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At the Huasna Ranch project the selection of the roofing material was a well thought-out decision based on several interconnected issues. In addition to the many issues typically involved when selecting a roofing material, at the Ranch project, the roof surfaces also function as the primary collection area for the Rainwater Harvesting System planned for the project.

Metal Roofing shown on Stables and Arena.

The selection and design of the roofing material is an important decision in any project.  Functionally, it finishes off the structure and provides water protection.  Visually, it becomes the “aesthetic hat” of the structure and is one of the most noticeable visual elements of the building.  This critical choice is a balance of many factors and the decisions made spread to other portions of the building, the project and the environment as a whole.

Some of the factors involved included questions of:

Durability/Longevity

Out at the Huasna Ranch, it was decided to go with a standing seam metal roof.  As with any metal roof options, the material is extremely durable and will most likely last well past the lifespan of the building itself.  The standing seam system has the added advantage of having all the connectors and fasteners hidden from the elements and protected from long-term decay.  There are no bushings to rot out or screws to be replaced.  The installation of the next panel clips over the previous which creates a continuous metal skin.

Weight

Metal roofs are considered fairly lightweight relative to some of the other roofing choices.  This can be highly advantageous in the overall structural design of the rest of the building and a potentially cost savings.  The less weight you have at the top of your building the easier it is to design and engineer the walls and foundation that are supporting it.

Aesthetics

Metal roofs do not change visually much over time.  There is some lightening that will occur as the surface gets weathered and oxidizes, but overall it is a fairly steady state material.  The coatings used today are very good at resisting decay from ultra –violet light and maintaining their original pigment.

Maintenance

There is very little maintenance required with any standing seam metal roof that is detailed and installed correctly.  If there was ever a need to repair the roof surface, one simply removes the panel(s) in question and replaces them.  There is no need to remove large portions of the roof to repair small-localized areas.

Fire resistance

The standing seam metal roof is considered a Class “A” fire rated material.  This is an important aspect for properties located within high or very high fire severity zones.  With the proper detailing and construction, it is a key element in creating a fire resistive assembly.

Overall building form

The materials flexibility allows it to be formed into different shapes to match different building forms.  This can be seen along the main axis of the Hay Barn building where the standing seam metal roof is made to match the barrel shape of the upper monitor.

Cost

A typical standing seam metal roof will cost approximately three times as much as a good quality 30-year composition shingle. This initial investment is often offset by the many potential advantages such as its longevity, reduced maintenance and/or reduce structural costs.

Reuse/Recyclability

Metal roofing is one of the easiest building materials to reclaim, reuse or recycle.  Its durability allows it to be disassembled, reconfigured as necessary, and live on.  Since the standing seam has virtually no holes from connectors/fasteners, it is particularly easy to reuse.  You will see it used as roofing, siding, or ceiling finish.  If necessary, it can always be recycled and reprocessed to form other metal products.

Multi-functional aspects

As we use our precious resources to form building components and invest capital to purchase those materials, it is important to find as many multi-functional uses for those materials as possible, maximizing our resource investment.  For the Huasna Ranch project, a key multi-functional aspect of the standing seam metal roof is its role in the overall design and operation of the Rainwater Harvesting system planned for the property.  The roof surfaces of the Barn, Stables, and Arena act as the primary water collection area with more than 15,000 square feet available.  It is critical that these surfaces remain benign and that the runoff coming from them be as clean as possible.  The decision to use metal roofs means that the run-off will be relatively free of pollutants and that the water collected is better suited for use throughout the property.

At the Huasna Ranch project, Cork flooring by Infinity Floors was selected for the Grooms Quarters floors.  The flooring covers the entire second level, including the bathrooms and the stairs for this part of the building.  As one investigates the material, it does not take long to realize that this material is one of the more sustainable and environmentally sound flooring choices available today.

Cork Flooring at Staircase.

Renewable Resource

The Cork Oak Tree, typical to the Mediterranean basin area, is harvested every nine years. The harvesting process does not kill the tree.  The tree remains and the bark is allowed to re-grow and can be harvested again. Much of this is still done with hand tools.  Portugal is the leading exporter of worlds cork today.

Reclaimed Waste Product

Cork flooring contains roughly 95% post-industrial waste. This reclaimed waste is a bi-product of the cork wine stopper manufacturing process. Nearly all of the reclaimed material is used in the floor manufacturing process and there is little to no waste created.

Natural benefits

The naturally occurring honeycomb structure of the cork gives it several beneficial characteristics. The cork matrix is comprised of nearly 85% of an air-like gas that makes it both lightweight and low density. A naturally occurring waxy-like substance contained in the cork makes it extremely resistant to moisture.

Durability

The resilience of the cork itself avoids the issues associated with hard floors. The material is long lasting and damaged areas can be easily repaired.

Softness

The air contained in the cork cells provides a cushioned feel underfoot. The material is not spongy but provides a noticeable relief for those on their feet for many hours. This is particularly noticeable in areas of high impact such as stairs and landings.

Sound & Vibration Reduction

Cork is a natural insulator. It reduces the transmission of sound, vibration, and heat.

The tiny cellular compartments seal air in each compartment insulating each from the other with a moisture resistant, waxy-like substance. Cork reduces both impact sounds (IIC) and sound transmission (STC).

Thermal insulation

Cork is a natural thermal insulator because of the encapsulated cells contain mostly air.  Cork can reduce heat loss from a room and even body heat loss through the feet. It tends to maintain a comfortable median temperature, not getting too hot or cold.

Anti-allergenic & Insect Resistant

Bugs, termites, mold and mites are repelled by cork due to a naturally occurring substance in the cork called Suberin. This waxy substance also prevents cork from rotting due to exposure to moisture or water.

Elasticity

The cell membranes of cork are very flexible allowing cork to be both compressible and elastic. Under pressure the cells will compress. Once the pressure is released the cork structure will return to its original shape. For cork flooring this means that although it may be possible to make a temporary dent in the cork, the material will recover to its original shape.

Fire resistant

The natural waxy substance Suberin makes cork a natural fire inhibitor. Besides being fire resistant it also does not release toxic gases upon combustion.

No VOC adhesives, stains, & finishes

The adhesives, stains and finishes used with cork flooring are No VOC products and therefore help to maintain good indoor air quality.

Color options

There are a wide variety of textures, patterns and colors available with most cork flooring products. Any design or patterning that can be achieved with ceramic or linoleum tile can be achieved with cork flooring with all the added benefits of a natural green material.

original wind mill and new hay barn

There are just a few new photos in the GHP album.
to see the new photos, go to the
GHP Photo Album Link on left Nav bar

Huasna/ Merriewold Morgan Horse Ranch

Progress is looking good at the new Huasna Ranch for Diana Wold and Don Marszalek. There are five
new buildings being constructed with sustainability and “green” features in place. The first one to be
complete will be the Hay barn and shop.

Hay Barn & Shop: This building will also house the groom and his family. The building is constructed of
EPS, a high density Expanded Polystyrene Foam that is 6” to 8” thick. The obvious advantage of this
product is light weight but the more subtle advantage is that the entire building is generated by a cut list
via the CAD-CAM system on the builder/designer’s computer. The pieces are shipped to the site and
assembled with sheet metal and screws. It is very fast and saves in labor costs and since the roof is the
same material beam spans are longer with less material. See photo below.
   
Shop and Grooms Quarters.

2-2011!

The other green feature is that unlike conventional wood framing, there is less than 3% waste as
compared to 15% with wood. All leftover pieces are sent back to be recycled to make new foam.

The Stables and Arena: Great progress is also being made on the stables and adjacent regulation horse
arena. It is so exciting to see the progress.

  
Stables

2-2011

The plasterers are waiting to put on the final color coat and the interiors are being fitted with cabinets
and finish work. The roof is on and stone is being applied to the columns .

The Main house and Caretakers residence: The caretaker’s residence site has been graded and the
foundation is poured. The main residence is coming along well. The framing is well underway and
details are being thought out at early stages. The house is designed to have contemporary features and
energy efficient features. Some of the “Green” aspects of the house will be as described below:

~ Passive solar design with south facing windows and overhangs. Low E dual glazed windows.

~Clerestory windows and thermal massing. Stained concrete floors

~Thick wall insulation and radiant heated floors

~Sustainable use of finish materials such as bamboo and cork and recycled wood products

 
The Main House under construction

2-2011!

Paragon Designs/ Thom Brajkovich/ Architect

Sustainable Stables, Green horse farm design and management Is a new website with a wealth of information on sustainable horse keeping practices.  The website also provides a directory of environmentally friendly foundations, businesses and products.
Sustainable Stables has an area for example farms,
Merriewold Morgan’s Huasna Ranch and Green Horse Property
website was honored to be included in that list

To visit the Sustainable Stables site...click here

We are adding Sustainable Stables to our Green Resource list…click here

The criteria that are important to the selection of plants and the landscape design at the GHP are: low water usage, low maintenance, native, deer resistant, and for the horses, non-toxic. 
Linda’s website is currently undergoing an extensive up-date.  But as soon as it is finished we will have a link in this post and on the left nav bar of the GPH site.

Click link to go the Land Systems and Associates information and photos of projects
http://gallery.me.com/lindashotwell
Linda Shotwell’s Professional and Educational background, Qualifications and Awards
http://gallery.me.com/lindashotwell – 100486