To earn the ENERGY STAR, a home must meet guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These homes are at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC), and include additional energy-saving features that typically make them 20-30% more efficient than standard homes.
On Saturday, October
3, nearly 30 volunteers showed up to give Owen
Middle School a lift. Parents and students joined coaches and neighbors
in a turn out to give the OMS Athletic facility a much needed
maintenance day. The effort was headed by Ben Fortson of Appalachian
Homestead, a home improvement company, and Sean Sullivan, of Living
Stone Construction, a local Builder.
Tile installation is art. Just as art develops and changes with time and history, such is true of tile. During my tenure of installing tile in Western North Carolina, I have seen major transformations. The assortment of tile selections has increased dramatically. The extent to which people are using tile in their homes as an art form as opposed to simply serving a function has increased allowing each new project to remain fresh and diverse.
For many baby boomers suffering the shock waves of 2008's market losses, it's so long, South Beach. Instead of retiring to Maui, soon-to-be retirees are scaling back expectations. But even though popular and pricey retirement locales may be out of reach, there are still plenty of excellent places that will tickle your fancy without busting your budget.
Whether you are building a new home or remodeling an existing space, it’s important to assemble a team of experienced professionals to guide you through the process. You may have decided on an architect and a builder, but have you considered working with an interior designer? Maybe you are unclear about the designer’s role within your design/build team.
Builder/Architect Magazine Goes Online! The July/August 2009 edition is the first edition to be viewable through a new online reader.
As of May 2009, Sean Sullivan has become certified as a “Certified Green Professional” through the NAHB’s new Green Building Standard. Sullivan, and Living Stone Construction, have been building “Green” for years and were one of the first in the area to become “certified” through the local WNC Green Builders Council. The NAHB’s new program has finally received their ANSI certification and now LSC can build and certify “Energy Star”, “Healthy Built” and “NAHB Green” on a single project. There are less than 100 builders in NC that have earned this designation!
The NCHBA has elected Sean Sullivan to serve as the Vice Chairman of BUILD-Pac for the year of 2009. The first action Sullivan will take is to speak at the Region X meeting on February 2, 2009 at the Maggie Valley Country Club. Region X comprises the seven county HBA’s that reside on this side of the state. Sullivan will serve as Chair of the Committee in 2010 on the state level.
The Best Green Places study, which is based on data discovered by Sperling's BestPlaces, examines 24 data metrics in 5 major categories -- including air and watershed quality, mass transit usage, power usage, farmers markets, organic producers, and number of green-certified buildings -- to determine which metro areas are the best places to live a green life.
P.O. Box 183, Black Mountain, NC 28711 ♦ ph. 828.669.4343 ♦ fax 828.669.3865 ♦ email: information@livingstoneconstruction.com
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