The Varied Use of LP SmartSide Trim & Siding in Residential Developments

SUMMARY

Cornerstone Construction, based in Idaho, has risen to one of the Northwest's leading custom homebuilders since its founding in 1976. A family-owned business, they focus on building homes that meet high standards for quality, as well as homes that are extremely "green," meeting multiple standards for energy efficiency.

Coyote Rock is a waterfront gated community comprised of custom homes in metro Spokane, Washington. Though within the city limits, it maintains a rural feel and offers homeowners a quality waterfront lifestyle in the Pacific Northwest Inland area.

OBJECTIVES

Cornerstone Construction is certified by three different green building programs: ENERGY STAR®, the National Association of Home Builders Green Building Program, and the Inland Northwest Built Green® Program, which is conducted by the Spokane Homebuilders Association.

As a company, Cornerstone builds custom homes that not only meet the specifications and lifestyles of the homebuyer, but that also offer a high level of energy efficiency. These homes are less expensive to maintain and healthier for families. This is a practice continued at Coyote Rock.

IMPLEMENTATION

Cornerstone Construction is in the process of building 36 homes at Coyote Rock and has completed one. Each home will range in size from 1,600 to 2,000 square feet, and will be built to meet stringent standards for quality and energy efficiency.

The homes are built to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Cornerstone Construction utilizes tightly sealed ductwork, properly installed insulation, and high performance windows to make the homes free of drafts and more energy efficient.

A key factor in the construction of these homes is the use of LP® SmartSide®Trim & Siding, which relies on sustainable, fast-growing trees to engineer a quality product.

Jeremy Brennan, owner of Cornerstone Construction, said he's used LP SmartSide Trim on many occasions and has worked with LP products for about three years, but this is the first time he's using LP SmartSide Siding. However, it is a product he will definitely be using again.

"Aside from the fact that the product looks nice," Brennan said, "it is easier to install than fire cement products."

Fiber cement requires special safety equipment to protect against airborne silica and specific cutting tools. Furthermore, fiber cement is more likely to crack and break during installation than LP SmartSide Siding. And being significantly lighter than fiber cement, LP SmartSide products are easier and quicker to install, and can be cut just like wood.

He added that he would recommend the product to other homebuilders, and not only because of the ease of installation and aesthetic value of LP SmartSide Trim & Siding. He pointed out that the 5/50 Year Transferable Warranty; a 5-year, 100 percent labor and replacement feature on the product; and his great experience working with LP SmartSide Trim & Siding makes it a highly recommendable product.

OUTCOME

Through the use of LP SmartSide Trim & Siding, Cornerstone Construction is meeting the goal of building homes that meet multiple energy efficiency standards and maintain a high level of sustainability.

Generally speaking, Cornerstone Construction's ENERGY STAR® homes are as muh as 30 percent more energy efficient than a home that meets minimum codes compliance in the area, and on average they keep more than 8,500 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the environment each year.

This mans a home that is less expensive to operate, healthier to live in, and built with quality.