Architectural Guides, Resources, and Information

When building an addition, it is rather easy to penetrate and disrupt the thermal envelope of your original house. Freezing pipes and high heating bills can result. If a vented attic approach is chosen, care must be taken to insulate and seal the original wall and...

The new residential energy code is finally requiring more than 2 X 4 studs with R-13 cavity insulation at the exterior walls of your new home. Consider adding 1” or 2” thick XPS board insulation to the outside face of your structural sheathing. This will provide a...

Homeowners who are outgrowing their existing home often struggle when trying to make up their mind whether to expand their existing house or build a new house. Having designed over 500 additions and new homes since I started my own architecture firm in 2005, I have...

If you are building a new home or a significant addition, you will likely find yourself considering various options to insulate the exterior walls and attic. Each option has a stated “R Value” which measures the resistance to heat loss. The higher the R Value the...

Do you have a physical limitation that makes it difficult to use the stairs or a bathroom in a typical single family home? These difficulties can jeopardize your sense of confidence and even cause you to give up your independence. My architecture firm, DRF DESIGN, is...