Horizon Technical Capabilities

Site Preparation

Painstaking care during site preparation means trees remain as images of power and beauty alongside a home. Horizon employs special techniques for protecting tree roots to save valued specimens during the excavation and grading process of site preparation. We also digitally photograph and record the locations of important electrical and water and drain lines before they are buried.

Water Proofing

No living thing can survive on this Earth without water. Unfortunately, H2O is the element which can damage your home if not properly planned for. Our approach to creating a drainage and water channeling system means a basement is as watertight as a submarine. Extreme care in caulking, flashing and drainage systems protect a dwelling from the forces of the elements. Our radical techniques for waterproofing basements, foundation walls above and below grade, flashing and more flashing for all exterior openings, battery backup sump pumps, or a water tight shower floor and walls mean your home stays dry and protected from the elements. Instead of fighting nature, we subtly redirect it.

Sound Proofing

Horizon makes a home a tranquil place. Horizon goes way beyond expectations for insulation, superior grade materials, sound isolation engineering, screw fastening, testing by jumping all the floors, extreme HVAC isolation measures like placing the outside condenser units in camouflaged pits away from the house and other techniques to separate you from the sources of noise in your environment.

Roofing/Flashing

Out of sight, out of mind. Even though you can’t see the details that we put into your roof, you can rest assured that it will last for many years doing its job to protect your home from the elements. Horizon employs the highest quality materials and state of the art techniques for roofing and flashing every seam, every inch, of your new roof. Extreme efforts are made to ensure water is directed away from the home.

Brick & Stone Masonry

No material used in the construction of a home will last longer than stone. But there’s no guarantee your walls will remain plumb and true without the extreme techniques used by Horizon Builders. We use stainless steel ties in all exterior stone walls for support which will last for generations.

Framing

When it comes to the structure, we overbuild using the highest quality materials. Horizon culls all the lumber to insure the straightest, truest and dimensionally correct materials, uses real plywood everywhere instead of particle board, steel beams and custom welding for large spans, anticipates the homeowner’s needs for mounting hardware or hanging heavy artwork on walls by providing blocking inside the walls.

Floors

Sub-floors are all either screwed and glued, real plywood, or poured concrete slabs for rigidity, sound proofing, additional strength and floor support. We actually have a 200+ lb. man jump all areas of the floor to check for squeaks and loose sub-flooring before Horizon declares a sub-floor ready for the finished flooring surface.

Setting Windows and Exterior Doors

All windows are state of the art, highest, quality, double or triple glazed units. Exterior doors and windows are hung with screws—not nailed. Horizon foam insulates around the window frame, uses custom designed and fabricated door and window pans and flashings, totally sealing each unit to make each window and door absolutely weather tight and air leak proof.

Trim

A true testament to Horizon’s commitment to finishing detail is our technique for trim carpentry. Why float a wall to the trim? Why insure every piece of crown molding is string aligned? Why use biscuit joinery for each wood connection? Because your eye tells the story. Our finishing work is a masterful balance of geometry and the plaster artisan’s touch. It’s about trim joints and fit that are always clean, plumb and true. Everlasting.

Drywall

We use a plumb bob for the framing alignment prior to drywall and screw and glue every piece of drywall board. The finish is then worked to the highest standard of the drywall industry. You won’t ever see a nail pop or an obvious joint seam like you will with inferior drywall work.

Painting

Preparation, preparation, preparation is the painter’s mantra. Knowledge of the latest materials and techniques are essential. Our painters are thoroughly versed in what it takes to present a world class finished product.

Wood Acclimating

All wood materials used in a Horizon Building project are acclimated in the house and tested for moisture content before being used in the finished carpentry. This step ensures that trim won't bow or crack after installation.

Electrical

The high level of Horizon detail is also apparent in the design and installation of the electrical systems in the home. Horizon uses top-of-the-line panels, we underrate the breakers, run conduits for future electrical and computer wiring, and we create detailed wiring diagrams and labeling systems for easy future maintenance and upgrades. Horizon also water proofs around all exterior electrical boxes.

Lines & Valves

Horizon uses large diameter water lines, insulation of pipes, gas lines are all black iron, we secure the lines to the walls, and we also use numbered brass tags at each valve or important connection and a corresponding legend for easy identification and maintenance.

HVAC & Airflow

Controlling airflow is critical in maintaining interior comfort within the home. Horizon takes great pains in planning HVAC systems to minimize equipment noise levels by insulating ducts and hanging the HVAC equipment away from floors and walls. The equipment employed is the most efficient and sophisticated in the industry. We use Nortec museum quality humidifiers for winter dryness. Air returns are de-centralized for better air circulation, efficiency, and air quality.

Vents

Plumbing vents are absolutely necessary for waste water to drain quickly and quietly out of the home. But there’s no reason anyone should see these unsightly pipes sticking out of your roof. Horizon makes sure that all roof vents are hidden from view to maintain the intent of the architect’s design and lines of the structure.

Other Details

• Using epoxy wood fill for nail & screw holes, meticulous sanding, along with and other preparations before painting

• Interior walls are digitally photographed before wall surfaces are installed for future location of blocks, wiring or plumbing

• Horizon has a full wood shop for creating custom millwork and cabinetry

• When renovating we take fanatical measures to protect the areas not to be impacted

• Preparing mock-ups and sample boards to demonstrate the finished look of products and materials and colors

• Maintaining a clean worksite

• Extreme care in matching new materials to old

• Employing professional engineers to validate and confirm critical construction points

• The homeowner will receive owner’s manuals covering future maintenance and management of the home infrastructure.