Teaching Center (Garage)

Insulating Concrete Form (ICF) building system:

· 6” concrete within 2.5” insulating foam forms, with plastic connectors and steel rebar reinforcement

· High impact resistance, good safe room system

· R-22 continuous wall insulation – highly energy-efficient

· Fast construction, little waste

· No need for wall drainage plane, vapor retarder, air barrier

· Treated window bucks, roof framing for termite resistance

· Cost 2-7% more than standard wood frame

Slab on grade just above base flood elevation (BFE) with:

· Extra durable plastic sheeting under slab and grade beams prevents moisture wicking to walls, flooring

· Low water-to-cement ratio (<.47) + reusable wet curing blanket – increases strength, prevents curl

· Fly ash, slag, cement mix – recycled content, adds strength

· Post tension system for expansive soils – to prevent spreading of cracks (Note: expect concrete to crack)

Plumbing:

· Torchless crimped copper pipe fittings - fast, safe

· Low-flow, power assist toilets – in wall, low noise

· Low-flow urinal with smart sensor valve

· Hands-free & universal design faucets, sink

Roof:

· Borate-treated wood for termite resistance

· Grid marked decking for fast, precise installation

· Synthetic roofing felt

        o Extremely tear resistant (withstood Katrina and Rita)

        o Lightweight, fast installation, 180 day UV exposure

· Standing seam metal roofing, no exposed fasteners

        o “cool color” hi-tech pigment reflects heat like light color

        o long life, recycled content, wind resistant

Design:

· Hip roof sheds water away, shades all sides

· Detached garage protects home from auto exhaust, chemicals

        o Also creates breezeway for screen porch

Fortified features (to resist 130 mph wind & flood damage):

· Steel rebar ties concrete walls to slab

· Top plate connected with anchor bolts in concrete wall

· Hurricane plates, straps wrapped over each rafter anchor roof

· Hip roof naturally more wind resistant

· Ring shank nails, close nailing pattern secure roof decking

· Roof decking seams sealed with bitumen roof tape (secondary water barrier from storm water damage)

· High-wind & impact-rated garage door, doors, windows

· “Dry floodproofed” bottom 3 ft. exterior

· Flood resistant materials – concrete, rigid foam, paperless drywall, stucco

Energy saving features of Teaching Center:

Passive solar (sun control)

· “Cool Roof” – solar reflective with high emissivity (painted metal)

· Radiant barrier coating under roof deck

· Roof overhangs shade windows, walls – hip roof

· Low-e glass (SHGC < 0.4)

Tight construction

· concrete walls plus air sealed openings and ceiling

· ICAT recessed lights & surface mount lighting

Continuous insulation

· R-22 continuous foam walls

· R-38 stabilized cellulose over ceiling

· Insulated doors, windows

Efficient HVAC & HW systems

· SEER 18, two-stage A/C with ozone-friendly refrigerant

· Gas tankless water heater – for both water AND air

        o space saving, no standby loss – 30-50% more efficient

        o endless hot water, whole house, no temp. fluctuation

        o used with heat exchanger to heat air (without furnace)

· Fresh air duct & smart flow controller for good IAQ

· Small dehumidifier for healthy RH < 50% (when cooling not needed)

Efficient lighting & appliances

· High color fluorescent fixtures, compact fluorescent lamps

        o 2/3 less energy, 2/3 less heat, appealing light

· Energy Star refrigerator, dehumidifier