Dueck Builders: Sustainable Homes

In the pursuit of sustainable building practices, addressing thermal bridging is paramount. This process, where heat transfers through conductive materials like studs and window frames, can undermine a building's energy efficiency. Implementing advanced framing techniques and incorporating exterior insulation are effective strategies to mitigate thermal bridging. For instance, adding 2" of exterior insulation can nearly double a wall's effective R-Value. As professionals dedicated to sustainable construction, it's crucial to prioritize these methods to enhance building performance and occupant comfort. Link to Full Article: https://lnkd.in/gDRJmbZp

The Construction Budget: Clarity, Transparency, and Planning 🏗️ A well-structured budget is key to a smooth home-building journey. In our latest podcast, AI breaks down how we present construction budgets, ensuring our clients have the confidence and clarity they need. Tune in here: https://lnkd.in/gvDz4FMX

Embarking on a home addition project in Winnipeg requires careful consideration of foundation types to address our region's unique soil dynamics and climate. Our latest article explores deep foundations, such as cast-in-place concrete piles and screw piles, as well as shallow foundations like slab-on-grade. Understanding these options is vital for ensuring the structural integrity and longevity of your addition. It is common to hear "make sure it is on piles" but is that best in Winnipeg? We do not think piles are the answer for every addition. What do you think? 🔗 Discover more: https://champ.ly/ixJoh0tA

Basements often feel colder than the rest of the house, even when air temperature is properly regulated. That’s because comfort isn’t just about air temp—it’s also about Mean Radiant Temperature (MRT). Many homeowners assume that raising the thermostat will fix a cold basement, but the reality is more complex. Mean Radiant Temperature (MRT) plays a significant role in thermal comfort, affecting how warm a room feels rather than just its air temperature. A well-designed home considers MRT alongside air temperature to maximize comfort and energy efficiency. Check out our latest blog to learn more about why your basement stays cold—and what you can do about it. 🔗 Read the full article here: https://champ.ly/zeAGL8Rh

What makes a home truly sustainable? It’s more than just energy-efficient appliances—it’s about how a home is built. At Dueck Builders, we focus on: ✅ Airtight construction ✅ Thoughtful material choices ✅ High-performance energy systems In this video, my business partner, Cal, explains how these principles create homes that are comfortable, durable, and truly sustainable. Check out our latest article for a deeper dive into building smart and efficiently—without the confusion. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gMwKtwtN

Adapting to climate is essential—but what if we looked beyond that to improve how we build? A recent trip to Florida highlighted the stark contrast in construction methods between warm and cold climates. Cement block homes, hurricane-resistant tie-downs, and pre-manufactured concrete modules are common in Florida, prioritizing storm resilience. Meanwhile here in Manitoba, we focus on deep frost protection, airtight insulation, and energy efficiency to combat extreme winters. It’s a reminder that while we design for our own climate, we should also seek inspiration from other regions. Could elements of hurricane-resistant construction improve our approach to durability in cold climates? What lessons can we take from storm-ready homes to enhance our own sustainable practices? At Dueck Builders, we believe true innovation comes from being open to learning. By studying how others tackle challenges, we can refine and enhance our own building practices to create stronger, smarter, and more sustainable homes. What’s a building approach from another climate that you think could work in Manitoba?

🔍 Setting the Bar for Excellence 🔍 At Dueck Builders, we believe that clear communication and high standards are the foundation of every successful project. That’s why we created our Construction Standards Document—a guide that sets expectations and ensures the exceptional craftsmanship we’re committed to. In our latest podcast episode, we dive into this document, breaking down what it means for your home-building journey. Listen here: https://lnkd.in/gYdjzFpz Curious to read the document yourself? Reach out! We’d love to walk you through how we ensure quality in every build.

A home is more than just a structure—it’s an extension of your story. At Dueck Builders, we recognize that every homeowner brings a unique vision, and our role is to support, educate, and guide them in making choices that align with their values. One challenge we often see is the complexity of sustainable building. With so many definitions of “green,” it can be difficult to determine what truly makes an impact. Our approach is to cut through the noise, provide clarity, and craft homes that are both sustainable and deeply personal. That’s why we chose the tagline: “Spaces That Speak Your Story.” It reflects our commitment to personalization, sustainability, and excellence in every build. So let’s talk. What does sustainability mean in your story? And how can we help you turn that vision into a reality?

Today's episode of our AI Generated podcast revolves around our building contract. It explains what to expect with our contract, how it applies, and how it protects both you and us. Listen to the podcast (in link below!) to get a better understanding of our contract and please ask us if you have any questions! Also, we have booked a real live podcast guest, we're excited to start doing some in person conversations, if you would like to take part, please reach out!

With cost of living getting a lot of airtime we thought it would be a good idea to share a very unique project we worked on. Multi-generational living is a unique solution to cost of living and care home capacity problems. Aging in a familiar place with family and community around has proven to improve mental and physical outcomes in seniors. What are your thoughts on multi-generational living? https://lnkd.in/gMxrpsBJ