This week, Nick Harper steps in for Shannon and talks to Clay White, LDC Inc., about the recently passed SB 5254 and what it will do for the housing industry.

Follow our advocacy efforts

By Mike Dunn and Keith Church, Dunn Lumber

Q: What should I consider before replacing the windows in my home?

A: The Great Northwest is one of the most beautiful places on earth and there is no better way to enjoy it 365 days a year than through a beautiful set of windows.

The question with windows is how to bring the outdoors in without losing the indoor energy to the outside. Thankfully, modern windows make this easier with high insulation factors to block the cold and low-E glass to block UV radiation on those rare but welcome days of Seattle heat.

With the energy issue largely solved, the options open onto a wide vista and the questions become more about aesthetics and budget.

My (Mike's) home was built around 1904 and featured large, single-hung windows with leaded panes in the top. The combination of the large single panes of glass and loose-fitting lead was an energy disaster. Thirty years ago, my only option budget-wise was to cover them with storm windows.

In the last few years, I've begun replacing them with period-matching retrofit windows. I love being able to open my windows again and they are more energy efficient than my old window/storm window combination. Much more beautiful, too!

One question really helps narrow your options: Do you want wood, vinyl, or composite on the interior of your windows?

It's important to know that wood windows do cost more than vinyl or fiberglass windows and are less thermally efficient. On the other hand, they offer the incomparable beauty of wood.

The companies that make vinyl windows usually offer different frame options, often with a good/better/best approach to pricing and quality. But remember, even the least expensive vinyl window is likely to be close in performance to their top-of-the-line option. The difference will be in how nice the window looks and how well it functions. Cheap windows generally work poorly and you usually get what you pay for.

Today's codes have pushed window manufacturers to produce very efficient productsand they all offer a few different glass options of the typical low-E products, with one or two typically being best for your climate.

Consider also the style of your home. Does your home have a traditional look? Are you trying to update an older home to have a more modern look? If your home was built with original wood double-hung windows with divided lights, you could replace them with something that looks virtually the same. They will be much more energy efficient and have a clad exterior for little or no maintenance, and a wood interior that helps the home keep its original charm. Or, you could choose to replace them with casement and awning windows that crank or push open; leave off the divided light and your home will look more modern.

The exterior color is very important, as well. White is the traditional color for most windows on older homes and newer homes built with vinyl windows. If you have a classic Tudor or rambler and you use a white window and trim, it will look correct and proper for its style, but if you use a color like ebony or bronze, you can create an exciting fresh look.

The combination of styles, colors, materials, and functionality makes window selection an exciting but understandably daunting task. As you prepare for this journey, look around at the homes you appreciate, take pictures, and ask your friends how they like their windows. In no time, you can build a portfolio of options that meet your aesthetic and budgetary considerations while taking into account the features you want to implement in your remodel.

Mike Dunn is president and CEO and Keith Church is a window sales manager for Dunn Lumber. The company is a member of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties. HomeWork is the group's weekly column. If you have a home improvement, remodeling, or residential homebuilding question you'd like answered by one of the MBA's more than 2,800 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Sharon Couts
Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties
425.499.1723

Governor Signs Into Law Buildable Lands Bill

New Law Will Improve the Methodology and Process Used to Assess Buildable Lands

Bellevue, Wash—July 7, 2017—Governor Jay Inslee yesterday signed into law Senate Bill 5254, ensuring adequacy of buildable lands and zoning in urban growth areas. The bill, sponsored by Senator Joe Fain (R-47th District), will improve the methodology and process by which local jurisdictions assess buildable lands.

Nick Harper, senior director of strategy & policy at the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties, explained the significance of the bill, which has been a top legislative priority for the association. “The bill’s passage represents a major step forward for the buildable lands process by ensuring greater accuracy of information used to plan for growth,” he said. 

“The new law brings more specificity into what items must be reviewed to determine whether lands are buildable or what density could be achieved,” Harper added. “More accurate buildable lands data should help our region do a better job of utilizing existing land supply and infrastructure to meet current and future housing demand.”

The new law also provides increased certainty and flexibility for local jurisdictions to assist in funding low-income and homelessness programs.

The Growth Management Act requires King, Snohomish, Pierce, Clark, Thurston, and Kitsap counties to establish a buildable lands program to determine whether the counties and cities within them are achieving urban growth within their urban growth areas. Senate Bill 5254 adds Whatcom County to the list of counties participating in the buildable lands program. View the House Bill Report for Senate Bill 5254.

About MBAKS

Founded in 1909, the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties has grown to become the largest residential homebuilders association in the United States. With more than 2,900 member companies, the association is dedicated to membership value, housing advocacy, community service, and financial stewardship throughout the Puget Sound region. mbaks.com

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By The Herald Editorial Board

The Legislature's $43.7 billion two-year budget—which took negotiations within hours of a partial state government shutdown—is signed, but some lawmakers haven't had quite enough brinkmanship for the year.

Now the state's $4 billion capital budget, which provides the funding for construction of public schools, colleges, universities, community and youth facilities, parks, environmental projects, and more, is being held up by the Republican-controlled Senate until lawmakers can resolve a disagreement over water rights for private development.

By Laura Hoffman, Mutual Materials

Q: Given the recent switch in seasons, what areas of our home should we be focusing on to best take advantage of this time of year?

A: Here's a question for you: What kind of shape is your yard in?

Do you smile with pride each time you drive up to your home—or do you cringe? If you aren't too thrilled with your yard's current condition, don't feel bad. The weather hasn't exactly been the best for working in the yard. And I am sure that if you look around, a few of your neighbors' yards could also use some TLC.

The good news is that with a little bit of sweat equity, some fresh flowers, and nice hardscaping, you can easily transform your yard into one that you are proud of.

1. Landscaping has many health benefits.

   A beautiful yard motivates you to get outside. And time spent outdoors has many health benefits for both mind and body. When you are actively working in the garden or playing catch with your kids, you increase your physical activity, improve your mood, and relieve stress—unless, of course, your yard is a mess. In that case, it might actually cause stress.

2. It encourages family time outdoors.

   If your yard is pleasant to be in, your family will want to spend more time outdoors. And there are so many ways you can landscape your yard for family fun. You can build an outdoor fire pit so you and your children can tell ghost stories and roast marshmallows. Or bring in fresh sod for a nice place for children to run around playing tag or soccer. No matter how you choose to landscape the backyard, it is worth it. Kids grow up all too fast. Make precious memories while you can.

3. A landscaped yard is good for entertaining.

   Do you enjoy entertaining outdoors? With the right balance of furniture, hardscape surfaces, and greenery, you can create a backyard oasis. And the possibilities are endless. If you enjoy cooking, include a beautiful outdoor kitchen in your design. If you prefer ordering pizza and watching your favorite sports on the big screen with friends, then create a comfortable outdoor living room with a strategically-placed television. Whatever way you prefer to entertain, spending time outside with the people you enjoy is a great reason to get your yard back into shape.

4. You are helping the environment.

   Here in the Northwest, we care about the environment we live in. Did you know that a well-maintained yard actually helps protect it? Retaining walls can prevent erosion and reduce the amount of soil that ends up in waterways. Proper grading and drainage can reduce stormwater runoff and help prevent flooding. And planting native trees, flowers, and plants not only provides a sustainable environment for local birds and wildlife, it also helps combat climate change. Yet another great reason to landscape your yard.

5. Nice landscaping is an investment in your home.

   Yes, landscaping your yard provides many immediate perks, but it also has long-term benefits. When you install permanent hardscapes such as patios and outdoor kitchens, you are building beauty that lasts. Plus, if at some point you decide to sell your home, these structures will increase its value. It is safe to say that you will get out of it what you have put into it, and perhaps even more. So, whether you stay in your home for many years to come or eventually sell it, you can be confident that your investment in your yard has long-term benefits.

Laura Hoffman works for Mutual Materials and is a member of Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties. HomeWork is the group's weekly column. If you have a home improvement, remodeling, or residential homebuilding question you'd like answered by one of the MBA's more than 2,800 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.

The time has come: Built Green is rolling out checklist updates! What are these, why do we do them, and what do you need to know to keep your projects current? Read on to get all of the answers.

What are the changes?

There are two checklist updates being rolled out right now. One is updating the single-family/townhome checklist to reflect the newest state energy code. The only changes pertain to the energy requirements. The other is a complete revamp of the multi-family checklist. View the updated checklists.

How do I keep up with these changes?

For both checklists, Built Green has enrollment deadlines: if you enroll a project after a certain date, the updated checklist must be used. Prior to that date, a builder can decide whether to use the old or updated version of the checklist. We set these enrollment deadlines in the future so designers and builders have time to adjust and so that plans that have already been made based on the older version of the checklist don’t have to be scrapped. Make sure you get your projects enrolled! Here are the dates to know:

• Single-family/townhome checklist enrollment date: Aug. 1, 2017
• Multi-family checklist enrollment date: Oct. 1, 2017

Again, all projects enrolled with Built Green after these dates will have to use the updated checklists!

We also have certification deadlines for projects using the older checklist versions to ensure that projects are certified in a timely manner, under the relevant checklist. Here are the certification deadlines:

• Single-family/townhome checklist certification packet due date: Aug. 1, 2018
• Multi-family checklist certification packet due date: Dec. 31, 2019

Certification packets for projects received by Built Green after these dates will have to use the updated checklist, irrespective of their enrollment date. Multi-family projects are given more time to certify under the old checklist due to the longer timeframe these projects generally require due to their size and complexity.

Built Green will be sending out plenty of reminders as these various deadlines approach. Please pay attention to these communications!

Homes in the Issaquah Highlands, most of which were built under the previous two iterations of the Built Green single-family checklist.

A home by McDowell Design Build, certified Built Green in June 2017—see the case study.

Why do you update the checklists?

Built Green is a relative certification system; projects are judged based on the building environment and code at any given time. Checklist updates take into account code changes, how widespread processes and products have become, new technologies, and current costs. For example, our checklists require that projects are modelled to demonstrate a certain percentage of energy efficiency compared to current code. As code updates, so must Built Green checklists. Otherwise, Built Green certification would lose its meaning as code requirements caught up with the program. The aim of this voluntary certification is to recognize builders who go above and beyond, after all!

This means that a 4-Star project certified in 2007 isn’t the same as a 4-Star project certified in 2017 in terms of environmental rigor when compared with each other, but that the cost and effort needed to complete each project given the context of its time was roughly the same. This relative grading system also means that Built Green provides builders with a framework to improve their product over time. A builder that commits to only building 5-Star homes will have to constantly innovate and adapt to continue to achieve this star-level over the years as the rating gets more rigorous over time. But this means that Built Green is helping to spur adoption of new technologies and techniques, and that builders who are dedicated to staying ahead of the curve are supported and rewarded for their endeavors!

How do you update the checklists?

We don’t do any of this alone. In fact, we heavily rely on the generosity of many different industry experts who support the program. This ensures that a variety of perspectives contribute to the checklist updates.

Since this single-family/townhome checklist update was only regarding the energy requirements, we worked with energy modeling experts and third-party verifiers to ensure that our new modeling protocol is robust and that the updated requirements strike the balance of being challenging without being too onerous. We worked with other local Built Green programs in different parts of the state to make sure that the various star-levels on offer also correspond with local markets and incentives available for energy efficiency, so Built Green builders can more easily demonstrate their projects qualify.

To update the multi-family checklist, we worked with a committee consisting of representatives from the public sector, consultants on green building, third-party verifiers, energy modelers, and builders. This team spent a year taking the checklist to the next level!

What else do I need to know?

Just a couple of things! First, the corresponding multi-family handbook update is forthcoming and will be published soon. It will be available online, for free, as a PDF. Second, it is important to discuss these updates with your third-party verifier to make sure you are on the same page about the transition and deadlines that you have to meet for current and upcoming projects. Finally, we know that—though necessary—these transition periods can be a bit confusing and hectic. Don’t worry! Built Green staff and third-party verifiers are available if you have questions, so don’t hesitate to reach out.

Now, let’s keep working to make the green building industry better every day!

By Kate Wagner, Curbed Seattle

Until around 2007, McMansions mostly borrowed the forms of traditional architecture, producing vinyl Georgian estates and foam Mediterranean villas.

But in the last 10 years, this has begun to change: McMansions are now being constructed in architectural styles from the 20th century, specifically modernism. We are witnessing the birth and the proliferation of modernist McMansions: McModerns.

Though McModerns are commonly found in the places where modernism itself thrives—indoor-outdoor climates like the West Coast and the Southwest, and near liberal cities on the East Coast—they are also beginning to pop up in burgeoning tech hotbeds south of the Mason-Dixon, such as central North Carolina and Atlanta, Georgia. McModern houses are following the trail left behind by NPR, Chipotle, and MacBook Pros: They've become popular with younger, tech-savvier, and more highly educated individuals.

By Aaron Kunkler, Redmond Reporter

Willows and Rose Hill neighborhoods expanded following last week’s Redmond City Council meeting, when 54 acres of unincorporated King County were annexed into the city.

The area annexed is located along 132nd Avenue Northeast, is flanked to the west by the City of Kirkland, and is surrounded on the other three sides by Redmond.

Read article

Shannon Affholter is the executive director of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties, the largest and oldest local homebuilders association in the nation. Previously, he was the vice president of business and economic development for Economic Alliance Snohomish County. While there, he advanced strategic growth plans, advocated on behalf of business and fostered economic development in the region. He also was elected to serve two terms on the Everett City Council.

Prior to his tenure at Economic Alliance Snohomish County, Affholter was a business development executive at the regional accounting firm of Moss Adams and an account executive with Merck. He holds an MBA from Western Washington University and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Pacific Lutheran University. In The Money Hour segment today, Shannon talks about how the demand for housing has significantly outpaced residential housing supply.

This week, Nick Harper and Allison Butcher from our Government Affairs team provide an update on bringing administrative final plat approval processes to local jurisdictions, as allowed under MBA-supported SB 5674, signed by Governor Inslee this year. This change will save applicants six to eight weeks of time in the approval process.

Learn more