Asheville, NC Green Home Builder Blog

Hall House Finished Dec. 2009

2010-02-23T10:30:00.000-05:00

Buying per Square Foot?

2010-02-23T10:24:00.002-05:00

There is something that puzzles architect Ed Binkley about the current state of home building and buying. “We don’t buy cars by the pound, so why should we buy homes by the square footage?” says Binkley, an Oviedo, Fla.-based partner in the venerable architecture firm BSB Design.

Because “we buy cars based on comfort, price, accessibility, features, uniqueness, and how well they address our needs, wants, and desires,” Binkley believes, we should use the same criteria for making our home buying decisions.

Since the current trend is to build a smaller home and load it up with high end options and cutting edge technology. What do you think? Should we value a home more on the quality, features, lifestyle instead of its size?

post for comments below. thanks

Part 6 Hall Cape Cod

2009-09-23T22:47:00.000-04:00

The house has been set by 11:00. The crane is getting set to leave. After lunch the windows are set upstairs, along with framing of rooms upstairs.

Part 5 Hall Cape Cod

2009-09-23T20:43:00.003-04:00

After the 2nd floor, and roof has been raised, the crew sets the dormer into place.

Red Tree video detailing the benefits of system built homes and how they are sustainable and efficient

2009-09-23T15:35:00.001-04:00

Part 4 Hall Cape Cod

2009-09-13T15:53:00.002-04:00

August 25, 2009 part 4 This video shows the inside finished.

Part 3 Hall Cape Cod

2009-09-12T15:49:00.000-04:00

August 25, 2009 Part 3 This video shows the house being picked up and set. House is set on foundation in less than 6 minutes.

Part 2 Hall Cape Cod

2009-09-12T15:44:00.001-04:00

August 25, 2009 Part 2.
This video shows the prep work before the house is moved onto the foundation.

Part 1 Hall Cape Cod House

2009-09-11T15:42:00.000-04:00

August 25, 2009 part 1 showing setting of Chris and Misty Hall's cape cod house in Burnsville, NC. House was set by 10:30, and in the dry by 6:00 same day. This video shows the house being positioned for the crane.

Hall Grading Video

2009-09-10T18:35:00.000-04:00

Hall House.

2009-09-10T15:26:00.002-04:00

We have started a NC Healthy-Built house in Burnsville, N.C. I thought it would be cool to put together a video series of the house. The first video is of when grading started. Then I will continue to add videos that show the house being set on the foundation, the finishing of the inside, the site built garage/laundry room, and end it up with finished house. I'm planning on having this house done by November. That is right under 5 months. I think you will be very impressed with this house. Remember building green doesn't mean you have to spend a ton more money, which is easily is recovered and saved over the years on energy savings, and increased value of home.

Asheville Green Building Leading the Way!

2009-04-18T17:08:00.000-04:00

Asheville Green Building Leading the Way!

Energy and sustainability fuel many facets of life in Asheville. A catalyst for homes, schools, industries, universities and businesses, the diversity of enterprises is driven by a common bound to move to a greener, more sustainable form of living. While we all use energy to power our daily activities, many people take renewable and sustainable methods for granted. Environmental efficiency is on the rise because of technology and green sustainable methods progressing rapidly. Not only will these methods produce a healthier lifestyle, it will save you money!
When remodeling or purchasing a new home, there are many things to consider. Commonly used to insulate boilers and pipes, most homes built after 1980 could harvest asbestos or other environmental defected insulation techniques. Asbestos is a form of insulation which is swiftly becoming obsolete because of environmental awareness and new protocols. Asbestos could be present in different forms in buildings built in the years 1930 to 1975. If any asbestos is suspected, the best advice is to leave it un-disturbed. Touching or breaking it off may cause it to become damaged and release its fibers into the air.
Asbestos can be found in attics, pipes and ceilings. Improper insulation was used in millions of homes throughout the 20th century and while it is safe when enclosed or in good condition, deteriorated asbestos can cause a slew of health problems, such as pleural mesothelioma. With a latency period that lasts 20 to 50 years, it isn’t until the later stages of progression when physicians usually are able to accurately diagnose this disease. Mesothelioma prognosis from physicians varies from patient to patient, but is usually poor.
With growing education and technology in green sustainable energy and building resources, North Carolina has taken actions to ensure safety and health is a top priority in this great state. Most people are unaware to the fact that eco-friendly products can cut energy costs by 25 % per year. Due to these recycled materials, waste is decreasing in crowded landfills.
On February 17, 2009, congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law. Included in this act were extensions of the Energy Efficiency Tax Incentives first enacted in 2005 as well as some new tax credits for people building or remodeling their homes using eco-friendly or “green” materials.
Building green with proper insulation will save you on bills. Rather than expensive and mal-treated wood, interior walls can be made from steel and concrete, avoiding many of the problems associated with asbestos and other insulation methods. The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) conducted a study which estimated a new savings of $50-$65 per square foot for positively constructed green buildings. Currently, many cities in the U.S. have created lumberyards which re-store where you can purchase recycled building materials that are authentically strong and inexpensive.
Proper insulation will save you on bills. The Department of Energy concluded that cooling and heating counts for up to 50-70 percent of all energy used in the average home in the U.S. In today’s state, this philosophy can also save natural resources. Rather than expensive and mal-treated wood, interior walls can be made from steel and concrete, avoiding many of the problems associated with asbestos and other insulation methods.
Environmentally sustainable insulations are made from recycled materials including cellulose, polyurethane foam and cotton fiber. Statistics show that the lcynene foam, for example, can cut energy costs by about 25 percent annually. With growing education and technology, green sustainable methods of industry and construction need the support of the whole world and it is definitely getting a significant boost through cities such as Asheville.

Future of Home Building Sustainable and Efficient

2009-04-07T14:26:00.005-04:00

co-creator of Habitat for Humanity Dies

2009-02-09T09:42:00.001-05:00

Millard Fuller, the co-creator of Habitat for Humanity, died suddenly last week.

Former President Jimmy Carter, a high-profile supporter of the housing charity, said in a statement that Fuller was “one of the most extraordinary people I have ever known,” AP said.

Fuller ran the organization with his wife for almost three decades before losing control in a conflict with the governing board, AP said.

Red Tree Builders Green Building Series Materials on Jobsite

2009-02-04T17:22:00.005-05:00

This video I talk about what happens when materials are stored on the jobsite. this video series I talk about green building principles, and compares system built construction to stick built homes. www.redtreebuilders.com

Brandon Bryant

Whole House Approach Video

2009-01-29T16:37:00.000-05:00

Partnership

2009-01-25T13:03:00.001-05:00

I'm proud to announce that to start 2009 we have partnered with Haven Custom Homes. For over 37 years, Haven Custom Homes has built high-quality homes across across a wide range of product lines, and price points. Their system-built process can be adapted to any architectural plan and represents truly custom operation.
Haven Custom Homes is transforming our industry by applying modular construction techniques and exceptional craftsmanship to award-winning architectural designs, allowing consumers to build exceptional homes in one-third the time of conventional custom construction methods. What we loved about the partnership is their success comes from creating a business partnership with some of the best residential architects in the industry. So not only is Red Tree able to build a high-quality custom green home with Haven but also offer our clients the benefit of our joint partnership with leading architects such as Allison Ramsey, New Hampshire Design Collaborative, Lew Oliver Inc., GTM Architects, and Russell Versaci Architects.

Brandon Bryant
Red Tree Builders
Greening Asheville One Home at a Time

Video Series on Green Building

2009-01-22T16:25:00.001-05:00

I've started a video series showing what makes building green "green". The first part of the series will show building practices that could be done better by using best building practices, basically things that you don't want your builder to do. Also I'll show the difference between stick-built and system-built. Then I will finish the video series by highlighting the green parts of our model home that we are going to build in the Beaverdam community of Asheville. This is going to be a fantasic resource for anyone building a home, or has questions about what really is green building. I love the oppurunity to show the difference between the neighboring house that is under construction, and the model that we are going to start building.

Green Washing

2009-01-15T12:40:00.006-05:00

Green Washing:
term used to describe the practice of companies spinning their product lines as being environmentally friendly as a means to appeal to consumers, persuading them to buy their product.
So have you seen this? Maybe you have heard of clean coal. Perhaps you have seen Clorox's green works line, or even yet a builder says he is green but does not get a third party certification to prove it.
Many people in the market place don't buy green products because of green washing. At times it can get very frustrating. There are somethings you can do. Search for the msd sheet for products this contains the warnings, and ingredients. For example you will find that the Green Works Brand for Clorox is hazardous to drink, or when you get it on your skin it advises to wash thoroughly with water. It says its product is natural, but this doesn't sound like a natural product to me, so with more looking into it you will see that it contains harmful chemicals.
This is just one of several examples of green washing. I do applaud a company that is making a effort to change, but when its smoke and mirrors those companies need to be called out.

Ad for 2009

2009-01-07T13:08:00.001-05:00

2009 ad for Red Tree Builders. You will be seeing our ad in the 2009 edition of the WNC Green Building Directory, and WNC Magazine this spring.

Brandon Bryant
Red Tree Builders
Greening Asheville One Home at a Time

what to look for from a true green builder

2008-12-15T15:49:00.010-05:00

I'm excited to say that I'm one of only two builders at this time in the Asheville area that can call themselves a Certified Green Professional. I'm still waiting on my test scores to come in. My last e-mail said that they are backed up four more weeks. The NAHB's website says this about the designation ...
The National Association of Home Builders’ Certified Green Professional designation recognizes builders, remodelers professionals who incorporate green building principles into homes— without driving up the cost of construction.
To get and keep this designation I had to show I had a minimum of two years of building industry experience, adherence to the CGP Code of Ethics, attend the Green Building for Building Professionals Course, and the Business Management for Building Professionals Course. I also have to past the test which I'm betting a little here by announcing this that I did. Now I'm required to complete twelve (12) hours of continuing education every three years which eight are going to come from the green building industry related educational activities.
You see a lot of greenwashing going on these days. A lot of builders are saying they are green, and acting as if they know what that means. This lets my clients know that I'm serious about green building, know what it takes, and that I'm dedicated to this movement.

Green Holiday Idea

2008-11-06T12:15:00.001-05:00

Tis the season for thinking about what are you going to give the person that wants to be green but not sure where to start or what to do. I came across this gift a while back. It's a great starting place for Change in someones lifestyle, and not have them feel overwhelmed. The website says that "The kit includes all the tools you need to start saving $260 in utility bills, shrink your carbon footprint by 2.5 tons, and conserve hundreds of gallons of water year after year".
Eco Starter Kit

Brandon Bryant
Red Tree Builders
Greening Asheville One Home at a Time

Red Tree new t-shirts

2008-11-01T12:09:00.001-04:00

Two new t-shirts made from Image 420 . We have medium, large, & x-large available. E-mail me the size and style you want. T-shirts are made of 100% Organic cotton. $17.00 each. And yes we kind of borrowed the Obama Change slogan.

2nd Recommend blog

2008-10-29T12:14:00.001-04:00

Time for my second recommend blog. I've been reading Patreecia's blog for several months now. I find that she has a smooth communication style while providing great insight in Asheville green real estate market.
Patreecia Spaulding's Blog

Brandon Bryant
Red Tree Builders
Building for a Green Tomorrow

Green Homes are built with newer methods

2008-10-24T12:11:00.001-04:00

Green Home:
Looking for a green home options? System-built homes have an
eco-friendly advantage over site-built homes from the moment construction
begins. Being factory built, it's easier to control the amounts of waste
created and recycled throughout the homebuilding process. Building materials
are precut with system-built homes, significantly reducing waste by up to 70
percent.

You might be asking yourself about the quality. Modular buildings are built to a higher level of quality than site built structures, in part because they must be able to withstand the stresses of transport. Joints are tighter, fasteners more accurately applied and material is cut with more exactness.

A focus on strong, efficient homes is the right thing to do for the environment. Building to high levels of energy efficiency helps conserve natural resources, while building more durable homes reduces the impact of scrapped building materials on landfills.

Red Tree has a great opportunity to lead this effort. The efficiencies offered by a production line and the natural ability to minimize waste by building in a controlled environment give modular a head start toward achieving high levels of green building and energy efficiency.

Brandon Bryant Red Tree Builders
Greening Asheville One Home at a Time

Recommend Blog

2008-10-13T12:10:00.003-04:00

I wanted to spend this time to give my first of many recommended blogs. Phil Heppding blog at mtgnow.wordpress.com is a interesting take on today's mortgage, and real estate situation. For the time I've known Phil, he has always been a business mind. All one has to do is drop in his office to see what business book you should be reading. Phil had a hand in what became Red Tree in its humble beginnings at Mars Hill College. I will save our back story for a later blog. His companies website is www.mtgnowfl.com/

Brandon Bryant
Red Tree Builders
Greening Asheville One Home at a Time

Energy Star Benefits including Tax info

2008-10-05T12:13:00.003-04:00

Energy Star:
System-built homes with the Energy Star certification allow for even more efficiency, as well as savings. American homes use approximately 25
percent of the energy in the United States. Homes built featuring products with the Energy Star label use approximately 35 percent less energy than a typical new home, and prevent 4,500 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions each year. These homes have effective insulation, high performance windows, upgraded heating and air conditioning systems, tight duct systems and upgraded water heating equipment. Appliances in a new system-built home are most likely Energy Star certified as well. Looking for a green home options? System-built homes have an
eco-friendly advantage over site-built homes from the moment construction begins. Being factory built, it's easier to control the amounts of waste
created and recycled throughout the homebuilding process. Building materials are precut with system-built homes, significantly reducing waste by up to 70 percent.

To top the savings that you get from lower energy bills, you also have rebates that you can qualify for. Energy Star's website explains each category. As always consult your accountant.

Brandon Bryant Red Tree Builders
Greening Asheville One Home at a Time

Company Website

2008-10-03T12:18:00.004-04:00

If you are interested in a green healthy-built home in Asheville, NC or any area in WNC. It would be my pleasure to build your custom home for you. My company Red Tree Builders is located in Asheville, NC. We build to NC Healthy-Built and Energy Star standards. It would be my pleasure to work with you as we green asheville one home at a time. I will be explaining each nc healthybuilt, energy star, and NAHB National Green Building Program (which we may be moving toward).

system-built homes

2008-10-02T12:03:00.003-04:00

After reading an article in July edition of Fast Company. I couldn’t help, but get excited about the future of prefab green sustainable homes. Our dream at Red Tree for the past couple years is being shared across the America by architects, builders, and homeowners. Japan has been building high sustainable prefab homes for decades now, and walking down the street you would never know it. The article pointed out how prefab homes is the answer to zero energy homes.

Each home can be personalized with cutting edge software that allows customers to customize their house. Along with being personalized homes are built tighter, stronger, and time is saved. One of the wonderful things about being green is making a difference in how sustainable our future will be. 30% of all landfill waste is from construction, therein lies the beauty of system-built, all materials are 100% recycled, eliminating a huge percent of waste for our landfills. While we do finish the house on-site every measure is taking to reuse, and recycle as much materials as we can.

We’ve came a long way in a short amount of time in the building industry. It’s certainly a exciting time to be a builder during the beginning stages of a revolution that is sweeping the country. It’s about time we in the building industry wake up and take into account things like the quality of the air that you breath indoors, amount of energy that is used, and the materials used.

Now is the time to build green, enjoy breathing healthy air, and feel wonderful that you know that you are making a difference today for the future.

Brandon Bryant
Red Tree Builders
Change
That you can live healthy in

Recycle, Reduce, Reuse

2008-10-01T12:04:00.003-04:00

About three weeks ago we welcomed 10 new puppies into our family. Now this was a surprise, Amanda thought Honeybear (our dog) was eating too much. After the initially surprise, we had to figure out how we were going to keep 10 Rottweiler puppies in the space that we have. No way was Honeybear's doghouse going to be big enough. I was at the jobsite at Mountain Heritage Estates in Burnsville, when it hit me. I know what we can do with all this leftover cedar siding, and have a new doghouse. So now Honeybear has a cedar doghouse, made from left over material from our jobsite, and we keep the leftover wood out of the landfill!

Brandon Bryant
Red Tree Builders
Change
That you can live healthy in