Standard Features

HOUSES OF DISTINCTION, INC. BUILDING STANDARDS

Our company prides itself on upgrading many building standards above code, even when not required by your home design. We recommend these upgrades for the reasons outlined below, but most importantly to provide you with a better built structure, interior finish, and mechanically superior home.

ENGINEERED FRAMING AND ROOFING

We have increased the standards used by many local builders. Every house we build is framed uniquely to its specific design and engineered to accommodate the special features below:

2x6 framing is used for exterior walls because it provides a more wind resistant structure for a coastal environment and, as an added benefit, we can use R-19 insulation in the walls.

All floors designed for 2x10 floor joists not to exceed a 13 ft. span.

2x12 triple beams on piers 7' on center. This standard is important to avoid deflection in your floors, to avoid cracks in tile floors and separation or buckling on hardwood floors - both common in this high humidity.

Floor joists are spaced 16" on center except in the kitchen and master bath area which we space at 12" on center to carry the concentrated load of granite, appliances and custom tiled showers.

2x10 door and window headers are used for spans under 4 feet.

Engineered beams for door and window headers over 4 feet because they are stronger and better able to carry the load. This difference is important to avoid cracks in glass doors, windows and drywall.

1/2" plywood 4-ply on exterior walls, no particle board or chip board.

2x10 and 2x8 framing for stick built rafters.

2x12 engineered L.V.L. beams for roof ridges and valleys.

5/8" plywood on all roofs.

30# felt and 50-year shingles on all roofs.

Designers give us maximum storage space in your attic area. This is important because homes in this area are not built with basements.

We use a registered professional engineer for all our homes.

SUB FLOORS

We believe it is critical to increase sub flooring standards to provide a solid floor with little or no movement, to eliminate buckling or warping, and to prevent moisture from infiltrating your finished floors due to the climate of our area. We use a four-layer technique as follows:

A 3/4" water resistant "Dryply" plywood on all sub floors. Other builders often use particle board on sub floors. We use the "Dryply" plywood to ensure a sound base during the construction phase because the sub floor is likely to get wet from rain prior to the installation of a roof, and windows to enclose the structure.

A layer of Aquabar is installed next, to eliminate moisture infiltration.

A layer of 5/48" plywood is installed before installation of finished flooring.

CRAWLSPACES

If your house was designed with a crawlspace, we use several techniques to improve the quality of the space, these include:

Full treatment of the entire area with a mold preventative spray.

Installation of a polyethylene vapor barrier.

Installation of a dehumidifier.

All of these reduce humidity. Without humidity, mold cannot grow. The techniques we have been using were recently recognized by the industry. The U.S. Home Protect Organization presented Houses of Distinction, Inc. with the Certified Mold Conscious Builder Award. Other builders have used terms such as encapsulation, however, complete encapsulation is only required if you have standing water or water draining continually under your crawlspace.

QUALITY FEATURES STANDARD IN ALL OUR HOMES

All exterior and interior walls in the house, as well as the garage walls, are insulated with batt insulation. None is blown in. This increased standard provides for energy savings throughout the year and more evenly distributes temperatures in the home. Interior wall insulation will also provide you with a much quieter house.

All ceilings and walls have 5/8" sheetrock, not 1/2" used by other builders. The advantages are strength and noise reduction.

Ceiling treatments and double crown moldings.

Wider (3 1/4") door and window trim.

Solid interior doors.

Double-low E window and door glass with UV coating to prevent thermal loss or gains and reduce UV rays. There are many good windows on the market. We recommend Weather Shield because they provide excellent value and efficiency.

Painted areas inside and out have a minimum of three coats of paint.

High energy efficient 16 Seer heating and cooling units.

80 gallon electric or gas hot water heaters with recirculating piping to keep hot water immediately available at all faucets. For those who are interested, we recommend gas hot water heater on demand upgraded technology.

All electrical switches are "Decora" rocker-type switches.

Under cabinet kitchen task lighting.

Outlets for television and telephone in bedrooms. Monster cable capability for living room, master suite, and bonus room.

Structure wiring cabinet suitable for fiber optics.

All copper wiring by an unlimited licensed electrical contractor.

RELATIONSHIPS AND REFERENCES

Subcontractors and Suppliers - We employ and have a long-term relationship with all our subcontractors and suppliers. Superior relationships ultimately benefit our owners through lower prices, and excellent, timely service. Our subcontractors and suppliers work together to ensure that there are no unexpected issues during construction. A listing of our suppliers is attached.

The Better Business Bureau and Brunswick Chamber of Commerce can provide you with additional information about Houses of Distinction, Inc. We are proud of the fact that we have never had a lien against us nor have we ever filed a lien against a customer.

Better Business Bureau of Coastal Carolina
314 Laurel Street
Conway, South Carolina 29526
843-488-2227

Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce
4948 Main Street
Shallotte, North Carolina 28459
910-754-6644

Our satisfied homeowners can also provide you with information about our exceptional standards and commitment to customer satisfaction.

These references should convince you that we are the top contractor in Brunswick County.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

The South Brunswick Islands Home Builders Association has conducted a Parade of Homes Tour for the past five years. Houses of Distinction has entered this competition four of the five years and won the "Diamond Award", the highest recognition, in each of the four years. These homes can be made available for your viewing upon request. In December 2007, the U.S. Home Protect Organization, which recognizes awareness, education, and adherence to proper preventative practices through the installation of moisture barriers and the application of mold protection during the construction process, awarded Houses of Distinction, Inc. with the Certified Mold Conscious Builder Award.