About New Canaan's New Canaan Home Improvement

My First AR Post ~ Green LEED Home in New Canaan, Ct.

Starting off 2012 with a bang here on my blog and I wanted to see what my first blog was on back in May 2010, here it is a Platinum certified LEED home in New Canaan, Ct.

I was lucky enough to be able to go on the home tour organized by PACE-Clean Energy over the weekend of the Kantor Home in New Canaan, Ct. which is seeking the USGBC LEED for Homes rating of Platinum. Until the permeable driveway and all the plantings/landscaping is done the certification is on hold, but they have already been awarded the Emerald Certification from the National Green Build Standard with a score of over 800 points.

The craftsman-style house is over 4,000 square feet situated on almost 5 acres was built by BPC Green Builders. The siding of the house is FSC certified white knotty cedar shingles and the roof tiles that look like slate are made out of recycled rubber and plastic with a 50 year warranty.

During the Innovation & Design Process, ID, the architect Jim Edgcomb designed the house, windows and extra large overhangs to maximize the effectiveness of passive and active solar power. The solar thermal panels on the roof convert sunlight to heat that is stored in a 1,000 gallon tank down in the basement. The hot water in the tank is used to heat the house, domestic hot water and outdoor pool. Along with that are 48 Photovoltaic panels that convert sunlight to electricity that was installed by Alteris Renewable. The system generates more electricity than the house uses and is returned the power grid for other homes to use.

Storm water is managed with a combination of bio-swale runs with any overruns going to the 1,800 sq ft specifically designed rain garden. The rain garden is made up of a soil mix of sand, compost, top soil and mix of native plants that are tolerate both saturated and dry conditions. Rainwater from the roof is diverted to four 80 gallon barrels and two 1250 gallon underground cisterns. This water is used for the irrigation system that utilizes both drip and micro-spray distribution with the use of solar powered pumps. Landscaping was done by Plantscapes Organics.

The swimming pool is insulated underneath and has an automatic cover to minimize heat loss so that solar energy can provide 100% of the heat needed to warm the water. The pool's water is chemically free and will be sanitized using a copper ionization system installed by JJ Pools.

Now we get to the inside of the house, excellent craftsmanship and high quality workmanship throughout, wonderful views through triple glazed windows manufactured by Loewen Windows, this house is as pleasing to the eye as it is efficient. Reclaimed red and white oak floors, interior designed structural post and beam eastern hemlock and locally grown with exterior walls being framed with 2*6, 24 inch on center with cross framing of 2*3 for a thermal break, allowing for a total open cell foam insulation thickness of seven inches at a R value of 31. The roof is framed with 2*12's at 24 inch on center with additional 2*3 horizontal strapping which again eliminates most thermal breaks and insulation of 13 inches spray foam for an R-58 rating.

The kitchen cabinets are made out of reclaimed wood, counter tops are locally made from 100% recycled glass in a cement matrix, under cabinet lighting are highly energy efficient LED's, all kitchen appliances are Energy Star rated by the EPA.

The first floor wall finish is a natural plaster made from various clays, sand and reclaimed marble. On the second floor the walls are finished with water-based low VOC's interior paint. In the center staircase ceiling there are two 14 inch round solar reflective tube shafts that bring in an exceptional amount of natural light into this windowless space.

Now we get to the heart of the home, mechanical room. Along with the 1,000 gallon water tank for hot water storage there is a new European model wood pellet boiler that functions completely automatically with an efficiency factor greater than 90%. There is also a back up state of the art propane condensing boiler with an efficiency of 95%.

With the house being built so well and tight, an energy recovery ventilator - ERV is installed. This unit brings in a measured amount of fresh air into the house automatically transferring the heat and moisture from the exhaust air to the fresh air for exceptionally energy efficiency.

And here are two items that you don't usually find in the home. The composting toilet in the house has a holding tank in the basement that has its own ecosystem and live bacteria which breaks down the waste into humus. Within a year rich compost is ready to use. The second surprise is the grey water system that filters shower and sink drain water through peat moss. The filtered water is used in the toilets and is the first such system to be installed in Connecticut.

So in conclusion, for a small premium in price and a little planning one can build an energy efficient home and save substantially on their utility bills. It was whispered in my ear that this high end home costs about $400 sq foot to build.

David Popoff

William Pitt Sotheby's International Realty

Darien, Ct. 06820

Connecticut License Real Estate Salesperson

Member of USGBC & CTGBC, accredited LEED GA

DavidPopoffCt@hotmail.com

203-228-0646

www.DavidPopoffCt.com

Are you looking for flooring for your home in New Canaan CT 06840? We know there are many choices..and sometimes the process can feel overwhelming. Whether you're looking for hardwood floors, tile, carpet, laminate flooring, or if you just want to refinish your hardwood floors, Floor Coverings International can help make the process fun and simple.

We are a shop at home service.

Our tagline is "We bring the store your door." This is important because first, you can see the colors in your lighting and color coordinate with paint color, cabinets and furniture. Second, it allows us to provide a true estimate for you. And, third, of course it is more convenient this way.

We provide guidance - Which is the best type of flooring for your environment and your budget? We'll help explain the pros and cons among the different types of flooring. Whether it's the kitchen, living room, bedrooms or bathrooms, we can help - different types of flooring work better in different environments so let us guide you. We can price out different options so you can compare across hardwood floors vs. carpet, or tile vs. laminate. We'll help you understand what is most practical for you/your family's/your pets' lifestyle.

Floor Coverings International provides design guidance on picking colors, style and layout. We love to help provide design advice. We want to help make your home look more beautiful - it's a reflection of you and our work. If it's hardwood flooring, we can help you pick the species and color of wood; if it's tile, we can advise you on design layout and patterns; if it's carpet, we can help you pick the right color; iff it's a backsplash, we can provide you tile and design ideas.

Bamboo Flooring and Cork - Floor Coverings International in a large supporter of environmentally friendly flooring. We love helping the environment too. So, whether it's bamboo flooring or cork or natural wool or sisal carpeting, we can help you. We also offer carpets that are recycleable and hardwoods that use recycled content.

Great installation and customer reviews. We just won the 2010 Super Service Award on Angie's List. In addition, we will supply you with over 30 references so you can check up on our work. While most of our customers prefer for us to take care of both the materials and installation, occasionally, some of our customers already have the tile, and just want us to take care of installation; others already have an installer and just want us to help with materials. Either way, we will give you top notch services

Flooring for New Canaan CT 06840 - Fairfield County

Video - Hardwood Flooring Stamford Video - Tile Flooring Stamford

Video - Laminate Flooring Stamford Video - Carpet Stamford

We are very reasonably priced. Our estimates are always FREE. And, because we are part of nationwide buying group (there are close to 100 of us across the country), so our pricing is very reasonable. We'll work with you to find a tile that works for your budget.

Floor Coverings International is your friendly neighborhood flooring store. We have done work on your neighbors' streets New Canaan including

• Great Hill Rdt
• Weed St
• Gardiner St
• New Wilton Rd
• Great Hill Rd

Map of New Canaan CT 06840

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For more info on Flooring, check out these posts:

What types of hardwood are best for pets?

I have hardwood underneath my carpets. Should I refinish the hardwood or recarpet?

What is a floating floor?

So, if you're looking for flooring for your home in New Canaan CT 06840 , give us a call at Floor Coverings International 914-937-2950 and let us "bring the store to your door."

Yesterday,I went to meet w/ a customer who is opening an upscale barber shop in the pretigious downtown New Canaan CT. Nice customer and we are installing some unfinished hardwood flooring and it's going to look great. I helped him select a stain color - we went with Ebony for a stylish and upscale look. It looks GREAT.

We were then talking about the paint that would be done later in the week. He asked me what I thought of the current paint color (because they going to put a 2nd coat on). He asked if I liked it, and since he asked, with no uncertainty, I shaked my head and just said "No, definitely not." It was just wrong - boring and out of date...did nothing for the place and certainly was at odds with the equity he is trying to achieve.

He then asked what he should put in there, and I told him, I'm no designer/nor color consultant, but I would do some sort of gray which would be stylish and look super cool with new ebony floor. He asked if I could join him and help him at the paint store, so I did...even though I really had to be somwhere else. But I figured I wanted my floors to look awesome and I want him to succeed, so I jumped in the car w/ him. I quickly picked out a stylish gray and I think it's going to look awesome.

He thinks so, too.

Earlier in the morning, we were all chatting about power, and I mentioned by mentioned that my boyfriend (who lives in New Canaan) got his power back on Thurs..which apparently was sooner than many others. So, my customer said, since he appreciated my sense of design, that he will give my boyfriend a free haircut.

I thought this was really cool. I told him as soon as his store is open that I will take some pictures and blog about him. It's the beginning of another beautiful friendship.

Are you looking for tile flooring and installation for your home in New Canaan CT?

Whether it’s a kitchen floor, bathroom floors and walls, an entry way or mudroom, or even a Kitchen tile backsplash,we can help you at Floor Coverings International.

We understand that it can be challenging to find the right type of tile for your floors, walls and backsplashes. What’s the right type of tile – ceramic, porcelain, tumbled natural stone, marble or granite? What’s the best style and color? What types are easiest to clean. Many customers seemed to get overwhelmed when they visit a tile store. Well here’s where we can help.

Floor Coverings International makes it simple by “bringing the store to your door.” That way, you can see the samples in your own lighting and color coordinate with your cabinets, walls and paint colors. We'll guide you through the process to pick out the right tile, color, size and shape and layout. We can help you design your tile floors and backsplashes and we can install it for you, too. We are a shop at home flooring store in Westchester/Stamford that gets the job from start to finish.

Tile Flooring and Tile Backsplashes in New Canaan CT 06840

With tile, it’s all about the installation, so you want someone you can trust. We just won the 2010 Super Service Award on Angie's List. In addition, we will supply you with over 30 references so you can check up on our work. While most of our customers prefer for us to take care of both the materials and installation, occasionally, some of our customers already have the tile, and just want us to take care of installation; others already have an installer and just want us to help with materials. Either way, we will give you top notch services

We are very reasonably priced. Our estimates are always FREE. And, because we are part of nationwide buying group (there are close to 100 of us across the country), so our pricing is very reasonable. We'll work with you to find a tile that works for your budget.

Floor Coverings International is your friendly neighborhood flooring store. We have done work on your neighbors' streets New Canaan including

• Great Hill Rdt
• Weed St
• Gardiner St
• New Wilton Rd
• Great Hill Rd

Map of New Canaan CT 06840

View Larger Map

For more info on Ceramic/Porcelain/Natural Stone, check out these posts:

Porcelain that looks like hardwood. Yes, that's right.

Designing a kitchen backsplash

Should you install tile yourself?

So, if you're looking for tile flooring or backsplashes for your home in New Canaan CT 06840, give us a call at Floor Coverings International 914-937-2950 and let us "bring the store to your door."

Are you looking for laminate flooring for your home in New Canaan CT? We know it can be challenging to figure out which flooring is right for your space and whether a laminate floor is right for you. Which wood species and color will look best? Which ones work with your budget? Who should you have install the laminate floors? What is a floating floor? Well here's where we can help.

We make finding laminate flooring simple. We "bring the store to your door." That way, you can see the samples in your own lighting - the way it will look in real life. We'll help you color coordinate with your paint and furniture colors. We'll explain what a floating floor is and, we'll help you figure out whether laminate flooring makes sense for you and your budget. If you want, we can even show you hardwood flooring and price out both options for you so you can make an informed decision. Just let us know what your questions are and we'll help you out.

Some of my customers prefer laminate flooring over hardwood both because it's less expensive than hardwood and also because it holds up to traffic and pets well.

We are very reasonably priced. Our estimates are always FREE. And, because we are part of nationwide buying group (there are close to 100 of us across the country), so our pricing is very reasonable. We'll work with you to find a hardwood that works for your budget.

Floor Coverings International is your friendly neighborhood flooring store. We have done work on your neighbors' streets in New Canaan including

• Great Hill Rdt
• Weed St
• Gardiner St
• New Wilton Rd
• Great Hill Rd

Laminate Flooring in New Canaan CT 06840

Video of Laminate Flooring - Westchester NY and Stamford CT

So, if you're looking for laminate flooring for your home in New Canaan CT 06840, give us a call at Floor Coverings International 914-937-2950 and let us "bring the store to your door."

Map of New Canaan CT 06840

View Larger Map

Is laminate flooring right for your client?

What is a floating floor?