Page 5 - Green Builder Remodeling Field Report 2021

Table of Contents

07 EXPECTING THE UNEXPECTED Bonus Insights
ReVISION House Scottsdale
This Arizona whole-house renovation offers a case study in
overcoming unexpected and hidden costs. 34 WHEN REMODELING COSTS AND
SUSTAINABILITY COLLIDE
10 THERMAL EXPOSÉ Keeping energy efficiency in the foreground, despite higher
Using a heat-sensitive camera, Steve Easley investigated the up-front costs, it pays to focus on the big picture: long-term
behind-the-drywall performance of walls and ceilings in the savings, resilience in the face of weather extremes and so on.
Scottsdale home.

16 FORENSIC FIXES 38 A MILLENNIAL MAKEOVER
Demolition of the Scottsdale house revealed construction Upgrading this home in Austin’s hot market has put both
errors, lack of insulation and other problems even worse than clients and contractors to the test. But the job must (and did)
those anticipated by the thermal imaging. go on.
19 PLUMBING: THE CHLORINE CONUNDRUM 40 BEATING THE HEAT
Steve Easley chose CPVC over other types of plumbing because Up against not only Austin’s extreme temperatures, but also a
treated municipal water now sits longer in the pipes. client with allergies and dogs, HVAC contractors had to work
closely with insulators to create the right cooling equation.
20 THE ELECTRIC CONVERSION
CHALLENGE ReVISION House Austin 46 KITCHEN OVERHAUL:
Kicking the natural gas habit proved more difficult than FROM MOOD BOARD TO REALITY
expected, in part due to the the addition of two electric vehicle The deft work of an architect–interior design team is
charging stations. transforming this dated kitchen and prep area into a
sophisticated entertainer’s dream.
22 THE SCIENCE OF SELECTION
To solve the many challenges at ReVISION House Scottsdale, 54 WHAT HOMEBUYERS NEED TO KNOW
the builders chose some of the most innovative products A millennial buyer and influencer offers her impressions, after
available in each category. months rehabbing a 17-year-old Austin production home.

30 EXTERIOR INSULATION PROVES 58 FROM DUCKLING TO SWAN
ESSENTIAL TO CUT COOLING COSTS Upgrades to this Austin semi-custom production house go
By adding rigid XPS foam to both walls and roof assemblies, well beyond a nip here and a tuck there. We’re talking major
performance gets a major boost. performance surgery, with emphasis on final finish.

REMODELING FIELD REPORT GREEN BUILDER 5