Nakusp Home Builders

Material Choices

Using the right materials

will make a big difference in getting a successful outcome in construction. There are many different materials available with varying performance and appearance characteristics. It is important to be able to make the right choices when selecting building components, as this will affect the overall quality and look of the finished home. The objective is to make sure your home is built structurally right and the finished result gives you the best possible value.

Building a custom home means that a variety of components will have to be ordered well in advance of construction. Deposits will be required on items that are not in stock or need to be specially ordered. Quality levels of materials can vary significantly, so it is important to choose carefully.

When selecting materials for your project you should consider:

• Appearance and Function
• Performance and Quality
• Building Material Choices
• Efficient Delivery Methods
• Best Price and Value
• Meaningful Warranty

Nakusp Home Builders works with building material suppliers who offer national brand names. These suppliers give us extended price protection on a wide range of structural components.

Appearance and Function

The look of your home will depend on your choice of building material and components. The advantage of building a custom home is that you can create a unique living space, which incorporates the features that give you the look and feel you want.

There are a number of different ways to achieve the right result. For example, you may want vaulted ceilings with exposed timbers, windows that provide an abundance of natural light and the ambiance of natural wood inside and out. Others may value a more traditional look and choose different building materials to get the appearance and function they want.

The choice of windows, doors and wood components used in the structure of the home will greatly influence the look of the finished home. There are many different alternatives for the shape and size of windows and how they open and close. Similarly, there are many options for doors. Timbers can be sourced in different species with variable structural load characteristics and offer a variety of finishing options.

Many of the items needed to get the best result are not readily available in the Nakusp area. However, because of our contacts with national suppliers, we can help you select and source the right kinds of materials that give you the appearance and function you want for your project.

Performance and Quality

There are many different products at different price points that are used in construction and appear to achieve a similar result. The reality is that performance and quality levels vary significantly and will not only affect appearance but also structural integrity, installation costs and ongoing maintenance. Less expensive building components simply do not perform as well as premium products for a variety of different reasons.

It is not easy for the average homeowner to strike the right balance between performance, quality and price. For example, the use of straight dry framing lumber may have a slightly higher up front cost but it makes building faster, saves on finishing costs and reduces waste. Higher quality windows will save on energy costs, reduce glare, operate more smoothly, provide better protection against water infiltration and require less maintenance.

Nakusp Home Builders can advise you in selecting the kinds of material that will perform well over time. The use of higher quality material generally gives you a better-finished result and often saves money in the building process.

Building Material Choices

Nakusp Home Builders helps you make informed decisions on the many building material components and options available. We can supply you with a full range of the structural materials you need to get your project to the lock-up stage where the home is secure and weatherproof.

• Framing lumber
• Sheathing
• Floor system
• Roof system
• Windows and doors
• Siding and roofing materials

Other options include laminated or solid timber structural beams and posts. We also offer solid logs in a number of different species, each having their unique characteristics. Log accents are also available. They can be used in conjunction with standard framing materials.

In addition to a solid wood joist system, we also offer a silent floor system using engineered wood joists which are designed to stay strong, stable and quiet for the life of your home. Decking material is available in a variety of options. Tight knot dried cedar is the best natural alternative for handrails and decking. We can provide you with cedar and spruce-pine interior paneling and roof boards. Typically cedar provides a richer look while pine gives a lighter appearance when stained. These products are often used in vaulted areas where there is an abundance of natural light.

There are lots of product choices to be made when it comes to finishing the inside of your home. Some homeowners want to play a major role in finishing work while others like to use the services of an interior designer. Whatever option you may choose, we are pleased to work with you to get your home completed.

Efficient Delivery Methods

Having material available when required is critical to the building process. Multiple deliveries, particularly in remote locations, can add substantially to the real cost of building materials. It is also hard to source a wide range of premium building materials locally.

A good solution is to order a complete material package and ship it all at once to your building site. This is not only a cost-effective way of purchasing materials, but also makes sure that they are readily available needed for construction. Proper organization of loads and efficient shipping methods can significantly reduce your construction costs and minimize delays.

Nakusp Home Builders has arrangements with suppliers to consolidate and then deliver materials to the building site in fully loaded trucks or containers.

The Best Price and Value

Nakusp Home Builders can give you the best price on the major components required to construct your home. Best price refers to the price paid for equal quality material. Lower quality materials may be available at a lower price; however, this will be reflected in the overall result. Nakusp Home Builders can help you select the right materials to get the best possible value for your money.

The cost of design and lock-up materials represent about one third of the total construction cost of a typical custom home. If desired, Nakusp Home Builders can offer you extended price protection on these materials through its suppliers.

The length of the price protection is based on the individual project and building timeframe. This gives you the ability to fix a significant portion of your construction budget. This type of price protection is not available from traditional lumberyards or is only good for a very limited period of time.

Meaningful Warranty

Warranties on building products are only as good as the strength of the companies who supply them. Some suppliers offer very limited warranties, which do not cover many of the most common problem areas. They may also only service product that is installed in close proximity to their manufacturing operations.

Product warranties must be meaningful in order to protect the investment in your home. This especially important for:

• Windows
• Exterior doors
• Roofing installation

This is why Nakusp Home Builders only works with national brand name suppliers who offer a superior product with comprehensive warranties and have the ability to service their products in the field.