X.D. Construction Specifications

1. For improvement of existing open masonry porches with concrete floors and foundations:
   1. If not heated, maintain insulation across porch opening, at original building foundation wall.
   2. If heated, insulate all walls of porch bump-out except for walls that adjoin another conditioned crawlspace.
   3. Install minimum 12 mil ground vapor barrier to extend up the wall a minimum 12 inches; tape all seams and seal to the wall surface.

1. Addition crawlspaces with heating/cooling ductwork shall be partially conditioned, and not vented to the exterior.
   1. Foundation insulation: walls insulated minimum R-10, using 2” XPS or 2" polyisocyanurate board attached mechanically to the foundation walls with seams taped; band areas air sealed and insulated with minimum R19 insulation.
   2. No foundation vents to the exterior.
   3. Install perimeter drainage per plans as required per site conditions.
   4. Install a full ground vapor barrier, minimum 12 mil; tape all seams and attach to all vertical surfaces a minimum of 12 inches and seal to the wall surface.
   5. Install a small vent from the supply duct to provide conditioned air to the crawlspace.
   6. Insulate any foundation access to the exterior.
2. Addition crawlspaces without heating/cooling ductwork shall be vented to the exterior.
   1. Insulation: minimum R-19 insulation in the floor framing, paper facing towards unit, secured to remain in place; band areas air sealed and insulated with minimum R19 insulation.
   2. Foundation vents to the exterior, 1 square foot per 150 square feet of area but not less than 2 vents, one each on opposing sides.
   3. Install perimeter drainage per plans as required per site conditions.
   4. Install a full ground vapor barrier, minimum 12 mil; tape all seams and attach to all vertical surfaces a minimum of 12 inches and seal to the wall surface.
   5. Insulate any access to the main crawlspace with removable panels, minimum R10.

1. Insulation shall be a minimum R-10, 2” nominal extruded polystyrene (XPS) rigid foam board or 2” polyisocyanurate. Insulation materials shall have specific approval for use without an ignition barrier in an unvented crawl space or be covered with an approved ignition barrier material.
2. All tapes, sealants, and adhesives in contact with insulation shall be listed by manufacturer as compatible with the insulation (for effective adherence and sealing, and without causing deterioration).
3. Joints shall be sealed using tape, or approved equal by same manufacturer as for foam board insulation.
4. Shall be permanently attached to the foundation wall using mechanical fasteners.

1. Penetrations through the floor (at electrical wiring, communications wiring, plumbing, and other openings) shall be sealed using fire rated caulk or foam and backing material or rod as required for large cracks or openings in accordance with manufacturer’s installations instructions.
2. Penetrations in the foundation wall shall be sealed from the crawl space using the sealant specified for the floor penetrations or rim areas. Also, air seal the closed foundation vents.
3. It is not necessary to remove existing sealant at penetrations if that sealant is complete and appears to be providing an effective air seal.

Floor joists, walls, ceiling joists, and roof rafters will be sized and spaced to maintain structural integrity and to avoid excessive deflection. Floor and roof sheathing for additions must be at least one-half inch thick plywood. Ceiling joists must be designed for the intended attic loads. If extra heavy loads, such as books, are intended to be stored in the attic then the proper reinforcement is necessary. All open spans including doorways and window openings shall have adequate headers. Loads must also be capable of being safely distributed down to the foundation. All structural members must be specified in the plans. Prefabricated, 3-season additions having components made of specialty, non-standard materials, such as vinyl-covered aluminum extrusions or uncovered insulated roof panels, are not allowed. Walls that extend to the lot line of the adjacent unit must have, as part of the construction, fire resistant materials in accordance with County code.

1. If an addition is constructed in an area where there is currently a storm drain, this storm drain must be extended/relocated to the outside edge of the addition in order to pick up the downspout.
2. If the downspout from the main structure is near the edge of the addition, it must continue along the roof of the addition and elbow into the same size downspout attached to the addition gutter. The gutter can be five (5) inch K-type since it is only carrying the water from the addition and not the main roof.
3. If a downspout is located in the middle of a roof, the water can exit the downspout and flow across the roof to be picked up by the gutter on the addition provided the following conditions are met:
1. There shall be a piece of flashing under the downspout to prevent shingle erosion.
2. The gutter on the addition shall be of the same size as the gutter on the main structure (6-inch K-type gutter) and the gutter must have a 3-inch by 4-inch downspout of the same gauge as the main structure exiting to positive drainage
4. Should it be necessary to relocate downspouts, etc., to accommodate the erection of the addition, the move must be made at the member's expense and conform to the requirements of the corporation.

Construction of structures on or above drainage swales, storm drains or inlets is prohibited.

When making improvements, members and their contractors shall seek to protect trees, shrubs, and other landscape plantings in other yards and common areas from damage.

Members shall consult GHI staff prior to site construction to determine if any mature trees may be adversely impacted by proposed construction. Members are required to minimize damage to trees over eight (8) feet and their associated root areas. Construction traffic and material storage shall be kept away from tree root areas as specified by GHI staff. Required protective measures for trees might include temporary fencing around trees, use of temporary protective sheeting to reduce soil compaction in root zone areas, and the storing of building supplies away from trees and root areas.

Parking lots and sidewalks shall be cleaned of dirt and debris by the end of each day. Building materials shall be stored or stacked in an orderly fashion during construction and construction debris shall be contained in canisters or dumpsters. GHI staff shall instruct members on the placement of canisters or dumpsters. Excess and waste materials shall be promptly and properly removed in accordance with local laws. Debris and soil shall not be disposed of in common areas or on City property. Members shall take steps to prevent erosion during the construction phase. Exposed soil must be temporarily or permanently stabilized within 24 hours on all yard perimeters and slopes greater than one (1) vertical to three (3) horizontal (1:3); and within seven (7) days for all other areas. Final grading must establish a positive grade away from the foundation of the building as applicable to the particular site.

If damage to other yard(s) or common areas should occur from construction of an alteration, members shall restore the yard(s) and common area to original condition or better, at member’s sole expense. Any damage to the grade (ruts, tracks, etc.) shall be repaired. Any damage caused to trees, shrubs, or other landscape plants in common areas and any damage to tree over eight (8) feet in a yard shall be repaired or replaced as specified by GHI staff. Any damage to sidewalks must be reported to GHI staff immediately. GHI staff will advise members of necessary action for reparation.

1. Exterior walls of GHI additions must conform to the following materials:

   Additions to:	Acceptable on Additions	Unacceptable
   frame houses	Vinyl or fiber-cement siding Horizontal lap only 4 or 8 inch exposure White or color to match existing	Vertical siding Aluminum siding Steel siding Plywood (T-111)
   brick homes	Brick Match brick size White or color to match existing Vinyl or fiber-cement siding Horizontal lap only 4 or 8 inch exposure White or color to match existing For brick homes originally clad with asbestos lapped shingles, the use of non-asbestos replicas is permitted.	Vertical siding Aluminum siding Steel siding Plywood (T-111) Concrete block
   block homes	Block Match block size White or color to match existing Vinyl or fiber-cement siding Horizontal lap only 4 or 8 inch exposure White or color to match existing	Vertical siding Aluminum siding Steel siding Plywood (T-111)

2. Any other exterior wall materials shall be only as acceptable to GHI staff and approved by the GHI Board of Directors.
3. Speciality, non-standard material such as vinyl-covered extruded aluminum, insulated roof panels, etc. (ref. X.D.8.), are not acceptable. 4. Shutters are not considered to be trim. For the Homes Improvement Program (HIP), shutters shall conform only to the door color palette selected for HIP doors, and are not allowed to be painted any color (with neighbor approval) as doors are.
4. Shutters are not considered to be trim. For the Homes Improvement Program (HIP), shutters shall conform only to the door color palette selected for HIP doors, and are not allowed to be painted any color (with neighbor approval) as doors are.
5. Exterior trim shall be materials not requiring regular maintenance (i.e. painting), such as vinyl-coated aluminum over wood trim.

Any other roofing materials shall be only as acceptable to GHI staff and approved by the GHI Board of Directors.