The HTRC

The Homeowners & Trades Resource Center

Common Sense Building: Designing for Everyone (Interior Checklist)

Last week we focused on this simple question; do we keep with the status quo of basically designing houses with a 30 year shelf life, or design them to last & be used for generations? While the question might appear “simple,” just how do you design for multi-generations where everyone is comfortable, and one is […]

Filed Under: Universal Design Tagged With: CSB September 14, 2012 By SLS

Common Sense Building: Designing for Everyone (Exterior Checklist)

When you design something, you look at its intended purpose, ease of use, durability, and who will be using it (target market). When you start dealing with houses the purpose is simple; to provide a healthy, safe, and comfortable place to live so that people will be glad to get home. While the purpose might […]

Filed Under: Universal Design Tagged With: CSB September 6, 2012 By SLS

Building Green Homes: Step 8 – Interior Framing, Rough-In’s

In this series on Looking Back & Looking Forward, we are reviewing a green home we built over 2 years ago, the lessons learned and more importantly, how we can utilize those lessons on future builds. In the last two articles we covered in the drying in portion of the building. This process is necessary […]

Filed Under: Going Green?, Universal Design Tagged With: Looking Back, Shelter In-Place September 13, 2010 By SLS

Building Green Homes: Looking back & Lessons Learned

I guess I can credit some of my desire to learn about and utilize energy efficient designs, green buildings, & solar power with the area I grew up in. I can recall some of our schools field trips where we would go see new houses being built with photovoltaic panels, and eating food cooked on […]

Filed Under: Common Sense Building, Energy Efficiency, EnergyStar, Going Green?, Universal Design Tagged With: Looking Back July 19, 2010 By SLS

Utilizing Universal Design Principles to create an Accessible Deck

I don’t know about you but I like to be able to sit outside on my deck or porch and enjoy the weather while my wife likes to work outside in the garden. I do not foresee that changing anytime in the future, nor do most individuals with disabilities want to be cooped up inside. […]

Filed Under: Common Sense Building, Deck & Outdoor Living, Remodeling & Renovations, Universal Design Tagged With: Correct Deck CX September 19, 2009 By SLS

Universal Design Principles – it’s better than you think

Doesn’t Universal Design really equate to a sterile looking house, with ugly grab bars everywhere? One might think so after visiting a doctor’s office, going out to eat, or even seeing the changes made to office buildings after the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed. It can look that way if it is instituted incorrectly, but done with […]

Filed Under: Remodeling & Renovations, Universal Design August 8, 2009 By SLS

Aging In Place, ADA Compliance & Universal Design

Home Sweet Home – nothing beats being able to come home, cook up a quick meal or even a gourmet one, take a nice relaxing shower, and then just relaxing. Most of us plan on staying in our houses for as long as possible (if not forever); do you really plan on just moving into […]

Filed Under: Remodeling & Renovations, Universal Design November 17, 2008 By SLS

Featured Posts

Holiday Checklist – The day after

First off, we hope everyone had a great Christmas and are looking forward to the New Year. Many people will be heading out today for the annual gift exchange / ...

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January is National Radon Month

January is National Radon Month

Should you be worried? Believe it or not – this is actually debatable by some people. According to the EPA, they estimate that there are over 21,000 lung cancer deaths per ...

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January - Mid Winter Maintenance Checklist

Welcome to the start of a New Year, and the first full month of winter. This is the time of the year when many individuals try to wipe the slate ...

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FAQ: Should I close my crawl space vents during winter?

FAQ: Should I close my crawl space vents during winter?

In short the answer is generally yes, they should be closed up during the winter months. If you follow our Monthly Maintenance Schedule, we recommend the month of October as ...

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FAQ: Do I need to change my HVAC filter monthly?

FAQ: Do I need to change my HVAC filter monthly?

If you follow our Monthly Maintenance Program, the first item we have listed is "Change out your HVAC filter." This has brought up a few questions, namely: Do I need ...

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FAQ: Exterior HVAC units - Should I cover my unit, or... fall & wintertime questions

When it comes to the exterior HVAC unit most people wonder about hiding them and reducing the amount of noise. We delved into that topic in our Spring & Summer ...

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FAQ: Ceiling fan direction - summer & winter

One of the biggest questions out there is which direction should my fan be running and how can I tell. You look at the switch and realize it isn't any ...

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