Where are you first place? Have you thought about ICF......I admit I'm basis on ICF. It is more exp. but after you deduct all of the savings on wood, insulation, framers cost,(since they only frame in the inside walls and roof.....'should' be around half), the crawl space will already be in encapsulated,( I prefer crawl space over slab....unless you're in TX.....personal preference.....allot of plumbing is not under concrete) lower HVAC cost....etc. It actually might end up less.

1 I would never recommend cinder blocks.

2.windows could cost between 7k and 100k money that you will never recoup. Fixed windows performance are very similar between manufacturers and they are inexpensive. So I like using fixed.

3 if done correctly zonen or not zoned will perform the same. High end HVAC systems may or may not provide noticable performance improvement. I would spend more money on envelop improvements.

4 big windows may require variable speed furnace blower.

Where are you located? that makes a big difference in recommendations.

Brian said he would never recommend cinf

der block, but that's almost the only thing used in FL for example and its fine

I don't like concrete blocks (or CMU's, as they're called in the trade) below grade. It takes added work to make them strong and waterproof. Basement walls are subjected to different and potentially greater stresses than walls above grade.

Agreed mushcreek. Above grade they work. Below grade I'd probably spring for ICF like you did.

I've always heard that poured concrete was superior to CMU's but then I'm older than dirt and things may have changed.

I put Marvin's top of the line double-hung, double glazed windows in my house and I love them. I chose these as they looked the closest to my old 1948 windows, but they sure work better and no storms to put up and down.

I would not live in a two-story house without a zoned HVAC system. In fact, I wouldn't even live in a one-story one as I like to sleep in a very cold room year 'round. I would freeze both summer and winter without a zoned system, or else I'd be sleeping in a far warmer room than I prefer. Most people have zoned systems if they can afford them - just more useful.

Kallino, bookmark this forum and read, read, read. Lots of knowledge and experience here. And stories of blood, sweat and tears too. Good stuff all.

P.S. some of the best participants here are not "guys."

Brian.......100k for windows???? How big of a mansion are you talking about? 20k ft or more??

100k for windows is quite easy to reach, and without a mansion, robin.

^^^ yes. it is.

hey guys,

[...]

P.S. some of the best participants here are not "guys."

Where I'm from, "Hey guys," is a friendly, casual way of approaching a group of people. Let's take it in the spirit in which it's offered. <3

I otherwise totally agree with LittleBug... Read, read, read... Read even when you're sick of reading, lol. Grab a few books, too. See CPartist's thread for book suggestions.

Look into assembling a design team -- architect and builder working together with you to design the house -- this approach can save a lot of time, stress, and money.

Welcome to the forum, Kal. :-D

Agree that's very easy!!

sorry, i am located in New Jersey

We're finishing up our full ICF build and like some others in this thread, definitely recommend it or SIPS for the foundation, if not the entire house. More up front, but if you're thinking about having living space in your basement, the ICF as foundation walls combined with insulation under the slab will help ensure it's not always an icebox down there.

We spent about 53k for the Softlite windows in our 5k sq ft house. After much research, they're the most energy efficient windows I could find in my area. Make sure you pay attention to air infiltration numbers and non-metallic glass spacers.

We installed Marvin windows - the best - 8 ft. casement windows with custom grills. Saved some $ by not adding the grills on the sides and back. Also saved $ by making some of them stationary - meaning, they don't open. There are a few places in the house where a window doesn't need to be opened. We also went with the 16'x8' slider - It is AMAZING!!! $44k

We are currently installing a standing seam metal roof. We live in a rural area and it was a huge issue finding someone to put it on. But it is gorgeous and practical. Added about $20k on to a regular shingled roof install.

We had to have a 2 zone HVAC system. The house is 4036 sq ft - with a full finished basement. There was no way just one unit would be effective. Just double what a regular system would cost...

My Marvin windows were part replacement and part fully new windows with different size openings than the previous windows. I think they ended up costing me about $1000 a window, painted and installed - have 21 windows in my house - it's not a large house. This was 6-8 years ago, so I'm sure there have been price increases.

When I was shopping for these, I discovered that prices vary tremendously, even between "authorized" dealers. The one closest to me wanted DOUBLE the price for the same windows I got from a building supply place across the river in IN. Yes, they WERE the same windows - had the bid spec'd from her bid - just blacked out the prices. Sizes, sale numbers all the same. Aluminum glad outside, wood inside, true divided lites.

We live in Florida and have a 1 - 4 zone AC system and I do not think I would ever build a home like that. When there is a problem 90% of the time the entire system has to be shut off until we can get someone out to look at it. If we had built the house I would have definitely done 2 - 2 zone units.