Cellular Foam To increase the home's energy efficiency, the team covered the inside surfaces of the concrete block walls with Johns Manville 3/4-inch foil-faced polyisocyanurate foam sheathing and sprayed open-cell polyurethane foam on the underside of the roof deck. With an R-value of 3.8 per inch, the foam cuts down on heat gain in the attic. www.specjm.com.
Code Talk The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials' research and testing arm certified that the home's plumbing and HVAC measured up to its stated water-use and energy-use performance standard. An ANSI-accredited group, it makes sure that systems are in compliance with established codes. www.iapmort.org .
Laps of Luxury James Hardie's HardiePlank fiber-cement lap siding with a 6-inch exposure clads the house. Made from a mixture of cellulose and cement, the product is highly resistant to weather, moisture, and rot. It was specified with the company's ColorPlus factory-applied paint, which produces a more consistent finish that lasts twice as long. www.jameshardie.com.
Fit 'N Trim To match the siding, the team also chose James Hardie's 5/4 HardieTrim and 3 1/2-inch boards. The fiber-cement trim and fascia can be engineered for climate-specific applications, so builders get the right product for their area. Boards were also specified with the company's ColorPlus factory-applied paint for a durable finish. www.jameshardie.com.
Quiet, Please The house will be quieter than most because of Johns Manville formaldehyde-free fiberglass insulation installed between some of the interior walls. Sound control batts applied around bathrooms and between bedrooms as well as the great room increase sound transmission ratings by 8 to 10, while R-19 unfaced batts in the garage wall will cut down on noise there. www.specjm.com.
Transition Team To blend with the home's style, the team selected a variety of transitional-styled products from Kohler. The Parq deck-mount kitchen faucet is a new interpretation of a classic design; it goes well with the Dickenson cast-iron apron-front sink. www.kohler.com.
Water Misers The house's water conservation story starts with high-efficiency toilets from Kohler. In the guest bath, a Persuade Comfort Height toilet offers the option of flushing with 1.0 or 1.6 gallons, while the master bath features a San Raphael Pressure Lite toilet using only 1.0 gallon. www.kohler.com.
Grab This An Ashfield handleset from Kwikset greets visitors as they enter the front door. Made from solid forged brass, the set feels substantial in the hand. It has concealed interior and exterior screws, a titanium alloy throwbolt core, and an anti-pick, six-pin system. The interior doors have Ashfield levers. Both styles are Venetian bronze. www.kwikset.com.
Key Less For the entry doors, the team opted for Kwikset's Ashfield lever but added the company's SmartCode battery-operated keypad lock. The pad allows homeowners to enter a code to open the door, eliminating the need for keys. It has a 1-inch deadbolt, and a break-in-resistant strike plate. www.kwikset.com.
Heat Is On This is Florida, but people here like fireplaces, too. Two propane-fueled fireplaces from Lennox Hearth Products will provide warmth on cold nights. The flagship Montebello 45 anchors the great room. Made with a herringbone liner, rustic oak log set, and classic andirons, the unit produces 60,000 BTU fires. The lanai features the 42-inch Elite with a herringbone liner. www.lennoxhearthproducts.com.
Sound Investment The home's structured wiring system, whole-house audio, and intercom duties are handled by products from Linear. At the core is an Encore Digital Audio Distribution System that provides four rooms of amplified sound. A structured wire intercom kit includes a hub with room and door stations that are equipped with microphones, speakers, and door release mechanisms. www.linearcorp.com.
One Stop Insulation is only half the story in a house; proper installation is the other important part. To make sure the fiberglass batts and spray-in foam were done properly, the project team turned to Masco Contractor Services, which handles the work typically provided by multiple contractors. Masco also oversaw the installation of the shower enclosure in the master bath. www.mascocs.com.
Tank, You The home will get its propane fuel from a 125-gallon propane tank from the Propane Education & Research Council. Because propane is nontoxic and safe for soil or water, the team buried the tank in the backyard, where it will provide fuel for a variety of tasks, including the kitchen range and standby generator. www.propanecouncil.org.
Proper Topper The house is topped with Saxony 900 concrete shake roofing from MonierLifetile. Each tile measures 17 inches by 13 inches and is made from sand, cement, and water. The roofing comes in various colors, but the team chose charcoal brown blend. www.monierlifetile.com.
