Background:
Since 1968, PMHI has
taken great pride in being very selective in the quality of the
materials used in its home building packages. For example, we have
always specified only Douglas Fir for its superior strength and less
tendency to warp and twist.
With the introduction
of Engineered Lumber, PMHI was one of the first packagers to include
Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) and Glu Laminated Beams (GLB) as
standard materials in lieu of solid lumber beams.
Furthermore, whenever
possible, PMHI strives to purchase framing lumber from only will
managed and environmentally sustainable forests, such as
Roseburg Forest
Products.
Your options available today from PMHI for
a Green home:
1. All floor systems, beams and headers
will be Engineered Lumber.
Benefit: Solid-sawn lumber in
sizes 2x10 and greater typically comes from old=growth
forests or large diameter trees. Engineered lumber products
are made from small diameter, fast-growing plantation trees
2. All other framing lumber will be FSC-Certified
or Engineered Lumber
Benefit:
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification assures that the
forests from which the wood was harvested is managed in an
environmentally, economically and socially responsible manner.
NOTE: At the
present time, most of the FSC certified framing lumber on the market
is dry Hem Fir in higher grades like Select Structural.
Hopefully, if there is enough demand for it, Douglas fir will become
more available. In the meantime, you must understand that FSC lumber will most likely be Hem Fir and
your plan engineering will also need to be revised for the lower strength
values of Hem Fir....at an added cost too.
3. All exterior wall framing will be 2x6:
Benefit: Energy savings
4. All floor and roof sheathing will be
OSB:
Benefit:
Oriented Strand Board (OSB) is a type of engineered wood product
manufactured from fast growing farm trees.
5. All roof sheathing will include a
Radiant Barrier:
Benefit:
Energy savings.
6. All roof trusses will have Energy Heels
where possible:
Benefit:
Energy savings. At the intersection of perimeter walls and roof
framing, there is often increased heat loss because conventional
roof trusses (and rafter framed roofs) reduce the area available
for insulation to less than 6 inches. An energy heel is a
framing technique that raises the height of the truss at
exterior wall top plates to accommodate the full depth of
insulation at the home’s perimeter.
NOTE: Energy Heels are not practical in
all roof truss designs. Hence, each plan must be analyzed first.
Also, please understand that the Energy Heel will increase the
overall truss height about one foot. Hence, this could cause
additional shipping and handling problems....and related expenses.
7. All roof overhangs will be at least 24
inches:
Benefit:
Roof overhangs increase a homes durability by protecting it from
the elements and helping regulate the amount of rain striking
exterior walls. Overhangs also provide shading for windows:
8. All windows will be dual glazed with
vinyl frames and low-e coating:
Benefit: Energy savings
How to build green with PMHI:
Our Green Specifications are now a standard
option at PMHI. Simply ask for your package to be quoted Green
to realize these immediate energy savings in your new home and
saving of our forest resources too. Even though these options
will increase the cost of your package, the energy savings alone
will more than repay the added cost in the years to come.
