Luxury BeachFront Eco-Villas
BLH Building Systems Criteria
Based on Building Envelope Science
Code Compliant
Eco-Friendly
Energy Efficient
ENERGY STAR
Fire Resistant
Flood Resistant
High-Performance
High R-Value
Hurricane Resistant
Indoor Air Quality
LEED Compliant
Long Durability
Low Maintenance
Moisture Resistant
Mold Resistant
No Air Infiltration
Salt Water Resistant
Termite Resistant
Tight Envelope
UV Resistant
Warranty Period
Weather Resistant
Your Villa
Belize LifeStyle Villa
Belize LifeStyle Homes Features
Is Your BeachFront Villa Ready For Mother Nature?
Earthquake Resistant
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YES
YES
YES
YES
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YES
Belize LifeStyle Safe, Healthy, Energy Efficient Homes
Hurricane Resistant
Flood Resistant
Fire Resistant
Mold Resistant
Moisture Resistant
Termite Resistant
R-47 Insulated Envelope
ENERGY STAR Certified
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?
?
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YES
YES
YES
The Importance of a High-Performance, Highly-Insulated, Weather Resistant Building Envelope
Belize LifeStyle Homes are intentionally Designed, Engineered and Constructed for Coastal Living Environments. Our Premium Building Products and Building Systems have been selected based on “Building Envelope Science Criteria" and adherence to "Sustainable Whole Building Design Principles".
For the design, construction and operation of a home or building, there is an especially important interface between the indoor and outdoor environments, that of the building envelope. The building envelope is comprised of the outer elements of a building; foundations, walls, roof, windows, doors and floors. The prime functions of the building envelope are to provide shelter, security, solar and thermal control, moisture control, indoor air quality control, access to daylight, and views to outside, fire resistance, acoustics, cost effectiveness and aesthetics. Because of the varied and sometimes competing functions associated with the building envelope, an integrated, synergistic approach considering all phases of the building (home) life cycle is warranted. This "sustainable" approach supports an increased commitment to environmental stewardship and conservation, and results in an optimal balance of cost, environmental, societal, and human benefits while meeting the mission and function of the intended home or building.
Air Tight, Highly-Insulated, Weather Resistant Building Envelope
Belize LifeStyle Homes
HIGH-PERFORMANCE BUILDING - The term 'high-performance building' means a building that integrates and optimizes on a life cycle basis all major high performance attributes, including energy conservation, environment, safety, security, durability, accessibility, cost-benefit, productivity, sustainability, functionality, and operational considerations. (Source: Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007)
High-Performance, Highly-Insulated, Weather Resistant Building Envelope Systems
All Belize LifeStyle Homes are Designed, Engineered and Constructed with Ten Building Envelope Systems
House shown is for illustration purposes only.
(Click text to view details)
(Click text to view details)
Wall Thickness: 8"
Insulation Value: R-47
Typical Steel Stud Depth Dimensions:
Exterior Walls: 2” x 6” to 2” X 10”
Interior Walls: 2” X 4” to 2” X 6”
Roof Trusses: 2” X 8” to 2” X 12”
Ceiling Framing: 2” X 4” to 2” X 6”
Floor Joist: 2” X 8” to 2” X 12”
Foundations: 2” X 8” to 2” X 12”
Magnesium Oxide Interior Wallboard
BLH Building Envelope Application: All Interior Walls and All Interior Ceilings.
System Summary: Magnesium Oxide Board (referred to as “MgO Board”) is a fiberglass-reinforced Magnesium Oxide Cement Board, specially formulated as a structural exterior and interior sheathing, that is resistant to fire, water, rot, mold and termites. Magnesium Oxide Board has been fully tested to numerous ASTM and UL standards and has been used in thousands of commercial and residential buildings for both exterior structural sheathing and as an interior structural wallboard product.
Unlike gypsum board (sheetrock) and other interior wallboard products, MgO Board is specified as a structural exterior/interior sheathing product that adds extra structural strength and integrity to your home.
Magnesium Oxide Interior Wallboard
Belize LifeStyle Homes Magnesium Oxide Interior Wallboard
Belize LifeStyle Homes Magnesium Oxide Interior Wallboard
Belize LifeStyle Homes Magnesium Oxide Interior Wallboard
Belize LifeStyle Homes Magnesium Oxide Interior Wallboard
(Click image for MgO Wallboard Photo Gallery)
As the Interior Wallboard in our Belize LifeStyle Homes High Performance Building Envelope System, MgO Board is a very important element that provides a safe, healthy, high indoor air quality, mold (and mildew) free interior environment. The product is applied on all interior walls and ceilings of our Belize LifeStyle Homes. MgO Board is an environmentally friendly, high-performance building product that meets and exceeds both ENERGY STAR and LEED Compliance Specifications and Guidelines.
Magnesium Oxide Interior Wallboard Homeowner Benefits:
Magnesium Oxide Interior Wallboard is Environmentally Friendly: MgO Board is an environmentally friendly building material that provides a total solution for healthy, affordable, durable and energy efficient buildings. Magnesium Oxide Board is a technologically advanced building material offering superior performance in every category when compared to traditional wood, gypsum and cement based products. MgO Board is used in place of traditional gypsum drywall as wall, ceiling covering material and sheathing, as well as in a number of other construction applications.
Magnesium Oxide Interior Wallboard is Water, Mold and Mildew Resistant: Magnesium Oxide Board is waterproof and non-nutrient to mold, fungus and insects per ASTM G21. MgO Board provides superior mold, moisture and mildew resistance in high humidity or highly shaded areas. Magnesium Oxide Board will not disintegrate when immersed in water or exposed to severe freeze/thaw cycles for prolonged periods of time. It can be finished with any traditional drywall compounds, paints and wall coverings.
MgO Websites To Visit:
Key Features of MgO Board:
Fire Resistant
Florida Hurricane Tested
Impact Resistant
Insect Resistant
Mildew Resistant
Moisture Resistant
Mold Resistant
Silica/Asbestos Free
Sound Dampening
Structural Sheathing
Termite Resistant
Water Resistant
Magnesium Oxide Interior Wallboard is a Healthy and Safe Building Product: No organic solvents, oils, toxic ingredients, heavy metal salts or asbestos is used in the manufacturing of Magnesium Oxide Board.
Weather Resistant Exterior Facade
System Summary: Selecting the proper Exterior Facade (siding, stucco, etc.) product is an important consideration for your Belize LifeStyle Home. Although the product needs to be aesthetically pleasing and compliment the design style of your home it also needs to be a durable, low-maintenance; weather, moisture and UV resistant exterior facade product that protects your home from the outdoor elements. Houzz.com is a great inspirational, home design website, where you are able to search all types of building products and design styles and then save them to your own personalized Houzz Ideabook.
There are many High Performance Exterior Facade products to choose, that are available in different colors, textures, design styles and price points. Belize LifeStyle Homes Designers, Architects and Engineers are available to assist you in selecting the best exterior facade product that matches your design style and budget.
Fiber Cement Siding is an Excellent Exterior Facade Product that provides all of the attributes and specifications required for an energy efficient, high performance, weather resistant building envelope. James Hardie is the largest and most well-known fiber cement siding manufacturers in the US and should be on your list of manufacturers to evaluate. Visit James Hardie Website
Exterior Stucco is Another Exterior Facade Product that provides all of the attributes and specifications required for an energy efficient, high performance, weather resistant building envelope. A very good website for general (and technical) information about stucco and a list of stucco manufacturers is: StuccoMfgAssoc.com To read about the versatility and benefits of stucco as a durable, exterior finish system click this link: Benefits of Stucco
Some of the top Exterior Stucco Manufacturer's Websites to visit are: BASF Stucco Systems, LaHabra Stucco, Master Wall, Parex USA, Permacrete, TESS Surfacing Systems and Total Wall Stucco Systems.
ENERGY STAR Windows, Patio Doors and Skylights
System Summary: Windows provide natural daylight and views, but homeowners often use drapes or blinds to cover them because of comfort concerns. ENERGY STAR qualified windows, patio doors and skylights allow owners to enjoy the light and views while saving money on utility bills and protecting valuable furnishings and finishes from sun damage. Independently tested for superior energy performance, ENERGY STAR qualified windows, patio doors and skylights are also better for the environment because lowering energy use helps reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollutants at the source.
There are many types of ENERGY STAR Windows, Patio Doors and Skylights to choose from. The four main types of window fabrication materials are; Vinyl, Aluminum, Fiberglass and Wood which are available in many different design styles, sizes, configurations and performance ratings. Belize LifeStyle Homes also offers hurricane rated windows, patio doors, skylights and hurricane shutters as options for your new home. Belize LifeStyle
Our Home Designers, Architects and Engineers are available to assist you in selecting the best ENERGY STAR Windows, Patio Doors and Skylights that fit your design style, specifications and budget.
Benefits of ENERGY STAR QUALIFIED Windows, Patio Doors and Skylights:
Energy Savings: ENERGY STAR qualified windows, patio doors and skylights feature advanced technologies such as invisible glass coatings, vacuum-sealed spaces filled with inert gas between the panes, improved framing materials, better weather stripping, and warm edge spacers, all of which reduce undesirable heat gain and loss.
Improved Comfort: Compared to less efficient windows, ENERGY STAR qualified windows help keep homes warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. This is because they can block 70 percent or more of the solar heat gain in the summer and reflect radiant heat indoors during winter.
Protection of Your Home's Interior: Photographs, furniture, flooring, and window treatments can fade or discolor after repeated exposure to direct sunlight. An ENERGY STAR qualified window with special (Low-E) coatings can reduce fading. These coatings can reduce fading by up to 75 percent.
Reduced Condensation: If an inefficient window or window frame gets too cold, water can condense (or even freeze) on the interior surface and then pool on the sill. Over time, chronic condensation can damage window sills, cause paint to crack, and encourage the growth of mold. Advanced frames, glass coatings, spacers, and other technologies enable ENERGY STAR qualified windows to keep the inner surface of the glass and frame warmer, reducing the potential for condensation and ensuring a clearer view on winter mornings.
Energy Efficient Window Features
(Click image for larger view)
Windows Reference Websites:
Efficient Windows Collaborative
Inspiration Resources:
Windows Reference Documents:
ENERGY STAR Exterior Doors
System Summary: Selecting the proper type of exterior doors for your Belize LifeStyle home is an important consideration. Exterior Doors are available in many different design styles, sizes, configurations, finishes, glazing options and materials. The five main types of materials used to manufacture exterior doors are: Wood, Fiberglass, PVC, Steel and Aluminum. Insulated steel and insulated fiberglass exteriors doors are typically more energy efficient (higher R-Value) than solid wood doors.
For a home to meet the ENERGY STAR Certification criteria the exterior doors need to meet specific energy efficiency and performance standards. View ENERGY STAR® Qualification Criteria for Residential Exterior Doors.
Our company, WellCraft Doors (WellCraftDoors.com) has been manufacturing and selling exterior doors, interior doors, moulding, millwork and flooring for over 10 years, in the New York Tri-State Area. Please visit our website and browse our selection of Solid Mahogany Exterior Doors, Customs Interior Doors and Premium Building Products.
Belize LifeStyle Homes also offers hurricane rated exterior doors and hurricane protection systems as options for your new home. Belize LifeStyle Homes Designers, Architects and Engineers are available to assist you in selecting the best High performance, Energy Efficient Exterior Doors that fit your design style, specifications and budget.
Masonite Coastal Door Collection: (View Coastal Door Brochure)
For many, living on the ocean is one of life's dreams. Today that dream seems to come with an increasing cost. Hurricanes and other severe weather patterns can put a constant pressure on you and your home.
Many coastal regions have specific standards for doors that require unique product performance. To fulfill the pressing need for products that stand up to the rigors of everyday living in these regions, Masonite has designed and built the Coastal Exterior Door & Impact Collection. This exclusive collection meets certain building codes without compromising the ultimate beauty of the door.
Energy Efficient Door Features
(Click image for larger view)
If you don't want to live with bulky metal frames, Masonite's coastal products offer a difference you can see. The newly designed Hurricane-Lite™ frame looks like a standard frame but it satisfies HVHZ (High Velocity Hurricane Zone) requirements. Hurricane-Lite frames have standard window cut-outs that will accommodate impact rated glass. This system simplifies assembly without compromising the beauty of your home.
Exterior Door Manufacturer's: WellCraft Doors, Jeld-Wen Doors, Masonite Doors, Therma-Tru Doors
High Performance Roofing System
High Performance Foundation System
High Performance Foundation System
System Summary: The proper design, engineering and construction of a safe, secure, disaster resistant foundation system are essential for the overall performance of the Belize LifeStyle Building Envelope System. Based on your home design style, architectural plans and lifestyle requirements, our Architects and Engineers will advise you on the best type of High Performance Foundation System for your BeachFront Villa in Belize.
Belize LifeStyle Homes can be constructed on Three Types of Foundation Systems:
Monolithic Concrete Slab Foundations:
Concrete Slab Foundations are the most basic type of foundation. They’re created by laying concrete directly onto excavated land. At the edges of the slab, concrete is also poured to create the footings for the foundation.
Crawlspace Foundations:
Crawlspace foundations are built with four walls that protrude from the soil. The walls support a series of joists which are used to construct floors directly above. This type of foundation is typically found in residential construction.
Pier and Beam Foundations:
Used in residential and commercial applications, pier and beam foundations are perfect for homes built on fairly unstable soil. Concrete or metal piers are driven into the soil below until they are no longer affected by changes in surface soil. Beams and joists are constructed above the piers and support the rest of the building, similar to the joists framing system used in crawlspace foundations.
CHANCE Helical Screw Piers: Sustainable Foundation Solutions (View CHANCE Brochure)
Since 1912, Chance has been the international leader in earth anchoring. Our helical piers and anchors are used worldwide to secure soil retention projects and deep foundation applications such as residential and commercial buildings, tower foundations and heavy equipment foundations. Engineered for dependability and long-term stability, CHANCE® helical piers and anchors feature exclusive anchoring techniques, tools, designs and sizes that make other foundation methods a thing of the past. Approved by all national building code agencies, CHANCE® helical piers and anchors are your first line of defense against poor soil conditions, landslides, floods and time.
While foundation support design varies depending on the design of supported structure, building codes and the geotechnical properties of the soil, there are several undisputable benefits for the consideration and use of helical pile technology for coastal structural elevation and structural foundation repair.
New construction foundations don’t have to be a headache. The CHANCE® Helical Pier Foundation System gives you the performance of concrete without the drawbacks and liabilities of driven piles and drilled shafts. The helical pier foundation can be devised to resist or support any load or application. And it’s fast. It can be installed with lightweight construction equipment and loaded immediately. There’s no concrete curing time, and predefined capacities are predictable, putting you in control. Approved by national building code agencies BOCA, ICBO, SBCCI, CCMC and ICC, the CHANCE® helical pier and tension anchor has become the deep foundation system of choice for architects, builders, contractors, engineers and geotechnical firms.
CHANCE Helical Screw Piers: How They Work (Visit TheSandySolution.com Website)
The CHANCE® helical pier is a segmented deep foundation system with helical bearing plates welded to a central shaft. Load is transferred from the shaft to the soil through these bearing plates. As a result of their true helical shape, the helices do not auger into the soil but rather screw into it with minimal disturbance. The first section, called the Lead Section, contains the helical plates. The Lead Section can consist of one to four helices. If required, additional helices
Belize LifeStyle Homes
Galvanized Structural Steel Beams
Helical Screw Pier & Beam Foundations
Belize LifeStyle Homes Galvanized Structural Steel Beams Helical Screw Pier and Beam Foundations
Belize LifeStyle Homes Galvanized Structural Steel Beams Helical Screw Pier and Beam Foundations
Belize LifeStyle Homes Galvanized Structural Steel Beams Helical Screw Pier and Beam Foundations
Belize LifeStyle Homes Galvanized Structural Steel Beams Helical Screw Pier and Beam Foundations
CHANCE Helical Screw Piers
Hurricane Sandy Rebuild Project
Chance Screw Piers - This Old House
Chance Anchors - Made in the USA
can be added with the use of Helical Extensions. Plain Extensions are then added until the Lead Section penetrates the bearing strata and the necessary or appropriate torque is achieved.
CHANCE Helical Screw Piers: Solid Advantages (Visit ABChance.com Website)
The helical pier foundation is preferred over driven piles, drilled shafts, grouted tendons, auger-cast piles, belled piers and other deep foundation systems for a number of compelling reasons:
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Environmentally friendly.
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Fast installation and immediate loading.
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Pre-engineered system.
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Instant torque-to-capacity feedback for production control.
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Easily modified in the field.
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No need for concrete to cure.
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Easy to use in high water tables and weak surface soils.
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No need to remove spoils.
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No casings required for flowable sands, soft clays or organic soils.
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Minimizes soil disturbance during installation.
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Installs in any weather.
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No vibration.
Benefits of Belize LifeStyle Structural Steel Homes:
- High strength results in a safer structure with less maintenance.
- Fire safety - doesn't burn or add fuel to the spread of a house fire.
- Not vulnerable to termites.
- Not vulnerable to any type of fungi or organism, including mold.
- Less probability of foundation problems - less weight = less movement.
- Less probability of damage in an earthquake.
- Lighter structure with stronger connections results in less seismic force.
- Less probability of damage in high winds.
- Stronger connections, screwed versus nailed.
Indoor airPLUS HVAC Systems
ENERGY STAR HOMES - Better is Better
New Homes - EPA Indoor airPLUS
Indoor Air Quality - Interactive Home
UltimateAir ERV Systems Intro Video
UltimateAir RecoupAerator® 200DX ERV System (Visit UltimateAir Website)
The UltimateAir RecoupAerator® 200DX is a whole-house Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) which removes the many air contaminants created indoors. 96% heat energy is transferred from the contaminated leaving air to the incoming fresh air, and MERV 12 filtration captures pollens and mold spores. Using a Whole-systems approach to home design requires quality ventilation for the best health of people, pets, plants, as well as the building structure. UltimateAir® is a United States manufacturer using quality materials, concerned with achieving the highest Indoor Air Quality while allowing buildings to be built as air-tight as possible for the highest level of building efficiency and sustainability. The UltiamteAir RecoupAerator® constantly exchanges the air in your home with fresh filtered air, while maintaining desired temperature and humidity. No matter what the season, your home is comfortable, clean, and fresh.
The Technology inside the UltimateAir RecoupAerator® 200DX ERV System
An Energy Recover Ventilator (ERV) is connected to the duct work of your HVAC system. Equipped with two fans, one fan draws fresh air into the building while the other pushes stale air out. As the two air streams pass through the ERV, the patented heat exchanger transfers both heat and moisture from one air stream to another. In other words, the heat from the exhausted air is transferred to the fresh inbound air.
As outside air enters the ERV, it is also forced through a MERV 12 filter to capture incoming contaminants. After passing through the patented heat exchanger, the warmed or cooled fresh air is distributed through the house through the existing HVAC duct work. This comprises the air filtration system. About 95% of the heat energy from the outbound stale air is transferred to the incoming air flow. This creates incoming air temperature closer to the temperature already inside the home, therefore requiring less energy to condition the new air. This process is why ERVs are less expensive to own and operate.
Benefits of UltimateAir RecoupAerator® 200DX
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Indoor air is fresh, comfortable and healthy.
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Allergy and asthma triggers are removed.
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Room-to-room climates are more consistent.
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Dust less often.
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Helps control pet odors.
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You’ll feel better - even sleep better.
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Your home will be safer from mold and mildew.
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Pet and cooking odors are cleared quickly.
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Maintenance is easy, system even alerts when it’s time for a filter change.
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The service life of your HVAC system is extended.
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Quiet operation.
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Best product support available.
UltimateAir ERV Resources:
System Summary: The Indoor Air Quality of your Belize LifeStyle Home is extremely important in providing a safe, healthy, mold-free, allergen-free and airborne pollutant free living environment. As an integral part of our Belize LifeStyle ENERGY STAR Certified Homes Platform, all homes will be engineered and constructed with High SEER, Energy Efficient Air Conditioning Systems and Whole House Air Ventilation (Energy Recovery Ventilation) Systems, as per the specifications and guidelines of the ENERGY STAR Certified New Homes and EPA Indoor airPLUS Programs.
EPA Indoor airPLUS Qualified New Homes (Visit the EPA Indoor airPLUS Website)
EPA created Indoor airPLUS to help builders meet the growing consumer preference for homes with improved indoor air quality. Indoor airPLUS builds on the foundation of EPA's ENERGY STAR requirements for new homes and provides additional construction specifications to provide comprehensive indoor air quality protections in new homes.
A builder must first design a home to earn the ENERGY STAR Label - the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency. The result is a home that is significantly more energy efficient than a home built to minimum code, helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
To earn the Indoor airPLUS label, the builder then adds additional home design and construction features to help protect qualified homes from moisture and mold, pests, combustion gases, and other airborne pollutants. Before the home officially earns the Indoor airPLUS label, it is inspected by an independent third-party to ensure compliance with EPA’s rigorous guidelines and specifications.
Indoor airPLUS Advantages: Healthier Homes By Design (View All Indoor airPLUS Advantages)
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Improve Indoor Air Quality: Indoor airPLUS is a companion label to ENERGY STAR. Together, these programs provide comprehensive health protections. Homes built to earn the Indoor airPLUS label include features to reduce contaminants that can lead to poor indoor air quality, including mold, moisture, radon, carbon monoxide, toxic chemicals and more.
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Minimize Pollutants: Moisture and pest control, among other things, can help protect your family by eliminating common allergens from entering the home, such as mold and pest residue. Your builder will provide a first line defense against pests like cockroaches and rodents by fully sealing, caulking, or screening where pests enter your home.
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Improve Comfort: Your ENERGY STAR and Indoor airPLUS home can provide a more comfortable living environment because it includes properly engineered HVAC system sizing, improved duct and equipment installation, improved filtration, and whole-house and spot ventilation to dilute and remove indoor pollutants.
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Energy Efficiency: All Indoor airPLUS homes must first earn ENERGY STAR certification. ENERGY STAR certified new homes are designed and built to standards well above most other homes on the market today, delivering energy efficiency savings of up to 30 percent when compared to typical new homes. A new home that has earned the ENERGY STAR label has undergone a process of inspections, testing, and verification to meet strict requirements set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), delivering better quality, better comfort, and better durability.
ERV: Energy Recovery Ventilation Systems
Homes and buildings with tight, highly insulated building envelopes require a mechanical ventilation system (ERV) to remove the stagnant air from the home and replace it with fresh, filtered, conditioned outdoor air. There are several types of whole-house ventilation systems that can be used for the purpose but an Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) System is among the most energy efficient and effective technologies available today.
Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) is the energy recovery process of exchanging the energy contained in normally exhausted building or space air and using it to treat (precondition) the incoming outdoor ventilation air in residential and commercial HVAC systems. During the warmer seasons, the system pre-cools and dehumidifies while humidifying and pre-heating in the cooler seasons. The benefit of using energy recovery is the ability to meet the EPA Indoor airPlus ventilation and energy standards, while improving indoor air quality and reducing total HVAC equipment capacity. ERV technology has not only demonstrated an effective means of reducing energy cost and heating and cooling loads, but has allowed for the scaling down of equipment. Additionally, this system will allow for the indoor environment to maintain a relative humidity of an appealing 40% to 50% range. This range can be maintained under essentially all conditions.
Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation
BLH Building Envelope Application: Exterior Walls, Interior Walls, Roof Trusses, Ceiling Framing, Floor Joists and Foundation Systems.
System Summary: Belize LifeStyle Homes are designed, engineered and constructed with a very special type of Thermally Efficient, Galvanized, Structural Steel Framing System. Our Thermally Efficient, Structural Steel Framing System has all of the same attributes and benefits as standard “Cee” stud steel framing systems but with much higher thermal efficiencies and better structural specifications.
BLH Thermally Efficient Steel Framing Components reduce thermal conductance and are 37% more energy efficient than Standard Steel Stud Framing Components. Thermally Efficient Steel Studs provide unparalleled structural performance; up to 40% reduced weight,
Structural Steel Homes are Superior Homes
Structural Steel Homes are Superior Homes
Structural Steel Homes are Superior Homes
Structural Steel Homes are Superior Homes
Steel Is A Superior Building Material
superior fire resistance in UL & ULC, higher Sound Transmission Class (STC) Ratings and unmatched thermal performance. Thermally Efficient Steel Studs transfer less heat to the interior wall side of the home and will improve R-Values by 37% to 50%, compared to a conventional steel “Cee” stud.
Structural Steel Framing System
BLH Building Envelope Application: Exterior Walls, Roof Trusses and Foundation Systems.
System Summary: “Closed-Cell” Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation, (referred to as “SPF”), is sprayed directly on top of the rigid foam of the structural insulated sheathing and in between the thermally efficient steel stud framing cavities. The resultant hybrid foam matrix forms a layer of continuous insulation around the envelope of the building structure. Continuous insulation is an essential requirement for a high performance, vapor, air and water resistant building envelope. “Closed-Cell” Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation also adds to the structural integrity of the steel framing system and increases the rack (shear) strength and wind rating specifications of the home.
The “Closed-Cell” SPF Insulation applied in Belize LifeStyle Homes has an R-Value of 6.7 per inch. The typical steel stud framing wall depth for our Belize LifeStyle Homes is 6 inches. The resultant R-Value of the thermal steel framing and “Closed-Cell” SPF Insulation wall assembly is R-40. With the additional R-6 insulation value of the Structural Insulated Exterior Sheathing and the insulation value of the Exterior Facade Material, the R-Value of the entire wall assembly will be R-47. The same 6 inches of “Closed-Cell” Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation is specified for the roof trusses of a typical Belize LifeStyle Home. A building envelope with an R-Value of 47 is considered a very high performance home and will meet and exceed both ENERGY STAR and LEED Compliance Specifications and Guidelines.
Important SPF Resources:
SPF Websites To Visit:
Spray Polyurethane Foam and Wind Uplift Protection:
BASF announced today (October 5, 2011) that closed-cell spray polyurethane foam products have received hurricane-zone approval from the Miami-Dade County Building and Neighborhood Compliance (BNC) Department. Tests and engineering evaluations of COMFORT FOAM® and SPRAYTITE® (178 series) applied at roofing trusses increased the wind-uplift resistance of a traditional code-approved home roof by more than 200 percent. Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) from BASF can enhance wind-uplift resistance of new and existing homes to help prevent roof failure during a hurricane. (Visit BASF Website)
Closed Cell Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation Homeowner Benefits:
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There is no better home insulation material that can seal your home from air and moisture intrusion, save on costly utility bills, strengthen your home, and protect your family’s health from dangerous mold, airborne pollutants, and allergens than Polyurethane Spray Foam Insulation.
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Closed Cell SPF Wall and Roof Systems Insulation combines superior insulation values and near-zero air permeability in a single application to improve building durability, energy efficiency and occupant comfort, health and safety.
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Closed Cell SPF Insulation is the only insulation material proven to add structural integrity throughout the wall system. Tests conducted at the NAHB Research Center confirm that spray foam insulation applied between wood and steel stud wall panels increased rack and shear strength, two to three times, compared with standard stick-built components with glass fiber insulation.
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Closed Cell Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation reduces the capacity requirements, maintenance and wear of HVAC equipment.
BLH Building Envelope Application: Exterior Walls, Exterior Soffits and Roof Trusses.
System Summary: The Structural Insulated Exterior Sheathing used in Belize LifeStyle Homes is 1.5 inches in thickness, including both the Exterior Sheathing and the Rigid Polyisocyanurate (Polyiso) Foam Insulation. The product is applied to the exterior walls and roof trusses of all Belize LifeStyle Homes. The R-Value of the Structural Insulated Exterior Sheathing is R-6. The resultant R-Value of the BLH Wall Assembly based on the R-6 Insulation Value of the Exterior Sheathing and 6 inches Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation is R-47. Structural Insulated Exterior Sheathing as an important structural and insulation system of the Belize LifeStyle Home Building Envelope meets and exceeds both ENERGY STAR and LEED Compliance Specifications and Guidelines.
Structural insulated sheathing provides a structural method of design for braced wall panel construction, and many additional benefits. Using a single product simplifies wall construction and allows labor savings. It can be installed using common construction tools and skills, and time is saved since it eliminates the installation of a separate layer of building wrap or felt paper for the weather-resistant barrier (WRB). Further, it reduces handling and improves worker safety by replacing two installations with one of a lighter panel weight.
Exterior walls must provide multiple functions including weather and air resistance, energy efficiency, and structural integrity for the envelope of the home. Most commonly, these functions are met with a combination of materials that are typically individually installed. Structural insulated sheathing provides a multi-function exterior wall sheathing product that is applied in a single layer and provides additional continuous insulation, a weather and air infiltration-resistant barrier, and structural wall bracing. The product is a marriage of two proven sheathing materials: Rigid Polyisocyanurate (Polyiso) Foam Insulation and Structural Laminated Exterior Sheathing Board with a thermal resistance of R-6 at a sheet thickness of 1.5 inches. Polyiso Foam Insulation is more rigid and impact resistant than traditional foam sheathing and improves the energy performance of exterior wall assemblies.
The Advantages of Polyiso Insulation
Why is Continuous Insulation Important?
Structural Polyiso Insulated Exterior Sheathing Homeowner Benefits:
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Structural Strength, Insulation and Weather Barrier: Structural Insulated Exterior Sheathing can simplify wall construction by combining energy efficiency, weather protection, and structural requirements into a single product. Labor savings can also be achieved as multiple functions are performed in one product application.
Polyiso Insulation Info:
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Single Product and Single Installation Step: In addition to the continuous insulation layer outside of the wall cavity, Structural Insulated Exterior Sheathing acts as a weather-resistant, air and moisture barrier combined in a single product and single installation step.
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Energy Efficiency: Structural Insulated Exterior Sheathing provides an R-6 insulation value (larger R-values are available with greater panel thickness) along with the durability aspects. A continuous layer of exterior insulation improves overall thermal performance of a wall assembly and eliminates thermal short-circuits at studs.
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Quality and Durability: Wall durability is provided through the multiple characteristics of structural insulating sheathing. Sheathing installed with taped edges provides a water-resistive barrier while bracing a building’s framework against eccentric loads caused by wind and seismic activity, and the rigid foam insulation provides added and continuous insulation outside of the building’s framework.
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Continuous Insulation PLUS Continuous Air Barrier: By combining a continuous insulation envelope plus a continuous air barrier in a single exterior product, Structural Insulated Exterior Sheathing creates greater energy efficiency, decreases unwanted air leakage and helps protect the insulation R-value of the building envelope.
Structural Insulated Exterior Sheathing
System Summary: Belize LifeStyle Homes Designers, Architects and Engineers are available to assist you in selecting the best High Performance Roofing System that matches your design style, specifications and budget. As a very important element of the Belize LifeStyle Building Envelope System all of our homes are constructed with High Performance, Cool Roof Compliant roofing systems and roofing materials.
High Performance Roofing (HPR) Systems have five important, closely-related attributes. An easy way to remember these five attributes is to think of them as the “Five E’s” when evaluating Roofing System Options for your Belize LifeStyle Home.
Why High Performance Roofing Systems?
1)Energy: High Performance Roofing Systems help reduce energy consumption of the building envelope. This is the primary benefit of Cool Roofing; however, reduced energy through insulation also contributes to a better environment for your home. A high R-value roof provides
Benefits of Metal Roofing
a level of thermal effectiveness by the thermal resistance value (R) for the entire roofing assembly, which is essentially computed by adding together the specific R- values of each roofing system component.
2)Environment: High Performance Roofing Systems help reduce the overall impact on the external environment by placing a premium on insulation and endurance.
3)Economics: High Performance Roofing Systems are cost-effective based on both initial cost and, more importantly, the entire operational life cycle cost. No roofing system will gain wide acceptance if it does not make economic sense to the home owner.
4)Endurance: High Performance Roofing Systems meet or exceed traditional performance standards in terms of longevity, all-weather reliability, water-tightness, and wind and fire resistance with low-maintenance and simple repair. No matter how "green" a roof is, it still has to protect the home in all types of weather and environmental conditions.
5)Engineering: Smart engineering and design are great enablers of High Performance Roofing Systems. Engineering impacts everything from intelligent design and installation to life-cycle costs and long-term performance in all weather and environmental conditions.
What is a Cool Roof? (Visit CoolRoof.org Website)
A cool roof is one that strongly reflects sunlight and also cools itself by efficiently emitting radiation to its surroundings. The roof literally stays cooler and reduces the amount of heat conducted to the building below. If a builder does not have air conditioning, this keeps the building cooler and a more constant temperature. If a building has air conditioning, the equipment does not have to work as hard. Imagine wearing a white or a black T-shirt on a hot day. By wearing the white T-shirt you will remain cooler than if you wore a black T-shirt because it reflects more sunlight and absorbs less heat. Cool roofs like a white T-shirt, keep the internal temperature of the building lower.
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However, a cool roof need not be white. There are many “cool color” products which use darker-colored pigments that are highly reflective in the near infrared (non-visible) portion of the solar spectrum. Because a white roof strongly reflects both visible and near infrared sunlight, a white roof will typically be cooler than a cool colored roof.
The two basic characteristics that determine the "coolness" of a roof are solar reflectance (SR) and thermal emittance (TE). Both properties are rated on a scale from 0 to 1, where 1 is the most reflective or emissive.
Why High Performance Metal Roofing? (Visit Metal Roofing Alliance Website)
Used on homes as diverse as Monticello to your neighborhood three-bedroom rancher, metal roofs provide energy savings, beauty, and protection for your home that can last a lifetime. Residential metal roofs are available in a wide variety of design to complement any style home. Offered in a rainbow of colors, your metal roof can be a traditional vertical seam profile, or be manufactured to resemble wood shake, slate, shingles or clay tiles.
By choosing a metal roof, you'll save money and do your part for the environment. Conventional roofing products, including asphalt shingles, contribute an estimated 20 billion pounds of waste to U.S. landfills annually, whereas metal roofs can often be installed over an existing roof, eliminating the cost and eco-impact of tear-off and disposal.
Many residential metal roofs now utilize reflective pigment technology, which results in overall home energy efficiency, and lower utility bills. In addition, all metal roofs are made from 30-60% recycled material.
While your neighbors may re-roof their home many times, a high-quality metal roof will likely be the last roof you'll ever need. Resistant to cracking, shrinking and eroding, metal roofing systems can also withstand extreme weather conditions including heavy snow loads, hail storms and wildfires.
With all these benefits, why would you choose any other type of roof?
Tile Roofs can be made of clay, slate, or concrete. Clay and slate tiles come from the ground, so their colors differ depending on the earth’s composition. Some varieties will naturally be reflective enough to achieve cool roof standards. Tiles can be also be glazed to provide waterproofing or coated to provide customized colors and surface properties. These surface treatments can transform tiles with low solar reflectance into cool roof tiles.
The Benefits of Tile Roofing (Visit Tile Roofing Institute Website)
Wide Variety of Design Options: Concrete and clay tiles are manufactured in a wide array of colors, from light shades to dark or multi-colored, making it easy to coordinate your roof with exterior colors. Roof tiles can match any architectural style required for the building structure. They are designed to emulate traditional barrel style or other roofing materials such as wood and slate.
Long Term Durability: Tile roofs have the lowest life cycle cost of any other roofing material. Centuries old tile roofs are still enduring today. Tile roofs have an added layer of protection built in: the tile itself provides a tough, water shedding outer shell with the underlayment working as an extra shield.
Sustainability: Tile roofs have the lowest life cycle costs based upon the life of the roofing material and required maintenance which fills LEED and Energy Star requirements. Materials do not deplete limited natural resources and have no chemical preservatives used in the production; all waste can be recycled and does not go into landfills; tile roofs’ long life reduces the need for reroofing that clogs landfills unnecessarily.
Reflectivity: Independent testing performed at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory has demonstrated that tiles have the ability to cut the transfer of heat compared to other roofing materials such as asphalt shingles by up to 70%.
Natural Air Flow: Natural air ventilation under the tile creates a heat transfer barrier that can provide the benefit of a cooler house in the summer and a warmer house in the winter.
Energy Cost Savings: Natural air flow described above keeps heating costs low in the winter and cooling costs low in the summer.