A crawlspace is susceptible to moisture and deterioration problems because of contact with the earth. Installing a  6-mil polethylene vapor diffusion barrier across the crawl space floor will prevent soil moisture from migrating into the crawl space. At Bussell Building, we not only use a barrier, but also pour gravel into the crawlspace following the pouring of footer and stem walls to further absorb moisture. By using both methods in conjunction with sealing the cold joints, proper grading and diverting downspouts properly away from the structure, it protects your home from damage such as wood rot of floor joists and sub-floor, termite infestation and mold growth. Below is an illustration of our crawlspace vs. a comparable new construction property by a competing builder.

As you can see from the reference photos, a thin layer of gravel does not adequately protect this homeowner from moisture and the damage which will follow. When shopping for your new home, be sure to look at every component of construction – including the crawlspace.

* Source: US Department of Energy

Proper installation of insulation and R-factor  are  extremely important in creating the highest quality  thermal envelope. Purchasing a home with high qualty materials and workmanship will save you money in energy costs for years to come. Below is an illustation of our standard installation practice for wall insulation:

All of our Bussell-Built homes in the Classic, Signature and Custom Series homes offer R-15 high density insulation as a standard feature. However, the proper installation of a quality product is as important as the R-factor.

• Facing should be placed toward living spaces
• Faced insulation must be stapled over the face of the studs
• Continuous envelope with no penetrations
• The batt flange should be stapled to the face of the framing with overlap
• Each batt should be stapled every 8″ per manufacturers specifications
• Batts shall be correctly sized to fit snugly at sides and ends
• No gaps nor should it be doubled-over or compressed
• Cut to butt-fit around wiring/plumbing or be split (delaminated) to wrap around

*Note: We also use foam insulation on all electrical/plumbing/window/door penetrations for added R-value.

Below is an illustration of sub-standard installation technique.

Although this particular builder used R-13, which is standard for our temperature zone, notice the gaps between the insulation and wall studs, lack of continuous overlapping envelope and loosely fitted batt. Other inferior workmanship issues were noted such as batt cut too short, leaving a 1.5″ gap in wall, walls/floors were not caulked and sealed and electrical penetrations were improperly cut and fitted.

When considering buying/building a new home or remodeling your existing home, it is important to observe the construction practices of all  contractors you are considering, in varying stages of construction. It is important to be an informed consumer, which allows you to make the best decision for you and your family.

One of the most commonly asked questions regarding the  energy efficienct features of a Bussell-Built home is

“what are low E windows and how do they benefit the customer?”

All specturms of light produce heat. We are familiar with visible light, but the harmful, damaging type is UV (ultra violet). UV frequency produces a tremedous amount of light and heat, which can damage carpet, furniture and other components in the home as light enters the home. Low “E” (emissivity) windows are double-paned, chromium plated and Argon filled to stave off the effects of UV radiation and solar heat.

Low E windows provide unimpeded, visual light through the glass, but prevents UV radiation and solar heat from entering. During hot summer months, low E glass can prevent as much as 96% of solar heat and up to 86% of UV light. This assists your HVAC system to operate more efficeintly, saving you money on utilities.

We often illustrate how effective low E windows work by having our customers place their hands on the exterior pane and then sliding them to the inside of the pane. In extreme temperatures, the difference is significant. Offering low E windows in addition to insulating window wrap and the  use of foam insulation of all exterior penetrations, Bussell Building provides our customers with impressive energy savings!