Building an ENERGY STAR Home

Are you considering building an ENERGY STAR® home? You’re certainly not alone. Over 120,000 new homes earned the ENERGY STAR seal of approval in 2007. It’s not surprising that green homes in Nevada, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, and Vermont made up a significant percentage of the number of homes built there.

If you’re planning to build a green home in New Hampshire, Colorado, Michigan, Maryland, or Minnesota, you’ll be among a small percentage of homeowners there concerned with energy efficiency in a new home. These are among the 18 states that had between 3% and 11% of homes meeting ENERGY STAR standards.

And then, if you’re planning to build an energy efficient home in Maine, Pennsylvania, or Montana, you’re one of the more forward-thinking homeowners in your area. Your new green home, once its ENERGY STAR certified, will give you savings in energy costs for heating and cooling and provide a healthy living environment for your family. Smart choice!


Data released by ENERGY STAR

Bonin Architects & Associates promotes ENERGY STAR products and builders. We work with you to design your home to meet ENERGY STAR requirements so you can build a green home that incorporates all of your wants and needs and saves at least 20-30% in energy costs!

Kimberly Bonin, Executive Project Manager
Bonin Architects & Associates, PLLC

Your Custom Timber Frame Home – How Should it Feel?

A home fulfills many purposes, but it can also satisfy numerous personal, aesthetic, and emotional requirements that can be difficult to describe in words. In starting to imagine your home design, it will help your timber frame architect if you identify and communicate how you want each space to feel. How?

You may find it a challenge to explain how you want a room to feel. Start by doing some simple exercises. (This exercise is the same for timber frame homes, post and beam homes, conventional homes, panel homes, and other building types.)

Pick up a home magazine or imagine a home you are familiar with. Find a room you like. What do you like about it? The way the afternoon sunlight casts shadows within the room? The room’s intimacy or its abundant space?

Think about other spaces you enjoy – the park, the library, your friend’s home. How does the space make you feel? What creates that feeling? Be specific, and write down what you like about it. For instance, you might write, “I like how the color tones of the timbers change as the sun sets” or “I love how the outdoors is brought inside”. These small realizations will help the home design to evolve from a floor plan to a custom home that is an extension of your life philosophy.

Do this for each room in your home design. It is also helpful to describe what you don’t like about certain floor plans, rooms, or space. For instance, if you are not fond of having to walk through your closet to enter your Master Bedroom, document this. Perhaps you like the great room in a magazine photo but you want the timbers to be the center of attention, not the television. Or, you may like the space but find it lacks the intimacy you’re looking for in your home – a cozy corner where you can chat with another couple, a well-lit reading area, or a secluded spot for your cell phone chargers, mail and telephone.

Keep all of your notes together. Cut out full pages or small photos that describe your likes and dislikes. As you go through this process, you can update your thoughts with text and photos. Eventually, you will come to a good understanding of what you want your custom timber frame home to look and feel like. Bring your notebook to your first meeting with your timber frame architect. Starting with your vision in hand will expedite the design process while guaranteeing success.

Your timber frame architect will spend time with you to guide you through this process and will translate your ideas into a preliminary design for your consideration and review. The result will be much more than a home with a standard floor plan – you will have a custom home that matches your philosophy and lifestyle, a reflection of who you are, your dreams and aspirations.

Have you signed up for our FREE Home Seminar?

Photos courtesy of Riverbend Timber Framing.

Jeremy Bonin, AIA NCARB LEED AP

Bonin Architects & Associates, PLLC

Starting a Timber Frame Design

You’ve decided you want to build a post and beam or timber frame home. Where do you start? First, we suggest you purchase land, as this substantially impacts the design of your home. Work with your architect to design the home in context with the site and addressing all of your needs and desires. There are many things you will want to consider:

Start with a vision of your home. Is there a certain architectural style you prefer? A timber frame home compliments any architectural style you choose. Start with the basics; how many bedrooms will you need? Do you want a Master Bedroom with or without a Master Bathroom suite? Will it be located on the first or second floor? If this is a vacation home which will become your retirement home, you may prefer to have the main rooms located on the first floor for easy access. How much of the home will be timber framed? A timber frame hybrid home, combining timber framing and structural insulated panels, might better fit your family’s needs – and budget. Are you planning to entertain small or large groups of people in your home? Most people are drawn to the cathedral spaces in a timber frame home. How many rooms will have cathedral ceilings with exposed timbers? Will you need a living room or media room separate from your Great Room? Do you have a specific hobby or interest that requires a separate room or area? These are just a few of the many questions in the design of your home.

Analyze the rooms of your current home. Does the space you have now fit your needs? Wherever possible, look for areas to reduce the living space. For instance, if you have a large laundry room now and you only really use half of the space, mark it as a potential space saver. Anytime you reduce the square footage of your home you will save money in initial material costs, but more importantly in energy costs over the life of the home.

Also consider the style and aesthetics that you want your timber frame home to have. Our next blog will discuss how you can document how you want each space will feel to you, your family and guests.

Jeremy Bonin, AIA NCARB LEED AP
Bonin Architects & Associates, PLLC

How Structural Insulated Panels Measure Up to LEED

Are you looking for LEED certification for your new energy efficient home and plan to use structural insulated panels? SIPA (Structural Insulated Panel Association) has calculated the points the project could be awarded using structural insulated panels. Below are the categories and possible points earned for using structural insulated panel walls, roofs, and floor systems:

Performance Path - EA – Energy and Atmosphere

EA 1: Optimize Energy Performance-Maximum 34 Points

Using the Performance Pathway, the home is awarded points based on overall energy performance, measured by a HERS Index. A home’s HERS Index is calculated by a certified energy rater and takes into account the insulation, results from a blower door test, HVAC, lighting, and other relevant information. LEED points are allocated on a scale ranging from 0 points for ENERGY STAR and 34 points for a net zero energy home. Homes must meet ENERGY STAR as a prerequisite for this credit.

Prescriptive Path

EA 2.1: Basic Insulation-Prerequisite

Builders must install insulation that meets or exceeds the requirements of the 2004 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). SIPs are listed as an exception to this requirement, and must alternately pass a visual inspection using the ENERGY STAR SIP Visual Inspection Form.

EA 2.2 Enhanced Insulation-2 points

SIP construction qualifies as enhanced insulation if it passes the visual inspection using the ENERGY STAR SIP Visual Inspection Form.

EA 3: Air Infiltration-Maximum 3 points

Well sealed SIP homes have a proven track record of achieving extremely low levels of air infiltration. Homes are awarded points based on their blower door test results, with a maximum of 3 points possible.

Performance Path - Materials and Resources (MR)

MR 1.4 Framing Efficiencies-Maximum 3 points

The project is given one point for each SIP system used: walls, roofs, and floors. If SIP floors are not used, points can be earned by using other material-efficient framing techniques, such as spacing floor joists greater than 16” o.c.

MR 2.2 Environmentally Preferable Products-Maximum 1 point

SIP homes qualify for 0.5 points if two of the three building components (wall, roof, or floor) use FSC certified OSB. SIPs are eligible for an additional 0.5 points if they are produced within 500 miles of the home.

MR 3.2 Construction Waste Reduction-Maximum 3 points

Using prefabricated SIPs decreases the amount of onsite construction waste, helping builders qualify for waste reduction points. Waste reduction points are given on a scale ranging from 0 to 3 depending on the amount of waste generated per square foot of the home.

NOTE from SIPA: This information is meant for reference only. Actual project scoring will depend on the individual rater, builder, and other factors.

Do you have questions about you building a green home using structural insulated panels? We're happy too answers your questions about SIPs homes, sustainable design, and hybrid homes (combining timberframe with structural insulated panels).

Kimberly Bonin, Executive Project Manager

Bonin Architects & Associates, PLLC

Why Choose a Timber Frame Home?

Would you like to build a home that addresses much more than the basic requirement of shelter? Consider a timber frame home.

No matter the size, a timber frame home leaves guests sighing with open jaws as they enter. A timber frame represents hospitality and functionality while doing much more.

The timber structure can define the spaces within the home. A common timber frame design requirement for most people is an open floor plan to encourage family interaction. The timber frame floor plan is versatile and designed with necessary timber supports located at strategic places – adjacent to interior walls, at the corner of the staircase, or to create a visual division between two rooms. Cathedral ceilings are common in timber frame homes, offering guests the opportunity to experience the depth and complexity of the timber system. The framing system creates ceiling planes which aide in delineating room layouts and add dimension and form to the space which conventional framing typically does not achieve.

The beauty of the timbers is undeniable and appeals to our sense of tradition and desire to understand structure. Options such as reclaimed timbers, choices in finishes such as hand hewing, and a variety of stain colors help you express your unique personal values and desires. If you love antiques and nostalgia, reclaimed timbers often carry a rich history and unique story. Their background, together with the imperfections they bear, offer an opportunity to showcase their longevity in your home’s structure.

Perhaps the most significant aspect of a timber frame home is that it will provide your family with warmth and comfort for generations!

Kimberly Bonin, Executive Project Manager

Bonin Architects & Associates, PLLC

Photos by Riverbend Timber Framing.

Timber frames – finishing touches

In addition to choosing a wood species for your timber frame or post and beam home, you’ll have to decide how you want the timbers finished.

There are several choices for the finish. Most prefer to have their timbers planed smooth and sanded on all sides for a clean finished look. You might, however, choose not to have them planed, and leave them rough sawn (not planed or sanded) for an antique look. For an even more traditional, antique look, timber may be hand hewn. Notches, or cuts, are made in the timbers using heavy hand tools such as an adze or chisel.

Most manufacturers offer the option of chamfered edges. A chamfer is made in the timber by cutting off the edge of the corners, either a simple flat 45 degree cut or a variety of other styles are available as well. Chamfers give the timbers a refined, sophisticated look as well as alleviate the sharp corner and possibility of splintering wood.

In order to protect the timbers’ natural grain, manufacturers typically apply a tung oil or stain after the joinery is cut. You can choose a clear stain or a darker color to match your preference and desired interior look. While the finish will be applied to all surfaces and joints in the beams at the manufacturer’s shop, an additional coat or two may be applied on site.

Whatever finishing options you choose, the beauty of a timber frame home is undeniable and will be the focus of the home’s interior.


Kimberly Bonin, Executive Project Manager

Bonin Architects & Associates, PLLC

Lincoln, NH Timber Frame Home Under Construction

Within a short nine days, our Lincoln, New Hampshire timber frame is up and the T&G decking is on the roof! The 3500 square foot timber frame home features a Queen Post bent main frame with two Principal Purlin Common Rafter wings. The south elevation exterior features a handsome King Post truss, which is the focal point of the facade.

Timberpeg provided the timber frame, which consists of over 350 pieces of Dense Select Structural FSC Certified Douglas fir. Each timber has a factory-applied tung oil as a seal to protect this beautiful frame.

Our clients, Bob and Kelly, visited the site last weekend and love the finished timber frame. The joinery, size of the timbers, and design of the timber frame are exactly what they wanted!

Monday Foard Panel is delivering the XPS structural insulated panels which will wrap the timber frame and create a high performance, energy efficient home.

See the history of this timber frame home to date on our website. Also look for more blogs on the installation of the structural insulated panels and ongoing construction on this energy efficient home!

Kimberly Bonin, Executive Project Manager,

Bonin Architects & Associates, PLLC

Attend a FREE Home Design Seminar!

Do you ever wonder about the future of energy efficient homes?

Do you have questions about costs and options?

Are you planning to build in the near future?

Would you like to learn more about what is available?

Come to a FREE HOME PLANNING SEMINAR!

Learn more from area professionals about:
Energy efficient home design

Green Homes
Timber frame homes
Structural insulated panels
Renewable energy systems
Costs, and Financing!

~ FREE Home Planning Seminar ~

Saturday, November 15, 2008

1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Best Western Executive Court Inn & Conference Center

13500 S. Willow Street, Manchester, NH 03103

Visit our website or call 603-504-6009 to reserve your space!

Silver Park Timber Frame Shelters, Missoula, Montana – Under Construction

The Missoulian, Missoula Montana’s local newspaper, recently reported on the progress being made at Silver Park along the Clark Fork River which runs through downtown Missoula. Read the full article here.

Missoula engineer Jennifer Anthony recognized the need for relief from the sun and elements in the park and suggested it feature timber frame shelters to set a positive example in green building and showcase the history of the local mills. The Timber Framers Guild stepped in by co-sponsoring a competition to design three bench shelters for the project.

Bonin Architects & Associates’ principal architect, Jeremy Bonin, submitted one of the winning designs. His shelter was the feature of the week-long Timber Framers Guild workshop for participants wanting to improve their skills in compound timber frame joinery. Workshop space was limited to 20 attendees, and the Guild was thrilled to have additional 29 excited timber framers on the waiting list.

One of the judge’s commented on Jeremy’s design, saying, “I love the expression of this joyous and seemingly free-form design that gets great visual 'liftoff'."

Jeremy’s shelter, which was sponsored by the Missoula Rotary Club, was erected last week on site amid a flurry of activities involving five instructors and over 30 volunteers. The other two winning designs were constructed off site and will be brought to the site for placement.

The 14 ½ acre Silver Park Project is slated to be finished in 2009. Thanks to Jennifer Anthony for all of the photos! See more on our website!

Jackie Lampiasi, Marketing Director
Bonin Architects & Associates, PLLC

See an excellent 11 minute retelling of the Silver Park story, see the making of the timber shelters, and the Timber Framers Guild voluteers by photojournalist Krista Miller Larson.