2013 PINETOP HOME BUILDER BLOG ARCHIVE -

LEED, Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design

DEC 20, 2013

LEED which stands for Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design is transforming the way we think about how our buildings and communities are designed, constructed, maintained and operated across the globe. Comprehensive and flexible, LEED is a green building tool that addresses the entire building lifecycle recognizing best-in-class building strategies.

At its core, LEED is a program that provides third-party verification of green buildings. Building projects satisfy prerequisites and earn points to achieve different levels of certification. The LEED process separates the projects that walk the walk versus talk the talk.

Pinetop Custom Homes’s latest home, completed at 70 Ilka Lane, has earned LEED certification transforming our 2013 Showcase into a model of innovation, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility. Solar energy panels, radiant heat system with a high-efficiency boiler, 8-inch framing loaded with spray foam insulation are just a few examples of how Pinetop Custom Homes has been able to attain the coveted LEED certification and is the first LEED home in Valley County. Contact Pinetop for more information on high energy efficiency ideas for your home.

2013 Showcase Home Completion

DEC 13, 2013

Pinetop Custom Homes announces the completion of its 2013 Showcase Home. Seattle meets McCall with this rustic contemporary design created by Luke Vannoy of McCall Planning and Design architectural firm. From the contemporary lines of the exterior elevations and clean crisp cabinets and quartz countertops to the rustic Ilka Lane setting with spectacular Jug Handle Mountain views, this home is truly stunning.

The construction boasts a LEEDS GOLD certification rating which is a first for a residential project in Valley County. Begin with a 12-panel solar energy system that brings in 120-degree water when it is 10 degrees outside. The heated water is brought into storage tanks and is utilized as needed to power the radiant heat system with a high-efficiency boiler. Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERV’s) are used to bring in clean makeup air and move the warm air throughout the home efficiently. Not to mention the Pinetop features including a gourmet kitchen, theater room, fitness room, and extensive outdoor living space. Well Done!

Vessel sinks, a focal point in our custom homes

DEC 05, 2013

Vessel sinks are the focal point of most of the bathrooms in our custom homes. Although basins with vanity units make for a stylish choice and will add a modern look to any bathroom, they have quite a bit of history. We traced their origins to centuries ago, to the old design of Chinese washbasins before running water was available.

Centuries later, they are making a comeback and here’s why we love them:

They are a great storage solution as the cupboards below can store away all sorts of clutter, including unsightly cleaning products.
Vessel sinks come in a variety of makes and models, constructed of high quality and durable materials such as cast iron for a traditional look, glass and natural stone such as marble, for a more modernized bathroom and elegant ceramics. You can even find sinks made of stainless steel and bronze.
They can be mounted on a wide variety of bathroom countertops, from granite, wood planks, concrete, tile, and even glass mosaic.

Incorporating reclaimed building materials

NOV 27, 2013

Recycling can mean much more than sorting your newspapers from your plastic. Our homeowners are increasingly requesting once-used materials to be incorporated into their custom homes. It’s a trend that ties in with the current drive towards sustainable living, and an aesthetic that is less about perfection and more about provenance.

The most common example of this is the growing popularity of reclaimed wood from old barn siding or the old, rusted corrugated metal roofing. Inexpensive and abundant, it delivers a shot of natural texture and is a key ingredient of the modern rustic look that has come to prominence in recent years. Re-purposed wood, especially if it’s a century-old or so, has a patina and pedigree that would be impossible to replicate in new wood.

We have long been accustomed to the idea of using reclaimed-wood flooring to add character to space, but it can also transform the look and feel of a room when used to clad walls and cupboard doors, or to make bookshelves and bed heads. The look appears grounded and authentic, raw and rustic like an old traditional log cabin in the woods.

Our office is a great example of how the use of reclaimed materials can bring these textures together, so the next time you are in McCall, we invite you to experience what Pinetop Custom Homes has to offer.

Hardwood flooring trends in Valley County

NOV 21, 2013

From light to dark, narrow to wide, domestic to exotic, smooth to distressed — wood flooring has evolved dramatically over the past 10 years. Check out a few of this year’s trends and industry highlights:

~Hand scraped hardwoods. Look for softer scrapes in species like hickory, maple, and birch. Hand scraping mimics an old floor that has been gently worn by time and footsteps. These floors have a contoured surface that looks comfortable “lived-in”. Individual planks bear the subtle grooves, scallops, and scrapes of an artisan’s chisel.

~Stains that are browner and less red.

~Barnwood and reclaimed visuals. This is simply old, antique wood that has been salvaged from buildings such as aging barns, factories, warehouses – all types of old buildings that are being deconstructed. Reclaimed antique wood has a beautiful and unique patina that only time can give it.

~Grey stains; white washed wood.

~Wire brushed, aged looks. This technique consists of running a wire brush over wood flooring, creating a rough, hard surface. The wire brush gets rid of the softwood on the surface, making the floor more durable, less slippery, and easier to maintain. Wire brushed floors can withstand wear and tear, making them a great option for households with kids or pets. These floors are meant to have a rough, earthy feel.

~Wider planks and matte finishes offering fewer seams.

~Character grade woods with lots of knots, mineral streaks, wormholes, and other natural and rustic characteristics.

~Strand woven bamboo.

~Longer length boards.

~Exotic hardwood flooring like tigerwood, Brazillian cherry, and teak.

~Ebonized hardwood. The dark, opaque look stands out in a neutral, contemporary space and creates a sleek black look.

McCall Home Building Trends 2013

NOV 15, 2013

If you’re planning to build a home in the coming year in McCall, you’ll want to design it to be both functional and timeless, but both of those ideas seem to change with the trends. Here’s a look at a few popular ideas for homes we’ve had the pleasure of building in 2013.

Energy Efficiency – These ideas translate into spending a little more during planning and construction, but you will save money every month you live in your new home. Paying more for a better grade of energy efficiency in your windows, doors, and appliances will pay off fairly quickly. Be sure to watch for the energy ratings when shopping for those new appliances. Low water toilets and sinks are a popular choice and help conserve water. Opting for additional insulation will also help you conserve energy and cut down utility costs.

Practicality – Another popular trend in new homes this year is practical living spaces. People are figuring out how they live in a home and what would make life easier. One upgrade trending this year is a laundry room built closer to the master bedroom. For the avid snow hobby enthusiast in McCall, heated storage closets with drains in the floor of the mudroom are becoming increasingly more popular.

Natural Light – Also topping the trending list for 2013 is as much natural light as you can possibly afford. Many homeowners are bringing the feel of the outdoors inside with walls of windows.

Live-In Guest Suites – Building a separate, yet connected additional suite, also known as the mother-in-law suite, is back by popular demand in new homes. Adding an outdoor entry to the separate living space gives the homeowner the option of an income property

Outdoor Living – Outdoor living spaces have been popular for several years, but there is a turn in the trend. There has been a decline in outdoor kitchen spaces, but an increase in outdoor living areas. Building a beautiful outdoor covered patio complete with a stone fireplace has been at the top of the list for many clients.

Building a new home should be a time you make decisions to suit your own needs, but sometimes following the trends can pay off with upping the value of your home. This is not the time to take short cuts, don’t be afraid to spend money on quality materials, and keep your long-term needs in mind. Soon, you’ll be moving into the home of your dreams.

Energy Star Homes

OCT 25, 2013

Energy Star ® is a program that was first developed in 1992 by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a method to identify and promote products that are energy efficient.

You are probably familiar with products carrying this symbol. These products provide a way for businesses and consumers to save money, while at the same time, protect our environment. Appliances carrying the Energy Star ® rating typically are 10 to 20% more energy-efficient than non-rated models

Pinetop Custom Homes is proud to be an ENERGY STAR home builder, providing homes that are better built and more comfortable; homes that save you money on your utility bills every month.

Every Northwest ENERGY STAR certified home is built to meet energy efficiency guidelines set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency.

From energy-efficient windows to advanced heating and cooling systems, ENERGY STAR homes guarantee greater savings, comfort, and peace-of-mind.

Simply stated, ENERGY STAR homes are built better for you and the environment.

The following technical information explains the key components that make a home an ENERGY STAR Home.

Radiant Floor Heating

SEPT 25, 2013

Team Pinetop traveled to Park City, Utah and Jackson Hole, Wyoming this year on a tour of high-end showcase homes and radiant floor heat seemed to be the common denominator with every home visit.

The current trend of radiant floor heating stems from the fact that you don’t even realize that it is there. It is this ubiquitous feeling of comfort coupled with the energy efficiency obtained with the current hot water heaters and boilers available. The system will keep the slab or core at a level temperature of your choice dependent on the season and your comfort thresholds.

That’s the appeal of radiant floor heating, it is invisible. But a radiant floor system has more than just aesthetics going for it. It’s also a highly efficient way to heat a house, increasing comfort while reducing energy costs…up to 30% more efficient than forced-air heating.

In a radiant setup, the warmth is supplied by hot-water tubes or electric wires buried underneath the floor. As the invisible waves of thermal radiation rise from below, they warm up any objects they strike, which radiate that captured heat in turn. Though the air temperature remains relatively constant, you stay comfortable because the surrounding surfaces aren’t stealing warmth from your body.

So, when considering building your next home, consider the option for the better, more efficient heating source and Pinetop Custom Homes for an unrivaled custom, quality home building experience. Pinetop continues to utilize high efficiency electric forced air heating systems in a number of their homes as well. Pinetop can effectively consult you on the pros and cons of each system to assess which way would better suit your project.

474 Blackhawk Lake Drive

SEPT 9, 2013

Blackhawk Lake (474 Blackhawk Lake Drive): 2,734 sqft, 3 bed, 3 bath

Pinetop Custom Homes has years of experience in setting forms and pouring concrete foundations for construction projects in the mountain environment. Care must be taken in structural footings and stem walls as these are the support for your residential structure. The soil and backfill must be adequately compacted to support the concrete and ultimately the structure.

1982 Warren Wagon Road

AUG 16, 2013

On Payette Lake (1982 Warren Wagon Road): 7,925 sqft, 7 bed, 8 bath

Our house on the lake project began in March of this year located on beautiful Payette Lake. New construction will commence soon on this handsome seven-bedroom, eight bath vacation home complete with a gourmet kitchen and elevator. Once the project is completed in 2014, it will offer some amazing views of Payette Lake!

3.25.13 Site Prep

Payette Lake has been providing one of the most stunning sites in the country to build and enjoy a vacation home for over 50 years. Pinetop Custom Homes can come in and obtain the proper permits and approvals to remove the over-growth of the lot and begin the excavation process. Pinetop takes great care to protect the site, neighborhood, and pristine lake.

05.16.13 Foundation

07.11.13 Framing

Pinetop Custom Homes stands alone in the McCall area in its utilization of the latest high energy and process efficiency of Pre-manufactured wall panels and trusses combined with the ZIP sheathing system. The walls are prepared from computer generated DXF files in a manufacturing environment in order to increase quality, accuracy, and speed. The walls and trusses are delivered to the job site ready to install by Pinetops experienced, well-trained framing crews. Pinetop then uses its mini cranes to hoist the components in place to assemble the home effectively. This technology allows Pinetop to frame a typical 2000 sq ft home in a week’s time versus months with traditional “stick” framing. Additionally, this process dramatically reduces the lumber waste and the costs related to the disposal of these materials.

3922 Wolf Creek Court

JUNE 21, 2013

Whitetail (3922 Wolf Creek Court): 3,412 sqft, 3 bed, 4 bath

7.15.13 Foundation

09.01.13 Framing

Pinetop Custom Homes stands alone in the McCall area in its utilization of the latest high energy and process efficiency of pre-manufactured wall panels and trusses combined with the ZIP sheathing system. The walls are prepared from computer generated DXF files in a manufacturing environment in order to increase quality, accuracy, and speed. The walls and trusses are delivered to the job site ready to install by Pinetops experienced, well-trained framing crews. Pinetop then uses its mini cranes to hoist the components in place to assemble the home effectively. This technology allows Pinetop to frame a typical 2000 sq ft home in a week’s time versus months with traditional “stick” framing. Additionally, this process dramatically reduces the lumber waste and the costs related to the disposal of these materials.

New Photos of Pinetop’s Showcase Home in McCall

MAR 22, 2013

Be sure to check out the latest photo added to Pinetop’s Whitetail Showcase home, located under Featured Projects.

These photos, tastefully taken by local photographer Gary Ertter, truly capture the splendor of this home.

More information on this home can be found in the Spring 2013 edition of McCall’s Homes and Land Magazine.

New Whitetail Residence in McCall Underway

MAR 8, 2013

The Donerkiel residence, located on Fox Fairway Court in McCall’s premier golf community Whitetail, is currently underway and in the process of being framed.

This 3,000 square foot home features 3 beds, 3.5 bathrooms, and breathtaking views of Whitetail’s golf course.

Continue to check back on our Current Projects page for updated photos of the Donerkiel residence.