Details make the difference. True craftsmanship is at its finest in every FRENCH CONSTRUCTION home. Quality materials and premium structural components are installed and fabricated by veteran workmen skilled in the building trades. The quality of a FRENCH CONSTRUCTION home is evident in the attention to detail and the finishing touches that make every room a special place. “This is where I want to live.”
Stonebriar-located at Western and Danforth
FReNCh CONSTRUCTION COMPANY Tom French ~ Builder Ph. 405.677.4426 www.Frenchconstruction.com
mes Open Sat & Sun 1–5pm All Ho Fallbrook • Covell, East of Western
Fallbrook • Covell, East of Western
Iron Horse Ranch Coffee Creek Rd. & Coltrane
D SOL
D SOL
19700 Crest Ridge Dr.
This beautiful home offers 4 beds, 4 baths, a large living area, and a covered patio. Kids will love the large upstairs gameroom! Still time to pick your colors, and customize this home for your family. Will be Complete by Thanksgiving. $329,000
2925 Allie Drive Fallbrook
This home has 4 beds, 3 1/2 baths, large living, great master suite, split 3 car garage design, gameroom up with 1/2 bath, full sod, landscaping, sprinkler system and fence. $365,000
Iron Horse Ranch Coffee Creek Rd. & Coltrane
3008 Katie Lane
This beautiful home offers 4 bedrooms and 3 1/2 baths, a game room, a 3 car garage and spectacular custom cabinets. There is still time to pick your colors!! $399,900
2709 Cattle Drive
Our model home is reduced for closeout! 4 beds, 4 baths, study, large living, custom kitchen cabinets, and game room. Outdoor features include a wood burning fireplace and built in grill on the back patio. $469,900
2717 Cattle Drive
This home has 4 beds, 5 baths, study, 2 dining, large living and features a gameroom and bath upstairs. Priced at $459,900.
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homes
High
performance
Edmond-based Red Rock Builders is focused on building houses with precision, comfort and efďŹ ciency
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Story by Melissa Howell
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Insulation is a key component to building a high-efficiency home. Industry standards require good insulation. Some builders go the extra mile and use foam insulation. Red Rock goes one step further insulating the roofline. “We utilize a spray-on foam insulation that makes the house more air tight and helps the house maintain a more consistent temperature,” Turner said. “The really critical element to high performance is insulating the roof line and not the ceiling line. By insulating the roofline, it reduces the temperature in the attic from 120-130 degrees down to about 85 degrees.”
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hat is the definition of high performance? In automobiles it’s speed, precision mechanics, response to the driver. In homes, it’s not much different — precision systems, custom space and comfort and targeted energy use for higher efficiency. “I would define a high performance home as a focus on energy conservation through better insulation and more efficient mechanical systems,” said Bryan Turner, partner with wife Kate in Edmond-based Red Rock Builders.
Ventilation
Hand in hand with top-of-the-line insulation is proper ventilation. “It’s important in building science to build a home as tight as possible to control comfort and energy usage,” Turner said.“But it’s equally important to have proper ventilation. Because if you don’t the possibility of poor indoor air quality could create health issues in the home. “Building techniques were not as good 20 years ago and homes leaked quite a bit of air. The tighter houses of today require more ventilation to keep healthy air flow and avoid sick house syndrome,” he said. Red Rock Builders’ homes have ventilation systems that essentially bring outside air into the home several minutes per hour and filter as well as dehumidify it as it enters the home, Turner said.
Geothermal Geothermal systems are another critical component to all the homes built by Red Rock. “Geothermal is more efficient because it utilizes the constant temperature of the ground to condition the air temperature in the house,” he said.“Geothermal does not use outside compressors which makes them more efficient and reduces maintenance costs.” Conventional geothermal systems produce hot water only when the system is in use. But, in the spring and fall when climate control is not as necessary, homes with these systems must rely on hot-water tanks for hot water needs. “The advantage to the Hydro-Temp brand geothermal system we use, is that it makes hot water whenever there’s a need for hot continued on next page
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homesceilingfans
goodforall
seasons
Ceiling fans reduce energy costs in the summer and winter
C Story by Carole Feldman Associated Press
Conjure up an image of vacationers sitting on a verandah at a tropical resort, a ceiling fan rotating overhead and supplementing the cooling effect of the ocean breezes. Well, you don’t have to go to the tropics to realize the benefits‚or create the ambiance‚of ceiling fans. They can provide an energy-efficient supplement to air conditioning during these hot summer months. The concept is simple. If you use a ceiling fan, you can raise your thermostat and still get the same cooling effect. That means lower electric bills in the long run. Ceiling fans work by creating a wind-chill effect. As in winter, when the wind makes it feel colder outside, so the wind‚ or motion‚ created by ceiling fans makes you feel cooler in the summer. continued on next page
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Some studies have shown that people can move their
thermostats up 4 to 6 degrees
and not perceive any real difference using a ceiling fan.
> What’s the ideal spot for a ceiling fan? Many people install them in bedrooms or great rooms. “A lot of folks put fans in kitchens and eating areas,” Reeve said. “Anywhere you have a ceiling you can have a fan.” When you go to buy a fan, you’ll need to know more than just what style you like. Consider the size of the room, Tarr said. For a larger bedroom, go with a 52-inch fan. For a great room, a 60- or 70-inch fan would work best. “For smaller rooms, a 44- or 42-inch fan may be just fine,” he said. The measurement refers to the length of the blades. There also are different motor sizes. “You need a fan with a properly sized motor to get an efficient air flow,” Tarr said. When you leave a room, turn the fan off to get the maximum energy efficiency. Unlike an air conditioner, the wind-chill effect produced by the ceiling fan is immediate. You don’t lose anything by turning it off when you’re not there. The energy savings can be even greater if your fan is certified by Energy Star. Although savings depend on the amount of use and the climate, Vargas said Energy Star fans are about 50 percent more efficient than conventional ones, leading to savings of about $25 a year. In 2009, however, these fans cost about $80 more than a conventional one. Energy Star and Hunter Fan also recommend using a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust the temperature during waking hours, or when you are away or sleeping.
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“Ceiling fans don’t cool the room, they cool you,” said Maria Vargas, spokeswoman and brand manager for Energy Star, the government program designed to promote energy efficiency. Raising the thermostat by 2 degrees and using a ceiling fan can cut energy costs by about 14 percent over the course of a season, Vargas said. That makes them a good, low-cost supplement to air conditioning. Jeremy Tarr, director of marketing for Hunter Fan Co., says the energy cost of running a ceiling fan is similar to that of running a standard incandescent light bulb.“You can save much more by raising the thermostat,” he said. Some studies have shown that people can move their thermostats up 4 to 6 degrees and not perceive any real difference if they’re using a ceiling fan, Tarr said. “Saving money is something that has never gone out of style,” said John Reeve, manager of Dan’s Fan City in Rockville, Md. But, he’s quick to add, that’s not the only reason people buy ceiling fans. “It’s energy efficient and some people like the feeling of air movement,” he said. “It takes the stuffiness out of a room. It could add to the decor.” By adding some motion to a room, Tarr said, fans add “a little bit of character.” The cost of a fan depends on the options. At Dan’s Fan City, fans range from the simplest model, costing about $40, to builder grade fans with a price tag of $3,000. Reeve said consumers should plan to spend $100 to $250 for a fan. A light kit adds to the cost. The company has locations in seven states, most in the Southeast. Vargas said ceiling fans have been popular in that region, as well as in the Southwest.“We have also heard from a few manufacturers that there is a growing trend in the usage of ceiling fans in the northeast part of the country, especially in the winter, as a means to reduce electric bills by driving heat down,” she said. Most ceiling fans are reversible. During the summer, the blades should move counterclockwise as you look up at the fan, creating a wind chill. In winter months, they should move clockwise. That helps bring the hot air down from the ceiling and even out the heating. Hunter Fan Co. says you can save 15 percent on your winter heating costs by lowering your thermostat 4 degrees and using a ceiling fan.
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p the color u
homesinspiration
rp l e
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CENTRAL OKLAHOMA HOMES | JULY-AUGUST 2010
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The Secret life of Lavender
Although this bold color family is not often seen as an all-over tone for the kitchen or bath, it can be done, says Melissa Warner, a co-owner of Massucco Warner Miller Interior Design. But beware: “Overusing purple, especially in a kitchen or bath, can really overwhelm the space,” she says. Opt for a subtle shade of purple with a gray undertone, like lavender, Warner says. “It looks beautiful with Carrara or Calcutta marble and would also feel very glamorous and modern paired with polished nickel or chrome fittings.”
very serene, but if you add a pop of yellow or orange, the space suddenly feels so vibrant and bold.” Woelfel loves to pair purples with greens. “It feels natural and retains the feeling of calm that purple brings to a room,” she says. For the best look, Woelfel says to base the shade of green on the shade of purple in use. “Purple is a color that balances between red and blue on the color wheel. It possesses the fiery passion of red, and the calming aspects of blue,” she explains. To play up a particular shade, simply look to the more dominant influence within a paint. “For red-based purples like plum or eggplant, use greens that also carry that warm undertone: moss, avocado or herbal greens. For cool purples like grape, violet or lavender, try blue-based greens like mint, sage or even turquoise,” she says. Still, in a kitchen or bath, Warner says allowing purple to be the only vibrant color is the easiest way to ensure top style. “Specifically in a kitchen or bath, use more subtle shades, such as lavender, and pop in a lot of neutral tones to keep it sophisticated and fresh.” © CTW Features
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homescoverstory
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homescoverstory
door
to door
Materials, design and history give voice to a home’s front door
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Story by Jordon Shinn
ur lives are guided by the opening and closing of doors — from opportunities to obstacles, success to failure; from entryways to backdoors, gateways to chamber doors. A door is a focal point. It makes a statement and gives a first impression. A door has psychological significance and sets the aesthetic tone for its surroundings. It must both blend in and stand out. A door is the first thing people see when they visit, and the last thing they see when they leave. continued on next page
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Doors speak “If you live in a half-million dollar home, do you want a fiberglass door, something that looks plastic when you walk up to it? Or do you want something that’s handmade, that stands alone?” said Mark Gardner, owner of Monticello Cabinets and Doors, 512 SW 3rd St., in Oklahoma City. The old-growth wood Monticello uses creates a naturally rustic, antique appearance, which Gardner says cannot be achieved in new, softer, farm-grown wood. “The whole tree’s been cut down over 100 years ago, so the wood has done what it’s going to do,” Gardner said. Caleb McCaleb, owner of McCaleb Homes, 3644 E I-35 Frontage Road, in Edmond, said he strives to find the correct door to match the time period for the style of house he is building. “It just brings a lot of the old charm from those older houses into the new homes,” McCaleb said.“It just adds to the story of the home.” McCaleb’s projects include countryFrench homes with Bordeaux pantry doors, English manor-style houses and 1920s bungalow houses with authentic Craftsman bungalow doors. But McCaleb said a door doesn’t always have to match a style of house. “Sometimes we’ll put doors into a home just to make a signature,” McCaleb said, whose home has doors from France, India, Mexico, Portugal and the U.S.“As the builder, I sign off on it as the artist, just the final stroke of the house.” >>>>>>>>
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Knock on wood
From red oak to white oak, walnut to fir, old growth to new growth, pine to birch, door construction has as many options as there are materials. Doors can be paneled, barred, clavoed, carved, finished, scraped, square or arched, and are constructed from wood, plastic, metal, glass, rubber, paper and fiberglass. But Oklahoma doors makers agree: Nothing beats a solid wood door. Gardener said most of the doors available today have a core inside, made of cheap material like particleboard. “The ones you buy today, they’re mass produced and they’re pretty plain-Jane,” Gardener said, who has been making doors for 35 years.“Ours don’t have anything inside of them, they’re solid wood.” A “green company,” Monticello uses old-growth wood salvaged from buildings demolished in river cities around the country to create European- and Mediterranean-style doors. Gardener imports his reclaimed lumber from Chicago to Canada to find just the right vertical-grain fir wood. “It has an impact in the strength and stability of the doors, so it’s very important to find the right woods,” Gardner said.“And this old-growth wood is much stronger. The growth rings are much tighter and close together.” And stronger wood equals greater security. “They’re going to blow the wall out before they break the door down,” Gardner said.“You’re not going to break our doors.” > story continues on page 22
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Costofcustom Don’s Doors, 362 Willow Place, in Enid, has been handcrafting doors since 1978. “We always advertise if you can get us a picture, we can build it,” said Don Allred, owner of Don’s.“But the more complicated, the more expensive.” Allred says his doors range in price from $900 to $10,000, depending on how complicated the design. “Of course, the more time it takes, the more it’s going to cost,” Allred said.“We can make a door in two hours; other doors take us two days.” He said some doors even take him a week to build. “The most popular doors right now are arched doors with some sort of glass in it,” Allred said.“Everybody’s into arched doors right now, that’s the trend.” But like anything, beauty comes at a cost. “You waste a lot more lumber making an archedtop,” Allred said.“You may waste up to 75 percent of the wood it takes to make an arched-top molding. It depends on how drastic the arch is.” Using a custom knife-molding machine, Allred designs the moldings to fit above each arched door—one on both sides—so the door can be installed in a house. “It takes longer to make the arched molding and the jam, than to make the door,” Allred said. A typical eight-paneled door has up to 20 pieces, each of which must be individually cut and shaped before they can be fitted together, Allred said. Incorporating glass and iron-rod decoration into doors further increases their price, and door makers usually hire local artisans to do the work. Furthermore, Oklahoma law states all glass in doors must be tempered to protect against weather conditions — a more expensive glass available in few locations in Oklahoma. >>>>>>>
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Pearly gates An open door might be a lucky break or a risk to take. A closed door can be a barricade from thieves, or hide us from our enemies. Doors guard dark secrets, or simply cover the kitchen pantry. We remember the doors we have walked through and the ones we haven’t. With so much depending on the impact of their doors, many homeowners want a door that is theirs and theirs alone. “People want something that looks different from what you get at the builder’s supply store,” said Jack Smithschick, owner of Architectural Antiques, 1900 Linwood Blvd., in Oklahoma City.“It’s about uniqueness and individuality.” Acquiring these antique doors and furniture has taken Smithschick all over the world. “We travel extensively,” Smithschick said, whose stops include other architectural antique stores and demolition sites across the country, and other countries.“France, Holland and Belgium are probably as far east as I go.” Architectural Antiques has hundreds of doors at any given time, which can range from $15 to $15,000. “All antique doors. We try to cut off at World War II,” Smithschick said. “There’s no standard at all. There’s nothing standard in (our) building.” Perhaps challenging standards is the key to finding the perfect door for your house. But McCaleb says it is as simple as buying a tie. “If you’re going to spend the money on an expensive suit, you might as well spend the money on an expensive tie.”
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Morebudget-mindedconsumers
maylooktowardmapleinstead ofthepriciercherry. OPUBCO COMMUNICATIONS GROUP
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Story by Jordon Shinn
Photos by Chris Landsberger
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Whether you are in the market for a new home with the latest multimedia system and energy-efficient design, or just want to browse the market, the Southwest Showcase of Homes in southwest Oklahoma City and Moore has you covered. Hosted by the Southwest Homebuilders Association, the Southwest OKC Showcase of Homes is a joint venture between Moore Homebuilders and Southwest Home Builders. Beginning Sat., Sept 11, and continuing through Sun., Sept. 19., the builders will open the doors to their homes in subdivisions throughout southwest Oklahoma City and Moore from 1-7 p.m. each day for a week of free tours. Last year, more than 40 homes were entered in the showcase. Both Moore and Southwest will present a “project house,” to feature the latest and greatest in homebuilder trends and technology. The houses will include enlarged outdoor living spaces, energy-efficient and old-world design, and state-of-theart electronic media and security systems. “You’re getting more bang for your buck than you would in houses south of here in like Norman,” said Tom Pollard of TLP Custom Homes, in Norman, who is building the Moore Homebuilders’ project home. Being built for the showcase, Pollard’s project home is in the Rock Creek subdivision in Moore. The CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
> The 2009 Southwest Showcase home is at 7301 SW 105 in the Rio de Bella housing addition.
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2,587 sq. ft. house will include an outdoor fireplace, a “bonus” or game room upstairs and foam insulation — a mix between fiberglass and foam that saves more energy than common insulation. The Southwest Builders feature home built by John Baxter of JB Homes LLC in Yukon, is located in the Rockport subdivision at SW 125th and Portland in Oklahoma City. With 2,904 sq. ft. of living space, the house will include a stereo system wired throughout the house that is customizable to each room and a home entertainment system that is controllable via cell phone. “It has a lot more amenities than a standard house would for that size and that price,” Baxter said. The house also features two air-conditioning units and a duel-fuel, heat pump and gas furnace.“The heat pump is more efficient down to freezing,” Baxter said. “And below freezing, the furnace is the more efficient. So you get the best of both worlds.” Like Pollard’s feature home, Baxter’s includes an outdoor fireplace — a trend Baxter said he has seen grow since he first installed one in his own home six years ago.“We really enjoy it, winter time and summer time,” Baxter said. Homebuyers can get a pull-out guide to the showcase from the Real Estate section of The Oklahoman during the weekends of the event. The pull-outs also will be available at any of the houses. The showcase isn’t just about selling homes on the spot. Marvin Haworth, the chairman of the event. said the showcase generates sales for the entire year. “It also gets people out who maybe aren’t interested in buying (a house now),” Haworth said.“They aren’t in the market today, but they will be six months from now.” For builders,“It gets your name out there, you get to showcase your product to a large group of people,” Haworth said. But the SW Showcase is more than a trip to the shopping mall. SWHBA’s sole fundraiser, the profits from sales of the project houses are donated to charitable organizations in the communities. The funds raised go to support charitable programs and organizations that the homebuilders associations support. Both Moore and Southwest each have pledged $5,000 to the Cleveland County Red Cross every year for five years, Haworth said. He said the groups also support Backpacks for Children, an Oklahoma City Food Bank program that sends hungry children home on the weekends with a backpack full of food. “Whatever we make on the home goes to children’s charities,” Baxter said.“We send a bunch of kids to camp each year.” Baxter said every year Moore Homebuilders pays for handicapped children to attend Camp Cavett Summer Camp in Kingston, sponsored by the OU Medical Center in OKC. “So the SW Showcase has two purposes,” Haworth said.“To showcase all the builders and their products in the area, and to raise money to give back to the community.” 36 CENTRAL OKLAHOMA HOMES | JULY-AUGUST 2010
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