Questions and Answers
with Kevin Shawhan, owner of Benchmark
Click here to read the interview...
About Us
There’s no mistaking a Benchmark home.
Craftsmanship
With a passion for perfection, Benchmark’s team consistently demonstrates mastery of its trade. Carpenters, plumbers, electricians and painters work together with a sense of purpose, an understanding that quality is paramount.
Materials
Plantation-grown hardwoods. Natural stonework. Modern contours. Whether creating lavish textures or subtle colors, a Benchmark home is uniquely delightful. Inside and out, only the best materials are assembled to exceed your expectations.
Detail
Design principles of color, scale, shape and texture are utilized to create bold statements or tasteful nuances. No detail is too small. No standard is too high. From the fixtures and lighting to the windows and moldings, the result is a home that is both beautiful and functional.
Authentic Architecture. Modern Conveniences.
Trust Benchmark to restore your historic home to a dignity that may have been lost in previous renovations. We’ll maintain the integrity of the original design while adding all the modern features you desire. Considerable research goes into matching authentic architectural styles with care and precision.
Why do you build green?
“Because it’s the right thing to do. And we don’t just do it for our clients. We build green to protect ourselves from hazardous chemicals found in many building materials. A green home is simply healthier. It’s more comfortable for it’s inhabitants and it will cost less to operate.”
What does building green mean to you?
“It means using techniques and materials that are sustainable. Our building process creates the lowest possible carbon footprint and the finished home is extremely energy efficient. For example, we’ll use framing techniques that use less wood. We’ll buy locally-produced lumber and we’ll separate all the material so it can be re-purposed or recycled later.”
Are your clients asking for green homes?
“Yes. All our projects since 2005 have been green homes. It’s just what we’re doing now.”
Is everything green, or do you have to make compromises?
“There are ways to do everything sustainably, but yes sometimes there are compromises. Some green products just aren’t as durable. For example, new insulation and VOC-free paints are just as good, if not better than, the old toxic versions. But the greener wood finishes just don’t hold up to the solvent-based ones. The technology isn’t there yet. In this situation we’ll offer both choices to the client and they’ll make the decision.”
What about the additional cost?
“Green materials are a bit more expensive. You might add 10-15% to the total cost. Installing the green materials and building the house is the same. The most important thing is to start with a design that’s inspired by the site, make the most of natural light and passive solar, and build the house tight with highly-rated insulation and windows. If you do all that, you’re going to have a huge payback on future energy costs that will quickly and far exceed the additional expense in green materials.”
What are some interesting green design innovations?
“Two of my favorite innovations are Faswall construction blocks which are made from recycled wood palettes and ground-up concrete with rigid insulation inside. Also, SIP Panels are Structural Insulated Panels that eliminate most framing materials and create a completely tight, incredibly energy-efficient house. Every aspect of the building industry has research and development on green design, from roofing to the foundation. That wasn’t true even five years ago. Window technology, VOC-free paint, natural wool carpet, all this is just normal these days.”
What are some small, simple green changes anyone can do?
“You can get a free energy audit from the utility companies to find out how to keep your energy bills down. If you add insulation to your attic, the utility might pay for as much as 75% of the cost. When you replace an appliance, make sure it’s rated well by ENERGY STAR. And of course you can always change your light bulbs to compact fluorescents.”
