NET ZERO SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE IN RIDGWAY, CO

This structure, completed in 2010 uses a combination of passive solar gain, a high efficiency Nudura wall system, in floor radiant heat and photovoltaic panels to achieve a Net Zero status, which simply means that the structure creates more energy than it consumes on an annual basis.

SIP'S PANEL SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE IN RIDGWAY, CO, 2012

Structural Insulated Panel building systems, commonly know as SIP's panel construction, allows a structure to be completed without the use of standard wall studs, offers reduced thermal bridging through framing members, since the structural load is carried by thick areas of rigid foam sandwiched between OSB sheeting which creates a very tight well sealed and thermally efficient home.

NUDURA INSULATED CONCRETE WALL SYSTEM DURING CONSTRUCTION

Nudura is a brand name for a style of wall system called Insulated Concrete Foundations systems or ICF's. The high mass of this wall system helps to slow the transfer of heat or cold either in or out of the structure. This system is structurally very strong, can be well suited to hillside building sites and provides excellent sound attenuation.

OVER-SIZED ROOF RAFTERS ALLOW ADDITIONAL SPACE FOR INSULATION

Using a 14" engineered rafter will allow space for 3-4" on sprayed on site foam, paired with high-density fiberglass or cellulose fill to provide a rock solid R-60 ceiling system, even in vaulted ceiling areas. R value refers to the ability of a system to resist heat flow.

IN FLOOR HYDRONIC RADIANT HEATING SYSTEM

In floor radiant heating systems provide quiet, even heat and add mass for solar heat retention in passive solar applications. Radiant floor heating systems heat objects within the structure, walls, furniture, and your toes, rather than heating the surrounding air. Time after time, radiant floor heating systems have been rated as the most comfortable heating system on the market.

DOUBLE 2X4 WALL FRAMING SYSTEM

By creating additional space within the wall cavity, double wall systems will allow on-site spray foam, which creates an excellent perimeter seal, paired with high-density loose fill fiberglass or cellulose can create an R-50 wall system.

CUSTOM RIDGWAY HOME USING PASSIVE HOUSE DESIGN CRITERIA

Passive House design criteria requires a thermal retention system of at least R-60 in the ceiling, R-50 in the walls and R-40 in the floors, matched with super efficient windows/doors and a state-of-the-art heat recovery ventilating system.This system will reduce the structure's energy consumption by 90-95% when compared to minimum building code requirements.

Built for today with tomorrow in mind.

Welcome to BtB Construction

BtB Construction and Consulting L.L.C. is a design/build firm specializing in the design and construction of super-insulated high efficiency custom homes.

Brad Wallis is the principal at BtB Construction. He has more than 35 years of experience in the design and construction of high efficiency structures. His work through the years has included Passive Solar envelope homes, super-insulated double wall structures, SIPs panel homes and most recently Passive House certifiable structures which can provide a life cycle 90-95% reduction in energy demand as compared to a structure which meets minimum energy code requirements.

No one can predict what energy costs may be during the entire 100 year+ life cycle of a well built home; but by investing in better insulation, better windows and doors and a mechanical fresh air venting system, clients can be assured that their new home will be not only significantly reduce their energy costs during the time they own the home, but will continue to do so for future generations.

In addition to custom building in the Ridgway area; BtB offers consulting services to clients, architects and builders throughout the nation. The best time to engage BtB in energy consulting services is when preliminary discussions begin with your project architect or builder before plans are drafted.

Featured in Shelter Magazine

Passive house: An old idea, reinvented for the homes of tomorrow

For more than thirty years, Ridgway builder Brad Wallis of BTB Construction and Consulting, Inc., has been building and designing high efficiency structures designed to last for the long haul. “There’s been a lot of greenwashing going on lately, but the truth is that, when you build a home, it is not an ecologically positive event. It takes a lot of resources,” Wallis pointed out.

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