Brinton Construction, Inc. has constructed a state of the art custom home in Alamo, CA, featuring the latest in sustainable and energy efficient designs.  Below is information on the material and techniques used: 

Logix Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) provide a wall system that gives home owners the security of a 4-hour fire resistance rating, energy efficiency and they create sound proofed insulation. 

Energy Efficient
Logix provides a thermal resistance rating of R-24 (combined with the other techniques below, the home has an effective R-value of R-48).  This exceptionally high R-value, along with high thermal mass and reduced air infiltration, allow Logix walls to deliver significantly higher performance levels.

Environmentally Friendly
Buildings constructed with Logix are designed to last centuries, not decades.  Logix ICF walls conserve precious natural forest resources and their energy efficiency reduces fuel consumption.  The use of Logix promotes sustainable, green building practices, and is an investment in the future.

Logix ICF "webs" are made entirely of recycled plastic. 

Logix "foam panels" are expanded polystyrene (EPS) which is entirely recyclable.  EPS is biologically inert and will not support mold, mildew or fungus growth.

Logix ICF blocks contain no CFCs, HCFCs, or other refrigerant gases.

Brinton Construction, Inc. uses concrete that contains a high fly ash content.  Concrete is made greener by using fly ash in the mix.  Fly ash is a waste product from coal-powered electrical plants.  When added to concrete, it not only reduces the amount of portland cement in the mix (thus reducing greenhouse gases), but also makes the concrete stronger.  The end result is that a waste product is put to use, less greenhouse gasses are generated and the concrete is structurally stronger.

Highly Moisture Resistant
ICF walls don’t need an extra vapor barrier.  For below-grade applications, Logix provides a waterproofing system that ensures a comfortably dry basement.  Improved air quality is another benefit as Logix eliminates the studs and cavities that can hold moisture and foster mold and mildew growth.

Superior Sound Insulation
Logix walls offer you a quieter, more tranquil interior environment.  A Logix wall can easily achieve a sound transmission classification of STC 50, which is twice as high as a typical wood-framed wall.  Loud noises outside a Logix building will be reduced to a whisper inside the building. 

Strength and Safety
Logix buildings are up to 8.5 times stronger than conventionally framed buildings.  As a result, Logix walls are able to better withstand severe weather such as hurricanes and tornados.  Logix walls have a 4-hour fire rating as opposed to a 15-minute rating for a comparable wood framed wall.

Bruckner Windows & Doors offer the highest standards for energy efficiency.  This Austria based company provides windows that feature a seal tilt and turn with a u-value of 0.28.  Highly insulated German I-Plus-S interpane low-e argon filled glass is clear and has a visible light transmittance of 70%, which allows for natural light.  Elegant Giarra Italian hardware and high quality German lock sets complete the units to make these not only functional, but beautiful.

Brinton Construction, Inc. would like to thank Bruckner for being a supporting sponsor in this project.  Their high energy efficiency contributes to our goals.

TechShield Radiant Barrier Roof Sheathing has a thin aluminum layer giving it a property called “low emissivity” that prevents up to 97% of the sun’s radiant heat in the panel from entering a home’s attic.   Combined with TechShield’s “high reflectivity” panels – which helps keep indoor heat from escaping during the winter – this translates into energy efficiency and up to a 20% reduction on monthly energy costs.

TrendSetter provides an active solar thermal powered heating system.  Solar heating systems use the the sun’s energy, instead of valuable fossil fuels, to heat the home.   TrendSetter’s heating system is equipped with an energy recovery ventilation system which pulls fresh filtered air into the home, recovers heat and then exhausts stale air outside. 

TrendSetter provides a water heating system that combines a solar warming tank & flash hot water unit.   The solar unit provides approximately 90% of the heated water, while the flash unit provides the additional 10%.  The flash unit also compensates for the lack of solar heat during cloudy weather.  This ensures a regulated and consistent water temperature at all times. 

Vanguard Manifold Plumbing System distributes the home's water.  This not only conserves but also reduces the amount of energy required to heat the water.  Whenever practical, water fixtures are low flow to conserve the amount of water consumed by the home. 

All lighting fixtures and appliances are high efficiency and/or Energy Star rated wherever possible.