. The high-effi-ciency washable allergen reduction fil-ter operates with the heater or may berun with the air-circulating fan only toprovide continuous, quiet cleaning.Based on a 12 x 14-foot room, theBF33DXP will circulate and clean theair four times per hour.

As part of completing the roughplumbing, the Kohler® Body Spa Ten-Jet Tower (K-1000-H2) shower assem-bly was installed in the courtyard spa

area, along with separate KohlerMaster-Shower Rite-Temp valve trimwith cylinder handle (K-T9492-7), andKohler MasterShower HotelHandshower Kit (K-8520). In the masterbedroom suite bathroom the KohlerEscale® BubbleMessage bath withchromotherapy (K-11343-GCR) wasinstalled. The guest vanity bathroom offthe Lindal vestibule was fitted with aSterling®/Kohler OC-S-63 Series 6206(62060103) ADA-compliant roll-inshower module in lightly textured swirl-gloss white. Made from solid Vikrell®

material for strength, durability, andlasting beauty, the module is designedwith a low-profile threshold for easywheelchair access. A Sterling Accord™

barrier-free whirlpool bath with 15-inch

apron (76141110-LH) and an Accordshower module in white solid Vikrellmaterial with an integral Kohler shower-head (71144113) and Kohler diverterbath spout (K-389-CP) was installed inthe second-floor guest bathroom. All ofthe Kohler bath/shower installations arecompliant with ADA standards andmeet the home’s universal design andadaptability design requirements.

The staining of the Cedar-grainedMaxiPanel fiber cement exterior of thehome has been completed. After con-siderable comparative sample testingwe chose L. M. Scofield’sLITHOCHROME® Tintura™ Stain, a lowVOC, environmentally friendly stain inSea Ranch-approved Dark Walnut. Thewaterborne stain penetrates and bonds


Scofield LITHOCHROME® Tintura™ Stain, Distinction®

Slate Roof, & Courtyard

• A PEARL® Protected Permanent Escape And RescueLadders provide the ultimate escape solution in theevent of a fire or other home emergency.

PEARL® Protected Permanent Escape &Rescue Ladder

Dryerbox® & Small Pond

Ultimate Home Design • Issue 19 • February 2010

• The Delta 2 fireplace has a huge firebox, gently curvingpanoramic glass doors, and beautifully handmade fire-bricks, and utilizes RSF’s patented clean burn technology, toachieve exceptionally low emissions.

RSF Wood-Burning Fireplaces’ Delta 2

• Dimplex® electric fireplaces are featured in the master bedroom suite, the guest bedrooms, and thehome office. These extraordinary electric fireplaces feature the ultra-realistic Dimplex patented flame effectand the Purifire™ air treatment system that purifies indoor air.

Dimplex® Electric Fireplaces

• L. M. Scofield’s LITHOCHROME® Tintura™ Stain is a low VOC,environmentally friendly stain in Sea Ranch-approved DarkWalnut.

L.M. Scofield


with porous concrete or cementitioustoppings for permanent, nonfading,predictable colors. Either a translucentor an opaque appearance can beachieved with this proprietary system.Our painters, MoonDance Painting,applied two coats, to increase colorintensity, for a final installed appear-ance that exhibits the appearance ofstained wood. MoonDance ownerSteve Stiles specializes in using low-and no-VOC paints as well as environ-mentally friendly painting prac-tices––minimizing wastes, using non-toxic cleaners and materials, and dis-posing of wastes properly.

The next installment in this series ofcase-study articles will cover the interi-or finishing of the home and continueto cover the actual work being done, toaccomplish the tasks described, as wellas the application of No-Burn®, a dual-action Class A fire reactant and blackmold inhibitor, and Nisus Corporation’sBora-Care®, as well as the installationof the Lindal Building Products’ solariumand vestibule entrance, Serious Materials’QuietRock® soundproof drywall andGeorgia Pacific drywall, Acoustiblock®

reinforced dense noise isolating material,EcoVantage’s PerfikDek EcoPrem Wooddecking, Carriage House Door garagedoors, KraftMaid cabinetry, WaterFurnacegeothermal system, QuietCool whole-house fans, Daltile Continental Slate™

flooring, Mapei® Opticolor™ epoxygrout, Oregon Shepherd wool insula-tion, Equi=Tech balanced power sys-tem, Monster Cable CAT6 infrastructurecable, and more.

In the meantime, photos and videoswill be posted on the Ultimate HomeDesign Web site(www.ultimatehomedesign.com/oph.php), depicting progress in the constructionof the first Optimum Performance Home.

Design Concept

As previously noted in this series,the home design integrates all of the

concepts advocated in Ultimate HomeDesign. The goal is to demonstratehow modern building products andmethods can make life safer, morecomfortable, and more enjoyable. Thescience of optimum performancehomes concerns itself with buildingstructures that use less energy, are qui-eter and more comfortable, have fewerproblems with material degradation,provide clean air and water, and doless damage to the environment. As anintegrated and holistic design, thehouse will serve as a durable residencethat allows its occupants to age inplace. The exceptionally solid structureshould last decades, if not centuries,with minimal maintenance.

The high-performance building sys-tems employed are designed toexceed California building coderequirements and California Title 24standards (nearly 38 percent above theminimum) and resist natural disastersmore effectively than a code-minimumhouse, even with the new Californiacode requirements that require use ofnon-combustible or fire ignition-resist-ant building materials. Constructed withstronger building materials and superi-or techniques, the home will be safer,allowing homeowners greater peace ofmind. The Optimum PerformanceHome qualifies for the Fortified…ForSafer Living® program of the Institute forBusiness & Home Safety(www.ibhs.org/business_protection).This program specifies construction,design, and landscaping guidelines toincrease a new home’s resistance to natural disaster.

In addition, the home will meet theguidelines and qualifications for theU.S. Department of EnvironmentalProtection’s ENERGY STAR, the EPA’s(Environmental Protection Agency)WaterSense™, and the American LungAssociation® Health House® programs.It also will meet the requirements of theNational Association of Home Builders’(NAHB) National Green Building

Standard, the Sustainable BuildingsIndustry Council (SBIC) Green BuildingGuidelines, and the “Green Points” pro-gram. Sonoma County and The SeaRanch Association are now consideringthis program for adoption.

Furthermore, the home’s design wasthe subject of a case study analysispresentation before the CustomResidential Architects Network (CRAN),Full Spectrum Practice Convention ofthe American Institute of Architects onOctober 20, 2007 in Chicago, Illinois.

The home is also a case study of theCalifornia Energy Commission in termsof energy-efficiency applications and anadvanced water-saving plumbing system.

Finally, the home is a national show-case for the Custom Electronic Design &Installation Association (CEDIA), and isthe subject of a series of articles on the designand installation of the electronic lifestylecomponents in the home. These articles arefeatured in CEDIA’s Electronic Lifestyles®

quarterly magazine. A presentation onthe home’s design was presented at the2009 CEDIA Expo in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Setting

The Sea Ranch is an internationallyrenowned 5,000-acre environmentallyprotective residential development situ-ated within a pastoral and forestedcoastal enclave and nature preserveapproximately 110 miles north of SanFrancisco, California. This stunningdevelopment, now celebrating its 45thanniversary, straddles a 10-mile stretchof Highway 1 along a uniquely beautifulrugged coastline, ending at the north-ern tip of Sonoma County and thesouth bank of the Gualala River.

The Sea Ranch is widely regardedas a unique and remarkable residentialdevelopment. During the 1960s and1970s, The Sea Ranch was at the fore-front of environmentally responsibledevelopment. It was conceived anddesigned by architects and landscapearchitects who wanted to provide a har-



monious mixture of custom homes andpristine natural Northern California land-scape in oceanfront, meadow, and forestenvironments. In fact, The Sea Ranchconcept and its architecture are recog-nized in schools of architecture aroundthe world, and it is frequently used forcase studies in environmental and archi-tectural design. The first condominiumcomplex to be built on the southerncoastal bluffs of The Sea Ranch is nowa registered national architectural site.

Single-family development occupiesapproximately 2,500 acres, without bor-derline fences or other visible delin-eation of property lines. The remainingacres are permanent greenscape com-mons with 45 miles of nature trails forwalkers, bicyclists, and equestrians.Each home is custom designed by anarchitect/architectural designer follow-ing site-specific design guidelines andis situated off a private road networkwithout curbs, sidewalks, or street-lights. The Sea Ranch is a very uniqueresidential development woven into atapestry of buildings and nature andcommitted to environmental preserva-tion. The development includes 2,288lots for single-family custom homes,with 508 remaining to be developed(1,773 already developed and 7 underconstruction).

The Sea Ranch is managed by TheSea Ranch Association, a CommonInterest Development (CID) with anelected volunteer Board of Directors,and supported by numerous volunteercommittees. All development on TheSea Ranch is subject to design reviewand the approval of a Board-appointedautonomous Design Committee. TheDesign Committee is presently comprisedof architects and landscape architects,though, it does not include anyone withexperience in vegetation managementor “green” sustainable building design.A legal set of Covenants, Conditions,and Restrictions (CC&Rs) govern thedevelopment and are designed to pro-tect The Sea Ranch concept.

The Home

The Sea Ranch Design Committee imposes upon designers architectural build-ing blocks derived from the original rural structures found on the northern

Distinction® Slate Roof, SIP Wall Scofield Tintura™ Stain, Large Pond & PEARL Protected

Fire Safety Ladder

Scofield Tintura™ Stain, Reeve/CopperCraft Gutter,Distinction® Slate, Dimplex® Electric Fireplace

& Attic Breeze Solar Attic Fan



California coast. Designers are expect-ed to apply their creativity to rendervarious arrangements and deviations toarrive at a custom solution that specifi-cally responds to the site. Successfulproposals submitted to the DesignCommittee address the issues of pas-sive solar positioning, wind, glazing(window) layout, privacy betweenneighbors, vegetation protection, view

preservation, topography and gradechanges, roof slopes, appropriate exte-rior materials and finishes, and otherexterior design considerations—allwithin the building and site design.

A focus of the Optimum PerformanceHome’s design is to stand as a showcasefor the “green” movement and demonstratemeans of reducing a home’s impact on theplanet through the use of Low-Impact

Development and environmentallyresponsible and sustainable building mate-rials. It is hoped that the home will becomea case study for a “Green Points Program”suited to the scale of The Sea Ranch.

The home’s 3,272-square-feet con-ditioned living space (4,441-square-feet total building “footprint,” includinggarages, covered walkways, courtyard,and decks) is arranged in a three-building compound using a well-sealed,well-insulated, super-tight building enve-lope that reduces temperature fluctua-tions and enhances overall energy effi-ciency. This arrangement provides foran alcove courtyard protected from theprevailing northwest wind. The court-yard is only open to the east.

The home is designed with differingspatial experiences and destinationsthroughout, to encourage exploration.The home will display innovative interi-or design and be furnished in a con-temporary Frank Lloyd Wright styleappropriate to its dimensions. Thehome design connects the indoors and



cooktops, and home-management system.The second building in the compound is

designed to accommodate a large dedi-cated state-of-the-art OptimumPerformance Home Theatre™ (otherwiseknown as the Reference Holosonic®

Spherical Surround™ Home TheatreLaboratory) with integrated rear-screenprojection room, front-projection, and ahome office. This performance theatre isdesigned as a “black-out” environmentwith non-reflective black walls and ceilingand controlled lighting to provide maxi-mum picture contrast and dimensionality,along with a 7.1-channel full-frequencyspherical surround loudspeaker systemcapable of extraordinary dynamic range.

The third building will include a two-car plus boat garage, workshop, main-level guest vanity bathroom, and laundryroom. The second level of this buildingwill have two guest bedrooms, a bath-room, and a dedicated library/home the-atre/surround music room distinguishedby a high-tower feature. To insure uni-versal access to this floor, the design

provides for an Otis® Gen2 residentialelevator, the most energy-efficient ele-vator available.

The entrance and walkways thatconnect the three buildings and thesolarium will be enclosed with double-pane insulated- and solar-gain-reduced-tempered glass. There will bea seating area at the vestibule entranceto the home. The main entrancevestibule will serve as an oversizedmudroom. The driveway, area aroundthe garage, guest parking, andentrance to the home—as well as allpaths around the home—are designedin accordance with The Sea Ranchguidelines, governing exterior hard-sur-faced paths. All such surfaces are per-vious to virtually eliminate water runoff.The surface will be packed withGraniteCrete permeable surface materi-al, to enhance the natural appearanceof the home’s setting. There also will bea dedicated equipment/utility room offthe courtyard, which accommodatesthe Uponor and WaterFurnace radiant-


Contractor Roger Stevenson InstallingReeve/CopperCraft Gutters

the outdoors with glass-covered walk-ways, a courtyard, decks, and a gardento expand livable space, without requir-ing heating or air conditioning. Thehome is designed in accordance withbiophilic design principles, with abun-dant and excellent use of natural lightand natural indigenous landscapingplanned. {For an in-depth analysis ofthe biophilic attributes of the home,please read “Biophilic Design,” “BiophilicDesign Attributes,” and “The InteriorDesign Process, Part I: SynthesizingSustainability, Universal Design, AndTechnology” authored by Julie Stewart-Pollack in Issue 3 (May/June 2006),Issue 4 (July/August 2006), and Issue10 (July/August 2007), respectively.}

The main-floor living area is designedto accommodate the capabilities of alloccupants without any challenging phys-ical barriers, even for the elderly anddisabled. The home design features aground-level open plan for the living room,dining room, master bedroom suite, andspacious kitchen with solarium, exhibition

iBeam Time-Lapse Pro Construction Camera Perspective 2009-12-23 iBeam Time-Lapse Pro Construction Camera Perspective 2010-01-13


and retention will passively support thenative landscape. Additionally, a graywater system will be used for undersur-face plant irrigation.

Ultimate Home Design • Issue 19 • February 201054 /17


• CNA Metalworks, Inc., Chris Attchison,35550 Verdant View, The Sea Ranch, California95497, cnametalworks.com

• Conservation Technology, Inc., 2633 NorthCalvert Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, 800477 7724, www.conservationtechnology.com

• CopperCraft, 404 E. Dallas Road, Grapevine,Texas 76051, 800 486 2723, www.coppercraft.com

• Cosella-Dörken Products, Inc., 4655 DeltaWay, Beamsville, Ontario, Canada L0R 1B4, 905563 3255, www.cosella-dorken.com

• Dietrich Metal Framing/Dietrich Industries,200 West Old Bridge Road, Columbus, Ohio43085, www.dietrichmetalframing.com

• Dimension One Spas, 2611 Business ParkDrive, Vista, California 92081, 800 345 7727,www.d1spas.com

• Dimplex North America Ltd., 1367 IndustrialRoad, Cambridge, Ontario, NIR 7GB Canada, 519650 3630, www.dimplex.com

• DOW Chemical Company, 4847 HopyardRoad, Pleasanton, California 94588-2713,www.dow.com

• Dynacrete, 7343 Ricks Drive, Valley Springs,CA 95252, 209 938 0125, www.dynacrete.com

• 88HVAC, Matt Jung, 1760 Marion Avenue,Novato, California 94947, 415 215 0533,www.88hvac.com

• Euclid Chemical Company, 19218 RedwoodRoad, Cleveland, Ohio 44110, 800 321 7628,www.euclidchemical.com

• Feeney Construction, John Feeney, 14660McCourtney Road, Grass Valley, California 95945,530 477 7647, 530 263 0039

• Finnleo Sauna & Steam, 575 East CokatoStreet, Cokato, Minnesota 55321, 800 346 6536,www.finnleo.com

• Firestone Specialty Products, 250 West 96thStreet, Indianapolis, IN 46260, 317 791 3390,www.firestonesp.com

• FORTA Corporation, 100 Forta Drive, GroveCity, Pennsylvania 16127-6399, 800 245 0306,www.fortacorp.com

• Fortifiber Building Systems Group, 300Industrial Drive, Fernley, Nevada 89408, 775 3336400, www.fortifiber.com

• Frazee Paint, 625 Miramar Road, San Diego,California 92121, 858 626 3600, www.frazee.com

• GetWireless LLC, 10901 Red Circle Drive,Suite 325, Minnetonka, Minnesota 55343, 800 9909025, www.getwirelessllc.com

• GRK Canada Limited/GRK Fasteners, 1499Rosslyn Road, Thunder Bay, Ontario P7E 6W1,Canada, 800 263 0463, www.grkfastenersys.com

• Gutter Helmet/Southeastern Metals(SEMCO), 1180 Industry Drive, Jacksonville,Florida 32218, 904 757 4200, www.gutterhelmet.com

• Headwaters Resources, 10653 South RiverFront Parkway, Suite 300, South Jordan, Utah84095, 888 236 6236, www.flyash.com

• iBeam Systems, Inc., 280 North 8th Street,Suite 30, Boise, Idaho 83702, 800 403 0688,www.ibeamsystems.com

• In-O-Vate Technologies, Inc., 810 SaturnStreet, Unit 21, Jupiter, Florida 33477, 888 44DRYER, 561 743 8696, www.dryerbox.com

• Johnson Hardware/LE Johnson Products,Inc., 2100 Sterling Avenue, Elkhart, Indiana 46516,800 837 5664, www.johnsonhardware.com

• Kohler Company, 444 Highland Drive, Kohler,Wisconsin 53044, 920 457 4441, www.kohler.com

• Kryton Canada Corporation, 8280 Ross Street,Vancouver, B.C., Canada V5X 4C6, 604 324 8280,www.kryton.com

• L.M. Scofield Company, 1651 East FourthStreet, Unit 229, Santa Ana, California 92701, 714568 1870, www.scofield.com

• MaxiTile Inc., 849 East Sandhill Avenue,Carson, CA 0746, 310 217 0316,www.maxitile.com

• Mendocino Coast Plumbing, Jerry Moyles,P.O. Box 41, Manchester, California 95459, 707882 2628, 707 353 2628

• MoonDance Painting, Steve Stiles, 888 9772468, 925 383 4537, www.moondancepainting.com

• Nisus Corporation, 100 Nisus Drive,Rockford, Tennessee 37853, 800 264 0870,www.nisuscorp.com

• No-Burn Inc., 1392 High Street, Suite 211,Wadsworth, Ohio 44281, 330 336 1500,www.noburn.com

• Norbord Industries Inc., 1 Toronto Street,Suite 600, Toronto, Canada M5C 2W4, 416 3602236, www.norbord.com

• Oregon Shepherd LLC, 12589 Highway 30,Clatskanie, Oregon 97016, 503 728 2945,www.oregonshepherd.net

• Orenco Systems, Inc., 814 Airway Avenue,Sutherlin, Oregon 97479, 800 348 9643,www.orenco.com

• OSI Sealants, Inc.,/Henkel Corporation,32150 Just Imagine Drive, Avon, Ohio 44011, 800499 3089, www.osisealants.com

• Owens Corning, 1 Owens Corning Parkway,Toledo, Ohio 43659, 800 438 7465,www.owenscorning.com

• PEARL Protected, 730 Peachtree Stree, NESuite 850, Atlanta, Georgia 30308, 800 374 5737,www.pearlprotected.com

Russell Peffer Plumbing, P.O. Box 152,Hathaway Pines, California 95233, 209 768 4551

• Portland Cement Association, 5420 OldOrchard Road, Skokie, Illinois 60077, 847 9666200, www.cement.org

• QUALCON, Travis Swithenbank, P.O. Box566, 333 East Pine Street, Fort Bragg, California95437, 707 964 5000

• Rainhandler/Savetime Corporation, 2710North Avenue, Bridgeport, Connecticut 06604, 800942 3004, www.rainhandler.com

• Revere Copper Products, Inc., One ReverePark, Rome, New York 13440-5561, 800 448 1776,www.reverecopper.com

• Roth Global Plastics/FRALO, P.O. Box 245,Syracuse, New York 13211, 866 943 7256,www.roth-global.net

• RSF Fireplaces/Industrial Chimney Company,400 J-F Kennedy, St. Jerome, Quebec, J7Y 4B7Canada, 450 565 6336, www.icc-rsf.com

• Seepage Control, 7301 West Boston Street,Chandler, Arizona 85226, 800 214 9640,www.seepagecontrol.com

• Serious Materials, 1250 Elko Drive,Sunnyvale, California 94089, 408 541 8102,www.seriousmaterials.com

• SipBuilder, Mic Carmichael, 13650 EmpressRoad, Nevada City, California 95959, 530 2656027, 530 277 8847, www.sipbuilder.com

• Smart Drain, Drawer 2219, Columbia,Maryland 21045, 800 638 8582,www.smartdrain.com

• Spratt Plumbing, William “Willy” Spratt, P.O.Box 375, Avery, California 95224, 209 770 2139

• Steve Michelson Productions, Lobitos CreekRanch, 2800 Lobitos Creek Road, Half Moon Bay,California 94019-2547, 650 726 2460,www.lobitoscreekranch.com

• Sierra Pacific Builders / Stevenson Electric,Roger Stevenson,1340 Highway 4, P.O. Box 2642,Arnold, California 95223, 209 768 2100

• StormTech, 20 Beaver Road, Suite 104,Wethersfield, Connecticut 06109, 888 892 2694,www.stormtech.com

• Stormwater Solutions, LLC /EcoRainSystems, Inc., 3940 Laurel CanyonBoulevard, Suite 856, Studio City, California 91604,866 786 7690, www.stormh2osolutions.com

• ThermaSAVE/IHSN, Inc, 4002 Helton Drive,Florence, Alabama 35630, 256 766 3378,www.thermapanel.net

• Tobias Stucco, 2930 Dutton Avenue, SantaRosa, California 95407, 707 577 8196,www.tobiasstucco.com

• Trimline Building Products, 5315 SW 53rdCourt, Portland, Oregon 97221-1937, 503 3201155, www.trimline-products.com

• Uponor North America, 5925 148th StreetWest, Apple Valley, Minnesota 85254, 800 3214739, uponor-usa.com

• VELUX America, Inc., 104 Ben Cassey Drive,Forth Mill, South Carolina 29708, 888 838 3589,www.VELUX.com

• Wasco Products, Inc., 22 Pioneer Avenue,Sanford, Maine 04073, 800 388 0293,www.wascoproducts.com

• WaterFurnace International, Inc., 9000Conservation Way, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46809, 800222 5667, www.waterfurnace.com,www.stormh2osolutions.com

• Weeks Drilling & Pump Company, ChrisThompson, 6100 Highway 12, Sebastopol,California 95472, 707 823 3184,www.weeksdrilling.com

• Weston Solutions, Inc., 750 Bunker Court,Suite 500, Vernon Hills, Illinois 60061, 847 918 4000,www.greengridroofs.com


heating apparatus, Apricus® solar hotwater storage tank, Navien®’s 98 per-cent condensing on-demand propane-fired tankless water heater, and otherequipment. The backup Kohler genera-tor will be housed within a separateweather-resistant structure located offthe north wall of the two-car garageand guest bedroom. An upper level ofthis structure is designed to optimizethe northwest wind performance of afuture wind turbine system, underdevelopment.

Along with the wind turbine system, alarge 33-unit high-performance premiumphotovoltaic Day4 Energy® 48MC module6.27-kW solar PV system will be installedon the south-facing roof of the dedicatedOptimum Performance Home Theatre(see Part XII, Issue 12,November/December 2007). The wind tur-bine and Day4 Energy systems’ electricitywill be supplied to the Pacific Gas &Electric power grid.

The home site is nestled on analmost-acre parcel at the edge of aforested area of the southern sectionoverlooking the Pacific Ocean, offeringdistant water views. The orientation ofthe home on the site is designed totake advantage of natural lighting andpassive solar heating and cooling. Goodsite and land planning will result in mini-mal land disturbance and preservation ofnatural features and environments.

Landscaping will consist of The SeaRanch-approved indigenous vegeta-tion, with low-water requirements andunique water conservation features,including two ponds and a stream sup-ported by rainwater catchment andcaptured runoff. Site grading has beenspecifically planned to enhance theproject’s placement in the watershed,and the design incorporates the princi-ples of Low-Impact Development tominimize runoff from impervious sur-faces and mimic the natural hydrologyin overall effect. The resultant waterharvesting will then minimize the use ofirrigation, and the increased infiltration

Four Perspective Views Of TheOptimum Performance Home AtThe Sea Ranch

Next

This continuing series of articles willfocus on the design elements, as theypertain to each stage of constructionas the project progresses, and willinclude coverage of the technologiesand building systems and the materialsused and applied to construct the firstOptimum Performance Home. UHD

The AuthorGary Reber is the President of Ultimate Home

Design, Inc. and the founding Editor-In-Chief andPublisher of Ultimate Home Design®, The GreenBuild And Universal Design Resource™. He is alsoPresident of WSR Publishing, Inc, which publishesWidescreen Review®, The Essential Home TheatreResource™. His diverse background in severalfields includes an undergraduate, graduate, andpostgraduate university education in architecture,community planning, and economic developmentplanning. For years he was a consultant on com-munity and economic development planning. Forthe past 15 years he has been an editor and pub-lisher of magazines in the consumer electronicsand architectural fields. Gary can be reached at951 676 4914 or [email protected].

Product And Contact Information• AFM Corporation, R-Control, 211 River Ridge

Circle, Suite 102A, Burnsville, Minnesota 55337,952 474 0809, www.r-control.com

• Agri Drain Corporation, 1462 340th Street,Adair, Iowa 50002, 800 232 4742,www.agridrain.com

• Amvic, Inc., 501 McNicoll Avenue, Toronto,Ontario, Canada M2H 2E2, 416 410 5674,www.amvicsystem.com

• Aquacore, 604 East North Street, Elburn,Illinois 60119, 888 657 7788, www.aquacore.com

• Aqua Nueva International, 3628 GreystoneRidge Court, Rio Rancho, New Mexico 87124, 505975 5008, www.aquaharvestonline.com

• Armacell LLC, 7600 Oakwood StreetExtension, Mebane, North Carolina 27302, 800866 5638, www.armacell.com

• Ashland Performance Materials, 5200 BlazerParkway, Dublin, Ohio 43017, 614 790 3818,www.ashland.com

• Bartlett Mechanical Services, Don Bartlett,6755 Oak Street, Anderson, California 96007, 408313 2486, www.bartlettmechanical.com

• Battens Plus, Inc., 530.620.5287,www.battensplus.com

• Bed Rock Concrete Pumping, P.O. Box 503,Point Arena, California 95468, 707 882 2637

• Bed Rock Products, Inc., 135 Hay Parkway,Point Arena, California 95468, 707 882 2323

• Bill Wilson Environmental Planning & Design,LLC, 71 Del Casa Drive, Mill Valley, California94941, 415 383 2919, 805 689 7639

• California Portland Cement Company, 2025East Financial Way, Glendora, California 91741,800 272 9119, www.calportland.com

• Carlisle Coatings & Waterproofing, Inc., 900Hensley Lane, Wylie, Texas 75098, 800 527 7092,www.carlisle-ccw.com, 707 785 3438, www.

• CETCO Lining Technologies, 2870 ForbsAvenue, Hoffman Estates, Illinois 60192, 800 5279948, www.cetco.com

the first optimum performance home · 2015. 8. 30. · velux skylights, wasco pyramid skylight, and...

Documents