There’s a lot more to a Summerfield home than beautiful finishes and great function. Summerfield implements construction techniques in the building process that ensures that the homes will be durable and high in quality. The purchase of a home is a major investment, so why not buy one that will last many years and will not have reoccurring problems that need to be fixed? Summerfield utilizes several unique construction techniques that ensure the home has superior craftsmanship.
Glue and Screw Method
Summerfield chooses to use a glue and screw method for its floor systems and wall plates. This technique is done by screwing the 1 1/8 inch plywood decking to the engineered floor joists, which allows the applied glue between the two to be a solid, continuous bond. Summerfield uses this method to attach its wall plates to the 1 1/8 inch plywood decking. This method virtually eliminates uneven floors and walls, floor squeaks and nail or staple pops.
Kiln-Dried Lumber and Mandatory Dry Times
Summerfield takes extra steps in mold prevention. First, Summerfield uses only kiln-dried lumber, which is pre-dried. During the construction process, lumber has the tendency to soak up moisture from the being exposed to the environment. After the windows and siding is installed, Summerfield then dries all the framing material and sheathing inside the house. The items are dried to less than 17 percent moisture content, which is too low for mold to grow. Summerfield repeats this process again after the sheetrock has been textured to ensure that the moisture content in the plywood sub-floor is below 12 percent for proper installation of finished in place hardwood flooring. These techniques are another way Summerfield sets itself apart from other builders.
Mold Prevention
Other steps Summerfield takes to ensure mold prevention include a rain screen system, window sill positive drain system and foundation water removal system,
Use of Plywood Instead of OSB
Plywood is considered a higher quality product than OSB. Summerfield uses plywood for flooring, exterior sheathing and roof sheathing. The use of plywood allows nails to hold properly and glue to adhere correctly. Also, plywood dries out faster and retains less water than OSB, which is important in Oregon’s rainy climate. Using plywood gives the client a more structural integrative building.
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Tankless Water Heaters
A tankless water heater system warms water when needed, which is more energy efficient than the standard system because water is not being heated while it’s waiting to be used. The tankless water heater also takes up no garage floor space.
Heating and Cooling
Summerfield uses 90 percent high efficiency Trane furnaces or heat pumps and electronic air cleaning systems. This allows for low energy cost with the cleanest air quality in the homes.
Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Interior and Exterior Architecture Columns
This product can withstand the Northwest’s rainy weather and won’t have to be repaired or replaced. Wood columns often deteriorate and have cracks that need to be caulked within the first year of installation. Fiber-reinforced Polymer columns look great and are extremely low maintenance.
Exterior Trim
Summerfield uses an engineered finger jointed treated trim that is warranted by the manufacturer for seven years. This product is virtually free of cupping, bowing and knots, which allows for ease of installation and homeowner maintenance. Additionally, the architectural beauty of the home is carried out through the years with the use of this product.
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