Sustainable Modern, Denver Modern Home with Colorado Beetle Kill Siding

Mountain Pine Beetle

The mountain pine beetle generally affects Lodgepole, Ponderosa, Scotch and Limber Pines in Western North America. The beetle transfers a blue fungi to the pines giving the wood a unique bluish coloration. This fungi is thought to inhibit the flow of water and nutrients within the pine, ultimately resulting in the tree's demise.

Reclaiming Beetle Kill Pine, also called Blue Pine, reduces fire risk and provides a source of sustainable building material. Thus, making it a great "green" choice for cladding modern homes.

Before attaching Beetle Kill Pine to the home, it is recommended that

Effects of Mountain Pine Beetle on a Colorado forest

both the sides and edges of each board be treated. In the home shown to the right a semi-transparent, oil based, exterior stain was used. It was applied with a brush, and then wiped with a cotton cloth. Wiping eliminates tracks left by the brush. Rolling oil based stain is not recommended.

Beetle Kill Pine showing semi-transparent oil based stain
(color: Sea Gull Grey by Benjamin Moore) 

On this Denver modern home located in Washington Park both 1"x4" and 1"x8" tongue and grove (T&G) Beetle Kill was used. The lighter colored stain is Sea Gull Gray, and the darker stain is Spanish Moss. Both of which are by Benjamin Moore.

Building green and sustainable does not always have to be expensive. Beetle kill is substantially less expensive then cedar. 

Tongue and Grove Beetle Kill Pine:
1"x8" T&G = $.60/lf 
1"x4" T&G = $.33/lf

Beetle Kill Pine shown on Denver modern home in Washington Park
(color: Sea Gull Gray by Benjamin Moore)

Beetle Kill Pine shown on far wall of Washington Park home located
in Denver, Colorado
(color: Spanish Moss by Benjamin Moore)

Ground Face Block vs Split Face Block for Modern Homes

split face block on modern Denver home

Concrete masonry units (CMUs) can be an excellent cladding choice for the interior and exterior of modern homes.

split face block shown on Denver modern home

Two of the finish choices for concrete masonry units are ground face and split face. Ground face block offers a smooth semi-polished finish. In contrast, the finish of split face block is rough and irregular. Both types perform identically, so the choice between ground or split is simply personal preference.

The top picture shows 4"x8"x16" split face block wrapping from the exterior to the interior of a 6" framed wall.

The second and third images show a modern home in Denver's Washington Park. The home shows split face CMU on the vertical portions of the exterior, as well as interior walls. The block is from Robinson Brick/General Shale Brick, color: Ivory.

interior application of split face block in a Denver modern home

The last two images show examples of ground face masonry, with the last image clearly illustrating the visual contrast between split and ground face. CMU.

ground face block

ground face block (top) vs. split face block (bottom)

Tour This Washington Park Home on May 7, 2011

All are invited to tour this modern home located in Denver's Washington Park. The open house will be held at 1443 South York Street on May 7, 2011 from 10:00am - 4:00pm.

Tour this Modern Washington Park Home May 7, 2011

Open House, Washington Park Modern Home May 7, 2011

open house May 7, 2011 at 1443 South York St in Washington Park

your hosts: Dave and Natalie Huff

Everyone is welcome to attend our modern home OPEN HOUSE in East Washington Park.

When:

Saturday, May 7, 2011

10:00am - 4:00pm

Where:

1443 South York Street

Denver, Colorado 80210

Google Map

Why:

-Tour the Mid Century Modern inspired Huff Residence

-Enjoy complimentary cook-out and beverages, as well as a lot of great information on custom modern home design and construction

What:

The Huff Residence, designed and built by West Standard, a sustainable modern home located in Denver's East Washington Park.

Who:

also hosting: team West Standard (L-R: Jonas, Marc, Brian, Derek)

Hosted by Dave and Natalie Huff along with the West Standard team: Marc, Derek, Brian, and Jonas.

tour this East Washington Park modern home May 7, 2011 10am-4pm

Washington Park Home Tour 2011

Washington Park Home Tour 2011
1058 South Race Street

Washington Park Home Tour 2011
1067 South Race Street

Washington Park Home Tour 2011
1030 South Franklin Street

Washington Park Home Tour 2011
1193 South Williams Street

Washington Park Home Tour 2011

1100 South Franklin Street 

The 13th annual Washington Park home tour is taking place May 7, 2011. The event runs from 10:00am to 4:00pm, and features five East Washington Park homes. The featured East Washington Park homes: 1058 South Race Street 1067 South Race Street 1030 South Franklin Street 1193 South Williams Street 1100 South Franklin Street   Tickets may be purchased for $15 in advance, and $20 day of event. On day-of-tour tickets may be purchased at any of the featured homes, or at Steele Elementary School. Steele Elementary is located at 320 South Marion Parkway Denver, CO 80209 Proceeds benefit Steele Elementary School. 5% of proceeds will be donated to the DPS education outreach for homeless, and a portion goes to providing second educators in all Steele Elementary classrooms.  A plant sale, BBQ, raffle, art show, and live performances will take place at Steele Elementary School. Although not officially part of the tour, the modern home on the bottom right may be viewed the same day as the Washington Park Home Tour. Here is a link to our Facebook page giving details of the open house. http://www.facebook.com/pages/West-Standard-Design-Build/116063976595 Once on our Facebook page, click on the open house flyer to see details.

Tour this Washington Park home on May 7, 2011
1443 South York Street
10:00am - 4:00pm