2 minute read
Riverstone Original Homes
BUILDING
ON FAMILY TRADITION
Brothers create custom homes
By Ellen Ashton-Haiste
ike and Travis Loyens know
Mmore than a bit about custom home building. The brothers, who head up RiverStone Original Homes, come from a family tradition in the building industry – W.H. Loyens Homes – dating back 60 years. They launched their own business 22 years ago and have been creating dream homes for clients ever since.
From the beginning, they wanted to build energy-efficient, environmentally friendly houses. So, they were always on the lookout for cutting-edge products, says Mike. Results of that search yielded two technologies that have become part of their construction signature: insulated concrete forms (ICF) and boiler-supplied radiant in-floor heat.
In ICF construction, concrete-filled modular blocks of polystyrene are used to form the exterior walls; this technology is used for 90 per cent of the houses they build. Radiant heating is not just used to warm the floors, but can also be the home’s actual heat source, adding comfort and efficiency. “These products create a strong, quiet, energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly home.” Mike says. “Together they can allow homeowners to realize significant savings on heating and cooling costs.”
RiverStone homes – available in several styles: traditional, modern farmhouse, cottage and ultra-modern designs – are built to meet the clients’ tastes and desires. “We take the initial vision of the owners to blueprint stage and then to final completion,” Mike says. They look after the entire building process; this includes aspects beyond building the house: building permits, driveways, well and septic installations.
RiverStone does a limited number of builds in a year, typically on privatelyowned rural or city infill lots. “Our team can dedicate as much time as necessary for each build,” Mike says. “We’re very handson. Between myself, my brother and our site supervisor, one of us is on-site every day to keep an eye on things. Our customers like that we’re there to watch their house being built.”
Mike and Travis have long-term plans for their company. Some members of the fourth generation of the Loyens family are involved in the local building industry.
Owners of RiverStone Original Homes, Mike Loyens (INSET) and his brother Travis build high-end custom homes. The above modern farmhouse-style residence is an example, with original details like the unique plaster ceiling.
MIKE LOYENS
