Universal Design Standards
Cherry Ridge homes are built better so you can live better. Recognized with multiple certifications from the National Association of Home Builders, Chris Rochleau has been building homes since he was 16-years old. Over the course of many years, the Cherry Ridge team has developed its own set of Universal Design Standards and construction methods – to create homes that perform better on many different levels. Several of our design standards exceed code requirements. And others are in place to enhance the comfort, convenience, structural strength and longevity of your home investment. You’ll find that we bring unique and creative ideas to the table and incorporate dozens of large and small build features that other contractors just don’t do.
Signature Design Features
Access & Convenience
- Zero step (level) entry where possible to facilitate easy access to home
- Outlets installed 18″ off the floor offering more convenience especially for older adults
- Wider doorways and hallways for easier access to rooms
- Open floor plans with fewer obstructions
- Lever-style door handles that are easier to open
- Mobile app enabled Wi-Fi garage door openers
- Aging in Place design features incorporated throughout to make home very comfortable for multigenerational living
Comfort & Lifestyle
- More kitchen counter space for a better cooking experience
- Stainless steel kitchen appliances
- Smarter storage solutions utilized in cabinets, closets, etc.
- Ceiling fans in great room and all bedrooms
- Gas fireplace with stone hearth and wood mantle
- Tile in entryway, bathrooms and laundry room
- Oversized mirrors above all bathroom vanities
- Covered patio area for better gatherings
- Passive radon reduction system for healthier air quality
Energy Savings
- Roof framed with “energy heel” for deeper attic insulation to save more on utility bills
- Garage is fully insulated, including doors, walls and ceiling
- On demand water heater uses less energy
- High-efficiency HVAC system with sealed and hard-piped ductwork and returns
- All holes through floor and top plate (top of walls) are caulked or foam sealed to reduce air leakage
- Exterior wall framing caulked to sub-floor to reduce air leakage
- Energy efficient windows and doors rated for cold climate
Structural Performance
- 9′ Deep rebar-reinforced poured foundation performs better than shallow foundations or cinder block
- Oversized steel beams under main floor provide superior strength and stability for primary structure of home (exceeds code requirements)
- Exterior wall sheathing thickness for stability and energy savings (exceeds code requirements)
- Exterior wall depth for stability and energy savings (exceeds code requirements)
- Rebar reinforced concrete driveway offers longer lasting performance (exceeds code requirements)
Finish Features
- With an eye toward the future, we combine time-tested design features like hardwoods and neutral colors with modern design aesthetics
- Custom crafted all-wood cabinets
- 3/4″ Hardwood floors offer timeless beauty and durability
- Granite countertops in kitchen
- Tile backsplash from countertops to cabinets
- Painted interior garage walls
Craftsmanship & Quality
- Rigorous quality and safety standards followed on every project
- We maintain a clean and organized jobsite, so subcontractors and vendors have a safer and more enjoyable work space
- Long-lasting relationships with the area’s best sub-contractors and tradespeople for improved quality & timeliness
- Industry-leading, proven suppliers of components and systems for things like HVAC, garage doors, windows & doors, etc.
- One-year home warranty and excellent manufacturers’ warranties on components
Structure Features
Foundation
- 16″ x 8″ Continuous spread footings
- 9′ Deep x 8″ thick poured foundation walls
- 4′ Deep x 8″ thick poured foundation walls as called for
- Continuous brick stamped foundation wall texture
- Interior load bearing spread footings as called for
Framing
- 9′ Tall main floor wall height
- Steel beam framing under main floor
- 2 x 6 Wood framed exterior walls
- 2 x 4 Wood framed interior walls
- 2 x 12 Headers over load bearing windows & doors
- 7/16″ OSB sheathing on exterior walls
- 7/16″ OSB sheathing on roof with “H” clips for added strength
- Exterior walls wrapped with Tyvek Building Wrap (or equal)
- Framing & sheathing mechanically fastened with coated sinkers
Insulation
- R-13 Kraft faced batt insulation in exterior walls
- R-49 Blown in insulation in attic
- Roof framed with “energy heel” trusses for deeper insulation
- Garage walls & ceiling are insulated
Gypsum Board Drywall
- 1/2″ Gypsum board drywall on walls & ceilings
- 1/2″ Moisture resistant gypsum board drywall where needed
- Outside corners finished with rounded bullnose
- Square corner bead on wrapped windows & sliding doors
- Garage walls are drywall finished & painted
Plumbing
- Tankless “on demand” gas water heater
- One (1) Aquaglass (or equal) walk-in shower
- One (1) ice maker box
- One (1) single handle laundry box
- One (1) hose bib in garage
- One (1) hose bib near back of house
- Gas piping to gas appliances
- Connection to municipal water service
- Connection to municipal sewer service
- Septic tank installation as necessary
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning
- Sealed & hard-piped ductwork and returns designed for complete uniform air distribution
- Sheet metal ductwork for bath and dryer vents
- Goodman (or equal) high-efficiency gas furnace – 96.4% efficient
- Goodman (or equal) high-efficiency air conditioning unit – 13 SEER
- Digital thermostat
Electrical
- 200 AMP electrical service panel
- Ceiling fan with light kit in each bedroom
- Oversized ceiling fans in master bedroom and great room
- Recessed can light fixtures as needed
- Hanging light fixtures as needed
- Electrical outlets as needed per code
- GFI outlets as needed per code
- NuTone exhaust fans in bathrooms
- Doorbell chime & transformer
- Low-voltage cable and phone outlets
Exterior Features
House Exterior
- Exposed stamped foundation
- Cultured stone veneer per plan
- Cement board siding
- Pre-finished “K” style seamless gutters with 2″ x 3″ downspouts
- Sherwin Williams (or equal) Satin Dura-Last exterior paint
Windows & Exterior Doors
- Anderson 100 (or equal) vinyl sliding windows
- Bayer-Built (or equal) fiberglass six-panel front entry door and door to covered patio
- Clopay (or equal) pre-finished sectional steel insulated commercial-grade garage doors
- Belt drive Wi-Fi garage door openers (mobile app opener)
- Two (2) egress windows in lower level
Roof
- Galvanized gutter apron at eaves and pre-finished “D” style drip edge at gable rake
- Pre-finished roof vents or shingle ridge vent
- 15# Felt underlayment under entire roof
- Ice and water shield membrane in valleys
- 30-Year Tamko (or equal) architectural shingles
Landscaping & Concrete
- Rainbird (or equal) 4-zone sprinkler system
- Lot grading with sod installation
- Rebar-reinforced 3,500 PSI concrete driveway & entry stoop
- 3,500 PSI concrete at public and private walks
Interior Features
Cabinetry & Countertops
- Birch hardwood pre-finished custom cabinets
- Flat panel solid wood doors
- Birch crown molding on top of all cabinetry
- Granite countertops in kitchen
- Cultured marble vanity tops in bathrooms
- Tile backsplash from countertops to cabinets
Interior Millwork & Doors
- All interior millwork to be primed MDF that will be painted
- Hardwood millwork is maple with clear laquer
- Pre-hung interior doors to be hollow core MDF six-panel doors
- Door hardware finish to be brushed nickel
Other Interior
- Walls to receive PVA primer & two (2) coats of finish paint
- Fireplace to include stone hearth and stone surround up to wood mantle
Floor Coverings
- Wood flooring in laundry, pantry, kitchen and dinette
- Ceramic tile flooring at home entry and bathrooms
- Frieze type carpet by Pisa (or equal) in all remaining finished areas
Appliances
- General Electric (or equal) glass-top free standing range – stainless steel
- General Electric (or equal) microwave – stainless steel
- General Electric (or equal) dishwasher – stainless steel
Plumbing Finishes
- 843 Stainless steel kitchen sink (or equal)
- One (1) sink faucet with sprayer
- One (1) ISE Badger 5 garbage disposal (or equal)
- Baths include tub/shower faucet, lavatory faucet, front round stool with seat
NOTE: The above standards represent features we commonly use in our Signature Series homes are informational only and shall not be relied on as guarantees or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, reliability or suitability of such information for your specific project. Refer to your project specifications for details.