Building science newsletter Vermont Homebuilding

Building Science: Volume 4, Issue 4

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From SEON’s Executive Director

It’s April.

Building the Foundation for a High-Performance Spring

In Vermont, April is often defined by what’s happening beneath the surface. While the landscape is still shaking off the winter and “mud season” keeps many of us navigating tricky backroads, the energy within the SEON community is anything but stagnant.

This month, I am incredibly proud to celebrate a major milestone for our region: six local carpenters have officially earned their Level I High Performance Builder certification. These professionals from Black Mountain, Mathes Hulme, and Apple Tree Builders didn’t just attend a class; they committed themselves to mastering the technical nuances of water, air, and thermal control—the “holy trinity” of building science. With 33 certified builders now active in our network, we are witnessing a fundamental shift in the quality of the Vermont housing stock.

Beyond the job site, the legislative landscape is shifting in ways that will impact our industry for years to come. From the Governor’s signing of H.50 to the progress of the Off-site Construction Accelerator, the state is finally recognizing that housing and high-performance standards must go hand-in-hand. We are also keeping a close eye on the recent certification of New England softwoods for Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT). The ability to use our own local Hemlock and Spruce in structural panels is a win for both our forests and our carbon goals.

While the “spring market” might bring a slower pace to some projects, it is the perfect time for us to refine our internal structures. I encourage you to read the feature on HELM Construction Solutions regarding team retention. As Kate Stephenson rightly points out, building a resilient company isn’t just about the next hire; it’s about honoring and providing growth for the talent we already have.

Whether you are navigating a log home renovation like the team at Northshire Living, or heading down to Greenfield for the BS + Beer site visit, thank you for being the backbone of this network. We are building a future that is durable, efficient, and—most importantly—local.

Guy Payne, SEON Executive Director

Onward and upward until next month,

Guy Payne
Executive Director

SEON – and our members – in the News!

Local carpenters completing SEON high-performance builder certification

Six area carpenters recently completed training from the Sustainable Energy Outreach Network to earn Level I High Performance Builder certification. Kneeling, from left: Anneke Dunnington, Kyle Meggiolaro and Omar Semiz. Standing from left: Paul Leonard, Andre Bingham, Jakle Checani, Junio Anthes-Moody (instructor), Owen Freeman (sales rep. for Benjamin Obdyke).

Local Builders Reach High-Performance Milestone

Six local carpenters have officially earned their Level I High Performance Builder certification through the Sustainable Energy Outreach Network (SEON), marking a significant step forward for quality construction in Windham County. Representing Black Mountain Builders, Mathes Hulme Builders, and Apple Tree Builders, these professionals completed intensive training focused on building science and the critical application of water, air, and thermal control layers.
This certification ensures that area builders are equipped with the precision and technical expertise necessary to handle Vermont’s demanding climate, resulting in homes that are more durable, energy-efficient, and comfortable. With 33 builders now certified across the region, SEON continues to elevate local industry standards, providing homeowners with a skilled workforce capable of delivering high-performance results.

Read more from The Brattleboro Former here.

Members – In Action

HELM Construction Solutions

Building a Business People Want to Stay With

We often hear that recruitment is the biggest challenge in the construction industry today, but are we focusing enough on the people who are already on the team?

Kate Stephenson of HELM Construction Solutions (a valued member of our organization) recently shared a powerful reminder on social media: retention is often more impactful than recruitment. According to Kate, the most resilient companies don’t just offer jobs—they offer clarity and a sense of purpose.

In her recent feature for Fine Homebuilding Magazine, Kate outlines that team members stay longer and contribute more when they understand three key things:

  • What success looks like in their specific role.
  • How their work contributes to the company’s overall mission.
  • Where they can grow next within the business.

Even for small construction firms without a formal HR department, these strategies can be implemented to build a stronger, more stable workforce.

Read the full article here to learn practical retention strategies for your business.

Northshire Living mountain modern kitchen

Mastering the “Mountain Modern” Kitchen

Renovating a classic mountain home comes with a unique set of challenges—especially when you’re working with solid log construction. This month, we are excited to highlight a recent feature in Stratton Magazine featuring our members at Northshire Living.

The team took on a stunning log cabin near Stratton Mountain that, while beautiful, suffered from a kitchen that felt “out of scale” with the rest of the home. Northshire Living navigated the complexities of log home design—where electrical and plumbing are often bored directly into the logs and cannot be moved—to create a space that is as functional as it is breathtaking.

Key takeaways from the feature:

  • Balancing Scale: How to make a kitchen feel as grand as the logs surrounding it.
  • The Logic of Layout: Why moving an island can completely change the “flow” and hospitality of a home.
  • Strategic Lighting: Overcoming the “dark and dated” vibe of traditional cabins with modern integrated lighting solutions.

It’s a perfect example of how our members are blending timeless mountain architecture with modern, high-performance design.

[View the Full Feature & Project Photos Here] (Link to Northshire Living’s website or the digital edition of Stratton Magazine)

► see more at Northshire Living

Construction students building playhouse windows

Young Students in Construction
Construction Level II students making windows for the play house structures

► see more at Windham Regional Career Center

Spring paint colors from WW Building Supply

Hello Beauty Paint!
Try a fresh new paint spring color to welcome spring! Choose from any of their colors or have one of our experts match your existing color.
► see more from WW Building Supply

  • Welcome to the world of architectural designer and a fine miniature artist. You will be amazed.

  • Underutilized State Land (H.50): On April 6, Governor Phil Scott signed H.50 into law. This mandates the identification of state-owned buildings and land that can be quickly converted into housing, though the Governor noted this is only a small piece of the larger reform needed.

  • Legislative “Crossover” Updates

    Several high-impact bills for the construction industry successfully moved through the legislature in late March:

    • H.775: Proposes $12 million to create an “Off-site Construction Accelerator.” The state would essentially bulk-order modular homes to guarantee work for factories and lower costs for Vermonters.
    • S.328: Includes $4 million in new funding for the Vermont Housing Improvement Program (VHIP), which helps property owners fix up blighted or vacant apartments to bring them back onto the market.

  • Vermont Market Pulse (April 2026)

    The Vermont “Spring Market” has officially arrived, showing a shift toward stabilization as new inventory finally hits the emerald-green landscape.

    • Inventory Growth: Active listings across the state have risen by 33.6% compared to last spring. While this offers more choices for buyers, the state remains in a “seller’s market” with approximately 3.2 months of supply.
    • Pricing Resilience: The statewide median sales price has settled at $395,900, representing a 4.2% year-over-year increase. Demand remains highest in Chittenden and Washington Counties, where prices often exceed this average.
    • Closing Competition: Roughly 25% of homes are still selling above the original list price, particularly for move-in-ready properties. However, the pace has slowed, with the median time on market extending to 62 days as buyers become more selective.

  • Certification of New England Softwoods for CLT

    One of the most impactful development for Vermont builders in the last two months is the recent certification of local species for use in Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT).

    • The Material: Eastern Hemlock and the Spruce-Pine-Fir (SPF) species group.
    • The Significance: Previously, mass timber often had to be shipped from the South or West. This new certification allows Vermont’s own low-value timber (like Hemlock) to be used in high-performance, carbon-storing structural panels.
    • Recent Momentum: The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (February 2026) highlighted this as a cornerstone for the state’s “hard tech” wood manufacturing strategy.

  • Launch of the “Off-site Construction Accelerator”

    In late March, the introduction of H.775 created a formal pipeline for specialized modular materials.

    • The Goal: The state is looking to “bulk-buy” standardized units. This has led to a surge in interest for Wood Fiber Insulation (often used in these modular panels), which is being championed as a sustainable alternative to spray foam and fiberglass.
    • Local Production: Efforts are currently scaling to use local Vermont wool and wood fibers for regional insulation manufacturing, aiming to keep the supply chain within the state.

  • Vermont Building Energy Workforce Development (April 2026)

    On April 1, 2026, the Department of Public Service issued a request for proposals specifically focused on Weatherization and Electrification.

    • Material Focus: This program is driving the adoption of High-Performance Enclosure Systems—specifically materials like Hempcrete and Cellulose that align with the state’s 2025 updated Climate Action Plan.
    • Training: The state is now funding the training of contractors specifically to work with these “clean” materials to meet new energy efficiency standards for residential upgrades.

  • Mass Timber Adoption Progress

    While most New England states have already adopted the 2021 International Building Code (allowing mass timber up to 18 stories), Vermont has been a holdout. However, within the last 60 days, there has been significant legislative and industry pressure to harmonize Vermont’s code to allow for these taller wood structures, which builders like Scratch Builders are already prepping for with CNC-cut Glulams and CLT panels.

Events

Designing the Future: Lessons from 3 Massachusetts Passive Schools
A technical exploration of Passive House certification for K-12 schools, featuring insights from architects and engineers on technical solutions and design standards.
Apr. 14, 2026

Location: Hybrid (online and in-person)

BS + Beer Western MA

April 22nd (4–6 PM)

a site visit at a 2-family PHIUS passive house project mid-construction in Greenfield, MA — just south of the border. The build team will walk attendees through the project: Carl from Oxbow Design Build Co-op (builder/owner), John Loercher from Northeast Projects (CPHC), and myself as the HERS Rater. Look for talks about the certification process, design details, market realities, and how to grow this work regionally. Greenfield is an easy drive from Brattleboro and the southern VT corridor, so it could be a great opportunity for members who want to see a PHIUS build with the walls still open. Free food (Oxbow is grilling) and beer (Northeast Projects and Power House are sponsoring). Relaxed and informal — the BS + Beer way.

RSVP Here

Better Building by Design (BBD)

Conference Theme: Tight Margins, Bold Moves: Building for Affordability, Efficiency, and Electrification

May 6-7, 2026

Southern Burlington, VT

Thank you, Members

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