Katz Builders, Inc.

‘Green Building & Remodeling’ Category

Authored by: Matt Henke, Builder

Except for a few holdouts that just can’t part with their decorations, Christmas is clearly in our rear-view window. We couldn’t help but take one more look at our gingerbread house from a slightly different perspective. It is hard to believe but many homes are still being built like gingerbread houses. The walls don’t offer significant insulation and the envelope of the home offers little protection when it comes to the penetration of air and water.

Building science has come a long way in the last 20 years, and we continue to see significant improvements in products and techniques that make our homes efficient and comfortable. In this part of the country, Austin, Texas, we have a predominantly hot-humid climate. That has profound implications for the way our homes should be built. Our biggest challenge is keeping our homes cool and keeping moisture outside the structure. Not to mention, we want to accomplish all of this while minimizing our utility bills. That’s why it is so important that during the design phase of your remodel or new home we take these factors into consideration. It would be a shame to spend all that time and money to build your dream home, only to find yourself fighting water leaks and high temperatures. That is exactly what many homeowners are faced with today.

It is sad to see this happen when the cost of prevention is so low. It merely requires that we use some best practices in pre-planning, designing the envelope, insulation, and mechanical systems which become front-line defenses in the protection of your home. Your roof, when built correctly with overhangs, acts as an umbrella that sheds water and limits heat gain. But this doesn’t happen accidentally. Your walls, when designed correctly, provide a drainage plan that moves water down and away from the house. This coupled with properly installed windows and doors keeps water out. And your HVAC system handles the task of making you comfortable while removing excessive humidity out of the house. This doesn’t happen accidentally. It requires careful planning with regards to each home’s unique site orientation, size, and occupant lifestyle.

There are a lot of gingerbread houses that look pretty, but you wouldn’t necessarily want to live in them. We feel morally obligated to build homes that reflect both beauty and integrity.

Lucy Katz of Katz Builders, Inc., Custom Builders & Remodelers was notified on Wednesday that the Katz Builders Team has been selected by Qualified Remodeler Magazine and the National Association of Home Builders Remodelers Council as Remodeler of the Month for the March 2011 addition. This is an exciting moment for our Company Team Members which has received numerous industry recognitions ranging from: finalist for Customer Service with the Austin Chamber of Commerce, the Customer Service Pacesetter Award from Custom Builder Magazine produced by Hanle Wood, the Builder and Remodeler of the Year as well as many other accolades. Being recognized by your peers and industry mentors as well as our homeowners for the work that we do to elevate our process and product means a great deal to us. In the end, as builders and remodelers, it is service that we provide and with that service comes a wonderful end product and happy homeowners.

Source:   Building Products Magazine

As of January 1, 2013  the traditional 75 watt  incandescent light bulb will be history in the U.S.  By 2014 Americans will wave good-bye to their beloved energy inefficient 40 and 60 watt A shaped incandescents.   The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 will require the use of more efficient compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), halogens, or LED’s.

In Austin, Texas – New construction must now have 90% high efficacy lamps (fluorescent or LED) or have a calculated lighting allowance of .6 watts per sqft. For example, a 400 sq. ft. addition can have light fixtures with a maximum wattage of 240. That would generally mean they are all dedicated fluorescent or LED.

Katz Builders, Inc. is a full service out- of- the- house design build firm dedicated to helping homeowners realize their home’s investment potential.  From new construction to kitchen and bath remodels as well as additions, were building a reputation for excellence one project at a time. Read the rest of this entry »