Collier News - Year in Review
2009 was an exciting year for Collier Construction. And because of many new partnerships and the support of friends, we have enjoyed some exciting moments that we’d like to revisit before moving on to another promising year in 2010.
APRIL
Collier participated in the first annual Eco Expo and was given Outstanding Green Exhibit Award for Energy Efficiency.
Collier became the first construction company to be named a finalist for the Kruesi Award for Innovation.
MAY
Collier’s three homes on Madison Street in Jefferson Heights became Tennessee’s first LEED Platinum homes and the first homes in Chattanooga to earn LEED certification.
JUNE
In partnership with Collier Construction and Elemi Architecture, Designer Christian Rushing was named Jefferson Heights Park Design competition winner.
JULY
Architect Taylor Bowers and Ethan Collier teamed up to launch Building Performance Consulting, which got off the ground with a number of successful projects across the Chattanooga area.
Collier’s Green Lunch went public and spurred a number of interesting discussions on topics ranging from small living spaces to sustainable rehab. Look for more Green Lunch goodness in 2010.
AUGUST
In partnership with green|spaces, Eric Myers and Christian Rushing, Collier Construction developed (re)source for Real Estate, a seminar geared toward educating real estate professionals on the value of green residential properties.
SEPTEMBER
Ethan Collier was nominated for the YPAC Young Professional of the Year Award at Cirque Nouveau.
NOVEMBER
Architect Trey Wheeler and Collier Construction presented the Wheeler’s home as a model of energy efficiency to a number of area sustainability experts and business leaders. The home earned a 5 stars + HERS rating.
DECEMBER
Ethan Collier was given the 2009 President’s Award from the Home Builders Association of Southeast Tennessee.
green|spaces earned LEED Platinum certification – Tennessee’s first LEED Platinum commercial interior project. Collier's 4th project to earn LEED platinum certification.
IN SUMMARY
2009 was a transformative year at Collier Construction. We are proud to have built many exciting new homes – but even more, we are proud to have built a number of relationships with homeowners, architects, developers and designers from across the Chattanooga area. And to those folks, thank you for your support.
Want to keep up & stay in touch with us? Here’s how.
Project Profile: The Wheeler Residence
Architect Trey Wheeler designed a home that joins aesthetics and functionality with a higher standard of energy efficiency and durability. And our Whole Systems Approach helped the Wheeler residence achieve 5 Stars + HERS (Home Energy Rating System) Index of 70. In other words, the Wheeler’s home was built to be 30% more efficient then the standard new home – and combined with Wheeler’s design, the home has achieved a 50% reduction of average energy costs.
Our 3-part project profile features the design and construction of the Wheeler residence. From livability to killer craftsmanship, we’ve broken down the ins-and-outs of the Wheeler residence, and we’re sharing it all with you.
Part I – BETTER BY DESIGN
A look at the 3 design elements that make this home remarkably green and highly energy efficient – livability, durability and sustainability.
Part II – A NEW KIND OF CONSTRUCTION
A review of the 2 primary benefits of Collier's Whole Systems Approach – energy efficiency and home longevity.
Part III – PERFORMANCE
Coming soon.
Know the Difference Part IV: The Rain Screen Siding System
Every other month or so, Collier lets you know what makes green homes different. It’s part of our Know the Difference newsletter series which brings you information on homes, homeownership, homeowner tips and sustainable building practices. From selecting materials to putting the finishing touches on your next project, there is a lot to know about the construction process and homeownership. Last time, we brought you How to Seal the Air Barrier.
Today, we’d like to explain how the rain screen siding system contributes to a home’s longevity. It’s an important part of our Whole Systems Approach to construction which helps reduce a home’s energy consumption while improving home quality and durability.
RAIN SCREEN SIDING SYSTEM
A Whole Systems Approach means engineering a home that will last over 100 years without repair. To build long lasting and healthy homes, we have to stop even the smallest amounts of moisture from doing a lot of damage. With our Whole Systems Approach, the Rain Screen Siding System is the last best defense against moisture.
Why a Rain Screen Siding System
What happens when very small amounts of water get trapped behind a home’s siding? Well over time, moisture causes tremendous damage by changing back and forth between vapor and liquid, moving from one area to another, causing rot, and eventually destroying the home’s exterior.
How It Works
To prevent moisture damage, we wrap the home with a high-density polyethylene material that is water resistant and vapor permeable so that moisture can’t be trapped on either side of the wall. We install vertical strips of wood between the wrap and siding to create an open space that acts as a drainage plane for any condensation that does occur.
With a rain screen siding system, any condensation that occurs behind the siding runs down the wrap to a piece of flashing that lets it escape from behind the siding. Because the wooden strips create an air space, drafts of outside air can enter behind the siding and dry any additional condensation while pushing hot humid air out.
If you have any questions about installing a rain screen siding system, let us know and we’ll do our best to help you out.
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