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The Expiration Date On This New Home Has Expired!

Building Tight Houses

New Homes Sales-2009

Our Current New Homes & Lot Inventory

Steel Windows & Doors

Builder Reflections………

New Home Market Analysis

Recycling an entire house — and saving money

Crestwood Properites

6027 Glencove-New Home for Sale

Profiles....

Our New Project Manager

Return-Air Problems

What Happens When the Bedroom Doors Are Closed.  "Musings of an Energy Nerd", by Martin Holladay.

Return Air Problems

Designing Homes for Hot Climates

Martin Holladay, self-proclaimed "Energy Nerd" and Senior Editor of The Green Building Advisor, recently published a very timely article about designing energy efficient homes in hot climates.  As he mentions, people who live in Florida or Texas often accuse energy-efficiency experts of having a cold-climate bias. They’re right: most energy-saving tips are written with cold-climate buildings in mind.  In this article, he gives advice for building homes in our climate.

Appropriate Details Keep a House Cool

Houston's Most Desirable Neighborhood

The Memorial Park-Crestwood neighborhood is Houston's most desirable neighborhood.  Memorial Park is a 1,466 acre park that has been called Houston's Central Park.  There are Art Festivals, Biking Trails, Golf, and Wilderness Walks, as well as the Houston Arboretum  and the Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens.  And of course running, playgrounds, and ball parks.  All of this in a wooded and peaceful environment only 5 minutes from downtown! 

We have sold 13 new homes in Crestwood and currently own 3 lots, all ready for custom homes.

Whole House Generators

Air Barriers

According to Energy Star, sealing the building envelope is one of the most cost-effective ways to increase the energy efficiency of a new home. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that up to 40% of the cost of heating and cooling a home is wasted by uncontrolled air leakage.

Terrace House

I would like to compliment Murphy Mears Architects on the excellent architecture and design of this project (Terrace House).  We were the chosen home builder for this amazing job, and enjoyed working with Kirby Mears and Eleanor Cummings in executing this design.

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Murphy Mears Architects

Satisfied Clients

In my 35 years of building new homes, there is no better feeling than having happy clients. I received three emails last night from current customers:

407 Terrace

Check out our next new home available for sale. It is located in Crestwood, adjacent to Memorial Park, Houston's most desirable neighborhood. This 4,800 sq ft home was designed by Robert Dame, with interiors by Trisha McGaw. Landscape architecture by Oasis Landscape.

This house has a very unique multi-level floor plan. Features include a 400 bottle wine room, 3 car garage, elevator, tile roof, exposed beams, summer kitchen, pool with sun shelve, Venetian plastered walls, and much, much more.

Go to:

407 Terrace   

Moisture Control & Perm Ratings

Housewraps like Tyvek, placed behind brick or stucco, are a second layer of defense against wind driven rain. Also known as WRB (weather resistant barriers), they keep bulk water out of the house and they stop hot and cold air movement through the wall cavity. They also reduce air infiltration and potential drafts, but the most important thing they do is allow the free passage of water vapor so that wall cavities and framing lumber can dry to the outside of the building, reducing the threat of mold and rot.

HVAC Systems Part 1

Some really good HVAC principles are explained on this HVAC Video. Many myths, such as "an air conditioner running continuously means high utility bills", are dispelled by this video.

HVAC Systems Part 2

A continuation of sound heating and air conditioning practices in new homes.
HVAC Systems Part 2

How Air Affects a House-Part 1

Natural and mechanical forces can pressurize a house many ways. Because air carries so much moisture, air barriers are important for indoor air quality as well as energy efficiency. The problem is, air is hard to see.  In this Podcast Joe Lstiburek discusses air management in a house.

Podcast Green Building Advisor

How Air Affects a House — Part 2

In this Podcast, Dr. John Straube goes into detail on the issue of air leakage condensation.

Podcast Green Builder Advisor