The Builder’s Notes

For custom home construction, high-performance insulation is one of the most cost-effective ways to minimize your energy use over time. And, thanks to the rapidly rising cost of energy, high-performance insulation can create a huge ROI for you and for the environment. What is High-Performance Insulation? Insulation is different from airtightness – both qualities are essential characteristics of a high quality building envelope, but both have to be achieved independently. Insulation regulates temperature by preventing thermal bridging – or the passing of heat through solid objects. With a strong...


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In this day and age, sustainability is at the top of everyone’s mind. That’s why, if you’re thinking of building a new custom home, you should be thinking high performance from the start. But like sustainability, the high performance concept extends beyond the confines of a construction project. The truth is, your yard, your gardens, and the overall landscape that cradles your house can have a huge impact on the sustainability of your custom home. And high performance landscaping can create huge benefits for more than the environment - it helps you spend less money and less effort...


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Clarum Homes is thrilled to announce the completion of our Atherton Farmhouse! With a stunning main house, private guest abode, three car garage, and spacious pool, this 8,000 square foot farmhouse in Atherton, CA is the definition of luxurious sustainable living. We’re incredibly proud of this unique project, and invite you to come tour this state-of-the-art luxury home - so you see what all the excitement is about! Visit our Modern Farmhouse gallery to see more photos of this amazing dream home. The Clarum Difference At Clarum, we’re all about innovation – and this project...


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Building your very own custom home is an exciting experience - but it’s also a long journey, with many moving parts and different parties. One of the best ways to succeed in the construction phase of your new custom home is to ensure that you’re properly prepared with an accurate construction timeline and that you’re equipped with the best tools, custom home building team, and processes on your side. Transparency is Key The fact is, you’ll need to make a lot of important decisions throughout the construction of your new custom home, and every single one of them plays into the construction...


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Extreme home performance may feel like a new concept, but its rapid adoption in the US and abroad means there are increasing opportunities for custom home owners to gain efficiencies and maximize home performance. The truth is, a high-performance home can slash energy consumption by up to 90% over conventional construction. Clarum is at the forefront of this shift toward high-performance design and construction methodologies. We work with families to leverage Passive House home building practices for extreme performance opportunities in their custom home building projects. And one of the single...


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One of the most important, and often over-looked, comfort factors in any home is protection from unwanted noise. Sound energy created within and outside of the house can infiltrate your home environment, creating a noisy, uncomfortable atmosphere for you and your family. Unfortunately, today’s standard homes are incredibly susceptible to sound penetration. The truth is, if you’re building a new custom home, you should consider implementing some strategic building practices that protect your home environment from unwanted noise. The following Passive Home building practices demonstrate...


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Building a new custom home? Indoor air quality should be at the top of your mind. The average American spends 90% of their time indoors, and air contaminant levels inside the average new home are 2 to 5 times worse than the pollution levels outside. This may come as a surprise. You’re probably aware of the toxic contaminants like lead and asbestos that have made historical headlines and reshaped building codes. But did you know that new home construction presents its own list of contaminants and pollutants to worry about? The good news is that you can take steps to ensure that your...


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If you’re thinking about building a new custom home, you’ve probably spent a lot of time weighing your options. And if you haven’t already considered high-performance home building practices, you may be surprised at how the numbers add up. The truth is, the energy and cost savings realized in a green, high performance home mean an incredible return on your initial construction investment. Energy efficiency systems that minimize your reliance on utilities, conserve water, and foster a healthy home environment can create an annual return of 7% on your high-performance home. And, according...


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If you’re planning to build a custom home or renovate your current abode, you have an amazing opportunity to transform the way you live. There are an incredible array of energy-efficient home systems available today, and if you’re planning a new custom home, you should think high-performance from the start. At present, there is no universal definition of a “high-performing home” in the construction industry. However, there is some consensus in the way the term is used. At Clarum, we believe high-performing homes incorporate the principles of passive home construction, including: Lighter...


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Imagine being able to turn your household alarms on or off using nothing but your smart phone. Or being able to receive automatic alerts about problematic events like water leaks or unexpected access to your house, no matter where you are. How would your life, both inside and outside of your home, change? The fact is, capabilities that were once props for futuristic science fiction are available to the custom home builders of today. And if you’re thinking of building a custom home, you should be thinking high performance from the start. High performance homes lead the way in utilizing...


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