Nutmeg Homes uses the BC building code as a base minimum, not as a goal to be achieved. A very highly placed official in the BC building code office commented that a house built to code was ‘the poorest built structure legally allowed’. The following list contains some of the ways that Nutmeg Homes exceeds these minimums.

Partial List of Nutmeg Homes Components

• Below Grade
  • 18″ × 8″ concrete footings with 2 rows of continuous 10mm rebar horizontal and embedded vertical 12″ × 24″ 10mm rebar every 32’’
  • continous lapped dimple membrane water proofing sheeting with sealed top transition to protective stucco parging above grade
  • solid pvc drainage pipe, covered with drain rock and fiberglass filter fabric
• Insulated Concrete Walls From Footings to Roof Trusses
  • exterior surface – 2 3/4 inch expanded polystyrene insulation outer layer (R12 continous including all corners)
  • 6 inch 28 mpa concrete
  • minimum 10 mm vertical rebar reinforcing every 16 inches
  • minimum 10 mm horizontal rebar reinforcing every 16 inches
  • interior surface – 2 3/4 inch expanded polystyrene insulation inner layer (R12 continous including all corners)
  • additional rebar around all windows and doors
  • concrete embedded hurricane strap tie-down for every truss connection
  • footing to wall rebar connections every 32 inches
• Rehau Windows (manufactured by Vera-de Windows in the Comox Valley)
  • air leakage A3 (highest possible rating)
  • water leakage B7 (highest possible rating on current Canadian scale – actual performance is higher)
  • wind resistance C5 (highest possible rating – hurricane and highrise certified)
  • 20 year warrantee on vinyl frame and seal
  • 10 year warrantee on sealed glass unit
  • triple sealed casement opening windows, or tilt/turn (no sliders)
  • exterior sealed with embedded metal flashing system
  • interior sealed with expanding insulated foam
• Radiant infoor heat in
  • all bathrooms
  • kitchen
  • all bedrooms
  • living room
  • all other interior rooms
  • usually the garage too!
• Radiant Heat system
  • 1 1/2 inch hydronic heated concrete
  • separate zone controlled thermostats for each room / area
  • zone loop balancing control system
  • worm drive silent hydronic actuators
• Heat Recovery Ventilator system
  • microfiltered and balanced air supply
  • 90% efficient energy recovery/transfer
  • bathrooms, kitchen and laundry stale air exhaust vented
  • all living areas fresh air supply vented
  • high speed over ride timers in bathrooms and kitchen
  • humiditstat override, multi speed, whole house variable pulse timer controls
• Energuide Rating of 80 or higher
  • blower door tested – air change rating of 1.3 or lower
  • compact florescent bulbs where feasible
  • energuide rated appliances (if included)
  • top rated windows U rating of 1.53 or lower

Concrete embedded truss tiedown

Our list of standard methods, materials and items generally grows and matures with every home we build. We strive for constant improvement in; our designs, energy efficiency, structural strength and long term sustainability. A home should be more than a major financial investment, it should also be comfortable, durable and efficient. It is important to mention that the building code is regularly updated and the last version was a big improvement and the next version may be a significant step in ensuring the ongoing ideal of improving the quality of Canadian homes. At the end of the day it is up to consumers to lead the charge.