Timberpeg, Foard Panel Helping Build Habitat Home

Written by Log Home Living Editors

The Upper Valley (Vt.) Habitat for Humanity, in conjunction with Timberpeg, Foard Panel and members of 20 faith communities in the Upper Valley will break ground for a new, perpetually affordable home on Sunday, May 18. The Upper Valley family that will live in the home has not yet been chosen but will be selected shortly before groundbreaking. The "Upper Valley Habitat InterFaith House" will be built in Star Lake Village in Norwich, Vt., on land provided by Twin Pines Housing Trust of White River Junction and is designed to meet Energy Star qualifications.

Timberpeg, a local Upper Valley timber frame company with offices in West Lebanon and Claremont, is donating locally harvested Eastern white pine timbers, decking and labor to install the first floor deck and erect the timber frame. Timberpeg also volunteered their services to help in the design of the new home.

“Timberpeg has been pleased to work with Habitat for Humanity in designing and providing a high quality timber framed house that will be attractive, affordable and very energy efficient,” says Jonathan Vincent, AIA, Timberpeg architect and director of design. Vincent worked with Don Derrick, executive director at Habitat for Humanity, and Tim McCosker, designer at Habitat for Humanity, on the design.

Foard Panel, located in West Chesterfield, N.H., and TOLKO Industries, Ltd., are donating XPS (extruded polystyrene) structural insulated panels (SIPs) to enclose the home. Foard Panel is the only company in America to make this type of SIP. The XPS product is produced by DOW and exceeds Energy Star standards for thermal performance, which will give the homeowner great savings on their energy bills. Foard Panel and Timberpeg will provide the labor to attach the panels.

"This is an absolutely wonderful gift by Timberpeg and Foard. The materials are absolutely top rate, and we were so impressed by the way the people in the organizations took hold of the project and designed a home especially for the Habitat ideal of a 'simple, decent home'," Derrick said.

This major contribution by Timberpeg and Foard Panels will aid the sponsorship by 20 local faith communities. "What a great example of people joining together to use their skills and resources to help each other help their neighbors," Derrick said. "The leadership of Timberpeg and of our 20 faith community sponsors is ensuring a safe, secure home for a family in need. This is just what I have come to expect from the people of the Upper Valley. What a great place to live."

If you are interested in volunteering or donating any materials for this project, call The Upper Valley Habitat for Humanity at (802) 295-1854 or contact via email at uvhfh@sover.net. To learn more about this project and to keep up with its progress visit timberpeg.com/habitat or www.uppervalleyhabitat.org/projects.htm.