INSULATION
For the better part of the past ten years, Ambassador has had most of its clients see the benefits of using 2 lb BASF closed cell spray foam insulation throughout the house.
“ We show our clients a video we shot of one of our guys trying to hammer out this spray foam after it has been installed and cured. Homeowners are in disbelief as to the inherent strength of this product.
Most people don’ t realize how 2 lb spray foam insulation can provide structural enhancements to the house and assists in keeping studs to remain in the same installed condition as compared to being affected by humidity and temperature swings in the home. It actually hardens to the point that it becomes part of the building envelope in more than purely its insulation intended use.
We typically fill wall cavities with about 5.5 inches giving a final insulation factor of about R33 once the refrigerant gas has escaped from within the cells. Imagine what a difference this made with the now revised 2012 Ontario Building Code, wall insulation ratings in the GTA were R20. Even with the new 2012 OBC increased ratings between R24 and R27 pending upon efficiency of windows and furnace, we are still delivering a better finished product to the client.”
When Ambassador builds a home for a client, they are equally concerned about the life time cost of the build as they are with the direct cost of the build. Meaning, they use maintenance friendly materials that will save the client money in the long run. A simple example is they encourage the client to use stone, brick, limestone, as opposed to stucco that will fade or crack over time and require maintenance, which will cost the client more money over time.
“ Not all lifetime cost of the build savings can be seen during the actual build. For example, the electricity used over the lifetime of a single incandescent bulb costs 5 to 10 times the original purchase price of the bulb itself. How does this really affect the cost to the client? An LED bulb will last approximately 50,000 hours vs. 1,200 hours that a typical incandescent light bulb will. Yes it costs about $ 36 vs. $ 1.25, but here is the savings – your energy cost over 50,000 hours of usage – LED will cost you about $ 86 vs. incandescent $ 352. Now use a multiple of some 150 pot lights in a typical sized home we build. That’ s a savings of some $ 52,000!
Michal J Cerny, PMP, P. GSC, is President and CEO of Ambassador Fine Custom Homes Inc., and has 30 years experience in multi-site project management and operations across North America.
www. ambassadorfinecustomhomesinc. com