By AYNSLEY FISHER
For The Courier
Source: The Goochland Courier, http://goochlandcourier.com/gcbusiness.html
When Deborah and Dale Arrington formed Deb’s Construction based in Manakin-Sabot in 1992, their 40 plus years of combined experience in the building industry provided customers with quality craftsmanship and distinctive custom designs in residential and commercial settings. But about five years ago, frustrated with traditional stick frame construction methods, Deborah started researching alternative building materials.
“With stick frame construction, the quality of wood is not always good. The studs tend to warp,” she said.
In her research she looked at straw bales, monolithic domes and steel framing.
“I was intrigued with insulating concrete forms (ICFs), but we didn’t like the way they looked as a finished product,” she said.
When Deborah discovered vertical ICFs, she knew she was onto something. Also called the TF System, it consists of two main components, high density polystyrene panels and studs made of galvanized steel or recycled PVC. Once constructed, the walls are reinforced with rebar and then filled with concrete to create energy efficient solid outer walls.
The Arringtons decided to give ICF construction a try and started with their own home in Manakin-Sabot. When they made the decision to use the new product, they had never actually seen the construction.
“I did all my research on the Internet,” said Deb.
They were pleasantly surprised when they discovered how easy and fast the system was to construct as they assembled the walls themselves.
“From the close of our construction loan to the finished product took only five months and one week! It is a much faster building system. Once the walls were up, the concrete pour was done in 3 1/2 hours,” said Deb.
“It was phenomenal,” she said. “They did the pour in three-foot lifts and just walked around the house using a boom off the concrete truck.”
The Arringtons have been recognized by the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH), a program of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, as an innovator in durable, energy-efficient building.
They are among 30 builders, remodelers and service providers in the nation who have been selected as the subject of a new case study series on advanced homebuilding technologies that reduce energy or water use or increase a home’s storm resistance.
Deborah pointed out some benefits of the product.
“It may cost a little more to build an ICF house, but in return it can provide up to 40% energy savings. We found that it’s definitely faster to construct,” she said. “ You don’t need a framing crew and the labor involved with heavy wood materials. Really you just need one lead man who knows what he is doing and a few helpers. It’s very user friendly.”
Aside from the vertical ICF construction, the Arringtons used other cutting edge technologies in their home including radiant floor heat. Water is run through the floor in pipes controlled with a zone system.
Another new feature is the electric tankless water heater, a very small and efficient unit mounted high on a wall.
The Arringtons designed their home to accommodate some specific needs. Deborah’s parents, who are in their 80’s, live with them part of the year. Their open floor plan design, with separate wings for privacy, doesn’t have any steps. The doorways are wide enough to accomodate a wheelchair, and the floors are covered with smooth laminate.
Deborah is finding the floor plan works very well for them.
“My mother had open heart surgery and then hip replacement surgery. The house has been great for her rehab. My father really loves the radiant floor heat,” she said.
Ten years ago, Deborah found herself confined to a wheelchair after a terrible car accident. Due to the floor plan of their house at the time, she was confined to the living room.
“The experience made me realize the importance of having handicap-accessible construction,” said Deborah. “You never know what will happen. I try to encourage people to include a downstairs master bedroom in their designs and wheelchair friendly doorways.”
The Arringtons have completed six projects in Virginia using the ICF system and are currently building a spec house in Fife.
They have learned a lot in recent years about new technologies. The Arringtons are strong proponents of environmentally responsible and energy efficient designs.
When Dale over-ordered their TF System, there were enough leftovers to construct a swimming pool. The walls of the pool were built just like the house and then backfilled with dirt. The insulated walls should help maintain even water temperatures.
The wood support beams used during the outerwall construction didn’t go to waste. They were used in the interior wall construction. The Arringtons try to support local workers and use Goochland subs when they can.
Their son, Shay White, owns the Gray Bear Grille and he was one of the youngest restauranteurs in the area when he bought the restaurant at the age of
23. Family is important to them, and they enjoy spending time with their five grandchildren and Deborah’s parents.
In addition to Deb’s Construction, Inc., they are an authorized dealer for TF Vertical ICFs, Seisco Electric Tankless Water Heating Systems and Metlunda D’MAND Hot Water on Demand Systems under their company Better Home Technologies, Inc.
Every spring and fall they are regulars at the home shows held at the Richmond Raceway Complex and the Convention Center.
“We’ve always worked together,” said Deborah.
As for the name of the company? Deborah smiled, “It was all Dale’s
idea.” No wonder they’re such a good team.
Photo: Deborah Arrington of Deb’s Construction stands in front of her home in Manakin-Sabot. The Arringtons’ home is constructed of vertical ICF panels.