Tax-free weekend Each year it seems the school supply displays appear earlier and earlier. There are countless options for notebooks, pens, and folders. I noticed recently that now you are not only able to buy 64 different crayola colors, you can purchase boxes of 8 variations of...

Exterior foam insulation can be used to enhance the energy performance of a wood stud wall system. When a traditional wall system, using 2x studs, is the only place you insulate – 25% of the wall is left un-insulated. Or rather, 25% of a traditional wall is made of wood...

Talking with any experienced carpenter, you have probably heard the phrase “a house needs to breath, you don’t want to build it too tight.” This is common folklore that has been passed down from generation to generation. Your builder tells you he is doing...

Duke Gardens (which I introduced in this post) is almost done and the details are coming together just as planned. In a competitive market all building owners look for advantages they can gain over the competition to get tenants in both residential and commercial. In our new...

Design – Why it matters to me. I blog a lot about building science, the importance of holistic design, and occasionally local business leaders. I have told stories about a typical day in the life of an architect, the value of memberships in industry organizations, and my...

In the commercial building world, design is often overlooked from the performance side. The focus often goes to aesthetics and maximizing the built area while balancing the environmental impacts on the surrounding site(s). The indoor environmental quality and energy consumption...

A back deck is almost standard on a new home these days. There used to be one solution, pressure treated wood for most homes. Now there are countless options depending on your budget. So what is right for your deck project? 1. The economic answer is still pressure treated....

 For Immediate Release:  The Gaines Group, PLC adds depth and experience with James Halstead, Jr. Press Inquiries: Charles Hendricks, AIA, CSI, CDT, CAPS, LEED AP 540-437-0012, [email protected] Charlottesville, VA – The Gaines Group, PLC is pleased to announce the...

Cutting your water usage will save money, conserve water resources, and cut your energy usage. Implement these simple ideas to get started: 1. Check faucets and pipes for leaks. A small drip from a worn faucet washer can waste 20 gallons of water per day. 2. Check the toilet for...

Funkhouser Real Estate Group – Real estate blog Harrisonblog – People, Places, Events, and Issues in Harrisonburg (with an emphasis on real estate) Harrisonburg Architect – Tips about healthy, energy-efficient, durable architectural design Harrisonburg Career...