Howard Chermak, founder of award-winning Chermak Construction, is a much-loved and respected leader in the local remodeling industry. In this exclusive podcast recorded live at our September Remodelers Council Dinner, Howard provides us with his incredible insight and discusses the ways to evaluate the overall health of your business.

Cork flooring

Paperstone counters

Shou Sugi Ban, © Greenhome Solutions

In an era of "green living" and "sustainable sourcing," it's only natural to apply those characteristics to your home. Unfortunately, buying flooring isn't as simple as picking out an earth-friendly dish soap. There's more to consider and it's often an unfamiliar territory. This summer, the Model Remodel team spoke with Cameron Reith and Pieter Sundgren of Greenhome Solutions (GHS) about their favorite and newest products.

If you haven't been to the showroom, it's worth the visit. I'd go so far as to say anyone thinking about a remodel or new construction should take a peek at their selection. Greenhome Solutions is a family-owned, Seattle-based green building product supplier and showroom. Their friendly and down-to-earth team is happy to introduce homeowners and contractors to the latest green building materials, but some of the products you have to see to believe. As Cameron revealed: "We've poured a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into this place… and we continue to." Their integrity shows with a lineup of great, certified products that they trust.

Cork Flooring

"People underestimate the quality and wear of cork," said Pieter at GHS. We couldn't agree more. Cork is exceptionally quiet underfoot, environmentally friendly, comfortable, and serves as a natural thermal insulator. Typical skepticism includes: it's not going to last, it's going to dent, etc. All flooring has advantages and disadvantages, but the benefits outweigh in most scenarios with cork flooring. Cork flooring is sealed to prevent moisture absorption and staining. Sometimes it can even be refinished like hardwood can.

Take one gander at the selection of cork they have in the store and you'll see just how versatile cork can be. Colors, patterns, and hues can all play a factor into the look of cork. Some of the colored cork doesn't even resemble cork, but rather a tile or painted floor—with plenty of added comfort. Cork flooring patterns are natural and geometric at the same time, for those looking for an edgier option. "Overall, it's one of the healthiest building materials out there," says Pieter.

Recycled Countertops

Though the thought of a recycled countertop may not be as alluring as quartz, you may change your mind once you see the options. You may not find a marble lookalike, but recycled countertops are twice as interesting as traditional options.

For starters, take a look at this countertop in the making: Azure Layering. It's a product by Paperstone, which is created from 50-100% recycled paper and a non-petroleum resin. Manufactured in Washington state with 100 percent made-in-the-U.S. raw materials, most PaperStone products are certified recycled by the Rainforest Alliance to the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) standards. If you think paper could never be a durable countertop option, you're not alone—but you have to hold it in your hands to believe it. It's reminiscent of soapstone and looks like a smooth slate. As a non-porous hard surface, it's surprisingly (but it makes sense!) warmer to the touch than stone alternatives. Like cork, it too comes in a variety of colors.

Another countertop option is Vetrazzo recycled glass countertops, made by hand in Georgia. A slab can be made of 100% recycled glass, but many are approximately 85% of the final material—a significant amount. The countertops use all sorts of specially selected glass: jars, windshields from cars, architectural glass from skyscrapers, pre and post-consumer glass from curbside recycling, and more! The products range in colors and size of the glass particles so you can find a look that fits your style.

Shou Sugi Ban Wood Siding & Paneling

Shou sugi ban is an ancient Japanese method of charring the surface of wood to preserve it, make it fire retardant, and resistant to rot, insects, and decay. The burning process draws out moisture, so the resulting chemical compound protects the wood. Used exceedingly more in modern architecture, the charred wood makes a statement and is easy to spot. While it's used primary for exterior purposes, it can absolutely be used indoors for decorative purposes as well. Shou Sugi Ban wood is installed using the same techniques as traditional siding, so installation costs won't vary. It won't need paint, sealing, or any major care, so it is about as durable of a siding option as you can find. Traditionally, Japanese "Sugi" (cedar) wood was used, but Greenhome Solutions offers a hyper-local option: Douglas Fir from Blakely Island in the San Juan Islands. With a lifespan of up to 80 years, it's a timeless and naturally beautiful product built to last.

While some of these products are virtually maintenance-free, it's important to note that sustainable materials often come with some level of care required by the homeowner. As Pieter at Greenhome Solutions put it so wisely, "Sustainable living takes a little more care and maintenance, but it looks and wears better in the long run." He was speaking to EcoTimber, which MRM installed in a Columbia City Backyard Cottage last year and received much praise for its beautiful grain during the 2017 Green Home Tour. His sentiment though, holds true for many green building products. In the long term, your conscience and your home will be healthier because of the smart choices you made during your construction project. Our team and the highly qualified team over at Greenhome Solutions will help you find the right building materials to fit your needs—just ask!

Emma Zimmerman is the marketing specialist at Model Remodel, a Seattle design-build contractor and member of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS).

All Built Green homes are designed to reach beyond current Washington state building and energy codes, creating greener homes. However, not all Built Green homes are equal. There are actually four different Built Green certification levels, referred to as star levels, that builders can choose from. This allows builders the flexibility to choose the star level that best matches the project given their aims and the project context. This post will walk you through the various Built Green certification levels available and help you understand the differences between them.

Perhaps the most notable differences are the energy requirements for each certification. The chart below provides an overview regarding these requirements.

3-, 4-, and 5-Star certification levels require a certain percentage of improvement above state energy code; builders can opt how they want to make these energy use improvements. The Built Green checklists provide multiple energy use improvement options and each action item is assigned points based on its impact. These items were decided upon by leading industry professionals as viable possibilities to improve energy use performance in residential construction.

For example, every building has a thermal envelope—a physical separation between the exterior and the interior of a building. If the thermal envelope is tight, then the building will need less energy to regulate the interior temperature. Using the Built Green checklist, builders can improve the energy efficiency of the home by improving the building’s thermal envelope.

In addition to the home’s design, the appliances inside the house can improve its energy performance. Builders can gain points by installing more efficient water heaters or installing a water heater inside conditioned space to minimize the amount of energy necessary to warm up the water. Using light-colored interior finishes and energy efficient lighting can also help improve a home’s energy use performance. Installing ENERGY STAR washing machines, dishwashers, and refrigerators can increase the number of points a builder can earn through the Built Green checklist. Using a combination of features, builders can qualify for one of the four certification levels.

However, for 5-Star and Emerald Star Built Green homes, other factors come into play. For example, any Built Green home could be oriented on the lot in a way that will optimize passive solar strategies, but 5-Star single-family homes must provide a designated rooftop location for the wiring and controls of any future solar thermal and/or photovoltaics, while multi-family buildings must have solar PV or solar thermal installed. Emerald Star takes this another step forward and mandates clean energy production. The clean energy production for an Emerald Star home can be achieved through wind or solar, but the energy production must be either on site or within a quarter of mile of the lot. Additionally, Emerald Star homes are net zero energy—they produce as much energy as they consume in the course of a year.

5-Star remodel by Ulric Dihle and Malboeuf Bowie Architecture

 

Energy consumption might be the first thing that comes to mind when people think of green homes, but it isn’t the only aspect. The Built Green checklist is designed to encourage green development wherever possible using a holistic approach. This approach goes beyond energy use and takes water use, indoor air quality, site, and materials into consideration.

Site requirements ensure the footprint of the house has a minimal environmental impact. For example, one of the requirements for a 4-Star home is planting drought resistant plants. This allows for the homeowner to save water and money through lower utility bills, all while maintaining a healthy yard. This is taken a step further for 5-Star homes, which limit grass turf to 25% or less of landscaped areas. Turf grass is extremely water-dependent and by limiting its use, homeowners can minimize their water consumption. The location of the project also has an impact. If a house is located within walking distance of shops, gyms, and schools, it decreases the need to drive a car. For this reason, Emerald Star certification requires that a home is built within a ½ mile of at least five essential services. Similarly, having bicycling infrastructure and resources nearby will make bicycling safer and more appealing, decreasing transportation emissions but also providing healthy options for getting around.

Indoor air quality also has an impact on the environment and occupants of a home. By using low toxic/low VOC paint, a requirement for 4-Star certification, occupants can breathe more easily. A 3-Star home or higher requires that all spot fans under 110 CFM are 1.5 sones or less. This means that the fans are quiet, which will encourage occupants to use them more frequently. When homeowners use the fans, they increase air circulation in the home, helping regulate temperature, prevent mold, and improve overall air quality.

The materials used in the project and how efficiently they are utilized is also incredibly important and considered when assigning a star level. Every star level requires some form of recycling to ensure materials will not be wasted. Since star level requirements are cumulative (in other words, 4-Star homes also have to adhere to the 3-Star requirements, in addition to those of 4-Star), all certifications require the builder to post and implement a recycling plan. On the other side of the spectrum, an Emerald Star home requires that 90% of waste by weight is recycled, while ensuring material sustainability and efficiency by requiring at least 20 components have environmental attributes and that the vast majority of wood is FSC certified, reclaimed, or rapidly renewable.

While an Emerald Star-certified home is greener than a 3-Star Built Green home, it is important to remember both homes are designed with the environment and the inhabitants in mind. 3-Star certification is a great way for builders new to green building to learn more about Built Green and then begin to ramp up the certification levels they aim for.

Every star level builds upon the next to create greener homes. The needs of the builder, the homeowners, and the environment are all considered when any Built Green home is constructed. Providing builders with the flexibility to choose which features to incorporate into the home increases the probability that more builders will choose to build greener homes. The star level tiers help provide clarity on how green each project is.

Number of the Day: 12.4

As in, Seattle metro area median home prices are up 12.4 percent from last year, topping Zillow's list of fastest appreciating U.S. markets.

In the everlasting battle between West Coast cities boasting the most eye-popping home prices, Seattle seems to have landed a surprise left uppercut to its sister (cousin?) to the south, the n-o-t-o-r-i-o-u-s San Francisco.

San Fran (they hate being called that) still holds the edge in median home values, with the average Bay Area home running just over $865,000, compared to $455,000 in the Seattle metro area, which includes Everett, Bellevue, and Tacoma.

Despite the still rather large gap in median prices, our region's $455,000 is up 12.4 percent from last year, which is good enough to top Zillow's list of fastest-appreciating markets. U.S. home values rose 6.9 percent during the same period, while San Francisco has thus far seen a 6 percent increase, or half of what Seattle is experiencing.

Still, don't expect the median price gap to close anytime soon. San Francisco had hit our current median home value way back in July 2002 and they haven't looked back since.

Is this a sign of where we're headed? MBAKS and friends recently addressed this issue at our annual Housing Summit, held October 17. At the Summit, the association announced our 2018 legislative agenda, including a 10-Point Plan for Housing Attainability.

Curious about the rental market? Seattle tops that list too, with a 5.5 percent increase year over year, which comes out to a median monthly rent of $2,189. U.S. rents are up 2.1 percent (at $1,430 a month), and San Francisco again limbos under the trend at a scant 0.4 percent increase, though don't start putting flowers in your hair just yet—their median rent is still a bloated $3,376 per month.

By Erich Armbruster, Ashworth Homes, The Lens News

One of the biggest challenges facing our region is a lack of attainable housing, especially near job centers. Continued growth is driving the demand for more housing and the strong demand is outpacing supply, causing home prices and rents to soar. This is making housing increasingly out of reach for families and workers and threatening our area’s quality of life.

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This week, Built Green Program Manager Leah Missik and Greg Lotakis of PHC Construction discuss why it's worth it to certify projects Built Green.

Learn more about Built Green® certification

I don't know if you heard, but urbanists are developer shills. At least that's the common conception. In reality, many of us quite critical of certain developers and projects, while recognizing that absolute opposition to developers would get us nowhere. If developers are evil, they're a necessary evil—at least until we rise up, seize the modes of production, and turn Seattle into only to a full-blown socialist metropolis in which the government leads a huge construction boom to affordably house everybody.

No sign of the revolution yet, though.

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The Puget Sound region is a great place to live and work, as reflected in the fast pace of growth over the past decade. More people coming to the region means we need more people working in skilled trades—to build housing, commercial space, infrastructure, and transportation projects.

Recently, the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) partnered with Redfin to conduct a survey of homebuilders. The survey showed 82% have had difficulty finding qualified workers in the past year. In the same survey, the greatest skilled labor needs reflected in the housing industry are framing, carpentry, superintendents, and program management.

Workforce development continues to be a top priority for the residential building community in our growing regional economy. MBAKS works with schools and communities to provide background and shine light on the opportunities available in the homebuilding industry.

By MBAKS Senior Policy Analyst Allison Butcher

Housing Inventory Still Well Below Healthy Levels

Despite a modest increase in housing inventory for sale in King and Snohomish counties during September—reaching the highest levels seen all year with 1.13 and 1.26 months’ supply of inventory respectively—these figures are still well below the four-to-six month range that many industry analysts consider to be an indicator of a healthy market. The continued high demand and low supply is driving year-over-year price hikes of more than 14 percent in both counties.

The Builders’ Bulletin is intended to provide a convenient way to track housing in our market and includes information from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, U.S. Census Bureau, Office of Financial Management and the Washington State Employment Security Department.

Download this month's report:

USEPA photo by Eric Vance

LDC Inc. went to Washington, D.C. October 24 to advocate for sensible stormwater management regulations that lead to clean water for communities instead of mountains of paperwork.

Representing builders and developers who do business in Environmental Protection Agency Region 10, Clay White, principal planner, joined nine other NAHB members from across the country to meet EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt and his top local enforcement officials.

NAHB members suggested several ways EPA could improve the process, including:

• A simplified permit process for small lots. EPA's compliance template for single-family homes in large subdivisions that could also serve as a streamlined permit: it's concise and written in "builder language" because NAHB helped develop it.
• A "find it, fix it" approach. Rather than penalize first-time violators, EPA inspectors should provide compliance assistance during site visits and allow builders to correct minor infractions so they can do it right the next time.
• Better coordination among regulators. Multiple visits from local, state and federal inspectors to the same site can result in very different observations and citations. The EPA needs to allow the states, and not themselves, to play the lead role in stormwater enforcement.
• Continued participation in EPA's "Smart Sectors" Program. Homebuilders were invited to participate this business community partnership to develop sensible regulations while protecting the environment and public health.

White was pleased at EPA's response. "It was tremendous to meet with Administrator Pruitt and the EPA team on issues that are impacting our building community. I believe that this meeting will result in positive outcomes for the builders in our region."

For stormwater management resources, visit the NAHB Stormwater Toolkit.