Latest "Your Home" Article
Fire! How Safe Are You In Your Home?
The following information has been compiled from several credible sources including the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).While for many years there have been two levels of fire protection available for your home, now there are three!
Smoke and fire alarms Fire extinguishers Fire sprinklers
Categories: Criterium Engineers
Home Security
Feeling safe at home is important. While some crime statistics are declining, media coverage of acts of violence and vandalism increases our concerns about the safety of our families and ourselves. Busy families with chaotic schedules add to the concern as one may be returning home alone, late at night.
If you want to increase the security of your home, what can you do?
Categories: Criterium Engineers
Home Security Checklist
Use this as a guide as you check your home for safety measures.Boxes marked “No” indicate areas where you could take action to improve your home’s security.These are just some of the steps you can take to decrease the likelihood that you or your home is targeted.
Exterior DoorsYes
No
Categories: Criterium Engineers
Energy Star
ENERGY STAR is a program first introduced by the U.S. EnvironmentalProtection Agency (EPA) in 1992. It is designed to save energy. While many people relate the name to the energy-efficient performance of individual appliances, lighting and equipment (heating, cooling and water heating), the ENERGY STAR program actually is designed to rate the performance of an entire home.
Categories: Criterium Engineers
Real Estate or Wheel Estate?
Is it modular, manufactured or mobile? Or…is it pre-cut, pre-fab or panelized? Or…is it site built or stick built? Or…is it a trailer?
And what regulations apply, if any? Previously, we discussed building codes and addressed some common myths and misunderstandings. Building codes, when they do exist, apply primarily to homes built on-site. But there are other types of homes to consider as well.
Categories: Criterium Engineers
Building Codes - Myths and Realities
What is a building code? Is it a law? Or a guideline? Or a voluntary standard?
What do building codes mean to my home?
Perhaps you will find it useful to review how building codes affect your home, both the theory and the reality.
Categories: Criterium Engineers
Security - It's Important; But At What Cost?
Since September 11, 2001, we have become a much more security-conscious nation. We expect better lighting in parking lots and walkways, prefer living in communities with controlled access, and lock our cars and houses more frequently. And we are installing security systems at a record-breaking rate. Companies installing security systems have been one of the fastestgrowing types of businesses in recent years. That’s probably a good thing.
Categories: Criterium Engineers
Eight Ways You Can Save Energy!
It's not that hard, really!! If you have an existing home and want to reduce your energy bills, here are eight ways to do that. They are simple and basic because that's what energy saving is – simple and basic. If you read the latest Green Building guidelines published by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), you will find that building an energy-efficient home is a very big part of getting a Green Building rating.
Categories: Criterium Engineers
Your Roof: Eight Things to Consider
If your house is like most in this country built in the last 50 years, it probably has a sloped roof with one of the following roofing materials:
Categories: Criterium Engineers
Water - The First H in H2O (Part 1 of 2)
Water – it’s as important to our survival as air. We assume there is an unlimited supply of quality water, or maybe we just never really think much about it; it’s just there when we turn on the faucet.
But we can’t take it for granted. The supply of quality water in our world is limited, and we should take that seriously.
Categories: Criterium Engineers
Water - The Second H in H2O (Part 2 of 2)
Water — it's as important to our survival as air. We assume there is an unlimited supply of quality water, or maybe we just never really think much about it; it's just there when we turn on the faucet.
But we can't take it for granted: the supply of quality water in our world is limited and we should take that seriously.
Categories: Criterium Engineers
Wood-Destroying Insects
Except for the most northern states, wood-destroying insects are a concern to homeowners. Why? Because they are "wood destroying" and most of our homes are built with wood. They will eat your house!
Categories: Criterium Engineers
Getting to Green
GREEN BUILDING - You’ve probably heard about it, but do you really know what it means? It’s definitely not about the color of your home! You may have heard that it has something to do with the environment and energy conservation. That’s correct, but the Green Building program does not stop there. The goals are quite far-reaching. The following is intended to give you a better understanding of the intent, motivation and objectives of the Green Building program in the United States.
Categories: Criterium Engineers
Six Steps to Success
Which siding is best? Which roofing? What about the windows? Which appliances? What should I choose? How can I make the best choice? We often hear these questions from clients, and with good reason. Choosing building materials, whether for repairs, renovations or new construction, is tough. There are many, many choices. What’s right for you?
Categories: Criterium Engineers
Feng Shui – Is it Science or Superstition?
Feng Shui, or "wind water," is believed to be the process of maximizing the fl ow of energy to achieve harmony between people, structures and nature. It has been an important part of many Eastern cultures for centuries. However, after the Communist take over of Mainland China in the 1940s, Feng Shui was branded as a superstition, at least in that country.
Categories: Criterium Engineers
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters - Whose Fault Is It, Anyway?
The term Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) is likely familiar to you. But did you know that a GFCI is a device that, when properly installed, provides you and your family with enhanced protection against electrical shock? And now, there is a new phrase to get familiar with: Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI).
Categories: Criterium Engineers
Indoor Air Quality
Indoor air quality - IAQ - how significant is it and should you be concerned? Perhaps more importantly, what can you do about it?
Categories: Criterium Engineers
Copper Pipe Crisis
Recently, copper pipe, which is widely used in plumbing systems, has been the target of many complaints regarding unexpected and premature deterioration, often leading to leaks.
Categories: Criterium Engineers
Wild And Crazy Roofs - It's Not All Good News! Have You Noticed?
Have you noticed?
Roof lines are getting more and more complex and creative. The traditional gable roof (single ridge, symmetric slopes and vertical end panels) is quickly becoming a distant memory. While a gable roof may not be architecturally exciting, it is simpler to maintain and the risk of premature leaks is minimal.
Categories: Criterium Engineers
New Construction: If It's New, Is It Good?
How good is new construction in the United States and Canada? Generally, it is pretty good, but there are some significant areas of concern.
Our goal is to provide information that will allow quality-oriented builders to improve upon the products they deliver.
Categories: Criterium Engineers