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LaHouse Building Systems and Features (West Wing)
| [Image: continuous concrete footings] | | [Image: easy riser stair system] | | [Image: Cellulose insulation] |
West Wing (Bedrooms, bathrooms, upstairs offices)
Advanced Framing (Optimum Value Engineered):
- 2x6, 24 in. o.c. spacing, aligned stack framing
- 3-stud corners and t-joints that allow insulation
- drywall clips instead of extra wood
- Energy-efficient (R-19 without rigid foam, fewer gaps)
- Strong, with less lumber
- borate pressure treated 2x6 southern pine – local resource, termite resistant
- similar in cost to conventional framing, yet outperforms
- fewer pieces, less labor
- easier hurricane connections (studs, joists, rafters align)
- LSL band joists between levels – strong, straight, borate treated
Interior framing materials:
- Finger-joint 2x4’s southern pine for interior partitions
- Straight, no rejects, so less waste
- Efficient use of local wood resource
- Trimmable open web floor trusses with finger joints
- Allows jobsite adjustment
- Long spans
- Openings for wiring, ducts, etc.
- Engineered stair risers
- stronger, premarked, requires less skill and time
- uses 2x6 stringer, instead of 2x12
Sheathings
- Grid marked, foil faced OSB roof decking
- Radiant barrier keeps vented attic cooler
- Front: Borate treated plywood
- termite resistant with standard nails
- Back: Copper treated OSB (need corrosion resistant fasteners)
- Highly resistant to termites, mold, moisture, decay
- Side (MBa): Copper treated, foil faced OSB, seams taped
- Vapor barrier, radiant barrier, drainage plane all in one
- Vapor barrier best practice with brick veneer to resist heat driven moisture into wall
Weather Barriers
- Front: 2 layers behind 3-coat stucco for drainage plane
- crinkled housewrap creates drainage gaps
- building paper layer bonds to stucco (vapor retarder)
- stucco provides air barrier, not moisture barrier
- Back: housewrap and rain screen behind siding
- vapor retarder (perm 6) housewrap
- seams taped, top and bottom sealed (air barrier)
- mesh wrap maintains drainage gap behind siding
- water managed pre-formed corner trim for siding
- Window flashings – to drain leaks to outside
- Flexible, formable adhesive sill flashing membrane
- fast, easy installation; durable adhesive
- seamless sill corner protection
- Flashing tapes – sequence, corner patches important
Foundations, 3 ways to elevate:
- Each are 3 ft. above base flood elevation (BFE) for lowest flood insurance premiums & cushion of safety
- Front – Slab cap on compacted fill inside stemwall
- rebar reinforced concrete block (CMU) stemwalls on poured concrete footings
- Resists pressure of floodwater
- No crawl space, yet low impact on floodplain
- Most expensive option
- Durable plastic sheeting moisture barrier under slab + waterproofing between CMU & slab – stops wicking
- Low water-cement ratio (<.47), wet curing blanket – for higher strength & reduced curl
- recycled fly ash, slag, cement mix – adds strength
- MBa – wood subfloor on stemwall foundation (crawl space)
- CMU stem walls with flood vents (within 1 ft. of grade) to prevent damage from floodwater pressure
- flood activated vents exhibited – louvered & insulated
- Crawlspace ground higher than surrounding grade
- Spray foam insulation (air barrier) + plastic ground cover
- 2 types – open & closed cell being moisture monitored (research)
- MBR – wood subfloor on piers and beams (open)
- lowest cost option
- spray foam perimeter rim (air seal) + foil faced rigid foam board insulation encasing joists, taped seams
- Steel mesh termite barrier blocks hidden pathways
- pipe collars, tops of piers and stemwalls
Energy saving features of west wing:
Passive solar (sun control)
- Radiant barrier roof decking (2nd story), cool color metal roof
- Foil faced sheathing behind west brick veneer (radiant barrier)
- Little west glass, Bahamas shutters
- Energy Star Low-e windows, doors (SHGC < 0.4)
- Tight construction
- exterior air barriers (stucco, taped sheathing, sealed wrap)
- foam sealed penetrations
- thin sheathing behind tubs, sealed to drywall
- Airtight Drywall Approach in MBR (sealed drywall)
- airtight attic access stair
Continuous insulation
- R-19 spray cellulose in 2x6 walls
- R-38 blown fiberglass over ceiling, with vent baffles
Efficient HVAC system
- SEER 16, dual fuel air source heat pump
- 90% AFUE gas back up heat (good for north La.)
- Fresh air duct & smart flow controller for good IAQ
- Ducts in conditioned space
- dropped ceiling below sealed insulated ceiling,
- between floors through open web joists
- Air transfer grilles with light, sound baffles prevent pressure imbalances – protects air quality, saves energy, comfort
Efficient lighting & appliances
- High color fluorescent fixtures
Fortified features (to resist 130 mph wind & flood damage):
- 15/32 in. structural wall sheathing for shear (racking) resistance
- all exterior walls + load bearing interior walls that are subject to wind forces
- placed to span, thus tie 1st to 2nd level
- blocking added to provide framing at all edges
- 10d nails spaced 6 in. along long edges, double row along short edges, 12 in. across field of each panel
- Hurricane connectors tie roof to foundation:
- 5/8 in. anchor bolts with 3 in. washers, 16 in. spacing, tie sole plate to slab
- corner hold-downs resist sliding, tilting forces
- Hurricane straps tie wood subfloors to piers, stemwall
- Stud to plate connectors tie walls to foundation
- Straps connect 2nd story to 1st story, studs to top plates
- u-shaped rafter straps to top plates reinforce notched rafters, roof overhang from high uplift forces
- porch columns strapped to piers and roof beam
- 19/32 in. OSB roof decking
- Ring shank nails (8d), spaced 6 in.
- Peel and stick membrane roof underlayment
- High performance tested – for adhesive tile installation
- Primer applied to decking for optimal adhesn
- 6:12 moderate slope hip roof – more wind resistant
- wind borne debris protection:
- impact rated windows, door (MBR)
- impact rated shutters – varied types
Safe Room MBR closet:
- Moderate level (not FEMA standard), low cost storm shelter
- Separate safe room ceiling
- 2 layers ¾ in. plywood sheathing
- Hurricane connectors – slab to studs to ceiling joists
- Hidden impact-resistant pocket door (+ cosmetic door) and swing impact door to water heater closet
MBR Deck
- Copper azole treated for outdoor exposure (framing, rails)
- Non-metallic pressured treated decking – eco-friendly
- Deck protector tape protects hardware from corrosion
Roofs
- Concrete tile (2nd story) installed with foam adhesive, large patty under each tile for high wind resistance
- Roll ridge vent system with water barrier
- More impact resistant, lower cost than clay
- Long lasting roof
- Standing seam metal roofing (MBR and MBa)
- Long lasting, recycled content
- Cool color pigment, solar reflective
- No exposed fasteners, less leak prone
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| Last Updated: 12/20/2011 8:59:34 AM |
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