So, I attended another one, being a real building expo. I'm going to recap a few different vendors that I visited with and our conversations, tips, hints and other misc. blabbering I want to do.
Greenswitch
This group can reinstall switches, A/C thermostat, plugs, etc. and hook them up via wireless technology to a switch in effort to keep from having phantom power being drained from your pocket book every month. In other words, they will turn off any unnecessary items that are on during the day, saving you money from appliances, etc. sapping out small amounts of electricity every day. My understanding is they can do a package deal and do most of your outlets, switches, etc. for around $900. So far, this isn't on my list of things to have, but was interesting, nonetheless.
Modern Crete
Again, I may have mentioned these guys last time, but there were there to actually talk this time. They do some amazing work. They use powders to add color from American Decorative Concrete. On thing they mentioned was that it was cheaper to polish the entire floor prior to any framing, etc. being done. They can only go up to about 1.5 inches away from a wall with their machines after framing, then would have to hand polish the rest, making for a much more expensive job. So, I feel better that I can possibly have them or someone do the work before framing and save money on flooring! Also, a tip was to not let the purple primer used on PVC before using glue, end up on the concrete, staining it and not being able to reverse the new curse. So, it was suggested that the plumbers put something down to keep it from getting on the floors. Good idea guys! Thanks!
Robert Stephen Homes
I talked to this home builder and was given some good advice. He stated he installed a lot of green products and was asked about SIPS vs. ICFs. He highly recommended SIPS. The cost, install, ease, etc. was much more home owner friendly. It was also brought up the type of A/C system to put in and my thought of it being ran in the foundation. He said it was normally put up high to circulate the air better. However, I explained how other builders have done it similar to my style. He basically said to make sure it will work efficiently if it is done that way. He did understand my desire to lower extra framing costs and reduce the potential to incur leaks with the tubing to the vents from the normal standard A/C systems. I still like my idea.
Texas Water Heaters
I talked to a guy and discussed tankless electric water heaters. He stated that tankless electric water heaters are still not as efficient as tankless gas water heaters. I told him I was thinking about an all electric house. He stated that still Gas is king. Hmm...OK. I talked about my concerns from unsightly silver gas torpedoes on the property, running extra lines under ground, gas fumes in the house, earth friendly issues, etc. He talked about covering up the tank by a fence or by shrubbery. He also mentioned hearing about people burying the tank and only accessing the top of the tank. Hmm... interesting suggestion. I know that I'm keeping my options open, so one more issue to think about.
Laundry Pure OK, now this a neat deal, assuming it is all it says it would be! This thingamajig will run your cold water through it and put it back into your washing machine. It only uses cold water, no hot water anymore. It also replaces the need for detergent or fabric softener. I told him that I had a hard time wrapping my head around not using soap to clean clothes. He said that the “silver nodes” would destroy bacteria, or something like that. Also, the lights would help oxygenate the water and allowed for a natural scrubbing action. It is supposed to save money, keep clothes toxin free and keep fabrics feeling soft and looking like new! I had to ask him how long the company has been around. He said 21 years. Hmm, maybe they know what they are talking about. It's worth more investigation. Oh, to get on the website, use the password “guest” to access it. They also have another website for air purifiers www.freshairliving.com/threestrand, using the same password guest. Then, www.activepure.com/healinghouse . Just something to think about. If it's real, then maybe it will be a future purchase. Too much right now, around 5-600 smackers. These kinds of items require a LOT of consideration. On to the next one...
Greenivore
Now, this was a neat thing. Not so much a home building thing, but a health thing. Keeping green in ya, supposedly. I saw Chef Dina there and talked to her some. I saw a handout on the table. She, by eating right, was able to loose so much weight and recapture her health. She talked also about her dad being diagnosed with cancer and being given 60 days. He is still alive 2 years later, after starting to eat differently. They will deliver healthy gourmet food to your house, of course for some money. Now, I don't know how much $ is involved, but I'll look up her website or the company website she was working with and see what it is about. I think it was worth mentioning this on the blog. It's my blog and I'll type what I want to, type what I want to, type what I want to. (everyone sing along) Slight Note: We watched the vita-mix demo. Doesn't every event or expo need one or two demonstrations? Heck, even Costco has them time to time! They are expensive, but promise long life if you put the right “living foods” in them and put them down your gullet. They said that our bodies absorb liquids much better than solids, who knows. Either way, Chef Dina was making some demo foods with a vita mix blender. Must be something about it. There food was great! Brownie with orange something on top and a Kale salad. That was very tasty! Go Vegan Go! Heck, more and more these days I'm getting more tired of eating meat. I start getting nauseated and such. For those reading this, I'm not vegan. I still eat ice cream every once and a while, or every time I get a chance.
Last vendor, but not the least of my experience...
Craig S. Neumeyer Builders
I talked to builder out of Dripping Springs and he said he has been in construction for the past 27 years or so and has been using SIPS for the past 13. I talked to him about his SIPS since I only know of one in the Central Texas area that manufacturers it. He said he uses Premier Building Systems for his panels. He said they undergo a much more stringent, performance evaluation and routinely pass these tests, whereas other manufacturers do not do the same testing for quality. I'm sure that everyone has their on QA department, but still. He said one difference is that they come in different thicknesses based on what you want. He also said they don't all come in narrow panels, but in much bigger panels for less chance of air leakage from the seams. Sounds decent to me. Oh, we also talked about home design and he stated that many other places that design homes don't usually do them correctly for SIPS systems. There has to be correct balance and load support for the roof and for where the doors and windows are to be placed. He often has to redraw the plans for submission to Premier Building Systems and also for the building process itself. He said that they can do the design/layout themselves. Saving money? Who knows. I heard that using a builder for creating the plans will save money, time and frustration. I have heard in the past often how a builder has to redesign the layout differently than how the architect or home designer understands it. They have to recreate the plans in their head or on paper to get it to work. In other words, the designers don't understand all of the building concepts needed to make it easy for the builder to do their work. Either way, he seemed nice enough and may consider his advice for the future building.
We also met up with CDS to talk again about our home design. I gave them some thoughts I had for layout for the home and was instantly told that there were some design flaws and to make sure to keep an open mind about layout. Hmm...trying to stay positive. Of course, they weren't going to tell me my errors in my thinking, that costs money. They said to come in this summer to discuss plans. I'm not that ready. They said it was best before I start making to many changes in my head and it not work out. Something along those lines, I was trying to still stay positive. Maybe I was using my selective hearing, but I still want to wait. However, they did say it was cheaper to use a stock plan than make one from scratch, from .45 cents per sq. ft. on an already existing plan up to $2.50 a sq. ft. for a brand new one. Hmm...choices. I still want to think about this one and not jump and then wished I hadn't. I think I'm playing it smart, or at least want to be told my delusional thinking is just fine! ha ha. Either way, I wanted the Queen in my life to meet them and ask any questions she wanted to. I learned I need to keep her more updated on my design ideas. I was on revision 5, she kept referring to revision 1 or 2. That lead to a complicated discussion. Shivers ran down to my now cold feet when I was sorta told no about some things, but I had to remember they are the design experts, not me. Then again, I want to make sure I get what we want and need in the new house. It isn't like an etch a sketch, just shake it and start over. Once it's started...it's started!
On to the other fun stuff. As usual, lost of Swag! Pens, cups, stickers, rubber tire jar openers, rulers, envelope openers, etc. The best thing was getting free tickets to a concert at Stubbs! We get to go see the John Butler Trio on April 30th. I entered in a drawing from a local radio station and won them! Happy Days! I listened to them online and they sound great! I look forward to the experience! Thanks KGSR!
I'm sure there is more, but this is all that my mind can spit out at the moment. It's been a long, but enlightening day. Thanks for keeping up to date with my adventures!
