Page 4 - Page 5

+ Top House Plans of 2014

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+ GB Group in Honduras

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+ Superstar Client+ Positive Quote+ Must Read Book+ iPad Winner

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+ Q & A+ Vocabulary Word+ Riddle+ Healthy Home Tip

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+ Useless Trivial Tidbits+ Talk with Tank

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+ Comic+ Maze+ NWA Community Happenings+ Recipe of the Month+ Riddle Contest Winner

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+ Feature Story: Advanced Home Construction

IN THIS ISSUE:ADVANCED NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION

Because building codes continue to increase in stringency, and housing technology continues to improve, the specifications for energy efficiency continue to become more strict. A positive thing, from a builder’s perspective. The following technologies and procedures can definitively make your home more energy efficient and can save you money in energy bills. I prefer some of these methods over others, for various reasons we can discuss when we have a meeting to talk about your custom home, but this list should serve to open your eyes to options.

1. Super Insulation Wall SystemsInsulated concrete forms (ICFs) are concrete blocks constructed with insulation on the outside. This system creates walls that have a high thermal resistance, with R-values typically above R-17. Even though ICF homes are constructed using concrete, they can look just like traditional stick-built homes. Many of our clients have chosen to build with ICFs.

2. Conventional Framing with Rigid Insulation SheathingThis wall system uses conventional wood framing and foam insulation that is sprayed in place. The foam fills every crack and seam, creating a air-tight barrier.

3. Double Framed WallsTwo sets of conventionally framed walls are constructed with offset vertical framing. This framing eliminates thermal bridging, which is the transfer of hot and cold through materials . This type of framing allows room for additional insulation for increased R-Value.

4. Structural Insulated PanelsStructural insulated panels (SIPs) are prefabricated insulated structural panels for use in walls, ceilings, floors, and roofs. They provide superior and uniform insulation compared to more traditional construction methods (stud or “stick frame”).

5. Super High Efficient HVAC EquipmentCommercially available super efficient heating and cooling equipment include SEER 18 cooling, 9.0+ HSPF heat pumps and 95% AFUE furnaces.

6. Air-Tight Air Handlers with High-Efficiency Variable-Speed Fans Research indicates that approximately half of duct losses occur in the air handler because these products are very leaky. Manufacturers of air-handlers are beginning to offer air-tight cabinets by sealing joints and using gaskets at access door panels. High efficiency speed fans would further increase the overall efficiency of the system.

7. Active Solar HeatingWhen passive solar heating is not enough, supplemental heating can be provided by active solar technologies. Small scale solar space heating systems often use a solar collector that concentrates heat in either a liquid or in the air which is then distributed throughout the home. Active solar heating systems are cost-effective when they are used for a large part of the year, that is, in cold climates with good solar resources, and perhaps aren’t necessary for more temperate climates like Arkansas. They are most economical when displacing more expensive heating fuels, such as electricity, propane, and oil heat.

CUSTOM HOMES AND RENOVATIONS

479.464.7336 - www.BuildWithGBGroup.com

GB Group sends...THE HAPPY HOMEOWNER

JAN - FEB 2015

A BI-MONTHLY NEWSLETTER & GUIDE FOR YOUR HOME

Sift dry ingredients together. Blend eggs, butter, sugar, and sour cream. Add to dry ingredients. Add banana and nuts. Pour into greased 9”x3 1/2” loaf pan. Sprinkle turbinado sugar on top, if you’d like. Bake 350 degrees for 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes. Stick in toothpick, if it pulls out clean, it’s done! YUM!!

Note: Sometimes I substitute plain yogurt for the sour cream, and it works just as well.

Banana Nut Bread

This is another recipe straight from my mom. We love this at our house, and make this bread whenever we have overripe bananas.

Ingredients:2 C Whole Wheat Flour3/4 C Raw Cane Sugar1tsp. Baking Soda1/2 tsp. sea salt2 eggs1/2 C butter 5 Tblsp. Sour Cream 3 Mashed Bananas

1 C chopped nuts (pecans)Pinch of Turbinado Sugar (optional)

Preparation:

Congratulations to Gabriel Smith of Fayetteville!Gabriel was the first to respond to the riddle and is the proud winner of a $5 Starbucks Gift Card! Here is a photo of Gabriel with his cats, Hazel & Gus. Gabriel is our youngest riddle winner yet! Way to go, Gabriel!If any of you are still wondering what the riddle answer is, here you go:

Calling all suckers for brain teasers! Look on page 6 for this month’s riddle, and email in your guess to contact@buildwithgbgroup.com.

This princess is sleepy.Help her find her way to bed.

MAR 07 - Symphony of Northwest Arkansas (SoNA). Walton Arts Center - Fayetteville 7:30 p.m.

MAR 14 - St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Eureka Springs.

MAR 14 - 13th Annual Kiss A Pig Gala. John Q. Hammons - Rogers 6:00 p.m.

MAR 15 - Brandon Heath Concert. John Brown University Cathedral - Siloam Springs 6:30 p.m.

MAR 17 - Fayetteville Farmer’s Market. Downtown Fayetteville.

APR 02 - NWA LeaderCon. John Q. Hammons Center - Rogers 8:30 a.m.

APR 11 - Kite Day. Siloam Springs Municipal Airpor - Siloam Springs.

APR 26 - Natalie Grant Concert. Rogers First Nazarene Church - Rogers 7:00 p.m.

COMMUNITYHAPPENINGS

NWA Recipe

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Last Month’s Riddle: What can you catch but not throw? The Answer Was: A cold.

Last Month’s Riddle Contest Winner

Hello happy clients and friends! Most of you know me, but if not, I’m Jacob Tankersley, home builder, husband, father, business owner, entrepreneur, and avid hunter. My family consists of myself, my wife, two children, and a Golden Retriever, Drake.

TALK WITH TANK (He’s a tank full of information.)

And now, for your Talk With Tank...

Today, I want to talk with you about MASTER BEDROOM CLOSETS. Here, I’ll discuss three closet storage options to explore when building your custom home: Wire, wood and built-in’s. Final choices are typically made based on space and budget.

Wired Closet. This is the most-cost effective option and is preferred for small spaces. However, the inexpensive wire shelving doesn’t always look amazing, and it doesn’t typically work best for large master closets. This option is easy to install and to maintain.

Wood closet. This option is middle-of-the-line in regards to cost. You choose the layout according to your needs and the space available. You can design it to accommodate your purses, boots, suits, long dresses, jewelry, etc., the same as with wire only with a cleaner, classier look and feel.This option typically doesn’t include adjustable shelving, an option with cabinets.

Cabinet closet. Custom cabinets in your master closet is the nicest option, but it does comes with a cost. A cabinet-designed closet is built according to your needs with drawers, adjustable shelves, a custom island, mirrors, dressers, etc. If you have a big walk-in closet, this option just might be for you.

In addition, any master closet can be enhanced with the following add-ons:

1. Pull-down Ironing Board. This is a space-saving and time-saving trick that many love. Very functional and easy to implement.

2. Floor-to-Ceiling Mirror: Makes morning dressing routines much more convenient.

3. Shoe Boxes: Shoe-box columns and shelving near the doors is a way to keep the closet looking neat and organized.

4. Electrical Plugs. Include electrical plugs for convenience. You can charge your phone and play your favorite tune while choosing what to wear. It’s a necessity for vanities inside the closet.

5. Bench. Do you hate tying your shoes while standing? A small bench is a handy add-on to any master closet. Design the bench with extra storage underneath.

6. Vanity. If your closet is big enough, a freestanding or built-in vanity with a lighting mirror and a nice chair can provide the full package for morning or evening dressing preparations.

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USELESS TRIVIAL TIDBITS

1. A 4-year-old asks an average of 437 questions a day.

2. Fifteen minutes of exercise per day can add three years to your life.

3. John Tyler, the 10th President of the United States, has two living grand-children. He was born in 1790.

4. The name of TIME magazine stands for “The International Magazine of Events.” 5. Your brain consumes 20% of your body’s energy.

6. A cubic inch of bone is about four times as strong as concrete.

7. The founders of Hewlett-Packard flipped a coin to determine whose name would come first in the company.

9. After each player has moved three times in a chess match, there are 121 million possible routes that the match could follow.

8. The U.S. pizza industry serves up to 100 acres of pizza every day.

10. Our eyes remain the same size from birth, but the cartilage of our nose and ears never stops growing.

11. EA Sports video game, Madden, has predicted 8 of the past 11 Super Bowls successfully- including this year’s winner, the Patriots.

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TOP 5 HOUSE PLANS 0F 2014We were intrigued to see what floor plans topped the charts this past 2014. According to BuilderHousePlans.com, here are five of the top-selling house plans for 2014. The plans below are not in any particular rank order, and they’re not an all-inclusive list, but we did find it interesting: most of the top-selling house plans had in a few characteristics in common. In a recent survey of house plan shoppers, home features that ranked high on the homeowner must-have lists: 78% wanted an open floor plan, 64% wanted the master bedroom on the main floor, and 61% placed outdoor living space amongst the top priorities. Not surprisingly, these were all features included in the top ten best-selling plans.

All of the top ten boasted impressive outdoor living spaces; some include grilling porches, screened porches, and all of the top ten included at least one outdoor fireplace. Nine out of the top ten plans included the master bedroom on the main floor, and all ten included extensive kitchen counter space which incorporated an island, a snack bar, or both.

Take a look at house plan #1. It has topped the charts for an amazing five years in a row!! Wow! And when we read this, we weren’t surprised. Time and time again, we get clients requesting variations of this floorplan. Why? It embodies many of the current design movements: an extensive lanai and fireplace-heated barbecue in back, lots of kitchen space, a two-way fireplace gracing wide open living spaces, and a master bedroom on the main floor. The plan typically varies anywhere from 2,100 sf on the main floor, up to 3,500 or 4,000, with the most popular square footage on the main floor ranging somewhere between 2,500 and 3,100 sf.

Check out the plans below, and let the layouts inspire you! We look forward to talking with you further about your project!

Visit BuilderHousePlans.com for more details on the plans shown below.

HOUSEPLAN 1 - CRAFTSMAN

PLAN HWBDO14907Bedrooms: 3, 5 Living Area 3,126 sq.ft.Bathrooms: 2, 3 Depth: 84’Garage Bays: 2 Width: 104’ 7’’Stories: 1 Foundation: SlabStyles: Crafstman

HOUSEPLAN 2 - CRAFTSMAN

PLAN HWEPL73227Bedrooms: 3 Living Area 2,847 sq.ft.Bathrooms: 3, 4 Depth: 84’ 10’’Garage Bays: 3 Width: 88’ 8”Stories: 1 Foundation: SlabStyles: Craftsman

TOP 5 HOUSE PLANS 0F 2014 cont...

HOUSEPLAN 3 - CONTEMPORARY/MODERN

PLAN HWEPL75737Bedrooms: 4 Living Area 4,237 sq.ft.Bathrooms: 4 Width: 66’ 2”Garage Bays: 3 Depth: 117’ 10”Stories: 2 Foundation: SlabStyles: Contemporary/Modern

HOUSEPLAN 4 - TUSCAN / CONTEMPORARY

PLAN HWEPL69110Bedrooms: 4 Living Area 4,185 sq.ft.Bathrooms: 4 Width: 115’Garage Bays: 3 Depth: 81’ 4”Stories: 2 Foundation: SlabStyles: Tuscan / Contemporary

HOUSEPLAN 5 - CONTEMPORARY / MODERN

PLAN HWBDO11850Bedrooms: 4 Living Area 4,600 sq.ft.Bathrooms: 3 Width: 76’ 6”Garage Bays: 2 Depth: 65’Stories: 1 Foundation: Walkout

BasementStyles: Contemporary/Modern 5

We heard the following question a lot at the Northwest Arkansas Home Show a few weeks ago:

Q: How do I know the lot/land I’ve picked will work for a particular house plan I have in mind? What factors do I need to consider?

A: There are plenty of factors to consider when searching for the right land or lot. Let’s, for a minute, assume you’ve narrowed it down to something you like. It’s in the right area, at the right price, and includes the amount of space you want. Now, it’s time to start dissecting the land from a builder’s perspective. Here are a few things to consider before you make a purchase: ground/soil quality, slopes, position of your home in conjunction with the sun. Will extra foundational work be needed? If so, what level of cost involved? Where/how will water drain on your land/lot? What’s the prime location for your house, taking into consideration neighbors, water, soil, and topography?

The good news is, you don’t have to know the answers to all these questions! Jacob regularly meets out on potential land/lots with our prospective clients and provides his contractor perspective and recommended approach. In essence, he will help answer the above questions for you, and can make some of your decisions easier! Just give us a call to set up your appointment. 479.464.7336.Or email us at contact@BuildWithGBGroup.com

Questions & AnswersYou ask the Q, We give you the A

RIDDLE CONTEST! BE THE FIRST TO ANSWER THIS RIDDLE & WIN A $5 Starbucks Gift Card

THE RIDDLE:

TO PLAY: Email now with the answer to the above riddle. Whoever responds first with the correct answer wins! Email contact@BuildWithGBGroup.com All ages can play!!!

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insouciance (in-SOO-see-uhns)Noun

1. Lack of care or concern; indifference.

Sentence example: Through his own profligacy and insouciance in raising money, he brought about the very thing he had hoped to avoid.

Word of THE monthVOCABULARY

How do you make the word “one” disappear?

Heidi’s Healthy Home Tip

I discovered this article from the Environmental Working Group, and I agreed with so many of their points, that I wanted to share it with you here. It’s a Healthy Home Checklist, and for the intents and purposes of our newsletter, I’m including the sections on kitchens and bathrooms. Read up, and if needed, make some changes in your home!

KITCHEN• Do you cook with non-stick cookware? Replace with cast-iron,

stainless steel, or glass when possible. Stuck with it? Take care not to overheat it, which releases toxic fumes.

• Do you use plastic food containers? We recommend glass over plastic. Never microwave food in plastic containers. For baby, use glass or BPA-free plastic bottles.

• Do you filter your tap water? Check EWG’s online tap water quality database for local contaminants and a filter that removes them, if needed.

• Do you drink bottled water? Kick the habit. For water on-the-go, get a reusable water bottle, like stainless steel (not plastic or aluminum lined with plastic).

• Any canned food in the pantry? Cook with fresh or frozen whenever possible; most food cans (including liquid infant formula) are lined with bisphenol-A (BPA), a toxic chemical that leaches into the food.

• Do you eat conventionally grown produce? Check EWG’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce to be sure you buy organic when pesticide residues are highest.

• Do you eat high-mercury fish? Ask before eating and head for the lower-mercury types (especially for pregnant women and young children).

BATHROOM• Do you use air fresheners? Don’t! Most contain a number of toxic

chemicals that contaminate the air you breathe. Try natural essential oils as a substitute to freshen all the rooms in your home.

• Is there fragrance in your personal care products? We don’t know what’s in “fragrance,” so it’s safer to choose all fragrance-free personal care products. Always check ingredient lists to be sure.

• What kind of toothpaste do you use? Choose fluoride-free for kids younger than 2 and teach older kids to rinse and spit; fluoride is toxic if swallowed. Also, pick a paste without triclosan -- you’ll see it on the ingredient list. Learn more about fluoride and tricclosan.

• Do you use liquid hand soap? If so, avoid anti-bacterials -- the American Medical Association recommends against using them at home.

• What material is your shower curtain? Avoid vinyl shower curtains. If you get a new curtain (whatever the material), leave it outside for several days before using.

• Do you have extra products? Less is more. Skipping cosmetics like hair spray and detangler, body sprays and powder is less toxic -- and cheaper!

These are some simple steps to move you on your way to a happier, healthier home. Make a few changes at a time, don’t get overwhelmed. And share these tips with your friends. Ignorance is NOT always bliss! :)

Hugs to you all,Heidi

Visit: http://www.ewg.org/research/healthy-home-tips to read even more tips and to find links associated with the tips listed here in our newsletter.

GB GROUP CONSTRUCTION

Phone: 479.464.7336PO BOX 7734

Springdale, AR 72766 7

Thank you for reading this month’s newsletter!

We look forward to potentially working with you on your custom home in the future. We also appreciate when you spread our name amongst your friends and family as a potential builder for them within the Northwest Arkansas area. We are grateful for YOU!

Thanks for reading! Have a fantastic day! Fist bump-- The Team at GB Group Construction

It was so great to see many of you at the NWA HOMESHOW a few weeks ago! We saw lots of familiar faces and met plenty of new people as well! We're excited to talk with YOU more about your custom home project.

IPAD CONTEST WINNER!

Congratulations to Billy & Shannon Campbell of Rogers!

They are the winners of the Grand Prize for our 2014 Referral Contest, and have won an iPad Mini!!!

Thank you, Campbells, for referring others to our company. We are so grateful that you are willing to share our name with your friends and family. Enjoy your new iPad Mini.

This book challenges you to live life at a higher level. No more walking like a zombie through your daily routine, no more moving through the same reactive patterns. Hendricks asserts that we all have an “Upper Limit Problem.” When we reach our upper limits of joy and good feelings, when we’ve experienced more good feelings than we are used to experiencing at any given moment, we will create situations (usually unbeknownst to ourselves) that will bring us back down to our current way of living and thinking. I really loved this book. Read it and try out Hendricks’ principles. Challenge yourself, shake things up, and start living life more consciously.By Heidi Tankersley

The Big Leap By Gay Hendricks

Superstar Client

Congratulations to Heath and Mia Stanley of Fayetteville!

Heath and Mia Stanley are very simply, all-around fantastic people. They have made the building process of their custom home a FUN and easy-going process, (not to mention the fact that they’re building an incredibly cool home), and it is our

honor to award them with SUPERSTAR CLIENT status this month!!

THANK YOU, Heath and Mia, and your two girls, for being so great to work with. We appreciate your positive attitudes, prompt attention to design selections, and directness with exactly what you want.

Most of all, THANK YOU, for the opportunity to work with you on your home. You’re a wonderful family and we’re so grateful for your business!

Positive Quote“I want to sing like birds sing. Not worrying

who’s listening and what they think.

-- Rumi, famous poet and scholar (1207-1273)

Must Read Book

GB Group Construction | P.O. Box 7734 Springdale, AR 72766479-464-7336 | www.BuildWithGBGroup.com

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GB Group in HondurasJacob just arrived home from a mission trip to Honduras where he and five other men put their construction knowledge to work for Mercy International. Way to go guys!

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P.O. Box 7734Springdale, AR 72766