Search our Site...

Energy Efficient Timber Homes

Is there such a thing as a well-built, energy efficient home that significantly reduces energy costs that is also beautiful and pleasant to live in? This question is often posed to us, and our answer is a resounding yes, that is exactly what building energy efficient timber homes means to us.

Riverbend timber frame homes are built to last for generations. That’s not just because of the enduring nature of a timber home, but because our integrated building system is designed to seal your home from the elements year after year after year.

 - sips-structural-insulated-panels-riverbend-timber-framing-energy-efficient

Your Home's Energy Envelope

When we refer to your home’s energy envelope, we are speaking of how well the walls, foundation, and roofing work together to seal your home from energy loss. Energy loss through a wall or roof system is measured primarily in two forms: air leakage and conductive heat loss. Air leaks allow the heat to escape through the seams of your home and gaps in poorly installed insulation, while conductive heat loss occurs through thermal breaks and ineffective insulation.

In the sample images on this page, the dark blues represent low levels of energy loss, while bright white, on the other side of the spectrum, represents extreme energy loss. You can see the drastic difference in the home which uses structural insulated panel (SIP) construction versus a conventional stick-frame house.

Riverbend homes are all constructed with structural insulated panels that have a solid core of continuous expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation. This results in a higher R-value than other standard insulation materials, and this R-value remains the same for decades. In fact, the effective R-value, which is measured after all the pieces are put together to create your home, is 24% higher than a typical stick-framed home.

Investing in the Future

For most, the decision to build a traditional timber frame home is an investment in the future. This is a home you plan to enjoy for a lifetime and may even plan to pass down to future generations. We realize that you want to build according to the long-term investment your home represents. By investing in quality building techniques, such as SIPs and insulated concrete forms (ICFs), you can take advantage of energy savings in both the short- and long-term life of your home.

In the short-term, a Riverbend home built with SIPs and ICFs will reduce the size, and the cost, of the HVAC system need for the home. Riverbend works with a third-party vendor to properly calculate your home’s heating and cooling loads, size your HVAC system, and optimize the sizing of your home’s duct work.

In the long-term, your energy efficient Riverbend home, with its properly size HVAC system and ducts, will save you money on your monthly heating and cooling bills. Since it is unlikely that the cost to heat and cool your home will drop in the future, your investment in energy efficiency now will save you money as long as you own your home.

Health & Comfort

The expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam used in the SIPs and ICFs Riverbend incorporates into each of its homes is a healthy insulation product. It does not off-gas like polyurethane or spray insulation so there are not VOCs (volatile organic compounds) in the air that you and your family breathe.

A Riverbend home also creates a comfortable living space by eliminating drafts and providing consistent temperatures throughout the home. And, the SIPS and ICFs absorb and dampen noise so your home feels like a sanctuary.

 - energy efficient riverbend timber framing

Green Home Certifications

If your home building goals go beyond energy efficiency, and you want to secure a certification such as LEED®, EnerGuide, or EnergyStar®, Riverbend energy efficient homes are designed to help you meet any level you like. Using SIP and ICF construction starts your home on the right path, and Riverbend’s experienced design team will help you understand what additional aspects may be required. We have helped clients meet the criteria for multiple green home programs over the years and are available to discuss the possibilities for your project.

When you work with the timber framing experts at Riverbend, you’re working with a team of professionals with nearly half a century of experience in the industry. We are proud to provide timeless designs you’ll fall in love with while combining them with the latest technology to craft homes that are as efficient as they are beautiful.

Need More Information?

Whether you’re looking for more information or would simply like to learn more about us and our services, don’t hesitate to contact us. Please follow the link below to access our online form or call us at 888.486.2363 in the US or 888.999.4744 in Canada. We look forward to hearing from you.

Order Riverbend Brochure Contact Us