By Rob Fanjoy
The building industry has come a long way since the time when auger drills and two-man bucksaws ruled the job site. Today’s homes are far more energy efficient, more structurally sound and more rapidly built than ever before.
Rich Dooley, environmental analyst and land use planner at the National Association of Home Builders Research Center (www.nahbrc.org), points to five technological advances that can help builders produce quality homes more cost-effectively than ever:
- Preconstructed wall systems. These include such panelized and modular products as structural insulated panels (SIPs), insulated concrete forms (ICFs), precast concrete walls for foundations and others. These alternatives to traditional stick framing provide builders relief from often volatile lumber prices, minimize production delays, allow for more flexibility in scheduling around trade contractors and provide more structural strength. "These types of products allow builders to get their homes up quicker*#151sometimes in hours as opposed to days," says Rich.
- Engineered structural members. Engineered I-joists, finger-jointed studs, roof and floor truss systems, and laminated-veneer lumber (LVL) and glulam beams provide many of the same time-saving benefits as wall systems. "They are more forgiving of small errors in measurements and allow for more flexibility in implementation," Rich notes. "They allow for more wide-open interior spaces with fewer load-bearing walls or support posts." But the biggest benefits are realized in straighter, truer walls and ceilings, which makes the work of the subsequent trades such as drywall and trim installers go more quickly.
- Weather-resistant barriers and flashing systems. Product advancements in moisture control help prevent mold, rot and interior damage. Drainage planes under siding or flashing systems for window and door penetrations keep wind-driven rain from entering a home. "These are relatively inexpensive ways to greatly reduce call-backs and enhance the durability of any home," says Rich.
- Plumbing manifolds and home-run systems. These products, which connect PEX or other flexible piping directly from a fixture to its own supply valve on a central manifold, eliminate virtually all interim connections and joints that eventually get covered in wall or ceiling cavities. In addition to reducing the chance for leaks at these connections and simplifying maintenance, builders can realize time and money savings with these systems. "Installation is easier and quicker because you can snake the piping around corners and through studs," says Rich. "One study has shown that installers can save up to 30% over traditional copper installations."
- Air admittance valves (AAVs). These one-way, pressure-activated ports in plumbing systems replace traditional pipe venting and the associated roof penetrations, eliminating the chance for leaks around those penetrations, as well as the labor and time for making the holes and sealing around them. An NAHBRC study showed builders can save approximately $300 in material and labor savings for one 1,300 square-foot home. The technology is so new that not all codes allow its use, but Rich says that will change very quickly as code enforcement agencies become familiar with them. "AAVs also allow for much greater flexibility in designing a plumbing system and placing fixtures," says Rich.
For more information on these systems, including installation details, cost/benefit summaries, limitations and manufacturer contacts, visit NAHB’s ToolBase Services at www.toolbase.org.
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