On a small peninsula of land, where the Chesapeake Bay meets the West River in Maryland, sits a community of traditional homes that evoke the centuries-old history of American settlement in the area. Perched just at the waterline lies a piece of property recently purchased by Jay and Patricia C., who envisioned it as the site of their forever home. The couple tore down the pre-existing buildings – a dilapidated 1800’s house and a surviving 1925 cottage that consumed heating fuel like an energy hog. This prepared the way for a newly built, single-family home whose architecture was designed to complement the site and established style of the community.
Since the couple intended to stay in their new home for the long-term, they wanted it to be energy-efficient and durable to withstand the cold winter months. Jay and Patricia needed to find sustainable building solutions that would meet their performance needs while accommodating their budget. Due to their property’s location on the waterfront with severe open coastal exposure, including frequent high winds from the northwest and northeast, they knew they would need to implement a highly durable building envelope solution. The home would need to withstand both wet summers and cold winters and maintain a comfortable living environment for the family.