December 2009

At Clark & Company, we value the beauty of the Earth that surrounds us.  We believe in doing our part to keep it clean.  We constantly scrutinize the waste generated on our projects, in an effort to reduce the amount that ends up being buried in a landfill.  Here are some of the procedures we use:

We separate and flatten all cardboard, then take it to local recycling centers.

We collect copper, aluminum, and metal scraps, saving them until sufficient quantities have accumulated to justify a trip to the scrap yard.

We provide marked recycling containers for our trade contractors to use when disposing of plastic, aluminum, and glass drink bottles, etc.

We carpool when practical, and commute in fuel efficient vehicles.

We pack our lunches in reusable containers.

We donate salvageable items to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

We reuse what we can.  Below is a picture of a discarded mailbox post we rescued from a farmer’s “burn pile”.  The post was handcrafted many years ago using mortise and tenon joinery.  We built a new base for the post, and installed it as a housewarming gift for the proud owners of one of our EarthCraft homes.

We strive to order only the materials needed, no extras.

We collect wood scraps for home heat using woodstoves.

Lastly, and most importantly, we go dumpster-diving!  Inevitably, a customer or trade contractor will toss an item into the dumpster that doesn’t belong there.  We find those items and sort them into the proper place.

We are always looking for ways to be more efficient, and generate less waste.  We employee “Optimum Value Engineering” framing techniques, as well as alternative methods that increase the efficiency of a structure’s insulation package.  We specify energy efficient mechanical systems, and place much importance on selecting materials that will be durable for decades to come.

We would love to discuss our methods with you.  Don’t hesitate to be in touch!

November 2009

We just finished an interior makeover.  We removed the carpet and installed prefinished flooring. 

We also installed a new staircase, providing a dramatic difference in the home’s foyer.

October 2009

We have built two pole-frame structures in the past several weeks.  One is an equipment shed, and we affectionately

called the other a carriage shed.  The carriage shed uses locally made metal roofing, and locally harvested and milled

long-leaf pine for the board and batten siding.

September 2009

                  Clark and Company just loves a challenge!  Several weeks ago we were contracted to supply and install replacement windows that were a bit out of the ordinary.  The house was constructed as a traditional log structure many years ago.  As the house has aged, it has shifted and settled significantly, resulting in window openings that are far from level, plumb, and square.  While the effects of time have added depth of character to the beautiful old house, they have also created unique challenges for upgrades and improvements.

                  We replaced the windows with energy efficient HK Windows, and the customer will be able to benefit from energy savings due to the improved efficiency of the new windows.  The windows also qualify for energy-efficiency tax rebates, creating even more savings for the customer.

                  While we were there, we also replaced weather stripping and sealed several major air leaks in the building envelope.  Here are several pictures:

Getting started:

Adjusting the rough opening:

The finished product:

August 2009

                  Earlier this year Matt achieved national designation as a Certified Graduate Builder through the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB).  Certified Graduate Builder (CGB) is an exclusive professional designation designed to emphasize business and project management skills as the key to a professional building operation. 

                  According to the NAHB, “the CGB designation focuses on effective management in the office and on the jobsite, covering a range of subjects including codes and standards, skills in material selection and application techniques, and analysis of all stages of new home construction”.

                  “Instruction also includes scheduling and estimating skills, job cost procedures, accounting principles and basic contract law.  The designation requires that graduates meet prescribed standards of practice and experience, complete a comprehensive education curriculum and pledge to uphold the program’s code of ethics”.

                  Today’s building and remodeling environment requires continual education because of rapidly changing materials, techniques, regulations, and management procedures.  Clark & Company believes it takes a concerted effort to remain informed, educated, and up-to-date.

                  If a man empties his purse into his head, no one can take it from him.  An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.  ~   Benjamin Franklin   

July 30, 2009

We just finished installing a truckload (literally!) of doors and windows.

Preparing the rough opening, flashing, and site built pan flashing:

Assembling the door and transom unit:

Setting a window:

Preparing a window to receive an antique stained glass panel (to be installed after construction is complete):

July 5, 2009

                  Here are pictures from a recent job we finished.  The homeowners had begun an extensive renovation and addition to their historic home which was built in 1907.  Clark & Company became involved after they encountered difficulties with the contractor who began the project.   We finished many aspects of the project, some of which are described below.

                  We cleaned the brick, installed the board and batten wall covering, tongue and groove ceiling, window trim to match the original trim, pine flooring, and reproduction balustrade.  The turned column was original to the property where it was removed from an exterior porch.  We were able to restore and reuse it by extending the base.   

                  The owners’ stained glass was partially installed by the previous contractor, and we were able to finish it by fabricating new jambs and casing.  The efficiency was improved by integrating the window into the drainage plane, foaming the rough opening, and caulking as necessary.

The salvaged corner cupboard was salvaged and modified for reuse in another portion of the house.

We also fixed several waterproofing details, both interior and exterior.

June 1, 2009

       Clark & Company recently completed porch renovations at an apartment complex in Roanoke.  The job was unique in several ways.  We replaced seventy-six porch columns, and added seventy-two railing sections.  After cordoning off the work area, we supported the porch roofs on temporary posts.  Next we cut the existing ¼” steel columns flush with the top of the concrete slab.  Then we filled the resulting void with fast-setting high-strength grout.

      After the grout had sufficiently cured, we installed new commercial grade vinyl columns with aluminum load-bearing cores.  The porch rack was then re-wrapped with new metal, and the railing sections were installed.  Because  of the high volume of columns and rails, we were able to develop a systematic approach that led to high productivity.

Before photo:

After photo:

May 15, 2009

Finished!

    The house has been finished, and has been tested for energy efficiency.  It exceeded all of the requirements for certification by Energy Star and EarthCraft.  The homeowners are enjoying their beautiful new home!

April 8, 2009

    The house near Troutville will soon be finished, and we will miss working there.  The setting is serene, and the owners have made wonderful selections resulting in a simply gorgeous house!  It is being built to EarthCraft standards, and will provide many years of comfortable, energy-efficient, maintenance-free living for the owners.  If you would like a tour please contact us.

The exterior prior to siding and stone installation

Full thickness closed cell foam insulation

Locally harvested cedar trimwork

The front porch

March 13, 2009  (Updated April 1, 2009)

    The Show was well attended and we had the pleasure of visiting with many current and future customers!

    Clark & Company is excited to be part of the upcoming Home Show Better Living Expo 2009!  This show is the largest of its kind in Southwest Virginia, featuring over 180 vendors in one convenient location.  It is produced by the Roanoke Regional Homebuilders Association.  The show will be held March 27, 28, 29 at the Salem Civic Center.

    Please stop by and visit with us.  We will be available to field any of your questions, and would love to talk about any projects you may have in mind.

    For more information about the show, visit the Roanoke Regional Homebuilders website.

February 19, 2009

    On February 6, Clark & Company had the pleasure of assisting with the district wide SkillsUsa competition.  High school students from throughout the area gather to compete in a wide range of technical skills.  We provided assistance with the Carpentry Competition, and it was a pleasure to watch the students work.  They showed tremendous potential as the craftsmen of tomorrow.  It is encouraging to see young people who are actively learning the building trades, and are interested in quality craftsmanship.  We extend our sincere best wishes to all the participants as they work toward achieving their career goals.

February 3, 2009

We have been busy at the house near Troutville. 

Will post more pictures soon!

January 11, 2009

Recap of the work at Mountain View (see earlier story)

                  Clark & Company completed the work specified, which included structural rehab and replacement of the porte-cochere and rotunda roof framing.  We provided a sound roof deck for the roofing contractor to work from, and also began the initial replacement of decorative soffit and other trim details.  We hope the City will soon be able to continue refurbishing this architectural gem!

When the old roofing material was removed, the water damage was apparent:

We removed the roof decking:

The framing was exposed, and the suspected structural damage was confirmed.  Most of the rafters were damaged, the ceiling joists were sagging 1+” in 20’, the ridge pole had settled almost 4”, and the supporting girders were sagging and decayed:

The entire roof system was deconstructed:

Once the girders were removed, the structural elements of some columns required repair:

The girders were reconstructed:

All of the roof framing elements were reframed, including the concealed gutter troughs:

On the other side of the building, the semi-circular rotunda roof also required work:

Portions of the decking were actually missing, and some of the rafters were damaged:

After the damaged areas were identified, they were repaired:

Once we were finished repairing the roof deck, the roofing contractor returned and installed new roofing.

December 27, 2008

                  Clark & Company has begun construction of a custom house for clients who are moving to the Roanoke Valley from Massachusetts.  The house is located in southern Botetourt County in a serene setting nestled in a hollow, and surrounded by farmland that is protected by conservation easements.  In keeping with the owners’ principles and beliefs, the house is smaller than most, with each space tailored to meet their specific needs.

                  The house will be inspected by a third-party energy auditor, and is being built to qualify for Earthcraft and Energy Star certification.  The house will be very energy efficient, and is being constructed from materials that lessen the impact on the environment. 

                  For more information on energy efficient and earth friendly construction practices, contact Information@ClarkHomesofDistinction.com.

December 12, 2008

     Clark & Company was recently hired to add a new staircase to a wonderful house in Roanoke.  The original stairs were removed years ago to divide the two floors into a duplex.  When the current owners purchased the house they converted it back to a single family home.  The challenge was to find a location that would allow for a new staircase while minimally disrupting the already renovated interior.  As you can see from the pictures below, we brought the new stairs through the roof of a single story addition, and into the sidewall of the second floor.  The project had many "special challenges".  We had to relocate plumbing and wiring, and work with the existing metal shingles and membrane roofing.  We discovered badly damaged sill plates (see the two pictures at the end), a hidden window, and many other bonuses!

November 16, 2008

    As members of the community, we at Clark & Company believe in making our community a better place for all.  We care about the natural beauty that abounds in the Roanoke Valley and surrounding areas.  We care about the current residents, and future residents.  We want the valley to be an attractive place for our children and grandchildren to live and prosper.

    So far this year, employees, friends, and family members have donated over one hundred hours of community service with the following agencies:

Rebuilding Together  (providing home repairs to low income, elderly, or disabled homeowners)

Clean Valley Day (litter collection)

Botetourt Citizens Recycling Committee

Sierra Club (trail maintenance)

    Clark & Company is also a proud supporter of Pathfinders for Greenways, and Roanoke Valley Cool Cities Coalition.  Please contact us for more information on any of these organizations.

November 1, 2008

    EarthCraft Virginia provides a certification process for single family and multifamily projects. It serves as a blueprint for healthy, comfortable homes that reduces utility bills and protects the environment. EarthCraft House is your best assurance for a quality home.

    EarthCraft promotes diligent airsealing and energy efficiency. Airsealing of the building envelope and its mechanical systems, while still allowing for fresh air intake, provides a tighter building envelope at little additional cost. There is less communication of air and sound between units and better indoor air quality through the use of managed fresh-air intakes. Thus, projects are more energy efficient, less costly to occupy, and more durable overall. 

Resource efficient materials such as concrete with fly ash, cellulose insulation, and carpet pad and carpet containing recycled materials defer wastes from landfills. With window and insulation levels that exceed code, water conservation measures, and the use of ENERGY STAR appliances, utility bills remain low after move in.

    Clark & Company believes in the principles and practices of EarthCraft building.  Matt, Luke, Jason, and Alex are all graduates of the EarthCraft training program.

WWW.ECVirginia.org

October 15, 2008

    We enjoy unusual projects, and are often asked to build things that are out of the ordinary.  One of our customers bought four antique brass teller screens that were removed from a local bank years ago.  She asked us to create some sort of a frame that would allow her to display them on her wall.  Here is the wood surround we created for her.

September 28, 2008

     Clark & Company provides full service remodeling and renovation services.  These are before and after pictures of a deck renovation and sunroom addition we completed earlier this year.  We replaced the damaged decking boards with environmentally friendly composite decking, and added additional deck space.  As you can tell from the pictures, we also added a sunroom, incorporating EzeBreeze windows, a vaulted ceiling, and re-used skylights.

September 9, 2008

      In August, Matt had the pleasure of speaking to a group of educators.  The audience consisted of about sixty instructors in the building trades from across the state of Virginia.  The Virginia Trade and Industrial Educators group met in Roanoke, and invited Matt to speak about the current trends in green building practices.

     These educators have the very important task of teaching public school students about the construction industry.  They provide guidance and training to the students who are on their way to becoming the skilled workers of tomorrow.  The program was entitled Green Building 101, and covered topics such as:

-What is green building?

-Why do it?

-What are the basic principles?

-How is it verified?

-What is the cost?

-What is the future?

          If you have questions, or would like for someone from Clark & Company to address your group, please send us an email, we would be happy to discuss your needs.

August 25,2008

BBB Advice on Hiring Contractors for Home Improvements and Remodeling

                  With the National Association of Realtors’ reporting current pending home sales down 21.4 percent from the first quarter of 2007, and Standard & Poor’s citing the steepest decline in home values in the 20-year history of its housing index, many homeowners are now choosing to remodel their current home rather than selling in an effort to hold home values in a turbulent U.S. housing market.  To execute the strategy successfully, most projects require professional help and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is offering advice and guidance on finding trustworthy contractors who can help make the strategy pay off.

                  According to the Home Improvement Research Institute (HIRI), homeowners spent 306.7 billion on remodeling projects in 2007.  Despite substantial declines in other U.S. housing market indicators, HIRI expects only a modest decline in home improvement spending in 2008, and estimates the amount of money spent by homeowners will exceed $302 billion.

                  Many homeowners feel that finding a trustworthy contractor is a difficult task.  According to the recently released BBB/Gallup Trust in Business Survey, 73 percent of respondents indicated that they didn’t have a great deal or a lot of trust in contractors.

                  “Homeowners often don’t know where to begin looking for reliable help for home improvement projects, but finding a trustworthy contractor doesn’t have to be a difficult task,” said Julie Wheeler, President and CEO of the BBB of Western Virginia.  “While asking friends and family for references is advised, homeowners can start their research easily and quickly online with free BBB Reliability Reports that provide an unbiased assessment on many types of contractors operating in their community”.

                  For homeowners planning to make renovations, the BBB offers the following advice on how to choose a contractor they can trust:

Start with trust

                  Most homeowners have heard of, and in some cases experienced, shady contractors that ask for payment up front, perform shoddy work, and then refuse refunds or redress of issues.  The BBB encourages homeowners to do their homework- starting online at www.vawest.bbb.org where they can search the BBB’s online directory for BBB Member contractors and remodeling businesses in their area.

Get references

                  The BBB recommends homeowners ask all contractors for local references and then take the next step by finding out if those customers were satisfied with the contractor’s work.  If possible, homeowners should visit and inspect completed projects.

Ask the experts

                  The BBB advises that homeowners find out if a contractor is a member of a professional association which has standards or a code of ethics.  All BBB Member Businesses have agreed to uphold BBB standards for ethics in the marketplace.  Homeowners can also check with the BBB to learn how long a contractor has been in business and if the firm has been responsive to any complaints filed with the BBB.

Compare costs

                  Homeowners should solicit at least three bids from prospective contractors based upon the same building specifications, materials, labor and time needed to complete the project.  Homeowners need to discuss bids in detail with each contractor, making certain they understand the reasons for any variations in the prices and not automatically making a decision based on lowest price.  Cost differences may include issues such as quality of materials, craftsmanship and subcontracting for specialized labor.

Check on insurance

                  The BBB reminds homeowners to ask contractors if the company is insured against claims covering worker’s compensation, property damage and personal liability in case of accidents.  Further, the BBB advises people to then call to verify the contractor’s insurance coverage after obtaining the name of their carrier and agency.

Are they bonded/licensed?

                  Contractors must typically meet licensing and bonding requirements set by the state, county or city housing authority.  Homeowners should confirm the contractor meets all requirements and can legally operate in the state.

                  By contacting the State Board for Contractors (804-367-8500), homeowners may confirm proper state licensing.  Bonding is through the contractor’s insurance company and would need to be checked directly through that agency.  Also, if required, check with the local Commissioner of Revenue to ensure the contractor has a current business license.

                  Given the tough housing market, it’s important that homeowners make smart, informed decisions affecting their most valuable investment – their homes.  For advice they can trust on finding reliable professionals to help with home improvement and remodeling projects, homeowners can turn to www.vawest.bbb.org.

Reprinted from BBB The Bridge May 2008, Vol 5/08

August 11, 2008

         Sustainable building materials are those which can be produced without depleting the finite resources of our environment.  Clark & Company prefers to use sustainable materials when possible.  One example of a sustainable material is finger-jointed wood, which is made from small pieces of wood that would otherwise be discarded.  Finger-jointed wood is often used for trim applications that will be painted.

           Cork flooring is another good example of a sustainable building material.  It is produced by peeling the bark off of the cork tree, which does not damage the tree.  The bark grows back, and can be harvested again in as few as seven years.  Bamboo is also sustainable because it grows very quickly.  It commonly grows up to twelve inches in a twenty-four hour period!

            These are pictures of Clark & Company installing cork and bamboo flooring at recent commercial projects, and a cork tree that has been recently harvested.                                                             

July 29, 2008

                 The “Fishburne Mansion” was built in 1908 by Roanoke businessman and benefactor Junius Blair Fishburne.  The City of Roanoke inherited the magnificent structure in 1955, and is currently using the building for various community functions, as the Mountain View Recreation center.

                  Over the course of the past 100 years, the 40 room house has slowly developed roof leaks and other maintenance problems.  In early 2008, the city launched a major restoration project, beginning with the repair of the terra cotta tile and copper roof.  Renaissance Roofing, a specialty roofing contractor from Illinois was contracted to perform the roof restoration.  Renaissance entered into an agreement with Clark & Company to perform much of the specialized carpentry work involved in repairing roof substrates and framing, as well as some exterior trimwork.

                  Clark and Company is actively working on the project, which involves re-constructing and repairing the porte-cochere, rotunda, concealed gutters, and other areas.  All work is being completed in a manner which preserves the architectural integrity of the historic building.    Trim pieces that are salvageable are re-used, and custom millwork has been made to replace badly damaged elements.  This project will be an ongoing endeavor for the City of Roanoke, and Clark & Company is excited to be a part of the process!