It's All in the Details -- in McLean, Va.

 At SugarOak, we are committed to meeting your needs with personalized service. The key to our success is a blend of quality craftsmanship, professionalism and a willingness to go the extra mile to fulfill your expectations. 

An example of such was the remodel and addition on a 1920s home, which brought us a new carpentry challenge. While simple in appearance, this beautifully understated arched opening to the porte-cochère was anything but simple. Prior to construction, the architect casually commented that he thought that “any good carpenter could do this,” but we knew that it would take one of the best and most experienced carpenters to achieve this detail.

Look closely and you will see that the cedar shakes are bent in two directions, and that the shakes have varying radius bends. Our site superintendent, a highly accomplished carpenter named Steve, designed and built a custom steam box, fueled by a water filled turkey fryer. He experimented by steaming and bending red and white cedar shakes to see which bent better across the grain.

He then created a custom press box to bend the shakes across the grain and a series of jigs to bend them with the grain. The steaming process started long before the arch was installed, as it took many days to steam and dry small batches of shakes.

Once dry but prior to installation, the shakes were primed on all sides. The arched shakes required slight beveled rips on both sides – a couple of degrees – to keep the joints consistent to the run.

The carpenter started installation at the center and worked towards each corner. Even steaming could not get a shake to accommodate the complex intersection vertical to the arch. Since lacing the shakes was not an option, a mitre was required. The verticals were coped into the arch and back cut to get the tightest possible fit. The arched shakes were similarly coped into the vertical sides. The end result is a stunning sweep of shakes that both curve into and rise up and over across the arched opening.

SugarOak has been building luxury custom homes, additions and remodeling since 1983. We firmly believe that building your “dream” home should be a thoroughly enjoyable experience. The SugarOak advantage is our team of professionals who provide an integrated, cooperative approach to the design and construction process.

If you would like more information about SugarOak Custom Homes, please contact Josila Smith at 703 435-9335 or go to http://www.sugaroak.com/

SugarOak to Present Two Projects in Upcoming Parade of Homes

SugarOak will be showcasing two current projects during the weekend of April 30 – May 1. In Arlington, a renovation project on a 1925 American Style Foursquare home maintains the 20th century Arts and Crafts Style, while providing the Homeowners with an updated living space.

The second project is a new home in Great Falls. A French Country style home with Master Suite on the first floor, authentic stucco and “old world” carpentry details. This home is for sale.

The Parade is hosted by The Northern Virginia Building Industry Association (NVBIA). The beneficiary of this event is HomeAid Northern Virginia, whose mission is to build and renovate shelters for homeless children and families in Northern Virginia. For more information and maps for the event go to http://www.vaparade.com/.

Watts the Big Deal?

It can be a “big deal” to improve energy consumption by replacing some of the larger systems in your home, but what small steps can we take to help save energy? Step One - Next trip to your local store, purchase a pack of four, 13 watt Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs, commonly referred to as, CFLs. The 13 watt CFL produces light that is equivalent to a 60 watt incandescent bulb. Next, identify some lamps with standard, 60 watt, incandescent bulbs that you can replace with the CFLs. Now, you have just saved 78% of the energy that it took to power the incandescent bulbs. CFLs are available in a variety of sizes, shapes and wattages, and are available at most hardware, grocery and big box stores. They cost a bit more than a conventional incandescent bulb, but they will last significantly longer. Sam’s Club and Walmart are partnering with Dominion Virginia Power to provide reduced pricing on CFLs. After testing CFLs in many lamps over the past three years, we have found a marked improvement in the color of the light, often being indistinguishable from the light from an incandescent bulb. The bulbs have also improved the “instant on” feature; some of the older bulbs took a while to warm up to full brightness. There are even bulbs available for recessed lights, candelabras and 3 way lamps. Step Two – If you find that the light is pleasing and acceptable, continue to replace all of your light bulbs with CFLs. Since lighting typically accounts for about 20% of the average electric bill, every little bit helps. A CFL can save $66.00 or more in energy costs over the lifetime of the bulb. That should more than make up for the higher purchase price. CFLs contain a small amount of mercury, so care should be taken to clean up safely if one is broken, and used bulbs should be recycled properly. Most hardware store are, or will soon be, providing recycling drop off locations.

SugarOak, located in Northern Virginia, can design and build on your lot, or we can find the perfect location for you, whether it’s in Virginia, Maryland, or Washington DC. Our team will stay in constant communication while building your home. At SugarOak, we build unique custom homes and long-term relationships

Northern Virginia Building Industry Association Real Estate Outlook Presentation

At a recent Northern Virginia Building Industry Association Real Estate Outlook presentation, it was easy to see where the US housing market is today. It has either hit the bottom, is soon to hit the bottom, or could hit the bottom a second time. Clarity - I love it! Despite the diversity of predictions, and the many unknowns, there are a few things that we can all agree on:

• Interest remain low, and will likely do so for at least the short term.
• Availability of credit to the homebuyer/homeowner is critical to a recovery.
• Job losses must taper off and unemployment must decline for a recovery to be successful.
• The rate of recovery will vary in different regions of the US.
• Population is forecast to grow.

At SugarOak Corporation, we have continued to work with our client’s throughout the housing downturn. Our experienced and talented SugarOak Associates and team members have the flexibility to work on a myriad of residential projects, from small renovations, to new custom homes. At SugarOak, we will continue to work with our client’s to face the challenges ahead. We will provide the quality, craftsmanship, design and price that will make your next project exceptional and affordable.

Spring Homeowner’s Checklist

As we enjoy the change of seasons, we are reminded that it is time for some routine home maintenance. Preventative maintenance can help keep your family comfortable and safe as well as help to avoid more costly repairs. Year Round: Clean or replace air filters as recommended Check property for safety hazards Spring: Inspect the exterior of your home for damage Inspect paint and caulk Inspect brick and stone mortar Inspect the roof Inspect driveway, walkways and patios Test the air conditioner for proper operation. Refer to you manual for service recommendations. Make sure that vents are free of obstructions Check, clean and turn off humidifier Clean or replace air filter Clean debris from exterior air conditioning units Inspect, test and replace batteries in smoke alarms Check fire extinguishers Review and check fire escape routes for obstructions Clean gutters and check gutters to be sure that they are securely fastened Keep stairwell drains free of debris Keep culverts and exterior drains free of debris Check that sump pump is operating Check and repair window screens Clean and inspect deck for repairs Clean window operators and sliding door tracks of debris Check interior caulking at Baths and Kitchens Clean range hoods and filters Check septic system for proper operation and follow maintenance guidelines Wash windows and screens Turn on exterior hose bibs Check faucets for drips Monitor basement humidity levels – a dehumidifier may be needed SugarOak, located in Northern Virginia, can design and build on your lot, or we can find the perfect location for you, whether it’s in Virginia, Maryland, or Washington DC. Our team will stay in constant communication while building your home. At SugarOak, we build unique custom homes and long-term relationships.

At SugarOak Quality Counts

When you buy a new car, you check the ratings. How does it do in the crash tests, what is the gas mileage, how are the repair records? How does it look and perform? Do you like what you see and how it feels when you drive it? Does it have the design features that you want; cup holders, DVD player, GPS? It is the same with our homes, except that we don’t get a test drive! Take a look at the ratings; is it being built by a reputable builder known for quality? Has it passed any inspections above and beyond the code requirements? Does it have the design features that you want? At SugarOak we are committed to quality and customer satisfaction. We want our homeowners to be happy with the look, feel and performance of their homes. We are committed to being an EPA Energy Star Partner and have our homes inspected and tested by Third Party Professionals. We are proud to announce that the home at Bittersweet Farms, in Great Falls, Virginia, has just passed the first phase of the Energy Star Inspection! Stop by for a visit and see how much quality counts!

Energy Efficiency - Doing More With Less

SugarOak is a partner with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as an Energy Star Builder; homes that earn the Energy Star rating meet rigorous EPA guidelines. According to the EPA, Energy Star homes typically use 15% - 30% less energy than homes built to meet the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC), and typically use 20% - 30% less energy than standard homes. All of our Project Managers, Site Superintendents, Carpenters and field staff have participated in EPA Energy Star training seminars. We even volunteered one of our projects under construction to be used in the field training portion of a seminar taught by the leading expert on Energy Star, Sam Rashkin, National Director of the EPA Energy Star Program. It proved to be an exceptional learning opportunity for SOC and other members of the building industry. We also have training and certification in the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) Green Building Standards. Some elements that are critical to energy efficient construction are; effective insulation techniques, minimizing thermal bypass at the exterior envelope, tight duct construction and distribution systems, exterior envelope air sealing, installation of air barriers, high performance advanced windows, high efficiency heating and cooling equipment, correctly sized heating and cooling equipment, use of Energy Star appliances and use of some high efficiency lighting. We work with our clients to manage their priorities and achieve the best possible results. We have our work tested and inspected by a third party, Home Energy Rater (HERS). This assures that our homes meet the Energy Star of (NAHB) Performance Guidelines.

A Masterpiece in the Making

SugarOak Offers a Custom Virginia Country Home SugarOak Corporation is pleased to present a custom home that has blended the casual feel of county living with the contemporary amenities that today’s homeowners require. This home of 4,800 square feet is carefully sited on a scenic lot near the heart of Great Falls, Virginia. The home features an exterior of local stone, authentic stucco, standing seam metal roof and ‘old world’ carpentry details married with the efficient features that earn an EPA Energy Star rating. This home is still in the planning phase, so it is the perfect time to customize the plan, and finishes, to meet your individual needs. Please call us to discuss how we can work together to create your masterpiece!