- Kitchen RemodelingWhat makes American houses most unique though is the penchant for Americans to want LOTS OF SPACE and sacrifice quality of that space for quantity. That trend seems to be changing overall with more Americans across the country building smaller houses with more built-ins (bookcases, cabinetry, and detailed woodwork), with higher quality finishes (tile versus sheet vinyl, wood paneling versus painted gypsum board or vinyl wall covering) and including higher quality systems (data networking, vacuum tubing, radiant heating). The spaces are becoming smaller and more personal, Americans finally realizing that big spaces are not comfortable spaces, not homey. The trend has not surfaced in Howard County but then, when was the last time a builder asked you what you wanted in a house?
- Flooring
- Door Installation/Replacement
- DrywallsMold is ecologically diverse so that it can thrive in a wide variety of climates, but the number one contributing factor that is vital for the growth of mold is moisture. The general rule of thumb is, "If there is moisture, there will eventually be mold". Mold can cause tremendous property damage because it amplifies, or flourishes on cellulose, a polymer of sugar and an abundant source of carbon that is found in wood, paper, drywall, and hundreds additional building materials. Mold excretes an enzyme called cellulase that breaks down cellulose into individual units as a food source.
- Basement Remodeling
- FramingEquipment was scattered around the site, steel frame scaffolding was leaning against a tree, and the boards were up against the building. Some of the scaffolding was up and a worker was applying some stucco finish to the rigid insulation; other workers were making repairs to damaged scaffold framing. Scraps of rigid insulation, wood framing, cardboard boxes, rebar, concrete block and things unrecognizable because of an uneven mud coating, littered the site. A storage trailer was sitting near the project entrance, far from the building, and the on-site office was opposite the site from it. Stored materials were inside the building, mixed in the woods at the edge of the site and underneath the site office. Debris and dried mud covered the slab inside so that a worker had to clear an area before he could set up a break-metal. County officials had forced work to stop more than once because of mud tracks from the site to the public roads surrounding it.
- Tile InstallationFinishes: Floors will be finished with quarry tile, quarry base tile, vinyl tile, vinyl cove base, carpet and ceramic tile. Walls will be predominately painted gypsum board, vestibule walls with brick veneer, toilet rooms with ceramic tiles. Ceilings will be predominately acoustical ceiling tile.
- Carpeting
- Skylight Repair/ReplacementIn constructing or rehabilitating a building, recycled building materials should be used and materials that will deplete natural resources or were made from toxic or hazardous constituents should be avoided. Avoid using any materials that generate air pollutants or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as certain paints, caulks, and adhesives. It should be noted that in building rehabilitation all hazardous materials, such as lead-based paint and asbestos should be handled appropriately. To increase energy efficiency, renewable energy sources such as solar panels or fuel cells can be used to meet energy demand. Installing skylights, dimmable ballasts, occupancy sensing lighting, and low wattage emergency lights will also reduce energy consumption. It is also important for the building to be properly insulated and windows airtight to increase energy efficiency. Placing awnings, glazing treatments or tint on windows will allow light to enter the workplace without the heat component, thus increasing the efficiency of the heating, cooling, and ventilation units (HVAC) and increasing the comfort of the employees. Insuring that the HVAC ducts are airtight will prevent moisture buildups, which cause mold and mildew, thus indoor air quality concerns. To improve water efficiency, lower the building water pressure, and install water efficient plumbing fixtures, appliances, and low flush toilets. A rainwater collection system can be installed for non-potable water uses, such as toilets or a cooling system. Office strategies that can be implemented include using recycled paper, paperless faxes, saving attachments to the computer as opposed to printing them out, and sleeping computer monitors when not in use.
- Cabinet Installation
- New ConstructionI recently attended a Smart Codes Training Session given by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. The Smart Codes, or officially designated as the Maryland Building Rehabilitation Code, took effect June 1, 2001. The code applies to all jurisdictions throughout the state and covers work on all existing buildings over one year old. The purpose of the code is to permit and encourage improvements to existing buildings that maintain or improve "health, safety, and welfare" without requiring full compliance with the building code. An existing building may contain elements that do not comply with current codes for new construction, for example egress travel distance, dead-end corridor length, or ceiling heights. These elements are allowed to remain as long as the work does not decrease the level of safety that currently exists in the building. For example, a 30-minute corridor partition may remain where a one-hour rating would be required for new buildings, or a stair other than a 7/11 riser/tread ratio may remain where it is required in new buildings. The Smart Codes separate rehabilitation requirements from those of new construction, however new elements must be constructed to current code standards. In addition, the local code official does retain the authority to cite a condition that does not comply with basic life safety provisions for all existing buildings in the local code.
- Foundation Installation
- LandscapingSite: Clearing, grading, installing temporary sediment control devices, site utilities, roadways, paved parking, curbs, sidewalks, equipment pads and landscaping.
- FencingSite: Utilities, lighting, parking lot for 144 cars, perimeter brick walls along West Saratoga Street and Martin Luther King Blvd., ornamental fencing along West Mulberry Street, and landscaping.
- Driveways
- Retaining WallsTreated timber retaining walls, stair treads, and deck supports don't last, especially if they are in direct contact with the earth. Better choices include brick, block masonry, stone or precast concrete.
- WalkwaysContrast this site with another across town. This one is in the same geographic area, is the same approximate size and had to deal with the same weather conditions but work was continuing at a breakneck pace. The general contractor at that site had put stored materials close to the building so that workers weren't dragging finishes through the mire. Materials were staged around the site and the little waste generated was being used for walkways from the clearly defined parking areas to the building. Later the parking areas at that site will have reduced remedial work required and time will be saved. Every night, laborers broom-clean the building, getting ready for the next day's work. Because the building will be enclosed sooner, they will keep crews working through the winter. The owner will get his building sooner and be able to have it making money for him sooner.
- Irrigation SystemsFire Protection: Protected by a hydraulically designed automatic wet pipe fire suppression sprinkler system, fire alarms, fire extinguisher, dry pipe sprinkler system.
- Window Installation/ReplacementAn example of the application of Smart Codes is the typical garden apartment rehabilitation project comprised of upgrades to a group of rental apartment buildings, including new carpeting, wall finishes, lighting in lobby and corridors, new cabinets, fixtures, appliances, and window replacement. No reconfiguration of spaces is planned with no extension of systems or elements, therefore the project is classified a Renovation. Under this classification, sprinklers are not required, and no changes to the electrical systems including installation of GFIC are required. In addition, the work on existing elements need only to comply with existing materials and methods levels, and even though the height and configuration of the existing balcony railings are not compliant
- Gutters
- SidingExterior insulation and finish system (EIFS; a brand name for the material is "Dryvit") can be easily damaged adjacent to parking or loading areas and should be protected with bollards or a more durable building material. Even aluminum or vinyl siding can be easily damaged and should be placed with care in these areas.
- PorchesGypsum board soffits at exterior overhangs, porches or open covered areas are subject to deterioration and moisture damage. Prefinished metal or exterior grade plywood soffit materials are more durable choices.
- Residential Roof RepairRoof: Roofing comprised of metal fiber shingles on roofing felts over plywood sheathing, built-up roofing over rigid insulation.
- Residential Roof Replacement/InstallationRoof: Ballasted, adhesive applied elastomeric membrane (E.P.D.M.) type roofing system over tapered rigid insulation; protective roof walkway pads are also specified.
- Painting
- Carpentry
- InsulationFacade: Exterior Insulation Finish System (EIFS), fiberglass batts at exterior walls, canopies pre-finished standing seam metal panels.
- MasonryFacade: Exterior walls comprised of brick masonry veneer, (EIFS) exterior insulation and finish system and pre-finished aluminum window and storefront curtain wall.
- CaulkingFor counties located in Zone 1 areas, it is recommended that radon mitigation (reduction) standards be implemented as a part of new construction, and in rehabilitation projects where measurements are higher than 4 pCi/L. A system can either be passive or active. A passive radon mitigation system for new construction would entail gravel, plastic polyethylene sheeting, foundation sealing and caulking, vent pipes, and an electric junction box. This system allows the radon to passively exit the structure through normal air pressure differences created by the structure. A system is made active by wiring an in-line fan to the junction box for further radon reduction. The costs for adding radon mitigation standards during construction are approximately $350 to $500 per unit/building as opposed to $800 to $2,500 for retrofitting an existing structure.