APA Media Center News Release
For Release: Immediately
Contact: Kevin Hayes, APA – The Engineered Wood Association
Email: Kevin.Hayes@apawood.org
Phone: 253-620-7445
Date: June 26, 2008
Number: 2008-09
Construction Underway on GreenHaus Builders’ Next Green Home
(TACOMA) – The ground has broken on Houston’s next certified green residence, a 3,000 square foot, traditional style, two-story home that will meet national and local green certification standards for design and construction. The home will also serve as a demonstration for professionals interested in engineered wood products and applications and how green building translates from the drawing board into a certified home.
Michael Strong, a principal with GreenHaus Builders has tentatively scheduled the first open house for July 14 to showcase the raised wood floor system. Partnering with Strong are APA, The Southern Pine Council (SPC) and a number of engineered wood manufacturers.
Strong, winner of the 2008 Green Building Advocate of the Year from the National Association of Home Builders, built Houston’s first LEED Gold Home. Widely known for innovative building practices, he has embraced raised wood floor construction.
“The expansive soils in Houston are notoriously rough on slab foundations,” said Strong. “We are using a pier and beam foundation with the wood floors on top. This foundation type is less susceptible to movement and cracking,” he added. “The use of piers makes leveling and repairs very simple.”
Raised wood floors offer several advantages over slab foundations. The system provides an extended living space with a porch out front and a deck off the back, easy home improvements when modifying utilities, natural isolation from moisture and insect sources at ground level, reduced risk of flood damage and greater joint comfort for an aging population worried about knee, ankle and back pain.
Strong will open the house at various stages throughout the construction process to discuss additional topics such as wind resistant wall framing and cladding, moisture control and durability and energy efficiency.
The SPC is adding to the overall awareness through an extensive consumer advertising commitment. Houston’s CBS affiliate, KHOU, will follow the home’s progress through a series of live segments on its morning show, Great Day Houston. Strong will also promote the home on his weekly radio show, Home Improvement Hotline.
In addition, APA has created a website to track the progress of this and other Gulf Coast demonstration projects. Visit www.e3house.org for more information.
###Founded in 1933 and based in Tacoma, Wash., APA represents approximately 160 plywood, oriented strand board, glulam timber, wood I-joist, Rim Board and laminated veneer lumber mills throughout the U.S. and Canada. Its primary functions are quality auditing and testing, applied research, and market support and development.