Why a design/build team?
There is tremendous benefit to designing and tracking cost throughout the design process. Many times homeowners have designed their dream home complete with every detail the family has ever imagined. Every detail except cost. Having been in the industry for over 25 years, we have heard many stories and have bid many projects that end up being completely out of a client’s budget due primarily to working with a designer or architect who has no knowledge of current construction costs.
Why our design build team?
Our team is passionate and dedicated to creating homes that not only budget-friendly, but also buildable to the highest standards of energy efficiency. All designs are created to incorporate your wish list, paying particular attention to furniture layout, storage needs, and both indoor and outdoor entertaining spaces.
What is the difference between a production builder and Sterling Brook Custom Homes?
Production builders:
- They offer generic plans with no or very limited plan modifications.
- Their construction methods only meet minimum building code requirements.
- They build to minimum energy standards.
- They offer no energy efficiency testing or certifications by independent experts.
- They offer limited finish selections (paint, flooring, etc.).
Any variations from stock plans or selections can easily add thousands of dollars to the final price tag. Their stock plans typically offer very minimal options in areas such as:
- Energy efficiency packages
- Lighting, electrical and appliance packages
- Base finish selections for carpet, tile, granite, cabinetry
- Minimal closet storage, minimal garage size, little or no outdoor living area, etc.
- Are not personalized for the way your family lives
Sterling Brook Custom Homes:
- All plans are custom designed for your family’s needs, daily routine, and wish list.
- It’s a given that our homes meet building codes. We look for opportunities to do it better and take the extra steps to ensure a safe, quality home that stands the test of time. We are aware of the trends in building codes and what’s coming, so we build to exceed those codes today.
- Energy efficiency is either built into a home or it’s not, and it’s very difficult to retrofit a home to be energy efficient. That’s why we do it right from the beginning, integrating building science into the entire process to ensure your home is built to a higher standard. Not only are we lowering utility bills, we are providing better indoor air quality and reducing the pollutants in your home.
- Our homes are tested at twice during the construction process to assure that they meet our highest standards. These tests are performed by independent industry experts. On average, our houses exceed Energy Star requirements by 100%.
- Our finish selections are made at designer showrooms where hundreds of options are available to fit your lifestyle and budget.
- Our homes are designed around the way your family lives.
What is a High Performance Home?
A high performing home is more than just being energy efficient or “green.” It’s more than using less energy or less water. It’s a home that incorporates efficient use of space, efficient use of materials, decreased environmental impact, healthier indoor air quality, and increased quality of life. A high performing home is a home that offers the best lifestyle for your family and the lowest impact on the environment.
Is a "green" home the same thing as a "high performance" home?
A “Green Home” does not necessarily mean an energy efficient home. A project can be labeled “green” for a number of reasons, including something as basic as recycling waste from a job! That does not mean that you are receiving a true high performance or energy efficient home.
While using recycled building products and taking care to recycle waste on the job site are important and certainly help make a project more “green”, being truly environmentally responsible means owning a home that uses less energy and water each month over the entire life of your home. That is A High Performing Home. We take several steps and offer multiple options to make your dream home not only uniquely yours, but also to make it work efficiently for you.
Home Energy Rating System (HERS)
Today homes are rated on their energy efficiency and assigned a Home Energy Rating Score (HERS). A lower HERS score means a home is more energy efficient. Homes that were built to code standards only five short years ago have an average HERS score of around 130. Homes being built to code standards today have an average HERS score of 100 and if those homes are also built to Energy Star Standards they will have a minimum HERS score of 85.
Sterling Brook Custom Homes have a HERS score of 65 or less. This means your Sterling Brook Custom Home will be at least 20% more efficient than a typical Energy Star Home and 50% more efficient than a home built to standard codes just a few years ago.
Building a quality high-performance home is more than just installing a couple of components. Your home must be built of the right components, installed and working together to achieve the best results. Many builders advertise the use of a few energy components, but few understand proper application and installation. You can trust our experience and expertise to provide a home that requires less maintenance, is more comfortable and saves you money.
Energy Efficient / Green Amenities:
- Energy Star and Green Built Texas certified
- Independently tested duct blaster and blower door test
- Upgraded vinyl windows with Low E glass to help reduce unwanted solar heat gain
- Advanced framing using 2×6 exterior walls at 24” o.c. with energy corners and ladder “t” to increase overall wall insulation value
- Comprehensive air sealing package to reduce air infiltration creating better indoor air quality and increased energy efficiency
- Open cell spray foam insulation (R21) completely fills wall cavities for superior insulation effectiveness
- Foam attic encapsulation keeps all A/C units and ducts in conditioned space for reduced loads and longer A/C unit life
- R3 Insulation over structural sheathing to reduce thermal bridging and provide greater overall thermal efficiency
- Dow Weathermate Plus house wrap with integrated window flashing to provide continuous drainage plain for bulk water control
- Sill Seal gasket used under all exterior walls for air seal and under all first floor walls for moisture break
- 20 SEER A/C units with two stage compressors & variable speed fans for greater overall comfort and efficiency
- 4” pleated media filters at the A/C units to provide superior air filtration and reduced dust and allergens
- Tankless gas water heaters to eliminate tanks in the attic, only uses energy when hot water is needed. When combined with a hot water loop, provides quick hot water supply to all faucets to reduce water waste.
- EPA water-wise toilets
- Low-flow faucets and showers
- Drought tolerant, local plants and sod to reduce water requirements