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Roof trusses may be the last thing you think of when buying a home. Trusses are not all the same! A truss with special features can create extra storage space or a room instead of a maze of standard roof truss webs that waste space - and at an affordable price.

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Manufactured homes can give you more for your money. Modular homes and panelized homes are both factory built homes that are often superior in strength to stick built homes, yet cost 20 to 35 percent less! Manufactured housing, built to withstand the stress of transport, must meet state, local or regional codes, and often the stringent Federal codes. Factory built housing can save you major money via controlled production conditions within the factory environment, and you can be moving in to your new home within weeks of your order.

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General contracting on your new home construction is a huge undertaking for the non builder. House plans and specifications are your best means of communicating with your sub-contractors. Make sure the quality of these is the best. Be there when your subs are working. Don't assume that things will be done the way you want if you aren't there.

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Wood windows new industry standards and certification programs help you pick the right product for your home. Look for the special label on your wooden windows.

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Radiant floor heating is so comfortable because the heat is uniform throughout a house. You can even create zones in different parts of the house. These radiant heat zones operate using separate thermostats so that you minimize energy costs.

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Energy savings may be gained by building exterior walls thicker to accept more insulation. Thicker walls may save money in some areas where it stays very cold, but other areas may benefit more by adding more insulation in the attic. Whether or not you can actually save money by increasing your exterior wall size, can be computed.

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Insulated concrete forms are a new technology used to build substantial homes. ICF technology will likely grow in popularity and take its place as a standard construction material akin to drywall and plywood. ICF homes use sturdy ICF foam forms stacked together and filled with concrete. The resulting new home is incredibly strong, quiet and you can heat and cool it effortlessly.

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Removing a load bearing wall is not for the faint of heart. A load bearing wall can support tons of weight. How to tell if a wall is load bearing can be tough, and seeking veteran professional advice to determine this is a smart thing your first time around.

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Wood I joists, a type of engineered lumber that resembles steel I beams, are excellent building materials. Some come with pre-cut holes or can be drilled into. However, in fire conditions having wood I joists can be disastrous.

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