Video of Spray Foam Insulation

Have you ever seen spray foam insulation being applied. It's fascinating!




Mark Mecklem - Miranda Homes

Miranda Homes Featured in NuTimes Magazine

Miranda Homes is the subject of an article in the latest issue of NuTimes Magazine.

Click here or on the picture above to read the full article.

Mark Mecklem - Miranda Homes

How to Build Cars... And Houses.... And Houses out of Cars...

One of the benefits of our planning and pre-building process is that we can minimize the waste we generate. Not only wasted materials, but wasted time as well. We invest time up front on methods and processes that allow us to build efficiently like building the wall panels in the plant and delivering them to the site in the order we will stand them. We don't cut framing on site so there's not a big pile of lumber or steel scraps. The exterior rigid foam insulation is installed in the plant not hand-cut out in the field. We deliver the materials for each day's work in the morning and leave the job site clean at the end of the day. All this planning means there aren't extra parts, material or scrap sitting around on our job sites. It’s one of the remarkable things that people notice when they visit.


This way of working comes from the Toyota Production System (TPS). It’s called “The Five S’s.” They are:
• Sifting – Identifying the needed items at the worksite and removing the unneeded items
• Sorting – Arranging items at the worksite to be easily found and within reach when needed.
• Sweeping – Cleaning the area and around the worksite and cleaning the tools to maintain top performance
• Spic and Span – Providing a system to create a clean and safe work environment
• Sustaining – Creating awareness or discipline by each worker to maintain a clean and safe worksite.

The Five S’s are important because disorder can cover up problems and because they encourage prevention thinking.

Another positive result of the methods we use is a very clean job site.
We feel that it’s a good reflection on us and provides a safe work site for our associates and our visitors. Job site housekeeping is one of the major requirements in the General Safety and Health Provisions section of OSHA’s Health & Safety Construction-related Regulations. Even small obstacles can be a tripping hazard. Injuries from slips, trips and falls on flat surfaces account for a large number of the overall injures in residential construction.

Of course, an uncluttered job site is easier to work in too. Tools and supplies are visible, easier to find, and it’s easier to move around. Time isn’t wasted moving things out of the way before you can start the next task. A clean job site means that it’s easier to do even the small safety tasks that can make a difference like running our magnetic sweep around the site to pick up any stray screws that could pierce a boot or a truck tire.

Really, it’s just an extension of our quality-focused approach throughout the whole process. It includes all of the processes, the people, the methods and the end product.

Mark Mecklem - Miranda Homes

The House at 13981 SE Sierra Drive Will Be Open This Weekend

We'll have the house at 13981 SE Sierra Drive in Clackamas, Oregon open this weekend.

Hours will be Saturday the 30th and Sunday the 31st from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Pay special attention to the James Hardie Siding. It has a 30 year full replacement warranty on the siding and a 15 year finish guarantee. Imagine not having to worry about repainting for at least 15 years!

Drop by and learn more about what else makes Miranda Homes different.

Mark Mecklem - Miranda Homes

Pictures of a River View

We've finished the latest River View.


Front


Covered Back Porch


Kitchen with Tigerwood Floors


Living Room with Fireplace and Tigerwood Floors


Master Bathroom

To see more, visit one of our open houses!

Mark Mecklem - Miranda Homes

Time Lapse Video

Some of you may have seen this before but I thought it was worth posting here.

This is a series of time lapse photographs of the setting of the first floor walls on one of our homes.

Click the image below to watch the video.




Since shooting this video we've switched to using a crane to move the panels but other than that, it's essentially the same.

The wall panels are built in the plant and include exterior sheathing, windows and exterior foam insulation. Although nailing the sheathing to the steel studs is an option we choose to use screws. Using screws helps keep the sheathing tight to the studs for a more rigid wall. We also install the foam exterior insulation in the plant to more effectively control the debris from cutting the material. Inside the plant we can easily sweep up the dust but on site it tends to become airborne and is nearly impossible to collect.

Each panel is numbered and stacked on trailers in the order they are to be installed.


The interior walls are set on the floor where they will be stood when exterior walls are placed.



As each exterior panel is lifted into place it is squared and attached to the previous wall sections and to the interior walls. Each wall is supported by the other walls it is connected to. All of the wall sections are screwed to the floor and bolted to the foundation.

It takes about 3 to 4 hours to stand the walls for each floor, depending on the size of the house and it can be done rain or shine.

Mark Mecklem - Miranda Homes

Open House This Weekend - Come see the Tigerwood floors I was telling you about

We're having an open house this weekend at 13981 SE Sierra Drive in Clackamas, Oregon.

We'll be there on Saturday the 23rd and Sunday the 24th from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm.

What are VOCs?

VOC stands for "Volatile Organic Compounds" which are sometimes referred to as "Off-gasses." Some of the most common sources of VOCs are paints, varnishes, cleaners and solvents. They release gasses not only during curing, but sometimes long after and sometimes without any odor. Concentrations inside the home can be up to five times higher than outdoors. VOCs affect the indoor air quality of a home and can have a negative impact on the health of its occupants. The EPA considers indoor air quality amongst the top five leading health risks in the US.

Click here to read more from the EPA website.

So, you can understand why Earth Advantage awards points toward certification based on the use of low VOC materials.

Don't be afraid to ask the builder of any home you're considering to provide the information on VOCs of the products they use.

Mark Mecklem - Miranda Homes

Follow Us On Twitter

Yes... We will be "Tweeting." You can expect regular updates on specific homes as we build them. You'll find us at Twitter under the user name MirandaHomes. (Click the button below)

For those of you who aren't using Twitter yet, it's a great way to keep tabs on what we're doing. Don't worry though, we'll still be blogging.

Let us know what you're thinking or if there are specific topics you'd like to see us cover in our Blog.

Mark Mecklem - Miranda Homes

Have Your Cake Without Taking it from Someone Else

Many of you may have heard the term "FSC" when looking at houses. If you aren't sure what FSC means or why it's important, read on...

FSC is the acronym for "Forest Stewardship Council"; a global agency developed to ensure the sustainable growth and harvesting of forest products. They certify forest products for companies and land owners who can verify that they use practices that are consistent with FSC standards. Those standards cover not only the sustainability of the forest itself, but also the well being of the animals and people who work in, live in and depend on those forests. It encompasses the health, environmental, social and economic aspects of growing and harvesting forest products.

Click here to learn read more about the Forest Stewardship Council

The reason I bring this up is that we're installing some of the most beautiful hardwood flooring you'll ever see. It is FSC Tigerwood 3/4" solid wood tongue and groove. It is much harder, and more durable than oak and it has a contrast between light and dark that really comes out when finished. After installation the tigerwood can be sanded and finished with a natural vegetable oil and wax based finish or by using traditional floor finishes. Because it's a solid wood floor rather than a laminate it can be refinished several times if needed without worry of sanding through to a composite base.

FSC products are generally more expensive but builders who choose to use them recognize the benefits as people question the choices they make and how they affect others.

Mark Mecklem - Miranda Homes