Happy 2015!
I love ringing in the New Year. It feels like a fresh start, like anything is possible. Perhaps it’s the new “At-A-Glance” calendar on my desk. Yes, I still use one. Or the promise of what’s to come with the …
NDI Give’s Back Warrior’s Walk: The True Meaning of Christmas (For Me)
I was all set to post a blog entry about insulation this week. I’ll get back to building soon enough but for now, there is something else I want to talk about. I’m sure if you’re like me, the holidays …
All Windows Are Not Created Equal
Window installation is a critical step in the building process. If windows aren’t set properly from the get go, there will always be issues (air and water infiltration, not opening or closing properly, etc.). Windows must be “hung” in the …
Thanksgiving 2014
Giving Thanks. Our NDI family is feeling pretty darn thankful this year as we welcomed a new baby for one team member and celebrated the nuptials of another. We’re also on our way to finish close to 50 homes by …
Building Your Own Custom Home Series, Part XV: Framing
We’re framing out at Great Falls Street (GFS)! I love the smell of fresh lumber. I love walking through a house right after the framers have cleared out. There’s still a little sawdust on the floor and you can feel …
Baby, It’s Cold Outside
My weather app says it’s about to get pretty cold out there this week. It’s hard to believe given the weather we’re having today. Here is the pretty view outside my office today. And is that a chance of frozen …
NDI Give’s Back Veteran’s Day
Happy Veteran’s Day! I had the pleasure of welcoming some of our brave veteran’s to the World War II Memorial on Saturday morning. If you remember, I greeted an Honor Flight at Dulles Airport back in June of this year. …
Solid vs. Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Do you love the pictures of the beautiful hardwood floors you see on Pinterest and Houzz? Or how about the beautiful hardwood floors those adorable twin brothers from HGTV always use? Well come to find out, most of what they …
Building a Custom Home Series, Part XIV: Waterproofing, Plumbing Ground Works, and Slab
The walls at our Great Falls Street (GFS) home are complete! If you have financed your construction project with a construction loan, the bank will require a “wall check.” The wall check is done by the site engineer. They make …
Farewell to a Friend
We’re saying goodbye to a friend today. After 21 years with NDI, Vince is retiring. He’s one of the longest tenured employees at NDI and he will be missed. Vince grew up in the City of Falls Church. He …