We’ve started interior trim this week after installing the heartpine floor over Christmas week. The heartpine layout is tricky: there are “rays†coming off the north wall and extending across the great room to the more expansive south wall. They’re layed out approximately every 5’ where we’ve installed steel columns that support the elevated walkway on the north side. Then we infilled perpendicula ... Read full post »
Community Home Trust in Orange County
Synergy Building is pleased to be finishing their  third and fourth homes for The Community Home Trust (CHT)–previously known as Orange Community Housing Land Trust (OCHLT.)  CHT is a private, nonprofit developer and steward of affordable housing in Orange County. Teaming with Synergy, CHT has built  four new “Green” homes in the last two years.  These homes, located in Carrboro meet Energy Star standards and System ... Read full post »
Advanced Framing Techniques
After numerous discussions and reviews with the Town of Carrboro regarding lot reconfigurations, storm water drainage issues. etc. etc., we are finally on our way to building two new energy efficient affordable homes in Carrboro. There are many features of these homes we are building in conjunction with the Community Home Trust that contribute to their being a great example of affordable Green building. One that will no longer be e ... Read full post »
Moving Day!
Move-in was on the 15th and it went well. Being in feels very good. The colors work. The floor finish is impressive. The stained finish on the interior doors is beautiful. The kitchen countertop goes very well. It’s been neat starting up all the new appliances. I’ve cooked several meals already. The Zephyr range hood is striking. The built-ins by the fireplace, after getting the books and handicrafts on the shelves, lend t ... Read full post »
Finishing issues with AAC Block
The septic tanks are in. There are two tanks, this being a pumped system in which the septic field is in the upper part of the property. The stucco is on and looks fabulous. Jose was a perfectionist. He started with a skim coat of portland cement and sand. That was necessary to smooth out the imperfections of the AAC block work. Then the base coat was put on. We used a product by MasterWall, Inc. It came in bags and ... Read full post »