Jessica Chaloux

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Ok, So How Much Does Building Your Own Home Cost?

Jul 16, 2024 | finehomebuilding.com | Ian Schwandt |Jessica Chaloux

Owner-builder Ian Schwandt describes the cost planning that went into his single-family home build in 2021. He breaks down the actual costs for each item in each phase of the build along with the amount of sweat equity included in each phase, and describes how to plan financially for a project — including financing, design, and sourcing materials and subcontractors — before building begins.
Wrapping PVC Box Beams

Apr 3, 2024 | finehomebuilding.com | Jessica Chaloux

In this video we revisit the rear-porch remodel where Justin Cline, lead carpenter at Eldon Builders, is wrapping box beams using Versatex 1x trim boards. On the day we showed up it was raining, so Justin sorted some material, loaded the truck, and moved the operation to the shop so he could mill up the parts and walk us through the assembly before returning to the job site for installation. Justin: So here I have a real-life, full-scale drawing of the cross section of the beam that we’re making.
Installing a PVC Porch Ceiling

Apr 2, 2024 | finehomebuilding.com | Jessica Chaloux

In this video we catch up with Justin Cline of Eldon Builders, lead carpenter on a whole-house remodel on the New Jersey coast. To date, the builders have lifted the house 2 ft., completely gutted the interior, installed new windows, and air-sealed and insulated the building, and they are now tackling the trim and siding.
Creating and Installing PVC Tapered Columns

Apr 2, 2024 | finehomebuilding.com | Jessica Chaloux

In this video we follow Justin Cline, lead carpenter at Eldon Builders, into the shop where he breaks down 3/4-in. PVC Versatex sheet goods to make the parts for the tapered columns detailed for the front of the house. Before heading to the job site, Justin will glue and assemble the parts into half-columns for transport and installation. Justin Cline: Today, we’re going to produce a couple of tapered columns for the front elevation of the building. Ultimately, it ends up as a trapezoid.
Installing and Flashing Windows Before Housewrap

Feb 26, 2024 | finehomebuilding.com | Mike Guertin |Jessica Chaloux

There are a few good reasons why builders and installers may choose to install windows before housewrap—open-stud construction, windy conditions, project scheduling, and the building inspection process, to name a few. Sometimes it’s just local custom. With proper flashing techniques and protection around the rough opening, you can install windows before adding the mechanically fastened water-resistive barrier (housewrap), and ensure they’re just as well-protected from the weather.
Spray Foam Insulation in a Gut Remodel

Feb 15, 2024 | finehomebuilding.com | Jon Beer |Jessica Chaloux

Jon Beer is using a combination of open-cell and closed-cell spray-foam insulation due to varying construction types in old and new parts of Fine Homebuilding House New York. In this video, Jon details his decision to use spray foam and how he used a preinsulation blower-door test to assess the house’s airtightness before insulation and to identify areas for air-sealing. Here’s the transcript:I’m Jon Beer from Jon Beer Contracting.
Balancing Window Selections for Performance and Budget

Nov 28, 2023 | finehomebuilding.com | Jon Beer |Jessica Chaloux

In this video of FHB House New York, Jon Beer discusses his process of balancing budget, performance, and aesthetics when selecting the Andersen 100 Series windows for his home. On the addition section of his home, he installed flanged windows, and on the existing brick structure he installed replacement-style windows. In both scenarios, Jon and team relied on best practices to get maximum performance and long life out of the windows.
HVAC and Indoor-Air Quality

Oct 25, 2023 | finehomebuilding.com | Travis Brungardt |Joe Cook |Jessica Chaloux

In this FHB House video, Travis Brungardt and Joe Cook discuss HVAC, indoor-air quality, and the equipment they installed to achieve the home’s goals in those areas. Flex ducting was chosen to reduce material costs, make installation easier around the trusses, and maintain a quiet atmosphere. And a two-zone system was implemented that includes strategic thermostat placement, humidity sensing and control, an on-demand water heater, and an ERV for bringing fresh air into an airtight home.
Replacing Old Shingles with a New Metal Roof

Sep 14, 2023 | finehomebuilding.com | Jon Beer |Jessica Chaloux

During the reroofing stage of FHB House New York, Jon Beer and his team replaced the old shingle roof with a new exposed-fastener metal roof. This decision was driven by a combination of performance considerations and Jon’s aesthetic preference. In this video, see how they prepare for the new roof and how Jon achieves a more modern look by reducing the original 18-in. roof overhang. Here’s the transcript:As you can see behind me, we are making progress on the exterior.