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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]

We just built a custom home and I also watched & learned from my parents building a home almost 30 years ago.

What people I think are confusing here is WORKMANSHIP as weil as building performance. You can have crappy workmanship or great workmanship--but that is not limited to some magical time period.  I assure you, there was bad workmanship on 1950's homes too.  Its just been ignored or corrected over the years.  They are also mixing taste or aesthetics.  You may think  brick looks nicer than vinyl siding.  Me too!  **Spoiler, neither are great insulators. That is a design choice based on cost and availability and maybe changing aesthetics.  Its not really a code issue.  People see brick on modern houses and don't realize its brick veneer. Yes, someone mortered the brick, but behind it is still tyvek sheathing, for example.   True brick had to have something else--you will find all sorts of stuff when you open up 1950's or 60's homes-horsehair plaster, asbestos.  If brick and plaster was done well on YOUR 1950's home, congratulations.  But they weren't all that way.

So back to your question.  Our house was built to code.  But there were certain areas where we valued additional performance. "Code" was perfectly safe, and when it comes to energy efficiency, 'code' was far superior to 'code' for my parents house.   But we prioritized the following, and went further;
1. Energy efficiency -- we did 2x6 framing instead of 2x4.  This gave us wider spacing for more insulation, and R-20 rather than r-15 (house stays cooler in summer, warmer in winter) and reduces load on our HVAC.
2. HVAC - we did a 5 stage heat pump system, rather than a 2 stage or old school systems that either on or off.  Think of this like a dimmer switch for your system.  Again, you don't have to do this.  You'll be comfortable in a modern build--but we did the numbers since we don't plan to move anytime soon and the payback for lower utility bills was worth it.
3. Foundation--we waterproofed it, rather than damp proofing.  Not strictly necessary because of where we live, but with a basement it was extra insurance against water issues.

I could go on (and on),  but you get the idea.

[/quote]

[quote]Appreciate your long post but sorry to break it you - [b]heap pumps are trash. [/b]If your parents did not have natural gas, then they should have used a propane tank.  Also, best hvac practice is separate ductwork and hvac for each zone or level (depending size of home).  The multiple zoning, multi system hvac is a gimmick promoted by low grade production builders and the hvac industry .As for brick veneer vs solid masonry, there is an ongoing debate particularly with today’s tighter homes and brick veneer being a superior practice for moisture management.  Also, brick veneer is far superior to any exterior cladding in terms of energy efficiency (thermal mass) low maintenance, noise reduction, etc c.    Signed - custom builder.  [/quote][/quote]

My lower energy bills (also got a heat pump water heater) and comfortably cool-in-summer and warm-in-winter-home will have to agree to disagree.  And I didn't say the 'new build' home 30 years ago had a heat pump, it did not.  Things have changed a lot since your heyday.

You might want to re-read my post. We are saying the exact same thing re brick veneer vs brick.  Upthread (and generally) there are a lot of people claiming to like brick and its superior performance.   You and I are in agreement that what people like is the look and performance of brick veneer.

Last but not least, my post mentioned a 5 stage HVAC system (this is how the system delivers air--output is adjusted at 40%, 55%, 70, 85 and 100%  ).  This has nothing to do with a multi zone system, which divides up your home into separate areas (zones).

When was the last time you built, did you say?

[/quote]

This year.  Much like everything else, there have been “advances” in building construction - some good and others not so.  Efficiency requirements as mandated by the Feds for everything from
Car to hvac have one purpose:  to improve the environment.  The manufactures then “market” these products to consumers like yourself who are fools.  Is your 5-stage hvac really efficient, comfortable and will it last even 1/2 the life of the old?  [/quote]

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