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Net-Zero: A Goal Within Reach!

Mon, 01 May 2023 04:12:00 GMT

Stories of net-zero living and families who live with zero carbon emissions can often conjure up images of exclusive communities and shiny sterile homes. And while those homes may have their place, for many, that lifestyle could never feel like home. But is this all net-zero is?

What is Net-Zero?

The term “net-zero” refers to living in a way that completely balances out carbon emissions, bringing the net total of a person’s carbon footprint contribution to zero. As our planet surges farther past the line of un-sustainability with every passing day, world organizations and countries are placing goals in action to motivate consumers and companies to better align their consumption and output with the planet’s needs for the future. And while it’s true that the effect that one family can have by bringing their lifestyle more in line with net-zero values is minuscule in comparison to the effect that could result by one large corporation doing the same, we believe that this is a poor comparison that does little to set any of us up for success. All changes, however small, are steps in the right direction. So what steps can we all make?

Worthwhile Steps

When considering which changes are most impactful to be made, most sources recommend that instead of thinking too big, we think small. What are everyday energy-wasters in our home? What specific single-use plastics seem to clog up our own trash cans? How can our driving style make what gas we do use last a bit longer?

Building for Success with Sustainability

At XtremeADU, we believe that Net-Zero Living is not a lifestyle only achievable to a select few. We seek to inspire people to not just view Net-Zero as a concept for constructing their house but as an ideal that can become a living and breathing piece of their home and lifestyle.

Building a home set up to generate and run on solar energy as well as being designed for maximum temperature retention can be a great next step for families looking to do more to bring their lives more in-line with the ultimate goal of net-zero. All XtremeADU’s come solar-ready, and with easy add-on options to leverage your desire to help the Earth while providing you with a place that looks and feels like home, wherever home is for you and your family.

We strongly hold that viewing net-zero as a goal instead of one large step and taking gradual changes as they come is the most sustainable way for families to make this step. It’s a journey, and a worthwhile one to undertake! Call us to talk more about Net-Zero living and how easy we can make that jump for you. Your first step is really that simple!

Structurally Insulated Panels: An Xtreme Workhorse

Fri, 31 Mar 2023 17:21:00 GMT

At XtremeADU, one of the topics we’re most passionate about is the materials we use to build. We’ve been in the industry a long time, and have been able to really hone our skills and techniques to keep families warm and cozy in their homes not just once the build is finalized, but for many long years to come. One of our favorite topics to wax poetic on is the use of Structurally Insulated Panels, or SIPs for short. We’ve individually been building with them for years, and exclusively work with SIPs for all of our XtremeADU models because we are that passionate about their structural superiority, health benefits, speed of assembly, and energy efficiency.

Join us in taking a brief deep-dive into our favorite building material and to learn why your next build should absolutely use SIPs!

What are SIPs?

SIP stands for Structurally Insulated Panel, and in a nutshell, that’s exactly what it is. SIPs sandwich a layer of rigid insulation between two OSB (oriented strand boards) and are then worked with as one unit. These panels provide both structure and insulation in one step, and can thus be assembled as one unit instead of framing out the home and then adding insulation later.

While this seems innovative, this concept and even SIPs themselves are hardly new! This technology was originally developed and experimented with in the 1930’s in search of a way to better utilize wood products by distributing the structural load of a building over structural facings and reducing the additional structural members needed for a project. A series of test homes were built in Madison, Wisconsin, which are still standing strong today.

In the 30’s and 40’s, famous architect Frank Loyd Wright used this technology in his iconic homes. One of his students is credited with further developing this technology for residential construction use and commercial production, and the 60’s and 70’s thus saw a surge in use of SIPs panels.

The 1990’s brought about both developments in production that reduced the price and allowed for more precise sizing to better suit individual projects. [ 1 ]

Why Could SIPs Be Right For Your Build?

Of course, as a company that uses SIPs technology in all of our homes, we’re admittedly biased. But for good reason- we’ve built countless homes over the years, and have seen how their contributions towards the durability of the home and the health of the inhabitants make them the only material we trust to build your home with.

Health
Due to the airtight envelope, or seal, achieved with SIPs buildings, all air entering the home comes through only controlled access points such as air vents. These systems have filters that remove wildfire smoke, mold, pollen, humidity, and other pollutants or allergens.

The SIPs materials we use in XtremeADU homes are also VOC-free, and free of any health-harming chemicals. This means no formaldehyde or any other unwanted chemicals in your home. [ x ]

Speed
Since SIPs combine multiple steps of a traditional build into one, build time is significantly reduced! This translates into lower labor costs, as well as being able to enjoy your home or bring in renters much quicker! According to one study, building a residential home with out SIPs can take up to 122% longer . [ x ]

Energy efficiency

When aiming for energy efficiency in a home, insulation is a key player. Whether your goal is to save your bank account or to save the planet, strategic insulation choices can have a big impact; heating and cooling the average home can account for up to 50% of energy usage. In addition to extremely effective insulation, SIPs are known for their superior air sealing, allowing less heat to enter- or escape! [ x ]

At Xtreme, we hold that SIPs build better, and we love digging deep into this topic with potential clients. Have more questions? Curious to learn more? Call us today to chat SIPs and to learn how they could work for your project!

Building Smaller to Live Bigger - How XtremeADU’s and Tiny Homes Compare

Sun, 22 Jan 2023 20:18:00 GMT

With the recent social trends encouraging mindfulness and living with less, the Tiny House Movement has caught a lot of traction. Whether for the freedom and lifestyle it promises, financial accessibility, or the chance to get back to what’s important, people all over the country are jumping on board. But what exactly is a tiny house, and how does it compare with what we offer at XtremeADU?

While typical American single-family homes tend to hover around an average of 2,300 square feet, tiny homes are, well, tiny in comparison. While there is no standard set or regulation to qualify a home as a “tiny home,” it’s generally accepted that tiny homes fall under 400 square feet. But why so small?

For many, the financial advantages make this lifestyle shift so attractive. According to a recent study , now one in four renters spend more than half their incomes on housing. Those who can save enough to buy a home will spend years of their lives paying it off and may have to work harder and longer. In a post-pandemic world, or at the very least in a world trying to grapple its way back, working harder and longer is something that many Americans are not willing to do .

Enter the concept of living small. Whereas a traditional home may take 30 years to pay off and a large amount to heat, cool, and keep humming, the smaller the space, the smaller the economic impact. Drastically lower monthly payments mean incredible financial freedom and increased decision-making power for homeowners.

Another aspect of tiny homes that appeals to some is the ability to take their homes along for the ride, wherever life may lead. Traditionally built on a trailer base, tiny homes can be picked up and towed to a new location, parked on a piece of land, and then moved again in the future.

Of course, as with anything, tiny homes have their pain points.

More often than not, they are built to travel, not built to last. Depending on the build and upkeep, your tiny home may only last for the next ten years . For some, this may be the perfect window of time to see the world or save up for traditional home ownership. But for many, this rules out a tiny home as a lasting solution to the issue of sustainable housing options for their family. This can also be a concern in areas that experience extreme weather, and many tiny homes have to be retrofitted explicitly for these circumstances.

At XtremeADU, we’re incredibly passionate about many of the topics that happen to be cornerstones of the tiny house movement.

Just the right size, whatever that is!

While tiny homes often are constrained to the trailer size they will be built on, our homes come in whatever size is best for you, from tiny to not-so-tiny! Our smallest model, X2, clocks in at 360 sq feet, bringing it below the threshold of 400 many views as the guidelines for a tiny home. If living more simply and scaling back is appealing to you and your family but living tiny isn’t a good fit, we offer homes up to 1,200 sq feet.

Financially accessible now and for years to come

While building an XtremeADU home is much more financially accessible than building a traditional home, the real benefits are for years to come. With several customization options available, including our net-zero package, your home could quickly start producing its own energy. This means low-to-zero energy bills, which could end up saving you incredible amounts of money over the lifetime of your home. In this climate of soaring energy costs , this is no small savings.

A home for the long haul

Whether you’re looking to build a home for your family, relocate loved ones closer to you, or gain an additional source of rental income, your XtremeADU is here for the long haul. We offer performance homes built to even higher standards than your traditional stick-built home. Our exclusive use of SIPs panels makes our homes able to endure up to three times the force level of an average home , much less a tiny home. We conform only to the highest standards of construction methods of strength and efficiency to ensure that your home keeps you and your family safe for decades to come. This is a permanent home, ready to take on the extreme conditions we see today.

Could an XtremeADU be the path forward on your journey to build smaller and live simpler while creating a long-lasting solution for your family?

Visit our Finished Packages page to view our available homes, and contact us today to talk more about your vision for your home.