Sugar Hollow Builders - Green Design and Construction in Charlottesville Virginia

At the Gerlach house in White Hall, the small footprint and vertical design create the scale and canvas for a green home. Superior Walls© in the basement provide a moisture-free, well-insulated foundation. Advanced framing techniques require 30-40% less lumber than conventional stick framing. Extra insulation in the wall and ceiling cavities (R-21 and R-50, respectively) and a thermal break keep the exterior and interior thermally separate, preventing energy loss and condensation. Reclaimed heart-pine flooring and Eastern Cypress siding make good use of salvaged materials, and EcoStar™ roofing is recycled, recyclable and durable.

Besides the efficient use of materials in building the home, the day-to-day living processes make efficient use of water, energy and daylight. Rainwater from the roof is collected in 3400 gallons of storage and made potable for household use. Super-low-flush toilets further conserve this resource. Hot water is provided by roof-mounted solar panels. Radiant floors and radiators are supplied by a biodiesel-fueled boiler to heat the house. Cooling is accomplished through large overhangs, high-efficiency fans and skylights, as well as by high-efficiency, room-specific 17 SEER air conditioners. Ample windows, transoms and skylights decrease the need for artificial lighting and provide plenty of ventilation. The relatively narrow width of the house adds to the penetration of daylight.

Indoor air quality is affected by the chemicals released from building products. Only formaldehyde-free wood products and insulation were used. Low-VOC adhesives and paint further reduce indoor toxins. Another IAQ issue is mold. Large overhangs, rainscreen siding and extra insulation prevent moisture from entering or forming inside walls. The boiler's fresh and exhaust air flows are sealed, separating its combustion from the home's breathing air.

			GERLACH HOUSE At the Gerlach house in White Hall, the small footprint and vertical design create the scale and canvas for a green home. Superior Walls© in the basement provide a moisture-free, well-insulated foundation. Advanced framing techniques require 30-40% less lumber than conventional stick framing. Extra insulation in the wall and ceiling cavities (R-21 and R-50, respectively) and a thermal break keep the exterior and interior thermally separate, preventing energy loss and condensation. Reclaimed heart-pine flooring and Eastern Cypress siding make good use of salvaged materials, and EcoStar™ roofing is recycled, recyclable and durable. Besides the efficient use of materials in building the home, the day-to-day living processes make efficient use of water, energy and daylight. Rainwater from the roof is collected in 3400 gallons of storage and made potable for household use. Super-low-flush toilets further conserve this resource. Hot water is provided by roof-mounted solar panels. Radiant floors and radiators are supplied by a biodiesel-fueled boiler to heat the house. Cooling is accomplished through large overhangs, high-efficiency fans and skylights, as well as by high-efficiency, room-specific 17 SEER air conditioners. Ample windows, transoms and skylights decrease the need for artificial lighting and provide plenty of ventilation. The relatively narrow width of the house adds to the penetration of daylight. Indoor air quality is affected by the chemicals released from building products. Only formaldehyde-free wood products and insulation were used. Low-VOC adhesives and paint further reduce indoor toxins. Another IAQ issue is mold. Large overhangs, rainscreen siding and extra insulation prevent moisture from entering or forming inside walls. The boiler's fresh and exhaust air flows are sealed, separating its combustion from the home's breathing air.