Mid-Atlantic Builder September/October 2010 by Maryland Building Industry Association

GREEN BUILDING ISSUE MID-ATLANTIC

Vol. 52 Issue 4 September/Ocotober 2010 www.homebuilders.org

ECO EDUCATION

Setting a High Standard in Green Building

PLUS NEW SECTIONS Government Affairs Stats & Facts

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2010

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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2010 MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER

September/October 2010 Vol. 52 Issue 4

PUBLISHER John Kortecamp

EDITOR Kristin Josephson Hogle, Editor communications@homebuilders.org

ADVERTISING Chris Baughan, Advertising Sales Manager 410-265-7400, ext. 121 chris@homebuilders.org

DESIGN Heather Winkel, Art Director Network Design Group ndg@networkmediapartners.com

HBAM LEGAL COUNSEL Linowes and Blocher

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER oN tHe coVer The Green Home of the Year, Baldwin Homes, Inc.

Eco Education

maryland builder sets a high standard for green building education with eco-model home.

Managing the Green Building Process

check out these tips on working with a green veriﬁ er to set up your green scoring tool and get your homes certiﬁ ed. BY THOMAS MARSTON

Green Building through Education and Example

making the transition to a green built environment necessitates education in all aspects of the building process.

Navigating the Course

Windows and Walls

publisher’s message president’s message events New members Government Affairs Stats and Facts

Pages 19-22

Green Building Going Green–remodel

Postmaster: Send address changes to Home Builders Association of Maryland, Inc., 7127 Ambassador Road, Suite 150 Baltimore, MD 21244.

ECO BOX Mid-Atlantic Builder text and cover pages are printed on SFI certiﬁed Anthem Matte using soy ink.

Pull-Out Section

Remodeler A supplement to Mid-Atlantic Builder

• SFI standards conserve biodiversity and protect soil and water quality, as well as wildlife habitats. • SFI participants also plant more than 650 million trees each year to these thriving forests.

HBAM Remodelers Council Silver Merit Award

Owings Homes Services, Birchmere ProjectKitchen Addition 200K - 250K

the big secret regarding energy efﬁ ciency in commercial homes buildings is window glass. BY BRUCE LANG

Also

4 6 8 30 34 36

Amid growing customer demand, it is important that trade professionals understand the standards and future regulation changes for paints and coatings. BY STEVE REVNEW

Departments

MID-ATLANTIC

is a publication of HBAM Member Services, Inc., a subsidiary of the Home Builders Association of Maryland, Inc., 7127 Ambassador Road, Suite 150, Baltimore, MD 21244 410-265-7400, www.homebuilders.org.

Corner Green building

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER September/october 2010

Departments

before & After president’s message events and education New members remodeler News

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September/october 2010 MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER

2010 HBAM Leadership Photo Credit stuart zolotorow

Executive Committee Eliot Powell President Bob Goodier President Elect

publisher’smessage

Rod Hart First Vice President Matt Wineman Associate Vice President Cynthia McAuliffe Secretary

How many does it take to screw in a light bulb? On November 6 & 7, HBAM presents the 2nd annual Maryland Green Show at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium. We expect to have

over 150 exhibitors , a significant number of which are member companies and members of our Residential Green Building Council. The Council has had a very successful first year of operation under the joint leadership of co-chairs Jake Ruppert and Bill Zahler. The Council has 3 very active operating committees and over 76 members to date. There is still some debate in the industry as to whether or not “green” is here to stay and whether consumers are willing to buy green upgrades. There are some interesting facts that suggest to me that “green” will become more than a passing fad. One of these and the first that got my attention recently concerns the incandescent light bulb. I’m an incandescent kind of guy. I like the lighting of incandescent light. I like the inexpensiveness of the bulbs…so much so that we have a shelf at home dedicated to them; 40 watt, 60 watt, 3-way etc. When they go on super sale, I stock up. When I learned that they’re no longer available for sale in most of Europe, I thought, “what?” and I increased my inventory against the day the same happens here. But then, a few days later, I learned two things I felt I should have already known, but didn’t. The first is that the incandescent build is virtually unchanged since its invention 120 years ago. The second is that the traditional light bulb uses 95 percent of its energy to produce heat and only 5 percent to generate light. “Wow x 2”,

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER September/october 2010

I said to myself. From the same source, I also learned how quickly and dramatically the light generation industry is changing and how soon the light bulb as we’ve known it will be a distant memory. So, okay, I’m starting to get it, although the idea of paying $3+ for one light bulb is extremely difficult for me to get comfortable with. Back to the Green Show. Kristin Hogle, our Communications Director, came to me the other day saying she’d just seen coverage of a Guinness Book of World Records event of people shaking soda bottles and suggested that maybe we could set some sort of record at the Green Show and draw some attention and attendees. I liked the concept and have proposed to BGE that we jointly sponsor the world’s largest simultaneous CFL bulb screwing in event. Hopefully, they like the idea and we’ll learn just how many people it takes to screw in a light bulb… Stay tuned and see you at the Green Show.

John Kortecamp HBAM Executive Vice President

Theresa Leatherbury Treasurer Mike Owings Immediate Past President

Chapter Presidents Eric DeVito Anne Arundel Councy Russ Dickens Howard County Evan Morville Baltimore County Sean Davis Baltimore City Dan Whitehurst Upper Chesapeake Paul Kotsher Carroll County

Council Presidents Guy Caiazzo HBAM Remodelers Ryan Houck Sales and Marketing Council Theresa Leatherbury Land Development Council Bill Zahler Maryland Residential Green Building Council Bob Goodier Certified Master Builder/Remodeler Steven Gilman Builder Mart

HBAM Board of Directors Tom Baum Shawnn Bittorie Steve Breeden Ron Carstens Pat Costello Chickie Grayson Joe Gregory Joe Hikel Jim Hunter Chip Lundy Sandy Marenberg

James Mathias John Meade Dan Murtaugh Rich Pezzullo Steve Rubin Jake Ruppert Kevin Sapp Susan SongyOwens Steve James

Alternate Directors Scott Armiger Erik Dardas Matt Helminiak Jay Hergenroeder Paul Mueller Tim Naughton Andrew J. Poffel Leslie Rosenthal Mary Beth Taylor www.homebuilders.org

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September/october 2010 MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER

Visit www.homebuilders.org for an Photo Credit Stuart Zolotorow

on-line listing of Mid-Atlantic Builder advertisers with hotlinks. There, you can also view MAB archives and find information on upcoming events and current industry issues.

president’smessage

Evolve or Die At our recent Future Forum, a hundred or so of us were treated to a glimpse into the future by three of the industry’s wisest and most successful entrepreneurs; Stewart Greenebaum, Tom Bozzuto and Earl Armiger. Not surprisingly, none of these

Type-A titans could agree on exactly what the future holds for us, perhaps because there is no one answer. What they could agree on, however, is that we must evolve or die. Evolve or die - now that’s a pretty strong motivator; and what does that mean anyway? You’re pretty proficient with the internet, you keep up with the market trends and you’ve even learned how to do more with less. Isn’t that evolving? No, I submit that’s more like treading water – you may survive for a while but eventually you drown. So what did these sage businessmen mean when they said you must evolve? The specific answer lies within your particular industry but for all of us it means grasping the future before it becomes the present. Catchy phrase but how does one go about “grasping the future”? The economic conditions over the last few years have shaken us to the bone. Likewise, our rationale for making fundamental economic decisions has been turned upside down. Job security, dwindling orders, global in-balance, foreclosures – let’s face it, how each one of us decides to move forward in the world is now shaped by these new realities. Grasping how your customer will see the world, and thus you, is your peek into the future. And yes, everyone in business has a customer. If we see our customer of today through the same prism of yesterday we will be out sold, out leased or out “whatevered” from the guy or gal who has learned to shape

their marketing, modify their product or simply adapt their attitude to the customer of tomorrow. Thus, the need to evolve. For example, Tom Bozzuto tells us the renter of the future is young, casual, in a hurry and technology savvy so the marketing of his apartments reflects his customer’s needs. Innovative deal structures, profit sharing and good old fashion relationships are simplistic but effective ways to deal with the new customer. As for me, land development seems the least sexy segment of our building industry and a practice hardly known for innovation. Yet, I know that the proper handling of our environment is the hand of the future that has been dealt to us. So, rather than fight every aspect of the regulatory process, I’ve chosen to work with those who genuinely want to help the environment while standing up to those who are unreasonable. At times, it is an uneasy if not awkward approach but it is my way of dealing with the customer. You know that the change in the customer psyche is real and dramatic. We can not slack off in our own self evaluation and must continually ask ourselves “just because the formula worked before - will it work for tomorrow’s customers”? As we re-tool and re-tool again, the answer will become self evident. Evolve or die? … I submit that we shall evolve and prosper. See you on the other side.

DIRECTORY OF ADVERTISERS Appliance Dist. Unlimited 35 BGE 1 BGE Outdoor Lighting 5 Bob Lucido Team Inside Front Cover California Closets 32 Creig Northrop 27 Eastern Alliance 39 Essex Bank 34 GE Contract Sales 9 John H Myers & Son, Inc 3 Keller Stonebraker 39 Marvin Windows 7 Mid Atlantic Propane and Gas 22 Saratoga Insurance 40 SMC SalesCamp 30 Southern Pacific Supply Inside Back Cover T.W. Perry Back Cover Verizon Wireless 18

Eliot Powell 2010 HBAM President 6

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER September/october 2010

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September/october 2010 MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER

Events

CALL 410-265-7400 for information on registration for our events or visit www.homebuilders.org.

Celebrity Chef Night October 14, 2010 Martin’s West in Baltimore

The LDC Excellence in Community Development Awards September 23, 2010 Maryland Historical Society

Chef Night goes to the movies! Join us at Chef Night where you can bid on hundreds of auction items while you enjoy the delicious movie-themed food prepared for you buy our HBAM builder, remodeler and developer members. Email carey@ homebuilders.org to donate an auction item or show-off your culinary talents.

The Land Development Council Excellence in Community Development Awards recognize excellence in land development for design and quality and acknowledge outstanding contributions by companies and individuals.

Get actionable sales techniques to help you earn more now, PLUS qualified continuing education in one great event. Just like last time, the Sales & Marketing Council and SMC SalesCamp sponsors bring it to you FREE! Visit www.smcsalescamp.org to register.

Governor’s Conference on Housing and Sustainable Communities October 5, 2010 Baltimore Convention Center

An educational conference in cooperation with the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development focusing on housing and the economic recovery.

HBAM Remodelers Breakfast October 12, 2010 Hosted by TW Perry

November 11, 2010 Martin’s West

This annual program recognizes outstanding achievements by members who provide customers with superior and creative remodeling projects which are sensitive to existing structures and make appropriate use of building elements and neighborhood concerns. Visit www.mdremodelers.org for more details.

SMC SalesCamp September 29, 2010 Pikesville Hilton

HBAM Remodelers Awards of Excellence Ceremony & Dinner

LIVE GREEN • SAVE GREEN

Maryland Green Show November 6 & 7, 2010 Maryland State Fairgrounds

Make sure you are part of the 2nd Annual Maryland Green Show presented by the Home Builders Association of Maryland. This event promises to bring motivated consumers together with cutting edge green technology, products, design and experts. The exhibition will feature a strong emphasis on consumer education with three seminar rooms offering over thirty concurrent sessions, two demonstration stages, plus over 10,000 square feet of exhibits. If you have green, this is the show for you.

Builder Mart 2011 March 23, 2011 Maryland State Fairgrounds

Act now to get the best booth for Builder Mart 2011. For over 3 decades, more than 6,000 Building Industry Professionals have taken advantage of the annual Builder Mart 1-day marketplace. More than 500 booths fill the exhibit floor, displaying the latest products and services available to the building industry. For event sponsorship opportunities, contact Chris Baughan at chris@homebuilders.org or call 410-265-7400, ext 121.

Take an exclusive tour of the TW Perry Mill Shop. Presentation – “How Social Media Can Help Your Business” by Mandy Arnold, Director of Marketing, LightStyles, Ltd.

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER September/october 2010

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September/october 2010 MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER

GREEN BUILDING

Eco Education Maryland Builder Sets High Standard for Green Building

“G

oing Green” has become somewhat of a catchphrase in building. From local builders to manufacturers of products like paint and lumber, everyone is touting their environmental responsibility and advertising terms like “low VOC,” “solar PVs” and “R-value.” With a steeply increased demand for healthier, more energy efficient homes, it is becoming a real challenge for homebuyers to sift through the claims and decide which items to care about when building and buying a home.

Mike Baldwin, president of Baldwin Homes, Arnold, Maryland, is doing something about that. His new, sustainable development, the Preserve at Severn Run in Gambrills, MD, features one of the county’s first LEED certified model homes: the Emerson Eco-Model. While this model home showcases Mike’s building expertise and artful aesthetic styling, it’s really more of an educational setting in which Green features like insulation, 10

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER September/october 2010

LED lighting, sun tunnels and tank-less water heaters are fully explained and exposed. “A Green home can look like any other home in the neighborhood,” says Mike. “But the thing that makes it stand out as a better choice for people building and buying homes today is that a Green home performs better.”

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Baldwin Homes’ Eco-Model includes 69 Green features and boasts five Green certifications [Energy Star, Building America, NAHB Emerald, LEED Gold and Environments for Living Green]. It was awarded Maryland’s 2009 Green Home of the Year by the Home Builders Association of Maryland. And yes, it looks like any other spacious, attractive home on any neighborhood street. “We wanted to create a place where potential homebuyers can see the tangible results of our philosophy of blending beauty with high performance,” Mike notes. “First, though, we had to open up the walls and floors so people can see how Green/sustainable products and building methods work for them and how these features save money and provide a higher degree of comfort. We want people to understand why we place such importance on things like spray foam insulation, or rain water collection and retention systems, or low-emissivity coatings on glazed windows.” The Preserve at Severn Run was the ideal place for Mike to construct his forward-thinking Eco-Model. The Preserve got its start while protecting the nearby Jabez Branch stream and a rare breed of local trout. Baldwin Homes worked closely with Anne Arundel County to implement a unique, eco-friendly storm water management system for the area and thanks to this system, the trout are safe, the water is clean and the community is rooted in a sustainable area. Also, due to a vigilant debris management and recycling plan, over the scope of the Eco-Model project more than 15 tons of waste was recycled. The Eco-Model, a “model” home in many ways, is constructed with first-rate Green products, some of which hit closer to home than one might think. For example, the recycled drywall (made of 99 percent pre- and post- consumer recycled content) is a local product, as is the recycled asphalt which is manufactured within five miles of the jobsite. Additional Green features include energy efficient windows, skylights, a sun tunnel, a tank-less hot water heater, a Lennox sunsource heat pump, LED lights, cork and bamboo flooring, environmentally-friendly paint and numerous Energy Star appliances. What does all this mean for the homeowner? For starters: a healthier, more comfortable living environment. www.homebuilders.org

As energy costs continue to rise, it has become increasingly important for Baldwin Homes to design and build Green homes that are both energy efficient and affordable. The Eco-Model is fully insulated with InsulStar Spray Foam Insulation, which eliminates air leakage and saves up to 50 percent on yearly heating and cooling costs while also blocking dust, pollen, mold and even sound. Additionally, the Pella Low E windows and doors help reduce heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer and the Energy Star appliances save tremendously on water and energy conservation. The numerous Green features are unobtrusively incorporated into the home so that the way of life for homeowners is neither disrupted nor negatively altered. Just the opposite: in a Green home, homeowners are able to embrace a higher quality of life with a healthier, more comfortable, more efficient home which will continue to provide payback for years to come. Other builders are sitting up and taking notice of Mike Baldwin’s ideas and he welcomes that. In fact, he created a Green Learning Center in a revamped shed that existed on the property when building began. This Center (in combination with the EcoModel) is a way to educate others about quality Green/sustainable building techniques and products. “I want other builders, realtors, architects and homebuyers to see and touch the things that can make their businesses and lives better. We host educational events, seminars and tours all the time. The more we learn from one another, the better homes we can build.” Green building makes good sense on many levels: money savings, healthier air quality, decreased maintenance, greater energy efficiency and higher resale value, to name a few. Top that off with a reduced carbon footprint and it becomes clear why Green is becoming more and more mainstream. Thanks to caring, forward-thinking builders like Mike Baldwin, Green homes are truly attainable and with the continuing increase in these attractive, sustainable homes, the future for homebuyers looks brighter, healthier and easier on the checkbook. n Visit www.baldwinhomes.net for more information.

September/october 2010 MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER

GREEN BUILDING

Managing the Process By Thomas Marston

uilders who want to build green homes using the National Association of Home Builders Green Building Standards should start by researching the process on the web at www.nahbgreen.org. You can also attend an introduction to green homes sponsored by the Home Builders Association of Maryland or NAHB.

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER September/october 2010

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You also have the option to ask a Green verifier to set up your green scoring tool for you. The verifier is very familiar with the parts that go into the scoring tool, but they are not familiar with what you want to spend in order to obtain your green design. You will need to discuss the basic design with the verifier and create a framework for your project. Your verifier can then refine the design to see if it meets with your desires. Additional refinements may be needed to bring the project in line with your budget or to address shortcomings in the score. The verifier may also recommend that you hold a meeting with critical trade partners so they can provide suggestions in their area of expertice. For example, your material supplier may offer panelized walls, floors and roof trusses. This saves you lumber on the job, excelerates the building process and earns points in many areas of the scoring tool. But panelized framing comes at a cost. Ask trade partners such as the heating contractor how his duct system can stay within the drywall boundry of the home and if the plumber can keep all plumbing away from exterior walls and floor cantilevers. Their early input on the design may simplfy the installation of critical systems. We recently met with a builder, his panel fabricator and the heating contractor to redesign a house so attic ducts are kept inside the building. We could not accomplish this through floor joists redesign due to plumbing lines overlapping with duct runs. Instead, the panel fabricator is building trusses that create a cavity in the attic and the duct system will go inside the truss cavity and remain inside the conditioned space. This engineering would not have occurred without the hour spent with the builder and his trade partners looking for a better way to meet the builders desire to build green and efficient homes. You develop your green design and save your inputs on the web supported design site at www.nahbgreen.org. Look for “Score my home” on the home page. You are signing onto a protected site and you will set up a username and password to protect your information. Here is where you refine your “Proposed Design”. Edit this as needed until you move to the first inspection, then forward the scoring tool to your verifier and set a date to conduct the pre-drywall inspection. During the design process, collect documents that support your claims and build a “methods and materials” catalog for your home. This is your information and not necessary to give to the verifier, although your verifier may need to see the information in the catalog to confirm a particular point. You will both review it to see that you have specified certain building materials or contracted with companies that carry specific licenses. For example you earn points when you hire licensed arborist to address tree removal, and trimming and natural resource design. Include the invoice or proposal from this contractor in your materials catalog is section 503.1 if you are claiming these points. Complete similar cataloging for other points and label them to the area referenced in your green design. www.homebuilders.org

Building the catalog for your first green design will take you many hours to complete because you are starting at the beginning. The second house will be mush easier because you already have much of your information and you are refining the details. Plan to spend a few hours on the first green house that you build with the verifier confirming the items where you are claiming points. You both have a lot of information to review and getting it right the first time will excelerate the review process on the next home. If you are claiming points for something that is not valid, the verifier will not add these points to his scoring tool. The verifier may see something that you are not claiming in your scoring tool and this can be added to his report, but does not change or modify your scoring tool for this home. Once the close-in inspection is completed, move the house to finish stage. Your verifier may want to come for additional inspections to answer other questions but you must hold one other inspection prior to settlement. At this time all the systems should be completed because the verifier can not award points for something that is not visible or not documented as installed in the home. If cabinets are low VOC then have the material suppliers sales contract for the cabinets state that they have the benefits you are claiming. But the verifier cannot score these points if the cabinets are sitting in boxes on the kitchen floor. You will also need to provide the homeowner with a document of how they live in this green home. This is given to the new owner and the verifier needs to see the document to confirm which items you are addressing in the owners manual. You may already have the majority of this information documented and now you are stating additional information describing the recycling center in the kitchen, or where to go to sign up for renewable power providers. This is a very important step because your buyer can ensure your Green Home works when they know how to live in their new green home. n Thomas Marston is a registered green verifier for the National Green Building standards since 2007. He is also a certified HERS Rater through Residential Energy Services Network since 1997. Mr. Marston is a board member to the Maryland Residential Green Building and on the Board of Directors of HBAM. Energy Services Group provides energy solutions to residential home builders, remodelors and homeowners in the mid-atlantic region.

September/october 2010 MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER

GREEN BUILDING

Green Building through Education and Example By Heather V. Szymanski

he current demand for green knowledge goes beyond certification needs. Making the transition to a green built environment necessitates education in all aspects of the building process. Everyone involved in creating and constructing the built environment needs to be engaged; from the general public to the building code professionals, constructors, regulators, designers and everyone in between. The Green Building Institute helps everyone to navigate the overwhelming wave of opportunities available at this time.

The GBI was founded in August 2004 by Stanley J. Sersen NCARB, LEED®AP, RS, to foster sustainable building practices through education and example and he received Special Recognition from the United States Green Building Council, Maryland Chapter in 2010 for his works in sustainability. The Green Building Institute is headquartered at the ENVIRO CENTER in Jessup, Maryland. It is a collaborative effort comprised of an internal support staff, a board of directors, an active marketing committee, members, instructors, builders, politicians, students, interns, volunteers and other organizational partners. As a 501c3 non-profit organization focused on education, outreach and networking, the GBI provides a broad range of green educational classes in Maryland, D.C. and Virginia. The Institute offers onsite corporate training and can host meetings, fundraisers and other events at the ENVIRO CENTER. This facility has adjustable classroom sizes, online access, conference rooms with full A/V equipment and ample free parking.

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER September/october 2010

The GBI is committed to creating a better future for generations to come through the promotion of sound, environmentally friendly building practices. GBI strives toward The Living Building Challenge, “To encourage the creation of living buildings, sites and communities in countries around the world while inspiring, educating and motivating a global audience about the need for fundamental and transformative change.” GBI successfully expanded to more than 100 green education classes in 12 locations in the fall of 2009 and has a schedule in development for the fall of 2010. More advanced level courses are available for HERS (Home Energy Rater) and Passive House Training. Many programs serve the entire community, regardless of socio-economic status and background. The GBI has and will continue to offer education for low income residents by taking courses to community centers, attending county events and fairs and offering courses for free to those interested in volunteering. The Maryland Department of Environment is assisting GBI in the promotion of courses and has also offered financial assistance for certain classes offered in Maryland.

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The GBI is also partnering with educational, business and local government organizations to bring the educational programs to a wider audience and raise awareness of both the need to “green,” and our buildings. The dynamic nature of this arrangement allows for the distribution of cutting edge technological information. With the assistance of grants from private foundations and businesses, the Institute is reaching out beyond its membership base to enable those who normally wouldn’t attend such programs to attend an introductory class that empowers them to make small, but significant changes in their use of energy. Thanks to grants from Constellation Energy and The Columbia Foundation, the GBI is striving to offer online courses in the future. A virtual classroom would remove location and access barriers to our green curriculum. To achieve this goal, GBI is planning to install two high quality video cameras in our Jessup classroom to record classes and make them available online. The GBI features a monthly Green Building networking event in Jessup on the first Tuesday of every month to encourage interaction and exchange among those interested in “going green” and “making green.” Social media outlets such as Collective X and facebook are available for online outreach and networking. Go to YouTube and search, “Green Building Institute NBC” and you’ll get an excellent tour of the Institute’s home at the ENVIRO CENTER. n

With the assistance of grants from private foundations and businesses, the Institute is reaching out beyond its membership base to enable those who normally wouldn’t attend such programs to attend an introductory class that empowers them to make small, but significant changes in their use of energy.

Heather V. Szymanski is director of Marketing & Business Development for the Green Building Institute, a non-profit organization focused on education, outreach and networking. Free networking groups meet on the first Tuesday of every month from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in Jessup. Please visit www.greenbuildinginstitute.org for more information.

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September/october 2010 MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER

GREEN BUILDING

Navigating the Course

of Green Building Standards and VOC Compliance

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER September/october 2010

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BY Steve Revnew

mid the growing customer demand for green design solutions, it is important that trade professionals understand the standards and future regulation changes for achieving green building certifications. When it comes to meeting those standards with paints and coatings, guidelines on indoor air quality are important to follow. The good news is that paints low in odor and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can help meet these indoor air requirements.

To be classified or marketed as low-VOC paint, government organizations, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), require that the VOCs are limited to 50 grams per liter for field applications. Green paints that meet these environmental standards have 20-30 percent of the VOCs of traditional paints. However, low VOC should not be the only criteria for green. Quality green coatings should also offer trade professionals a number of performance benefits. These include minimal odor that allows for application in occupied spaces; better hiding and longer lasting performance to minimize the frequency of repaints; antimicrobial properties that resist mold and mildew on the paint film to maintain a fresh appearance; superior stain and burnish mark resistance that make the coatings a perfect fit for high-traffic areas; and a washable, scrubbable surface that eliminates the need for harsh cleaning chemicals. While these performance benefits make specification of quality green paints seem like an easy choice, it can still be a challenging decision for trade professionals. This is largely due to the fact that it can be difficult to stay up to date on the VOC content regulations and standards that qualify a coating as “green.” For example, there are currently six different sets of VOC regulations being followed throughout the United States. For trade professionals, these varying regulations require a thorough understanding of all regional standards at all times, to ensure compliant products are specified for every project, no matter the location. What’s more, VOC regulations are not hard and fast, but instead are changing every year. For instance, in 2009 alone, Illinois, Ohio, Massachusetts and Rhode Island joined the majority of states in the Northeast following the Ozone Transport Commission Model Rule guidelines for VOC emissions. Indiana is also expected to join this group sometime in early 2011. Additionally, the EPA has proposed a new national standard to VOC emissions that if passed, could take effect in early 2011 and in California, where the California Air Resources Board Standard is followed, changes to VOC emissions policies are also expected to take effect in 2011.

As the green building movement gains momentum, consumers are getting smarter about the sustainable aspects of their purchases. While the specific details of these pending regulation changes are unknown and specifying green coatings remains a bit challenging as a result, it is important to stay informed of the changes as they are implemented. Doing so will strengthen relationships and build trust with customers exploring green building solutions for their construction projects. Additionally, as these rules change and become more stringent, certain types of paints that trade professionals have grown accustomed to will disappear from store shelves and new paint specifications will have to be adopted. For example, high-VOC, oil-based paints will soon be replaced by water-based or higher volume solid alkyd paints.

Using Green Design to Build Business Success As technology improves and we all become more aware of our global footprint, the green trend will soon become the green standard and understanding how to meet the new regulations will be a differentiating factor for consumers when selecting a paint, building or design contractor. As the green building movement gains momentum, consumers are becoming smarter about the sustainable aspects of their purchases. What’s more, they want to do business with companies who exhibit a strong commitment to the environment while making the products they will purchase. Trade professionals who are in step with the green regulations, knowledgeable of green coating trends and who provide environmentally friendly product offerings will be a valuable resource to their customers. Be sure to talk with a reputable manufacturer’s representative about green paint and coating options. Knowledgeable specialists can provide specific product information and technical performance data that will help in selecting products that deliver maximum quality, appearance, performance and value to customers. n Steve Revnew is Vice President of Product Development for SherwinWilliams. You can find out more at www.sherwin-williams.com.

www.homebuilders.org

September/october 2010 MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER

Mid-AtlAntic

Remodeler A supplement to Mid-Atlantic Builder

HBAM Remodelers Council Silver Merit Award Owings Homes Services, Birchmere Project Kitchen Addition 200K - 250K

Mid-Atlantic

Remodeler

A supplement to Mid-Atlantic Builder

2010 HBAM Remodelers Guy Caiazzo President

Board of Directors Nicole Bliss Guy Caiazzo Taylor Classen Cheryl Crowther Arif Durrani Tim Ellis Steve Gilman Danny Kalmus Doug Kelly

Yvonne Lienhard Ryan McGinn Jennifer Nugent Bill Patteson Joe Smith Gregory Wall Bob Weickgenannt Howard Warfield

PAST Presidents Bill Rauser John Martindale Dave Chmura

Michael Owings Donald F. Lynch, Jr.

2010 SPONSORs Members do business with members Presenting Members

ChesapeakeHome Magazine

before&after Owings Homes Services Birchmere Project This project required an expansion of the kitchen and breakfast room to accommodate the needs of the home owners. The design incorporated a covered patio area to allow some light into the newly designed room already exposed to the full afternoon sun. The outdoor space can now be utilized even more with less exposure from the sun’s rays. A tray ceiling was added to the breakfast area and a new gabled roof over the patio allowed the addition to flow with the existing house. The cabinets in the newly created kitchen area were custom made of solid wood and intensify the room’s new beauty. n

KC Company/Pella Windows

Lynch Construction

Why join HBAM Remodelers? Member Benefits

Susquehanna Bank

Saratoga Insurance

T.W. Perry Contact 410-265-7400 about 2010 Sponsorship Opportunities

HBAM Remodelers offers many benefits to its members. Remodelers benefit from a variety of educational, mentoring and networking opportunities. In addition, the HBAM Remodeler’s serves to improve the quality of the industry and its members through these programs. By promoting certification programs to consumers, members of the council are sought after for their strong professional and ethical principles.

News & Information National: Members of the Council receive a free subscription to Professional Remodeler magazine. Each issue focuses on practical business insights from the country’s leading remodelers. Members also receive NAHB Renews, a monthly e-newsletter about national news that affects our industry. Regional: Members of the Council receive a free subscription to ChesapeakeHome Magazine and are offered special advertising opportunities designed to help them reach upscale homeowners. Local: The council is featured in each issue of HomeFront, HBAM’s monthly enewsletter to promote its members, programs and events. Mid-Atlantic Remodeler is included in each issue of Mid-Atlantic Builder magazine.

MID-ATLANTIC REMODELER A Supplement to Mid-Atlantic Builder SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2010

Welcome Our New Members Joe Gray Gray Insurance Group Brian Wood ART Wood Builders

Ready to Join? www.mdremodelers.org The fee is $65.00 per year. For additional information on the HBAM Remodelers Council, contact Kim Dresser at 410-265-7400, ext. 115 or kim@homebuilders.org.

www.homebuilders.org

events and education

president’s message The Benefits of HBAM way in which you can significantly save on your expenses. Call Kim Dresser, the HBAM membership director at 410-265-7400, ext. 115 or email kim@homebuilders.org and ask her to send you a Verizon flier. It will give you the skinny on discounted services for qualified members, like 22 percent-off on monthly access calling plans and 35 percent-off accessories. HBAM also has affinity partners who can get you deals on insurance, health and medical programs and more. So, it is time to set aside a few minutes to improve your cash flow with an overhead tune up.

Kudos Chris The Maryland Community Builders Foundation was founded in 1999 and is the charitable arm of the Homebuilders Association of Maryland. Its purpose is to provide shelter and housing improvements to needy families in the Baltimore metropolitan area. Chris Rachuba is the current chairperson of the Foundation. Let’s put this in perspective. Chris comes from a well established family of Baltimore builders. He and his dad are both past presidents of HBAM. He knows how to build houses and how to run a company. With Chris at the helm, the Foundation recently built a home in excess of 11,000 square feet in just 9 days. The home is for the young ladies of the Boys Hope Girls Hope organization and it will be featured on the hit TV show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition this fall. Chris literally left his company and organized the production team with other key builders and their staff. The constant urging, and sometimes pleading, by Chris resulted in most of the labor and materials being donated by YOU, HBAM remodelers, builders and associate members. Rumor had it if you didn’t see Chris on site at 3 a.m., he was taking a “power nap” in the construction trailer and if you waited 30 minutes he would be on site again.

www.homebuilders.org

I am sure that Chris would be the first to say that the project was a team effort and owes its success to many, many people. So, I’ll say many thanks to ALL OF YOU, remodelers, builders, suppliers and HBAM staff for your sacrifices of time, labor, materials, administrative support and moral support.

HBAM Members Buy from HBAM Members In this stressful economy, both our individual companies and our industry are being tested. Our focus is our company, rightfully so, but we must also realize that our survival and successes are closely linked to our subcontractors, suppliers and services professionals who have as much at stake in the construction business as we do. There is power in numbers and we have more power together than if we stand alone. Therefore, I urge you to buy from and use the services of HBAM members. Several members have put in place an in-house policy of buying from HBAM members only. When a non-HBAM member solicits your business explain that you buy only from HBAM members because these members have supported our industry through the good and not so good times. You can then recommend that they become a member of HBAM by visiting www. homebuilders.org or calling Kim Dresser. By instituting a Members do Business with Members program you are not giving up your ability to negotiate the best prices from the subs and suppliers. You are not giving up your independence. You are giving strength and power to your company and to your industry which has provided your company’s livelihood.

October 12, 2010 HBAM Remodelers Breakfast Hosted by TW Perry Take an exclusive tour of the TW Perry Mill Shop. Presentation – “How Social Media Can Help Your Business” by Mandy Arnold, Director of Marketing, LightStyles, Ltd. November 11, 2010 HBAM Remodelers Awards of excellence Ceremony & dinner Martin’s West This annual program recognizes outstanding achievements by members who provide customers with superior and creative remodeling projects which are sensitive to existing structures and make appropriate use of building elements, and neighborhood concerns. Visit www.mdremodelers.org for more details. Thinking about joining the HBAM Remodelers and want to attend the General Membership Meeting? Call Kim Dresser at 410-265-7400, ext. 115 for more details.

Take a look

Visit HBAM Remodelers Online at www.mdremodelers.org

Guy Caiazzo

HBAM Remodelers President You’ll be able to search the vendor list for a remodeler, find educational course offerings, download a membership application and more.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2010 MID-ATLANTIC REMODELER A Supplement to Mid-Atlantic Builder

Mid-AtlAntic reModeler

I know, I sound like a broken record touting the beneﬁts of the Home Builders Association of Maryland, but I can’t help myself. Let me tell you yet another

Events

remodeler news Update to EPA Lead Paint Rule

Mid-Atlantic remodeler

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued strict rules on pre-1978 renovations and beginning April 22, 2010, contractors performing any work that disturbs more than 6 square feet of painted surface per room (interior) or 20 square feet of painted surface (exterior) in a home or building built before 1978, where children may be present, must be completed by a firm that is accredited by the EPA and whose workers are trained and certified in lead safe work practices. The rule exempts the do-it-yourselfers from the requirement. UPDATE: On June 18, 2010, the EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance issued a short two-page memorandum advising staff that not to enforce the firm certification requirement until October 1, 2010. In addition, EPA will not enforce against individual renovation workers if the person has applied to enroll in, or has enrolled in, a certified renovator class no later than September 30, 2010. Renovators must complete training on or before December 31, 2010. In the memo, the EPA conceded that the agency needed to extend the timeframe for certification compliance and that “allowing additional time for firms and individuals to obtain that training and certification will facilitate compliance with the rule.” The rule was put in place following new information that suggests that “a disturbing number of America’s children are still poisoned by lead-based paint in their homes leading to learning and behavioral disorders.”

So if you have not taken the course yet, you have a little more time. For more information on the EPA’s Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP), please visit the EPA’s web site at www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm. n

MID-ATLANTIC REMODELER A Supplement to Mid-Atlantic Builder SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2010

www.homebuilders.org

LIVE GREEN • SAVE GREEN

November 6 & 7, 2010 In our second year, the Maryland Green Show, presented by the Home Builders Association of Maryland, brings motivated consumers together with cutting edge green technology, products, design and experts. The exhibition will feature a strong emphasis on consumer education with a seminar room featuring over twenty sessions, a demonstration stage, plus over 10,000 square feet of exhibits. Don’t miss your chance to exhibit in Maryland’s premiere green home and living show. Contact HBAM at 410-265-7400 or visit www.marylandgreenhome.org.

The Maryland Residential Green Building Council is the state’s first residential green building program to certify local builders, remodelers and developers using the ANSI certified National Green Building Standard. As the premier provider of information and resources related to green buildings, the MRGBC serves as a central hub for consumers going “green”. The MRGBC educates decision makers on the latest green building principals, trends and technologies, advocates before local elected officials for increased incentives for green buildings, and promotes “green” products through extensive marketing, sales training and special events for consumers such as the Maryland Green Show, the state’s largest showcase of environmentallyfriendly builders and products. Join the council today by visiting www.GreenHomeBuilder.org.

GREEN BUILDING

Windows and Walls

A Double Standard in Energy Efficiency BY BRUCE LANG

he big secret regarding energy efficiency in homes is window glass, which compared to insulated walls and ceilings, is a terrible energy loser. While we expect that energy-conserving walls and ceilings will dramatically insulate against heat loss and block direct solar radiation, knowledgeable builders anticipate far less in the way of energy conservation from even the most energy-efficient windows.

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER September/october 2010

www.homebuilders.org

The numbers speak for themselves. Walls with an insulation performance value of R-19 are considered to be the norm (R means resistance to heat flow- the higher the number the better the insulation performance). On the other hand, windows with low emissivity (“low-e”) coated glass and inert gas fill that meet the coveted Energy Star® designation and whose insulation performance tops out at R-4, are celebrated by architects and contractors. These knowledgeable observers rightfully see such defacto energy-conserving windows as a substantial improvement over conventional insulating glass with insulation performance of R-2. But why do we expect homes to contain R-19 insulated walls, while at the same time, be willing to accept R-4 windows? Such an energy conservation double standard exists because it is easier to be a wall than a window. Walls only have to insulate well. Windows must do a lot more. Windows (specifically window glass) must be transparent and colorless, transmit natural daylight, reflect unwanted solar energy, decrease ultraviolet radiation that causes fading furnishings, reduce sound transmission and of course, insulate against heat loss. In addition, many windows must also open to provide ventilation and egress in emergency situations. Compared to walls, a window must simultaneously perform numerous functions, many of which are highly sophisticated. If the year were 1960 instead of 2010 perhaps we could maintain one energy conservation standard for walls and ceilings and another less demanding standard for windows and glass. But we can no longer afford to do so. Despite heavily insulated walls and ceilings and the popularity of Energy Star designated windows, 25 percent - 35 percent of the energy used in homes and buildings is wasted due to inefficient glass. So, it should come as no surprise that glass is responsible for more than 10 percent of the total carbon emissions annually in the US alone and is a major contributor to global warming. In addition, inefficient windows and glass cause unhappy and uncomfortable homeowners, who aro often too cold in winter, too hot in summerd and paying more thay they should in heating and cooling costs year-round. One might think the easiest solutions would be to board-up many existing windows and not plan for many new ones. While such a drastic move might save some energy, it would negate the increasingly recognized benefits of day lighting, the ability to transmit natural lights through existing openings in walls and ceilings. The benefits of day lighting include: • reduced use of artificial illumination • increased health and well being of occupants on increased resale value of the propery Since most existing window openings in typical homes can, with only minor modifications, take advantage of day lighting, there is a big incentive to make those window openings perform better, not reduce their size and number. www.homebuilders.org

Since glass is the heart of a window, here’s whats builders need to know about glass options in new construction and renovation: • Single-pane glass may keep out the weather, but it does little to insulate against heat loss or reflect the sun’s heat that can cause overheating. In most locations, single-pane glass is not code compliant. • Insulating glass (two panes separated by a sealed air spacer) with a solar heat-reflective coating is appropriate for homes concerned with staying, cool in summer. The air space inside the sealed glass enhances insulation and the coating reflects the sun’s heat to prevent over-heating. • Insulating glass with dual heat-reflective coatings, that simultaneously reflect heat from the sun and also reflect ambient heat both inside and outside, combined with inert gas fill (such as argon or krypton) is even more effective in saving energy and increasing occupant comfort. Many might think this is where the story ends. However, recent and impending revisions to the US Department of Energy’s Energy Star window performance standards will require windows that qualify for the coveted Energy Star designation to provide increased energy efficiency. Glass available today for residential use that will meet the new and forthcoming Energy Star window performance standards include: • Triple pane insulating glass consisting of three panes of glass and two heat reflective coatings. The good news is that using a third pane of coated glase improves insulating glass performance. The bad news is that triple pane glass is 50percent heavier than dual-pane insulating glass, requiring stronger window framing, more difficult installation and handling of large units and increases cost accordingly. Suspended film insulating glass contains one or more transparent, heat reflective films suspended inside the air space. Because such films are practically weightless, up to three films can be used to create up to four insulating cavities that dramatically increase insulation performance while reflecting unwanted solar heat. Such “super glass can achieve a center of glass insulation value of up to R-20 comparable to that of an insulated wall. Clearly, the advent of new high performance glass technologies for standard window and glass door applications has heralded the end of an energy efficiency double standard for walls and windows. n Bruce Lang is Vice President of Marketing & Business Development at Southwall Technologies, Inc., in Palo Alto, CA. He can be reached a blang@ southwall.com. Southwall’s Heat Mirror suspended film insulating glass has been selected to be retrofitted into all 6,500 windows in New York’s Empire State Building as a leading component of a major energy upgrade.

September/october 2010 MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER

green building GETTING TO GREEN—THE NATIONAL GREEN BUILDING STANDARD

going green–remodel BY H. ALAN MOONEY, P.E.

as I have said before, just being a green Builder will not distinquish you from the crowd. Being a quality builder, with a reputation (your signature) for honest, professional service who embraces green Construction standards is needed to assure your long term success.

It seems like a simple question; how do you apply the National Green Building Standards (NGBS) to remodeling and renovation projects? However, when you go into the NGBS it’s not quite so simple. First, we have some definitions to clarify. According to NGBS: Renovation – this involves working on the systems of an existing home, built AFTER January 1, 1980. Addition – this involves increasing the conditioned floor area (CFA) of a home built after January 1, 1980. There are two possible categories for additions: • less than 75 percent of existing CFA (NGBS rating can be for addition only, with some conditions) • lgreater than 75 percent of existing CFA (NGBS rating must be for entire home) Remodel – any work on a home built before December 31, 1979. The dates noted refer to the issuance of the building permit. Once you understand the definitions, now you can determine the ratings opportunities.

Renovations and Additions For getting a rating for renovation and/or addition projects, the Green Building Path applies. In other words, all the point requirements are the same as for new construction. In addition, throughout the NGBS there are notes that apply to renovations and additions. From the NGBS commentary, here are a few examples.

Figure 1. The note means that the additional one point is awarded only for renovation projects on a building that does not have a compliant roof water discharge system. If a new system is provided or an existing system is improved to comply with the practice, a total of 5 points is awarded. In case of an addition, only 4 points are awarded for installation of a compliant roof water discharge system on the new portion of the roof. If a project includes both addition and renovation with a rating sought for the entire building, the maximum of 5 points may be awarded (points for addition and renovation should not be combined). The term “applies” used in the note refers to the additional points, (i.e., additional points apply only to renovation projects). It is not intended to mean that Section 602.5 in its entirety does not apply to additions or new construction. If the existing building undergoing a renovation has a compliant roof water discharge system that does not require an upgrade, a maximum of 4 points can be awarded towards meeting the thresholds. Figure 2. The Addition and Renovation note states that Section 701.4.3.1(1) is mandatory only for the new construction portion of an addition or a renovation project. Therefore, existing insulation does not have to be replaced to achieve compliance with this section. However, if a wall is being replaced as part of a renovation project, the new insulation must comply with this section. Where new insulation is installed in accordance with Section 701.4.3.1(1), 0 total points are awarded.

REFERENCE DESCRIPTION 602.5

POINTS

Roof Water Discharge. A gutter and downspout system or splash blocks and effective 4 grading are provided to carry water a minimum of 5 feet (1524 mm) away from perimeter foundation walls. Renovation Note: Section 602.5 applies only to renovations.

1 Additional Point

Figure 1. section 602.5 26

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER sEPtEMBER/OCtOBER 2010

www.homebuilders.org

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partner “We’ve had more activity in the last 90 days than we’ve had over the last two years!” - Jim Selfridge

The Creig Northrop Team of Long & Foster Real Estate helps hundreds of buyers discover Maryland’s most livable communities and best places to live, work and play. When you partner with The Creig Northrop Team, we will: • Feature your community FOR FREE through our exclusive marketing programs including our website that reaches 3.5 million prospective buyers monthly

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july/august 2010 MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER

green building GREEN REMODEL PRACTICE

REFERENCE

DESCRIPTION

Reduction in energy and water consumption in accordance with Section 305.5.5

701.4.3.1

General, Insulation and air sealing is in accordance with the following: (1) Insulation. Insulation is installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions or local code, as applicable.

PERFORMANCE LEVEL Bronze

20 percent

Silver

34 percent

Gold

43 percent

Emerald

50 percent

Figure 3. threshold Ratings for green Remodels (table 305.5).

Mandatory

(2) Shafts (duct shaft, piping shaft/penetrations, ﬂue shaft). Openings to Mandatory unconditioned space are fully sealed with solid blocking or ﬂashing and any remaining gaps are sealed with caulk or foam. Fire-rated collars and caulking are installed where required. Addition and Renovation Note: Section 701.4.3.1(1) is mandatory for the new construction portion of additions and renovations.

Mandatory 0 Additional Points

Renovation Note: Existing openings to unconditioned spaces are sealed.

2 Additional Points

Figure 2. section 701.4.3.1

Section 701.4.3.1(2) is mandatory for both additions and renovations. Therefore, all existing and new openings to unconditioned space must be sealed. Where existing openings are sealed as part of a renovation project, a total of 2 points are awarded. Where existing openings were already in compliance, the additional 2 points are not awarded (0 total points). Sealing of new openings in either addition or renovation does not receive points (0 total points).

Remodeling When rating a remodel project, the Green Remodel Path applies. In that case, you have three things to do: 1. NGBS Chapter 9 – Indoor air quality, the following sections: 901.1 – Space and water heating options 901.5 – Carpets 902.1 – Spot ventilation 902.4(2) – HVAC system protection – Prior to

owner occupancy, HVAC supply registers (boots), return grilles and duct terminations are inspected and vacuumed. In addition, the coils are inspected and cleaned and the filter is replaced if necessary. 904.3(1) – Renovation note – Existing unsealed combustion gas dryer vent is replaced with a sealed exhaust vent. 2. Reduce Water consumption 3. Reduce Energy consumption

To satisfy 2 and 3, NGBS require the following: 305.5.4 Baseline consumption in both of the fol-

lowing categories shall be measured: Energy consumption: Energy consumption shall be based on the estimated annual energy use due to heating, cooling and water heating as determined by a third-party energy audit. 28

POINTS

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER sEPtEMBER/OCtOBER 2010

Water consumption: Water consumption shall

be based on the estimated annual use. Reduction in water consumption shall be evaluated based on points in Chapter 8. 305.5.5 Consumption in both categories of Section 305.5.4(1) and (2) shall be reduced to achieve the desired performance level of Table 305.5 (Figure 3). So, if you are renovating and adding floor area to a home and it was built after January 1, 1980, your NGBS rating will look a lot like new construction with some additional requirements as highlighted throughout the NGBS. If you doing anything to a home built before December 31, 1979, that’s a remodel and the NGBS rating is different, primarily focusing on energy and water consumption reductions.

And don’t forget… As I have said before, just being a Green Builder will not distinquish you from the crowd. Being a quality builder, with a reputation (your signature) for honest, professional service who embraces Green Construction Standards is needed to assure your long term success. ■ Criterium Engineers has specialized in residential construction for more than 50 years, with more than 60 ofﬁ ces in more than 30 states. We have evaluated more than 750,000 buildings. H. alan Mooney, P.E, President of Criterium Engineers, is a licensed, Professional Engineer in 8 states, with more than 35 years experience and has been the author and presenter for various NaHB programs, mostly on construction quality. For more information, please visit www.criteriumengineers.com and www.criterium-quality.com. www.homebuilders.org

Benefits of Membership Legislative Advocacy Public Relations and Information Education EVENTS Events and Conferences ANNUAL

& CONFERENCES

HBAM offers a variety of events and programs each year that provide both business and social forums to increase your industry contacts.

HOMEBUILDERS Association of Maryland

Contact Kim Dresser at 410-265-7400, ext. 115 or kim@homebuilders.org for more information.

Builder Mart Key Connections MAX Maryland Awards of Excellence International Builders’ Show Celebrity Chef Night and Auction HBAM Remodelers Awards of Excellence The Maryland Housing Conference Th e Maryland Real Estate and Construction Forecast Conference Icon Awards President’s Luncheon La nd Development Council Community Development Awards Maryland Green Show

Do Business With Your Fellow HBAM Members. “Building Your Business Through Association” is our philosophy. HBAM members believe that they should support those who support the building industry. NETWORK with other companies in the building industry to gain new contacts as well as strengthen your current ones at the Celebrity Chef Night and Auction, Golf Outing and Picnic, sporting events, chapter and council meetings and more. KEEP UP-TO-DATE about pertinent legislative and regulatory issues on a local, state and national level. INCREASE YOUR KNOWLEDGE of the building industry through our educational programs and seminars. TARGET YOUR MARKET with cost effective advertising in any of HBAM’s publications and receive a spreadsheet of HBAM members. STAY INFORMED with HBAM’s publications. You will receive Mid-Atlantic Builder, HomeFront, HomeFront Online and the Buyers’ Guide. ADD CREDIBILITY for your company in the building industry as well as with the general public by being associated with one of the largest building associations in the country. WWW.HOMEBUILDERS.ORG is designed to serve both consumers and those in the building industry. You can access the latest legislative news, find out about member benefits, profile your company in the online directory or register for an event. Consumers can visit the HBAM home page to find you and other builders or suppliers in their area. The site received over 3 million hits in 2007.

HBAM Welcomes New Members Associate

Architecture by Design Judith Miller 9005 Chevrolet Drive, Suite 5 Ellicott City, MD 21042 Phone: 410-480-3210 Professional Services Architecture & Drafting Sponsor: Chris Rachuba, The Rachuba Group

Gamma Engineering Mike Helfrich 1203 West St Suite A Annapolis, MD 21401 Phone: 410-626-1070 Professional Services Engineering & Technical Sponsor: Eliot Powell, Whitehall Development, LLC

Capitol Strategies, LLC Robert Johnson 155 Duke of Gloucester Annapolis, MD 21401 Phone: 410-268-3099 www.capitol-strategies.com Professional Services Consulting & Customer Svc. Sponsor: Eliot Powell, Whitehall Development, LLC

Gordon, Feinblatt, Rothman, Hoffberger & Hollander, LLC D. Robert Enten 233 East Redwood Street Baltimore, MD 21202 Phone: 410-576-4114 www.gfrlaw.com Professional Services - Legal Sponsor: Eliot Powell, Whitehall Development, LLC

Deelite Design LLC Dee Cunningham 8210 Dogwood Road Windsor Mill, MD 21244 Phone: 410-707-9246 www.deelitedesign.com Subcontractor - Paint & Wallcoverings

Gray Insurance Group, Inc. Joe Gray 432 B South Main Street Bel Air, MD 21014 Phone: 410-879-6383 Professional Services - Insurance Sponsor: Donald Lynch Jr., CGR, CAPS, Lynch Construction, Inc.

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER September/october 2010

Green Building Institute Heather Szymanski 7761 Waterloo Road (Rt. 175) Jessup, MD 20794 Phone: 443-733-1234 www.greenbuildinginstitute.org Professional Services Academic & Training Hohne Pools Gary Hohne 9000 Harford Road Parkville, MD 21234 Phone: 410-375-9044 www.hohne.com Supplier - Swimming Pools & Outdoor Rec. Lyons & Sucher Advertising Mark Sucher 4501 Ford Avenue Suite 100 Alexandria, VA 22302 Phone: 703-931-2000 www.lyonsads.com Professional Services Advertising & Marketing Sponsor: Tom Baum, Bozzuto Homes, Inc.

Metro Study Corporation Kenneth Wenhold 5180 Parkstone Drive, Suite 170 Chantilly, VA 20151 Phone: 703-961-1776 www.metrostudy.com Professional Services Consulting & Customer Svc. Sponsor: Lou Baker, Goodier Baker Homes North Star Foundations Inc. Nick Cockerham 5920 Frederick Crossing Lane Frederick, MD 21704 Phone: 301-360-9694 www.nstarfd.com Subcontractor - Foundations & Concrete Sponsor: Patrick Costello, Forty West Builders, Inc.

www.homebuilders.org

THANK YOU, HBAM remodelers, builders and associate members and Chris Rachuba of Rachuba Homes and chair of the Maryland Community Builders Foundation for making Extreme Makeover: Home Edition a success!

Maryland Community Buildersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Foundation

www.homebuilders.org

September/october 2010 MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER

Patriot Electric Talbot Watkins 7602 Energy Parkway Unit 8 Curtis Bay, MD 21226 Phone: 410-360-0058 Subcontractor Electrical & Structural Wiring Sponsor: Scott Armiger, Orchard Development Corporation PremierGarage David McClintic 5 Bel Air South Parkway Suite 109/60 Bel Air, MD 21015 Phone: 443-299-2963 www.premiergarage.com Supplier - Garage Doors & Organization Sponsor: Steve Breeden, Security Development Group Sandy Spring Bank Dan Murtaugh 9112 Guilford Road, Suite 2 Columbia, MD 21046 Phone: 301-617-4237 www.sandyspringbank.com/mortgage-loans/mortgages/mortgage-bankers/ dan_murtaugh.aspx Professional Services - Banking & Mortgage Sponsor: Shawnn Bittorie, Weichert Realtors - Property Concepts

Builder

Nexus Energy Homes, Inc. Mike Murphy 716 Giddings Avenue, Suite 41 Annapolis, MD 21401 Phone: 410-263-0012 www.nexusenergyhomes.com Builder - Custom Picerne Military Housing Bob McDonald 2727 Chesapeake Blvd Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005 Phone: 410-672-4570 Fax: 410-672-4005 Developer

Remodeler

Art Wood Builders, Inc. Brian Wood 1412 Rock Ridge Road Jarrettsville, MD 21084 Phone: 410-692-0035 www.artwoodbuilders.com Builder; Builder - Custom Sponsor: Dan Murtaugh, Sandy Spring Bank

Baywood Design/Build Group, Inc. Janis Dickson 5550 Sterrett Place Suite 100 Columbia, MD 21044 Phone: 410-995-6363 www.baywooddesignbuild.com Remodeler Sponsor: Michael Owings, Owings Brothers Contracting Inc. Elegant Restoration, Inc. Dave Chmura 905A N. Tollgate Road Bel Air, MD 21014 Phone: 866-712-4911 www.elegantrestoration.com Remodeler - Specialty Sponsor: Donald Lynch Jr., CGR, CAPS, Lynch Construction, Inc. My Sweet Home Carl Ramsey 1424 Catlyn Place Annapolis, MD 21401 Phone: 410-562-0502 Remodeler

Nightengale & Sons, LLC Chris Nightengale 17328 New Memory Land Lonaconing, MD 21539 Phone: 301-707-3801 Remodeler Wheatley Associates, Inc. Kathy Wheatley 16928 York Road Monkton, MD 21111 Phone: 410-329-2500 www.wheatleyassociates.com Remodeler Sponsor: Donald Lynch Jr., CGR, CAPS, Lynch Construction, Inc.

For membership information, contact Kim Dresser at kim@ homebuilders.org.

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governmentaffairs Howard County Council Passes FY 2011 Housing Unit Allocation Chart Including Separate Downtown Columbia Allocations HBAM’s Howard County Chapter scored a victory in late July when the County Council took the advice of local builders, business leaders, and even some community activists and created an entirely separate housing allocations chart for the new downtown Columbia revitalization plan. Rather than taking unused housing allocations away from existing regions in order to not exceed the annual growth allowed in the current General Plan, the Council passed a bill creating separate and additional allocations from which downtown Columbia can take from. Some members of the community opposed to the downtown Columbia plan argued that unused housing allocations from other regions, plus Senior East, MIHU, and Green Neighborhood should be used to satisfy the growth. However, HBAM’s Howard County Chapter partnered with the local Chamber of Commerce and business leaders and were successful in convincing the County Council that taking these allocations out of service is not the way to go to promote economic recovery and provide for housing demand once the current economic recession ends.

Construction.

Creating separate and additional allocations for the Columbia Revitalization plan ensures that when the economy fully recovers, local builders and developers will have the allocations promised by the County to meet the demand for housing. This approach also recognizes that the 2000 General Plan pre-dated the revitalization legislation, and therefore, the allocations necessary for the Town Center revitalization should be additive to those set up by the General Plan. ■ For more information, please contact: Michael Harrison - 410-265-7400, ext. 109 Howard, Baltimore and Carroll Counties michael@homebuilders.org Jeff Tosi - 410-265-7400, ext. 101 Anne Arundel, Harford and Cecil Counties and Baltimore City jeff@homebuilders.org

Remodelling. Mortgage.

Essex Bank has served the homebuilding and remodelling industry since 1926. Call Essex Bank first for your next project.

Paul Michaud (410) 721-8418 www. essexbank.com Arnold • Catonsville • Clinton • Crofton • Landover Hills • Rockville • Rosedale

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stats&facts

Housing Intelligence Market Trends

Earth quakes and shaky ground By Brooke Burns

Will we hold steady through the shaky summer months?

Numbers are frightening lots of builders this summer but unemployment is holding steady and fall will lead to more solid ground.

We saw activity pick up in April, May and now June shows signs of picking up for the overall Baltimore region. May and June were quite steady months for most of the area. Anne Arundel, Carroll, and Queen Anneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all had increased closings in June. The other counties, with the exception of Baltimore, held steady even if slightly down in closings numbers. Regarding new home sales, Anne Arundel had a total of 112 closings in June as compared to 68 in May and 84 for April. New Home prices in Anne Arundel County are also holding steady and only a 4K drop from last month. As with typical summer months things are slow, July and August tend to be some of the slowest months of the year, however we will wait to find out and are optimistic that this hot weather will somehow foreshadow the climate of real estate and start to heat things up! Brooke Burns is the Regional Sales Director at Hanley Wood Market Intelligence. Contact Brooke at bburns@hanleywood.com or 202-729-3678.

Figures are for Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County and Queen Anneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s County. 36

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Total Closings May 2010

3,253

By the Numbers

Economic Facts

First-time unemployment claims data continues to suggest that employment conditions have yet to improve in the U.S. Initial jobless claims increased by 12,000 to a seasonally-adjusted figure of 472,000. Unemployment claims have yet to show any significant downward moves which suggest national unemployment will remain high for quite some time going forward. Renewed concerns of economic growth due to troubles in the Euro-zone along with the expiration of the home buyer tax credit dragged on builder confidence in June. After increasing for two consecutive to its highest levels since July 2007, the NAHB housing market index dropped five points in June to a reading of 17. This was the largest singlemonth drop in the housing market index since August 2006. All three component indexes reported declines in June as well. Summer months never show the best for sales numbers as it is historically a slow time of the year. While housing is not showing any significant signs of recovery we must keep that fact in mind, its summer many people are on vacation and taking a break. With interest rates at an all time low and adorability at an all time high, we have the climate for some increased activity. However the overall economy is not boasting any promising signs for housings either with unemployment down and Euromarket uncertainty. It’s still a bit shaky out there.

New home prices only dropped 4K in Anne Arundel County.

12,000

June 2010

3,014

Initial jobless claims increased by 12,000 in June.

July 2010

405

The NAHB housing market index dropped to a reading of 17.

Closings by County Anne Arundel County 667 692 105 Baltimore City 643 639 110 Baltimore County 909 777 97 Carroll County 174 182 27 Harford County 366 246

May 2010 June 2010 July 2010

28 Howard County 436 401 34 Queen Anne’s County 58 77 4

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greenbuilding Propane Offers Options By Tracy Burleson With growing concerns of the environmental impact of greenhouse gases, propane offers builders a clean, reliable energy source to homes located off the natural gas main. In fact, using propane as a home’s primary energy source produces less than half the greenhouse gas emissions than using the equivalent amount of electricity generated from the U.S. electrical grid. In projects aiming to integrate green practices, the use of propane and related applications can offer significant points towards meeting the requirements of National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Green Building Standards and the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental (LEED®) certification.

Building with Propane The use of propane can earn builders up to 101 points, roughly half of what is required for bronze level certification, in several categories of the NAHB Green Building Standards: lot design, preparation and development; homeowner education; indoor environmental quality; and resource, energy and water efficiency. Five of the 10 possible lot design, preparation and development points can be earned due to minimal site disturbance while installing underground tanks, which decreases the time soil is exposed. In the resource efficiency category, propane can earn up to eight points, including two points for propane tanks with 70 percent recycled content. An additional 20 indoor environmental quality points are available by installing propane fueled appliances, including direct-vented propane water furnaces, boilers and water heaters. Each propane appliance qualifies for five points. For LEED projects, propane helps builders achieve up to 40 percent of the points needed for certification. For example, manufacturers can earn up to 10 energy and atmosphere points and four 38

MID-ATLANTIC BUILDER September/october 2010

indoor environmental quality points by incorporating the use of propane applications into home designs. Propane is also nontoxic and insoluble in water. Because it is released as a gas, it does not spill, pool or leave a residue. This means propane is not harmful to soil or water in the unlikely event of a spill. Because propane is nontoxic, propane tanks can be buried, allowing homeowners to use propane without changing the aesthetics of the landscape.

Propane Applications Many homeowners prefer gas appliances; therefore, homes located off the natural gas main that incorporate propane into heating, cooking, and other uses can provide a more marketable and saleable product. Propane appliances are cost effective and provide environmental benefits and significant savings over time. For example, propane tankless water heaters can cost up to 60 percent less to operate than standard electric tank models and have an average lifespan of 20 years — more than double the life span of traditional tank water heaters. Additionally, propane tankless water heaters can heat water twice as fast as electricity and recover in half the time. Versatile and cost-effective, propane can also provide energy to any room of a house. Home-heating systems provide top-notch comfort and can be configured as central or zone, forced air or radiant in the form of furnaces, radiant floor heating, fireplaces, hearth stoves, and space heaters. Depending upon the region, a propane heating system can offer significant savings in both installation and return on investment, compared to other common forms of energy.

Community Tanks Through the use of community propane systems, developers and builders can provide dozens or thousands of homes with a budget-friendly, clean energy solution for heating, air conditioning, cooking, outdoor living, and back-up energy.

The installation and metering of propane, from a community tank, is nearly identical to the operations of natural gas. First, a community propane distribution system is installed either above or below ground in a low-visibility area, usually on the edge of a development, and then underground pipes are run to individual homes or businesses. Typically meters are installed at the end of each line, similar to natural gas, to determine individual usage. Buried community and individual propane tanks are also ideal to supply fuel to propane standby generators, especially in regions prone to frequent severe weather and potential for power interruptions. Because the propane supply for the standby generator is secure, homeowners and businesses need not worry about a disruption in heating or cooling, the ability to cook, or keeping the refrigerator cool. For builders with customers looking for a clean, energy-efficient, cost-effective and versatile home heating source, propane provides an ideal solution. Whether building to LEED or NAHB standards builders can access free online training courses, approved by the NAHB and American Institute of Architects, to navigate green building requirements, at www.buildwithpropane.com.

About the Propane Education & Research Council The Propane Education & Research Council was authorized by the U.S. Congress with the passage of Public Law 104284, the Propane Education and Research Act (PERA), signed into law on October 11, 1996. The mission of the Propane Education & Research Council is to promote the safe, efficient use of odorized propane gas as a preferred energy source. n Tracy Burelson can be reached at tracy.burelson@propanecouncil.org or 202-261-2205.

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