Montpelier Construction Welcome to Montpelier Construction L.L.C., a cooperative of fine builders and woodworkers providing full service, high quality, and energy efficient residential construction to central Vermont since 1998. We offer a wide range of services, from new home construction to additions and remodeling. Our company specializes in home energy audits (Home Performance with Energy Star), custom tile, and fine woodwork. We strive to meet your project and budget needs. Montpelier Construction is committed to sustainable building practices, and we support the use of local products and materials whenever possible.
Associated Builders & Contractors,BPI Certified,Efficiency VT Partner,Home Builders & Remodelers Association OF NORTHERN VERMONT,Home Performance with Energy Star Certified Contractors,National Green Builders,National Green Builders Program,Vermont Business for Social Responsibility
The design started with the simplicity of a basic rectangular thermal envelope. A screened-in porch was added to the exterior for expanded living space during warm seasons. The inside was planned to be finished over time by the homeowners utilizing long lasting natural materials like slate tiles, cherry cabinetry and ash windowsills. Large southwest facing windows bring the natural beauty of the site inside, greatly expanding the feel of the main living space.
Bathroom Remodeling
With over 20 years of building experience, combined with a passion for the environment and delivering true quality to our customers, we create and build homes, kitchens and baths, and additions in the Central Vermont region that truly stand out.
Flooring
Custom details include a barrel vaulted ceiling in the great room and cherry flooring. The kitchen features durable cork flooring and customized built-in cabinets with stained glass doors and interior lighting.
Door Installation/Replacement
Framing
JON WILLIAMSON Jon began as a carpenter’s helper with Montpelier Construction after working as a classroom teacher for several years. He became a partner in 2008. Jon is drawn to the building trades because he likes the physical work as well as the critical thinking and problem-solving skills it requires. It's also an environment he's at ease in. "I lived in a house that was constantly under construction by my mother, an amateur interior decorator, and my do-it-yourself father." He's happy to have his own tools now rather than standing around holding things and handing tools to his father. A generalist, Jon enjoys everything from framing to floors, setting tile and casing windows. As a site coordinator, he likes working with subcontractors, clients, and co-workers to realize a common vision. His background in environmental science informs his building practices daily and resonates with the company's vision of sustainable building. Email: jon@montpelierconstruction.com
Tile Installation
We also specialize in custom tile work on floors and walls, working with natural materials that give your home a custom, unique quality. We bring both experience and artistry to each job and work closely with you to create the personalized look and feel you want in your home.
Fireplaces
This customized, well-insulated timber frame home, constructed from Douglas Fir, has an open floor plan with a central Rumford Adirondack Quartzite stone fireplace and a mudroom/breezeway connected to a 2-bay Garage.
Staircases
Skylight Repair/Replacement
Applying the concept of minimalism to energy use meant taking a close look at both the thermal envelope of the building and its mechanical systems. The principles used in Passive House planning and construction were useful in achieving these low energy use goals. Passive House energy modeling was used to identify areas of improvement in the thermal envelope including fine tuning the window specs and envelope R-values to reduce energy use as much as was practical within the budget. Windows were oriented to take advantage of passive solar gains to the south and south east, while the north side of the house has just one window. Daylighting was also an important consideration and windows, including two large skylights, were placed to maximize natural light, which reduced energy use even further. Different levels of airtightness were tested in the energy model, and it was determined that a high degree of attention to air tightness details in the construction would be a cost-effective way to lower energy use and improve comfort. The resulting thermal envelope design went above and beyond the requirements for the High Performing Home certification through Efficiency Vermont in most areas.
From the modest size to the placement of the windows, almost every decision was made with energy efficiency in mind. This house was featured in articles in the Journal of Light Construction, 475.com's blog, Green Energy Times and was the winner of Efficiency Vermont's Best of the Best award for Innovation in new residential construction for 2015.
The homeowners were looking ahead to aging in place, so they decided to build on one level, from the driveway/garage and carport, attached covered breezeway and through the entire house including the south covered porch that wraps around east and west. The house is built on a PH concrete slab, avoiding the considerable cost of a basement.
The choice of materials from insulation through finishes was also carefully considered for low global warming potential and impact on the environment. Where possible, locally produced materials were used. This included framing lumber, siding and flooring logged within a 100 mile radius and much of it milled less than 15 miles from the building site. Vermont Natural Coating finishes used on the floors, cabinetry and decks, is manufactured less than 15 miles from the building site as well.Low VOC paints were used on the walls and ceilings. Cellulose insulation made from recycled newspapers was chosen for the walls and roof because of its low global warming potential.
Siding
In addition to the thermal envelope, material choices and sourcing responsibly was an important ecological consideration. Integrating wood logged and milled from the site was an early goal. Hemlock was the most abundant mature tree species on the land and was an ideal choice for a timber framed second floor system cut by local artisan Dan Von Trapp. A large maple was made into flooring used in the living room which brings character that tells a story including a couple tap holes from an unknown former inhabitant of the land. A massive white pine was made into wide planks used as flooring on the second level. Most of the interior trim on the lower level was made from birch and ash that was also harvested and milled at the site. Working with wood that is harvested and milled on site is a slower and more deliberate process for the builder, but the rewards are well worth it. From grading the lumber to final milling and dimensioning, the building team worked closely with the homeowner to determine where each species of wood would be most useful in the house. The result is an interior that is sure to be a constant reminder of the warmth and beauty as well as utility of the large variety of species of wood that thrive in the mixed forests that make up much of the landscape of Vermont. Other building materials were sourced locally where possible including black locust decking, clear spruce siding from Ward’s Clapboard Mill just down the road and a pine v-groove ceiling milled in Wolcott.
Porches
From the driveway/garage to the attached covered breezeway and through the entire house including the wrap around covered porches, are all on one level.
TIM FARYNIARZ (Founding Partner) Tim started in the building trades over 25 years ago. In 1998, coworker and friend Harry Strand encouraged Tim to join a new partnership: Montpelier Construction. Tim loves the creative outlet carpentry affords, especially as it applies to energy efficiency. As a certified Home Performance Contractor through Efficiency Vermont, Tim is able to put his expertise to work, creating solutions for clients that are functional, beautiful, and energy efficient. In the future he'd like to expand his work in energy efficiency to help those in low-income brackets, specifically where cost-savings are concerned. He also wants to focus more on finish carpentry and making furniture. Email: tim@montpelierconstruction.com
Insulation
The Whitchurch Passive House Cottage is a timber frame construction that is oriented to the south with the southern facade featuring large triple pane windows that flood the main level and loft with sunlight. Specially imported from Lithuania, these windows provide much more than light and a fantastic view, they also provide more heat to the house than it's heating system. Windows like these along with air-tightness and insulation are the crucial components of what is known as the "energy balance" in Passive House terminology.
Electrical Work
Our partners bring a wealth of building skills to every project, from plumbing and electrical work to original tile and stonework. We are your one-stop shop for the entire build. Take a look at our team’s portfolio in the Projects area.