Conventional building practices don’t take careful note of chemicals and air pollutants being introduced into the new living environment. These building materials, adhesives, sealants, finishes and furnishings may release dangerous off-gasses and volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, which can be harmful to your family’s health. We use low-VOC paints and coatings, which provide less contamination…
The Architect Make sure your architect’s design philosophy matches your own. For the design of new homes, Calgary has some of the best architects. Your architect transforms the needs of you, your family, and lifestyle into the design of your home. A successful relationship with your architect is key and the design process truly brings your…
Electrical: Lighting is the third-biggest energy user in most homes. Conventional building practices have evolved in recent years to include more energy-efficient lighting and appliances, but usually it stops there. Sustainable electrical design goes further, incorporating the following: Natural daylighting techniques, which significantly reduce the reliance on artificial lighting and the energy required to power…
You’ll be developing a long-term relationship with your building team and need to be confident they’ll work hard to carry out your wishes and work well for you. Look for a well organized organization that communicates well with each other, and with you. Good communication skills will be critical to understanding exactly what you’re looking…
“Selecting a homesite is a critical decision that precedes all design processes” — Chris McLaren, Fine Line Homes President Selecting the site on which to build your dream home is probably the most exciting step of the process. You’ll have many things to consider. Remember that when you choose a lot you’re choosing your future…
Roof: A conventional roof typically has asphalt shingles, which are a petroleum-based product, require a lot of energy to manufacture, have a relatively short lifespan and account for a large percentage of construction waste taken to landfills. Depending on your budget, we first look for a longer-lasting product to cut down on the number of…
Conventional construction uses a simple 8-inch thick concrete foundation wall with stick framing inside these walls. Above-grade exterior walls are also stick-built with dimensional lumber. These walls are then stuffed with fiberglass batts and/or blown-in and sprayed cellulose, all materials that allow air to pass between the interior and exterior wall surfaces, which can in…
Fine Line Homes’ green materials and construction practices are good for both you and the environment. Consider a few of the benefits: Reduced consumption of natural resources Lower utility costs Greater self-sufficiency and less dependency Lower maintenance costs over the life of the home Enhanced indoor environment quality and increased comfort Cost-effective material recovery through…
When we at Fine Line Homes started constructing dream homes for our clients, we wanted to use the best materials and highest-quality products. We found that when we built on that premise, we naturally built green and more energy efficient homes. We quickly learned that sustainable building materials are better than their conventional counterparts and have…