0108 - Concrete Color Staining, Soffits, and Energy Efficiency October 31-November 6, 2005 | May 1-7 Buy Show Video
HI, I'M BOB VILA.
WELCOME TO OUR STORM READY HOUSE
HERE IN PUNTA GORDA, FLORIDA.
THE HOUSE IS COMING TOGETHER
VERY NICELY.
TODAY WE'RE GOING TO BE SHOWING
YOU A DECORATIVE STAINING SYSTEM
FOR A CONCRETE SLAB.
WE'RE ALSO LOOKING AT THE
SOFFIT SYSTEM BEING INSTALLED.
THAT'S A REAL IMPORTANT PART
OF HURRICANE READINESS.
AND WE'LL BE PUTTING IN
A HEAT PUMP
AND SOME VERY SPECIAL DUCT WORK.
STICK AROUND.
[NO AUDIO]
LAST WEEK WE WERE INSTALLING
OUR BEAUTIFUL PORCELANOSA TILES,
THESE OVERSIZE PORCELAIN TILES
THAT ARE DESIGNED TO LOOK LIKE
KIND OF STEEL PLATES, ACTUALLY.
AND IT'S QUITE A DRAMATIC EFFECT
IN A FLORIDA HOUSE.
IT'S ALSO VERY SOOTHING,
BECAUSE WHEN YOU HAVE A LOT
OF LIGHT COLORS, REMEMBER,
THEY'RE REFLECTIVE AND THEY
MAKE IT HOTTER SOMETIMES.
AND JIM AND TERESA
ARE HERE THIS MORNING.
HI, HOW ARE YOU?
HI, BOB.
OUR HOMEOWNERS.
IT'S GREAT TO SEE YOU.
YOU MUST BE GETTING
VERY EXCITED AT
THIS POINT IN LIFE.
YES, EXTREMELY
EXCITED.
YEAH, WE'RE ABOUT
3 TO 4 WEEKS AWAY
FROM LETTING YOU MOVE IN.
AND YOU'VE BEEN LIVING IN
A TRAILER IN WHAT TOWN?
ARCADIA.
ARCADIA, FLORIDA,
WHICH IS JUST EAST OF HERE.
IT'S ABOUT 15 MILES EAST
OF WHERE WE ARE NOW.
YEAH. SO, HAVE YOU GOTTEN
USED TO TRAILER LIFE?
NO.
NO.
NO, I DON'T THINK
WE CAN EVER GET USED
TO TRAILER LIFE.
IT SITS IN THE MIDDLE
OF A SWAMP IN THE SUN.
IT'S REALLY HOT.
AND YOU'RE JUST A HANDFUL
OF THE MANY VICTIMS
OF HURRICANE CHARLEY
WHO ARE STILL LIVING
UNDER THOSE CONDITIONS.
AND YOU'RE LUCKY
YOUR TWO DOGS ARE BEING
KEPT OVER HERE, RIGHT,
SO THAT YOU DON'T HAVE
TO WORRY ABOUT THE, UH...
YEAH, THE GATORS
ARE PLENTIFUL.
THE GATORS ARE PLENTIFUL
ON THE PEACE RIVER,
AND THEY LOVE DOGS.
BUT YOUR FRIEND TOM
IS HERE HELPING YOU OUT
WITH THIS FINISH, RIGHT?
YES, HE IS.
THIS IS TOM MOORAD.
AND YOU ARE--WELL,
YOU'RE ALL GOING
TO PARTICIPATE IN
PUTTING DOWN
THIS FINISH ON
THE CONCRETE SLAB.
Teresa: YES. YUP,
WE'RE GOING TO.
Bob: SO, TOM, WHAT IS
INVOLVED IN DOING THIS?
WELL, WE NEED TO FIRST
ETCH THE CONCRETE
WITH A MINERAL ACID
TO ALLOW THE ABSORPTION.
SO, A MINERAL ACID.
NOT LIKE
A MURIATIC ACID?
RIGHT, RIGHT.
BECAUSE WE'RE
USING ACRYLICS
AND THE MURIATIC ACID
IS MUCH TOO STRONG
AND IT KEEPS ACTIVATING
THE LIQUID IN THE ACRYLIC.
I SEE. SO, YOU'VE WASHED
IT WITH A MINERAL ACID.
THAT'S CORRECT.
AND IF I WANT TO DO
THIS MYSELF--
THE TERM IS SHOCKING
THE SUBSTRATE.
SHOCKING THE SUBSTRATE.
ABSORBING THIS THING.
THE SUBSTRATE BEING
OUR CONCRETE SLAB.
THE SUBSTRATE
BEING THE FLOOR.
AND THE PROBLEM WITH
A CONCRETE SLAB
THAT'S JUST UNFINISHED
LIKE THIS IS THAT IT'S
ALWAYS KIND OF DUSTY.
AND IF YOU SPILL
SOMETHING ON IT,
SOMETIMES THE STAINS
WON'T COME OUT.
THAT'S RIGHT.
AFTER IT'S ETCHED,
IT WILL LOOK CHALKY,
BUT IT SHOULD NOT
FEEL CHALKY.
THERE SHOULD BE NO
RESIDUE ON THE SURFACE.
SO, THIS
HAS BEEN ETCHED, AND
NOW HOW DO YOU DO IT?
I MEAN, DO YOU, UH--
WELL, I APPLY THE STAIN
WITH JUST THESE HAND
PUMP APPLICATORS.
GO AHEAD AND SHOW US.
AND I TRY TO MAKE
DRIFT PATTERNS.
NOW, YOU'VE USED A BROWN
STAIN IN HERE, RIGHT?
THAT'S CORRECT.
DO I ASSUME YOU CAN GO
WITH ANY COLOR YOU WANT?
OH, YEAH.
RED, GREEN, YELLOW
OR IN BETWEEN?
HUNDREDS OF COLORS.
HUNDREDS OF COLORS
AVAILABLE.
AND THEN THIS IS KIND OF
LIKE A LITTLE SKIMMER.
RIGHT.
SQUEEGEE.
TO HELP MOVE THE MATERIAL.
YOU DON'T WANT
A LOT OF POOLING.
YEAH, YOU DON'T WANT
ANY PUDDLES FORMING.
RIGHT. YOU WANT TO BE
ABLE TO MOVE IT AROUND.
BE SURE IT ABSORBS IN
FOR A LONG LASTING JOB.
THAT'S PRETTY MUCH
THE ACTIVITY.
AND THEN WHAT'S
THE TIMING?
DOES IT NEED TO DRY
OVERNIGHT, OR...
IT DRIES VERY FAST.
SO, ONCE YOU'VE
DRIED IT,
IS THAT ALL THERE IS,
OR IS THERE ANOTHER COAT
THAT YOU ADD LATER?
WELL, THERE'S GOING
TO BE TWO MORE COLORS,
'CAUSE WE'RE MAKING
AN ATTEMPT TO TIE IN
THESE COLORS WITH
THE PORCELANOSA TILE.
OK.
AND SO THERE'LL BE
TWO MORE COLORS APPLIED
AND THEN A CLEAR COAT
OF GLOSS SEALER.
SO, TYING IT IN WITH
THE PORCELANOSA TILE,
DOES THAT MEAN YOU'RE
GOING TO MAKE IT DARKER?
THAT'S RIGHT. YEAH.
I SEE. OK.
AND THEN WHAT COLOR
DID YOU CHOOSE
FOR THE POOL DECK?
OYSTER.
JUST A NICE LIGHT
BECAUSE OF THE HEAT
THAT WILL BE OUT
IN THE SUN ALL DAY,
SO--
YEAH,
OUT IN THE SUN,
YOU DO WANT
TO REFLECT THE HEAT
AS OPPOSED
TO ABSORBING.
RIGHT, RIGHT.
AND THEN, WHAT
ARE YOU DOING--
THE BEDROOM'S GOING
TO HAVE A WOOD
FLOOR, RIGHT?
RIGHT, A BELLAWOOD,
HARDWOOD BRAZILIAN
WALNUT.
BRAZILIAN WALNUT.
OK.
SO, YOU'VE MADE SOME
INTERESTING CHOICES.
ALL RIGHT, TOM,
WE'LL COME BACK
LATER IN THE SHOW
TO SEE HOW
YOU'RE DOING.
GREAT.
THANKS.
ALL RIGHT, LET'S RECAP
A COUPLE OF THE FEATURES
OF OUR STORM READY HOUSE,
LIKE THIS DOOR:
A FRONT DOOR THAT SWINGS OUT
INSTEAD OF IN.
THAT MEANS IT REALLY
HAS A STOP BEHIND IT
AND HIGH WINDS
WILL NOT BLOW IT IN.
THAT'S JUST A PRIMER COLOR.
IT'S GOING TO BE PAINTED DARK
LIKE THE COLORS
OF THE WINDOWS OVER HERE.
THE OTHER THING IS
THE IMPACT RESISTANT GLASS
THAT WE HAVE
THROUGHOUT THE HOUSE.
AND THEN, OF COURSE,
THE FACT THAT ALL OF
OUR EXTERIOR WALLS
ARE SOLID STRUCTURAL WALLS.
THEY'RE POURED CONCRETE.
LESLIE CHAPMAN-HENDERSON
IS WITH US AGAIN FROM FLASH.
HI, BOB.
HOW ARE YOU?
VERY WELL, THANKS.
NOW, WE ARE BUILDING
THIS HOUSE
SO THAT IT CAN WITHSTAND
REALLY BAD STORMS.
AND ONE OF THE LAST
STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS
THAT HASN'T BEEN
COMPLETED IS
THE ROOF OVERHANG,
THE SOFFIT DETAIL,
AS IT'S REFERRED TO.
THAT'S RIGHT, AND
WE'VE REALLY BEEFED UP
THE FRAMING HERE,
BECAUSE THE CODES ARE
LARGELY SILENT ON SOFFITS,
SO WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF
FAILURES IN HIGH WIND EVENTS.
AND WHEN YOU GET FAILURE,
THE WIND PUSHES UP,
AND THE WIND DRIVEN RAINFALL
IS RIGHT BEHIND IT.
IN THE IMMEDIATE AFTERMATH,
MOLD DEVELOPS AND ALL
TYPES OF PROBLEMS ENSUE.
YOUR INSULATION GETS WET,
YOUR CEILINGS COLLAPSE,
AND IT'S A NIGHTMARE.
ALTHOUGH, I THINK THERE
ARE TWO SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT
RIGHT NOW ABOUT WHETHER
YOU HAVE VENTING
OR NO VENTING AT ALL.
SOME PEOPLE LIKE
THE IDEA OF A TOTALLY
ENCLOSED ATTIC SYSTEM.
THAT'S RIGHT.
A LIVELY DEBATE IS UNDERWAY,
AND I DON'T THINK WE HAVE
ALL THE ANSWERS THERE YET.
BUT IN THE SPIRIT OF
FINDING THE RIGHT ANSWERS,
THAT DEBATE WILL CONTINUE.
WELL, THE DEBATES HAVE
TAKEN PLACE OVER ALL
THE DIFFERENT ELEMENTS.
ALL THIS BEAUTIFUL
RED TILE THAT'S UP THERE
USED TO BE PUT ON
THE ROOF WITH JUST
A PADDY OF CEMENT,
AND NOW WE HAVE TWO
MECHANICAL DEVICES--
SCREWS--THAT FASTEN IT
TO THE PLYWOOD.
BUT ANYWAY, GETTING
BACK TO THE SOFFIT,
IS IT ALUMINUM?
THIS IS VINYL, AND THIS
IS JOE BREESE FROM ALCOA.
HI, JOE, HOW ARE YOU?
HI, BOB.
SO, VINYL IS FINAL, BUT
IT'S ALSO VERY FLEXIBLE.
ISN'T THAT A PROBLEM
WHEN YOU'RE TALKING
ABOUT HIGH WINDS,
AND WHAT ABOUT WIND
DRIVEN RAIN GETTING
INTO THE SOFFIT?
WELL, NORMALLY WHEN
PEOPLE THINK ABOUT SOFFIT,
THEY THINK OF
ALUMINUM SOFFIT.
AND WHAT WE'VE FOUND
IS THAT VINYL SOFFIT
ACTUALLY HAS A LOT
OF ADVANTAGES OVER
ALUMINUM SOFFIT,
ONE OF THEM BEING THAT IT
HAS THIS LOCKING SYSTEM ON IT.
SO, WHEN A WIND LOAD--
THIS LOCKING SYSTEM.
THIS LOCKING SYSTEM.
WHERE FROM ONE PANEL
TO THE NEXT,
THEY KIND OF COME IN
AND THEY LOCK TOGETHER
LIKE THAT.
YEAH, I HEAR YOU.
SO, WHAT THIS ACTUALLY--
WHAT OCCURS WHEN A WIND
LOAD OR ANY KIND OF LOAD
IS PLACED UPON THIS PANEL,
IT ACTUALLY FORCES
ITSELF TOGETHER
AND PULLS ITSELF TOGETHER,
A LOT LIKE TWO HANDS
GRIPPING TOGETHER.
OK, SO THAT'S
THE THOUGHT.
AND HOW IS IT ACTUALLY
APPLIED UP THERE?
HOW IS IT ATTACHED
TO OUR SOFFIT FRAME
AND TO THE HOUSE?
WELL, YOU SEE WHAT
LARRY'S DOING RIGHT NOW
IS HE'S PLACED A J-CHANNEL
ON THE WALL, WHICH HE--
THAT'S BASICALLY
THIS MATERIAL HERE.
YES, EXACTLY.
YEAH. HOW'S HE ATTACH
THAT TO THE WALL?
HE'S ATTACHING THAT
WITH THESE 5/8 STUB NAILS.
AND HE'S DOING THAT
ABOUT EVERY 16 INCHES
ALONG THE WALL.
ALL RIGHT.
AND THEN HE'S CUTTING
THEM TO SHAPE.
NOW HE'S CUTTING IT
TO SHAPE.
AND OF COURSE,
HE'S GOT A CORNER HERE,
SO HE'S STARTING OFF
WITH A 45 DEGREE.
STAPLES.
NOW, ONE THING YOU'LL
NOTICE ABOUT THIS SOFFIT
IS THAT YOU REALLY CAN'T
SEE ANY TYPE OF VENTILATION
ON THE SURFACE OF IT.
TYPICALLY SOFFIT
HAS PINHOLES IN IT
OR SOME KIND OF LANCINGS THAT
ALLOW THE AIR TO FLOW INTO IT.
WHAT WE'VE DONE
WITH THIS PANEL
IS WE'VE ACTUALLY HIDDEN
THAT VENTILATION
UP INSIDE THE GROOVES,
AND IT GIVES IT
A REAL NICE AESTHETIC,
BUT AT THE SAME TIME,
THIS PANEL ACTUALLY
HAS ABOUT 80% MORE VENTILATION
THAN ANY KIND OF STANDARD
VINYL PANEL YOU FIND OUT THERE.
ALL RIGHT, WELL,
THANK YOU, JOE.
AND LESLIE,
GREAT TO SEE YOU.
I'M GOING TO GO OUT BACK
AND FIND TODD DAVISON
FROM F.E.M.A.
AND ASK HIM
A FEW QUESTIONS.
HEY, TODD, HOW ARE YOU?
BOB. PLEASURE.
NOW, WE TALKED A LOT
ABOUT HURRICANE CHARLEY
HERE IN PUNTA GORDA,
BUT FLORIDA HAD 4 MAJOR
STORMS LAST YEAR,
AND ONE OF THEM'S
CALLED IVAN.
TELL US ABOUT
IVAN'S DAMAGE.
WELL, HURRICANE IVAN,
OF COURSE,
WAS A VERY LARGE STORM,
VERY SLOW-MOVING,
AND HAD TREMENDOUS
STORM SURGE
FOR THE ENTIRE
PANHANDLE OF FLORIDA
AND COAST OF ALABAMA.
IS THE LARGER
THE DIAMETER
OF THE HURRICANE
INDICATIVE OF
A HIGHER STORM SURGE
IN THE WATERS?
IT IS, AND THE FORWARD
SPEED OF THE STORM.
CONTRASTED TO CHARLEY HERE,
WHICH WAS AN INTENSE,
VERY SMALL,
VERY FAST MOVING STORM,
DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO
BUILD UP THE STORM SURGE.
BUT CONCEIVABLY,
YOU COULD GET THE EXACT
SAME KIND OF STORM SURGE
HERE IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY.
WHAT KIND OF DAMAGE
DID YOU SEE UP
IN THE PANHANDLE?
TREMENDOUS.
15,000 DESTROYED HOUSES.
ANOTHER 25,000 UNINHABITABLE.
LOTS OF FLOOD DAMAGE.
SERIOUS FLOOD DAMAGE.
BUT EVEN ELEVATED
BRIDGES WERE RAISED OFF
OF THEIR BASES, RIGHT?
YEAH, THE LOADING FROM
THOSE WAVES, OF COURSE,
IS JUST TREMENDOUS FORCES.
AND UH, THERE ARE
PRACTICES, OF COURSE,
WITH HOUSES TO PREVENT
THAT DAMAGE, AS WE'LL SEE.
YEAH. NOW, F.E.M.A.
HELPS TO SET GUIDELINES
IN TERMS OF
HOW WE REBUILD.
THAT'S CORRECT.
AND ONE OF THE KEY
THINGS HAS TO DO--
THESE STORM SURGES,
THE FLOODING GETS IN
UNDER THE CONCRETE SLABS
OF THE HOMES,
UNDERMINES THEM
AND THUS DESTROYS THEM.
SO, THE IDEA IS REALLY
THE VERTICAL RISK.
AND SO THE REQUIREMENTS FOR
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO BUILD TO
IS SIMPLY TO RAISE
THE FLOOR OF THE BUILDING
ABOUT THE PROJECTED
FLOOD HEIGHTS.
RIGHT, SO IF YOU'RE
IN AN OLDER HOME,
YOU MIGHT BE--
I THINK THE PROJECTED
FLOOD HEIGHT HERE
IS WHAT, 9 1/2 FEET?
9 FEET EVEN.
IF YOU'RE IN
AN OLDER HOME,
YOU'RE KIND OF
GRANDFATHERED IN, RIGHT?
THAT'S CORRECT.
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN
FROM THE POINT
OF YOUR FLOOD
PLAIN INSURANCE?
WELL, FROM INSURANCE
STANDPOINT,
THE OLDER HOMES THAT
WERE BUILT IN THE FORTIES,
FIFTIES, SIXTIES
ARE NOT RISK RATED.
WE GIVE A FLAT RATE.
SO, A HOUSE THAT WAS BUILT
IN THE SEVENTIES WOULD CARRY,
FOR THIS SIDE,
ABOUT A $900 PREMIUM.
WOW.
THE HOUSE BEHIND US,
OF COURSE,
IS ELEVATED
TO THAT ELEVATION
PLUS ANOTHER FOOT OF
FREEBOARD OR SAFETY FACTOR.
AND SO THAT HOME,
AS AN EXAMPLE,
WOULD HAVE ABOUT
A $400 PREMIUM.
SO, THERE'S SIGNIFICANT
SAVINGS ASSOCIATED--
EXACTLY. WHEN YOU'RE
BUILDING TO CODE,
YOU'RE GOING TO
SAVE HAVE HALF
THE ANNUAL INSURANCE.
AND HERE, ACTUALLY,
OUR FLOORS AT 9 1/2 FEET
INCLUDING THE OUTSIDE
DECK AND THE DECK
WHERE WE HAVE THE
AIR CONDITIONING
AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
SO THAT MEANS THAT
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE "A",
A BETTER CHANCE OF
SURVIVING THOSE FLOODS,
AND "B", A LOWER
INSURANCE PREMIUM.
ABSOLUTELY. THE IDEA
IS WHEN YOU GET
THAT STORM LIKE IVAN
BUT BACK IN THE
CHARLOTTE COUNTY AREA
THAT THE WATER WILL COME UP,
IT'LL GO DOWN AND WON'T
GET INSIDE THE HOUSE.
THANKS, TODD.
YOU'D NEVER KNOW THAT
BEAUTIFUL CANAL COULD
TURN INTO A MONSTER.
MUCH DIFFERENT SCENE.
YEAH.
Bob, voice-over:
CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY...
HI, I'M BOB VILA.
NEXT TIME, OUR STORM READY HOUSE
IN PUNTA GORDA, FLORIDA,
IS NEARING COMPLETION.
WE'LL SHOW YOU A DECORATIVE
STAINING SYSTEM
FOR A CONCRETE SLAB.
ON THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE,
WE'LL BE SHOWING YOU
THE SOFFIT DETAIL,
WHICH IS A WAY OF
VENTING THE ROOF
SO THAT YOU CAN PREVENT
HURRICANE WINDS
FROM DAMAGING IT.
ALSO, A HEAT PUMP
IS BEING INSTALLED
AND SOME VERY SPECIAL
DUCT WORK IN THE ATTIC
THAT'S BURIED IN INSULATION.
THAT'S NEXT TIME ON "BOB VILA."
DON'T MISS IT.
HI, I'M BOB VILA.
NEXT TIME, OUR STORM READY HOUSE
IN PUNTA GORDA, FLORIDA,
IS NEARING COMPLETION.
WE'LL SHOW YOU A DECORATIVE
STAINING SYSTEM
FOR A CONCRETE SLAB.
AND SOME VERY SPECIAL
DUCT WORK IN THE ATTIC
THAT'S BURIED IN INSULATION.
THAT'S NEXT TIME ON "BOB VILA."
DON'T MISS IT.
HI, I'M BOB VILA.
DECORATIVE STAINS ON CONCRETE
AND INSULATED DUCT WORK.
THAT'S NEXT TIME ON "BOB VILA."
DON'T MISS IT.
OK, I'M GOING TO
INTERRUPT BILL ZOELLER
AND LANCE KEELING,
AND BOTH OF YOU GUYS
ARE GOING TO INFORM US
A LOT ABOUT HOW
WE'VE MADE THIS HOUSE
ENERGY EFFICIENT.
YOU'RE WITH
THE ARCHITECTURE FIRM
THAT CONSULTS
TO MERCEDES HOMES.
THAT'S CORRECT.
AND WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT
OF BRAGGING RIGHTS HERE,
BECAUSE THIS HOUSE
IS GOING TO BE A LOT
MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT
THAN THE AVERAGE
FLORIDA HOME, RIGHT?
WELL, THAT'S RIGHT, BOB.
THE WAY WE'VE DONE
OUR ANALYSIS,
THIS HOUSE WILL BE ABOUT
50% MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT
THAN A TYPICAL HOUSE
BUILT IN FLORIDA TODAY
FOR THE SAME AMOUNT
OF SQUARE FOOTAGE.
WHAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO
WAS TAKE ALL THE ENERGY USES
THAT TYPICALLY GO
INTO A HOUSE
AND ATTACK THEM
ONE AT A TIME
TO COME UP WITH THE BEST
COMBINATIONS/SPECIFICATIONS
TO GET THAT OVERALL
ENERGY USE AS LOW AS POSSIBLE.
NOW, TELL ME,
WHAT ARE SOME OF
THOSE SPECIFICATIONS?
WELL, THE FIRST THING
WE DID WAS SPECIFY
THE LOW-E WINDOWS.
LOW-E MEANS LOW EMISSIVITY.
AND BASICALLY,
WHAT THE LOW-E WINDOWS DO
IS THEY LET THE LIGHT
IN THAT YOUR EYE CAN SEE
FROM THE SOLAR ENERGY SIDE,
BUT THEY BLOCK THE
SOLAR ENERGY THAT'S NOT
VISIBLE LIGHT. SO...
WHICH IS WHAT CAUSES
HEAT GAIN.
WHICH IS WHAT CAUSES
HEAT GAIN, CORRECT.
THE WINDOWS THAT WE'VE GOT
HERE ARE ACTUALLY VERY GOOD.
THEY HAVE A VERY LOW
WHAT'S CALLED SOLAR
HEAT GAIN COEFFICIENT.
IT'S .3, WHICH MEANS
IT BLOCKS ABOUT 70%
OF THE SOLAR ENERGY
THAT WE WANT TO BLOCK
FROM GETTING INTO THE HOUSE.
GREAT. AND NOW,
ALL OUR WALLS ARE
SOLID CONCRETE.
DO WE HAVE TO ADD
INSULATION TO
SOMETHING LIKE THAT?
YES, YOU DO.
WHAT WE'VE DONE HERE
IS WE ADDED ONE INCH
OF POLYISOCYANURATE
INSULATION BOARDS
THAT ADHERE DIRECTLY
TO THE CONCRETE.
THE CONCRETE IS
6 INCHES THICK.
IT GIVES US A THERMAL MASS
CAPACITY ON THE OUTSIDE
SO THEY HEAT UP SLOWLY
DURING THE DAY.
THAT POLYISO INSULATION,
WHICH HAS THE HIGHEST
R-VALUE PER INCH OF ANY
INSULATION ON THE MARKET,
IS ENOUGH TO STOP THAT
HEAT FLOW FROM GETTING
INTO THE HOUSE,
AND ALSO MAKES FOR A
VERY AIRTIGHT PACKAGE.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE
OTHER LITTLE MEASURES
THAT WE'VE TAKEN?
WELL, SOME OF THE MORE
SIMPLE THINGS WE'VE DONE,
WE'VE USED
ENERGY STAR APPLIANCES.
WE'VE GOT A VERY HIGH SEER
AIR CONDITIONING EQUIPMENT.
BUT WE'VE ALSO GOT SOMETHING
THAT'S PRETTY UNIQUE HERE
WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING
DUCTS THEMSELVES.
TYPICALLY IN FLORIDA
THE AIR CONDITIONING DUCTS
ARE SIMPLY SUSPENDED
IN THE ATTIC,
WHERE THEY'RE SUBJECTED
TO MAYBE 140 DEGREES,
150 DEGREES
OF AIR TEMPERATURE.
ON ALL 4 SIDES.
ON ALL 4 SIDES,
WHILE YOU'RE TRYING
TO BLOW 50 OR 55 DEGREE
AIR THROUGH THEM.
WHAT WE'VE DONE HERE IS
WE'VE TAKEN THOSE DUCTS,
DROPPED THEM ON
THE ATTIC FLOOR,
AND THEN JUST BURIED THEM
WITH INSULATION.
THIS IS A PROCESS THAT
WE ACTUALLY PIONEERED
OUT IN CALIFORNIA,
THAT IS NOW PART OF THE
CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE.
SEVERAL THOUSANDS OF
HOUSES HAVE BEEN BUILT
USING THIS TECHNOLOGY.
WE HAD TO DO ONE THING
DIFFERENT HERE, HOWEVER,
BECAUSE IT'S A HOT,
HUMID CLIMATE
VERSUS A DRY CLIMATE
IN CALIFORNIA.
TO PREVENT CONDENSATION
FROM OCCURRING ON THE DUCTS,
JUST LIKE A GLASS OF ICED TEA
IN THE SUMMER GETS ALL DRIPPY,
TO PREVENT THAT WE WENT AND PUT
A CLOSE CELL POLYURETHANE FOAM
AROUND THOSE DUCTS
TO PREVENT THE MOISTURE
FROM REACHING THE DEW POINT
ON THE DUCT SURFACE,
ALLOWING US TO BURY
THE DUCTS IN THE INSULATION
AND COMING UP WITH
A VERY HIGH R-VALUE
FOR THE DUCTS AND SOME
ADDITIONAL DUCT TIGHTNESS.
AND LANCE, THIS ISN'T
JUST ANY OLD INSULATION,
RIGHT?
THAT'S CORRECT, BOB.
IT'S KIND OF TAKING
GREEN TO THE EXTREME.
TELL US ABOUT IT.
WELL, IT'S
A SOY BASED INSULATION.
WHAT THEY DO ON A CHEMICAL
LEVEL IS REPLACE THE POLYOL
THAT COMES FROM PETROLEUM
WITH POLYOLS
COMING FROM SOYBEAN.
SO, EVEN THOUGH IT STARTS
OUT AS AN ORGANIC PRODUCT,
ONCE THEY GET
TO THE POLYOL LEVEL,
IT BECOMES
COMPLETELY INORGANIC,
SO THERE'S NO FOOD VALUE
FOR MOLD OR PESTS
OR ANYTHING OF THE SORT.
THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.
YES.
OK, NOW, WHAT'S
THE ACTUAL PROCESS
OF INSTALLING IT
IN OUR ATTIC?
HOW DO YOU DO IT?
WELL, THERE'S EQUIPMENT
THAT PUTS THE CHEMICAL
UNDER PRESSURE
AND UNDER HEAT.
THERE'S AN "A" SIDE AND A
"B" SIDE THAT COMES TOGETHER,
AND AT THE TIP OF THE GUN,
WHEN THEY JOIN,
IT BEGINS TO MAKE FOAM.
THE FOAM SETS UP WITHIN
15 TO 20 SECONDS,
SO YOU JUST SPRAY IT
ON THE DUCT
AND IT JUST COMPLETELY
ENCLOSES THE DUCT SYSTEM.
NOW, WHAT KIND OF
AN R-VALUE ARE
YOU GETTING HERE?
WITH THIS PARTICULAR SYSTEM,
WE'RE AT A 4.8 PER INCH,
SO TO ACHIEVE
THE 13 OR THE 7
IN ADDITION TO THE 6
THAT BILL IS GOING FOR,
WE'RE SPRAYING ABOUT AN INCH
AND A HALF OF THIS STUFF.
COULD I GET THE SAME
RESULTS IF I WAS
A DO IT YOURSELFER
AND I JUST BOUGHT
4 X 8 SHEETS OF
POLYISOCYANURATE
AND CUT THEM UP
AND PUT THEM ON MY
EXISTING DUCT WORK,
OR IS THAT A MISTAKE?
YEAH, THAT'S A MISTAKE, BOB.
WHAT YOU'RE REALLY GOING
FOR HERE IS AN AIR SEAL.
SO WITH THIS FOAM,
WHEN YOU SPRAY IT ON,
IT GOES ON LIKE A LIQUID
GLUE TYPE SUBSTANCE
AND COMPLETELY ENCLOSES.
WHEN IT EXPANDS,
YOU DON'T HAVE ANYPLACE
FOR AIR TO LEAK THROUGH,
CARRYING THE HUMIDITY WHICH
CAN CONDENSE ON YOUR DUCTS.
THAT'S WHY IT HAS TO BE
CLOSE CELL, RIGHT?
THAT'S CORRECT,
THAT'S CORRECT.
IF YOU USE AN
OPEN CELL FOAM,
THE MOISTURE CAN
ACTUALLY MIGRATE
THROUGH THE MATERIAL,
GET TO THE
DEW POINT SURFACE,
AND ACTUALLY CONDENSE
WITHIN THE INSULATION
MATERIAL ITSELF.
NOW, HAVE YOU GUYS MADE
ANY PROJECTIONS
OF WHAT THE ENERGY
SAVINGS ACTUALLY
AMOUNT TO,
WHAT'S IT GONNA COST
EVERY MONTH TO RUN
THIS HOUSE?
IT'S GONNA COST
ABOUT $100 A MONTH.
THE OVERALL SAVINGS IS
ABOUT 50%, AS I MENTIONED.
OUR PROJECTIONS ANNUALLY
THAT THIS HOUSE WOULD COST
ABOUT $2,400 TO RUN,
THE TYPICAL HOUSE
WOULD COST $2,400 TO RUN.
THIS HOUSE
WOULD COST $1,200.
SO, IT'S A $100
A MONTH SAVINGS.
THAT IS SUCH GOOD NEWS.
NOW, ONE OTHER FEATURE
WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT
IS RIGHT OUTSIDE
THE GARAGE DOOR.
OK, SO THIS IS
A WHIRLPOOL HEAT PUMP.
WHAT'S THE LOGIC IN TERMS
OF OUR CHOICES HERE?
WELL, THIS IS A PRETTY
EFFICIENT UNIT.
THIS IS A 14 SEER UNIT.
THAT'S S.E.E.R.,
WHICH MEANS
"SEASONAL ENERGY
EFFICIENCY RATIO."
THAT'S ABOUT 40% MORE
THAN THE MOST BASIC UNIT
ON THE MARKET.
HMM. THAT MEANS IT
COSTS MORE, RIGHT?
IT COSTS A LITTLE BIT
MORE, YEAH.
IT COSTS ABOUT $1,200
TO $1,500 MORE
WHEN YOU COMPARE
ONE TO THE OTHER.
BUT SOME OF THE OTHER
THINGS THAT WE PUT
INTO THE HOUSE,
LIKE THE BETTER WINDOWS
AND THE BETTER
DUCT SYSTEM,
ALLOWS US TO PUT
A SMALLER AIR
CONDITIONING SYSTEM IN.
SO THE SMALLER SYSTEM
ACTUALLY SAVES MONEY
TO PAY FOR SOME OF THOSE
OTHER IMPROVEMENTS.
SO, IT SAVES MONEY
ON AN OPERATING BASIS.
IT SAVES A LOT OF MONEY
ON AN OPERATING BASIS.
THAT'S GREAT. TERRIFIC.
THANK YOU, BILL.
Bob: OK, WE'RE BACK
ON THE LANAI.
I WANT TO CALL IT
THE LANAI,
BECAUSE IT'S LIKE
A BIG HAWAIIAN PORCH.
TOM, THIS IS THE
FINAL COAT, RIGHT?
YES, THIS IS THE CLEAR
GLOSS ACRYLIC SEALER.
AND THIS TAKES
HOW LONG TO DRY?
APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS.
OK, SO I'M KIND OF
WALKING ON AN AREA THAT
DOESN'T HAVE IT YET.
BUT THIS WILL IN FACT DRY
TO A NICE GLOSSY SURFACE.
YEAH.
OK, DOES THIS LAST
FOR SEVERAL YEARS
OR DO YOU HAVE TO REDO IT
EVERY SEASON,
OR WHAT'S THAT LIKE?
UH, ON A COVERED AREA
LIKE THIS,
IT SHOULD LAST AT LEAST
3 YEARS BEFORE YOU HAVE
TO WASH IT AND REDO IT.
YEAH. AND WHAT ABOUT COST?
HOW DO YOU FIGURE THE COST
OF A JOB LIKE THIS?
WELL, THE COST BASIS
IS USUALLY BASED
ON SQUARE FOOTAGE,
USUALLY $3 FOR
AN EXTERIOR AND UP TO
$7 FOR AN INTERIOR.
INTERIORS ARE MORE
DIFFICULT BECAUSE
YOU'VE GOT ALL
THE WATER AND THE
CHEMICALS INDOORS.
AND YOU MIGHT HAVE TO MOVE
FURNITURE AND STUFF.
YEAH, AND USE A SHOPVAC
AND SQUEEGEES.
OK, WELL, IT LOOKS BEAUTIFUL.
THANKS A LOT, TOM.
NEXT TIME, WE'RE GOING
TO BE WORKING IN THE
KITCHEN EXCLUSIVELY,
PUTTING IN THE KITCHEN CABINETS,
SHOWING YOU HOW TO MAKE
THE TEMPLATES,
INSTALLING
THE CORIAN COUNTERTOPS,
AND WE'RE EVEN GOING TO MOVE IN
SOME APPLIANCES.
TILL THEN, I'M BOB VILA.
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Carpentry, Construction & Materials • Mercedes Homes - General Contractor • Precise Forms, Inc. - Aluminum form systems for concrete homes and basement foundations • Solid Wall Systems - Aluminum concrete form system Floors, Stairs & Elevators • Porcelanosa - Ferroker large format porcelain tile with oxidized steel finish; glass mosaic tile • Tom Moorad - Proprietary concrete stain technique Home Services • William Zoeller, Steven Winter Associates - Architects & energy consultants Insulation • BioBased Systems - Soy-based polyurethane insulation (used to coat attic HVAC ducts) Pools & Spas • Blue Haven Pools - Splash pool construction Real Estate • Mercedes Homes - Developer - homes designed and built for comfort, elegance, efficiency, and safety in Florida, Texas, and the Carolinas. Roofing & Siding • Alcoa Home Exteriors - Ventura® hidden vent vinyl soffit
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