Whether it be a custom home building project, shop or garage project, a deck new construction or remodeling project or even a select commercial or tenant improvement project, our initial process is focused in much the same way. At MD Fletcher Design•Build•Remodel, we believe in a collaborative design process that involves our clients every step of the way. From initial concept where we work with your goals, ideas and plans... to final close out of the construction process, we work closely with our clients to ensure their needs are met.
Our goal at MD Fletcher Design+Build is focused around a sustainable or energy efficiency focused design and building approach. This method is going to vary with each project based on what the project is. A deck building project is not going to have the same measured approach to energy efficiency as a custom home for example. But the detail that goes into plans and design, ensuring that that deck is being designed and built to last is something we consider and focus upon. And to MD Fletcher Design+Build a detailed plan and design, and utilization of best practice focused energy efficiency measures when the project is being constructed are equally important. See our information below on some of the building types we have experience with.
The construction process involving the bones of a building project can sometimes be the most challenging. Homes have been framed out of wood for years, but often not to meet higher energy efficiency focused requirements. Here in Idaho and the northwest wood framed homes are still the primary method of constructing the homes that residents of southern Idaho live in.
MD Fletcher Design•Build+Build strives to provide the design related information that is detailed enough to ensure that even the blocking for cabinets or the towel racks are included in the design process and transferred to the plans utilized to construct the building. However this is not Advanced Framing or a Super Insulated Wall system.
Our goal here utilizing advanced framing and super insulated wall systems involves primarily the exterior building shell and how it is constructed. Utilizing 2x6 at 24" on center stud layouts where applicable and ensuring the bearing of truss systems is directly transferred to the wall stud below is one method. Utilization of alternate wall framing materials including laminated veneer lumber (LVL) wall framing is another. Another example would be specifying insulated wall panel systems such as Zip System™ R-Sheathing wall panel systems and air barrier sealing processes and open or closed cell spray foam insulation systems in out walls and roof systems. Our goals with advanced framing and super insulated wall systems is to create a strong set of bones, while minimizing both the thermal breaks in the building envelope and the loss of expensive conditioned indoor air...and minimizing the costs that will need to be recouped in energy savings as well. At a minimum some specific items we strive to utilize in our advanced framing and super insulated wall systems are as follows:
• Fully insulated wall system conditioned space from below the frost line (typically at least 24" or the depth of the common foundation system), to the peak of the roof. We typically focus on creating conditioned crawl spaces and attic spaces.
• 2x6 wall systems framed at 24" on center where applicable with direct bearing of truss systems, with Zip System™ R-Sheathing R-3 insulated wall sheathing.
• Air barrier sealing systems and open or closed cell spray foam insulation of other spray applied seamless spray applied insulation system.
• Energy heel truss system or other methods to minimize the thermal break and ensure a generally continuous insulation system from wall transition to the underside of the roof deck.
Insulating concrete form or insulated concrete form (ICF) is a system of form work for reinforced concrete usually made with a rigid thermal insulation that stays in place as a permanent interior and exterior substrate for walls. Insulated concrete forms are essential building blocks for concrete wall reinforcement. These innovative wall forms also regulate interior temperatures of buildings, dramatically impact energy costs, and significantly reduce outdoor sound pollution. MD Fletcher Design+Build has experience working with ICF systems and we fully believe this method of construction is a very viable and sustainable method of construction for individuals looking to meet certain criteria for there home. Every building system has its pros and cons, and an insulated concrete form home, while being a great method of building, may not be for everyone. We have listed some of the more common pros and cons below.
What are the Pro and Cons of insulated concrete form construction?
Pros of an Insulated Concrete Form Home or Building:
Cons of an Insulated Concrete Form Home or Building:
Post frame buildings are often mistaken for pole barns. This is not the case. A pole barn typically utilizes a wood post buried in a concrete pier and does not utilize a concrete footing and stem wall foundation system like a typical home. This is not how we design and build out post frame structures. And the really cool thing about a post frame building is that it has so much that can be done once the frame is in place. The post frame buildings we work with have a engineered footing and foundation system which includes a full concrete footing and stem wall foundation as well or the option of a monolithic type slab system for basic barns and shops which are not focusing on more energy efficiency options which a custom home or commercial structure might utilize. And the structure utilizes engineered posts and trusses. All our post frame structures are fully engineered systems from below ground up.
Residential Post Frame Construction -
It is a very common misconception that post frame buildings are all barns. This couldn’t be further from the truth. One of the largest growing construction sectors is actually residential post frame construction. People are building custom homes with post frame and they are saving money at the same time. Post frame homes can look like any other home built with traditional stick frame construction practice, but when it comes to time of construction, getting the house under roof, or the ability to have large living spaces with little to no bearing walls, post frame is the clear winner. A post frame structure can also be integrated with other building methods such as insulated concrete form (ICF) systems or methods super insulated wall systems. A residential post frame designed and constructed by MD Fletcher Design•Build•Remodel utilizes the combined versatility and often lower expense of building the exterior structure with other advanced building methods to create a highly energy efficient home, that does not look like a barn.
Commercial Post Frame Construction -
The other growing trend is post frame use in the commercial sector. More and more churches, strip malls, storage units, fire departments, and general commercial storage warehouses are being built as post frame buildings in lieu of the more traditional steel frame. Post frame allows a much more customizable, aesthetically pleasing, and cost effective approach compared to steel frame.
Outbuilding Post Frame Construction -
Yes barns and outbuildings can be post frame constructed as well. In fact this is where the method of construction really gained popularity. The open span and versatility within that open span structure lends itself well to small, medium or larger storage areas, pool houses, shops, stand alone garages barns and more...
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