Listed below are some Frequently Asked Questions about or plans
and services. If you have a question, you may find it answered below. If you don't, feel free to email us!
Construction
Foundations
and Framing: Our plans are designed to the requirements of Conventional Light-Frame Construction provisions
of the International Building Code. If your jurisdiction allows for the use of this structural design option, no
further structural work may be required. Please check with your local building department.
Foundations: We sell our plans with concrete
slab foundations. Slabs use less material to construct, are less expensive to build, can be piped easily for radiant
heat, and can serve as a finished floor. It is possible to put this house on a raised foundation or even over
a basement. Feel free to contact us for a quote if you'd like a different foundation design.
Stud Walls: Some of our plans have 2x4
stud walls, and some have 2x6. A 2x6 stud wall uses about 20% more wood per lineal foot than one constructed of 2x4's.
Of course, you can fit more insulation in the wall-cavity of a 2x6 wall, but the type of insulation used can more than make
up for the lack of wall thickness. We offer both, depending on the plan, because each has its good points.
Roof Framing: We show stick-built framed
roofs. If you'd like to use manufactured trusses, you need to have the truss manufacturer provide you with the design.
Utilities and Equipment
Water Heater: A tankless on
demand water heater is very energy efficient, ensures that you never run out of hot water, can be tucked away in
an attic or above the toilet, or can even be located on the exterior of the building in some conditions. A combination
tankless water heater/boiler can also be used to supply hot water heat through a radiant slab or radiators.
Conditioned Air: Another option for
heat that also allows for the option of cooling is the ductless heat pump. These small units can be installed
in an attic or high on an exterior wall. They can used to provide heated and cooled air as well as circulate fresh air
into the building.
Refrigerator/Freezer Drawers: We show
under counter refrigerator freezer drawers in the kitchens of our plans. We feel the small size of our homes allows
us to reduce the size of the refrigerators since they serve fewer people. An undercounter refrigerator/freezer also
provides more counter workspace and upper cabinet storage space in our small kitchens. Of course, a larger, full-height refrigerator
can be substituted if needed.
Washer/Dryer Combo: In some designs,
we provide space for a washer/dryer combo. These space and energy saving units typically fit under counters
at 24" wide by 24" deep by 34" high. They require a water hook up, are powered from a standard residential
outlet, and do not require ducting. They wash, then dry small loads of laundry without unloading the machine.
We feel the space-saving qualities, energy/water use consciousness, and ease of installation is a good fit for our
low-impact homes.