Detached Auxiliary Dwelling Units (DADUs)
Navigate Washington State's DADU regulations with our expertise. We handle permitting, design, and construction to create compliant, energy-efficient units that maximize your property value.
Small Energy-Efficient Homes • Guest Houses & DADUs • Licensed, Bonded & Insured
Sustainable Building with Advanced Construction Techniques
Serving South Snohomish County, Washington & Surrounding Areas
Energy Efficient Small Homes
Building Science Control Layers
At Gnome Hills Construction, we understand that a properly functioning home requires four critical control layers: water, air, vapor, and thermal. Our expertise in building science ensures each layer works together seamlessly:
Water Control: The most vital layer, preventing moisture infiltration that can lead to mold, rot, and structural damage. We implement comprehensive drainage planes and flashing details.
Air Control: Proper air sealing reduces energy loss and prevents moisture condensation within wall assemblies. Our meticulous sealing techniques exceed industry standards.
Vapor Control: Managing water vapor movement prevents condensation and moisture accumulation, especially critical in the Pacific Northwest's climate.
Thermal Control: Our ICF construction provides exceptional continuous insulation, keeping homes warm in winter and cool in summer while reducing energy costs.
The Pretty Good House Philosophy
We embrace the Pretty Good House approach - a common-sense building philosophy that balances cost, performance, and environmental responsibility. Rather than chasing expensive certifications, we focus on what truly matters:
Right-Sized Homes: Thoughtfully designed spaces that meet your needs without excess - typically 1,000-1,500 sq ft for couples, maximizing efficiency and minimizing environmental impact.
Proven Building Science: We apply fundamental principles that work, focusing on continuous control layers, proper moisture management, and durable assemblies that will perform for generations.
Cost-Effective Performance: Our approach invests in the elements that matter most - the building envelope and mechanical systems - while avoiding costly features that don't provide real benefits.
Advanced Construction Techniques
Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) Construction
As a certified Fox Blocks installer, we offer advanced ICF construction techniques that provide superior energy efficiency, structural strength, and comfort compared to traditional building methods.
Advanced Building Science Applications
ICF construction inherently addresses all four critical control layers in building science, making it ideal for the Pacific Northwest climate:
Integrated Control Layers: ICF systems combine water, air, vapor, and thermal control in a monolithic assembly, eliminating the weak points found in traditional construction.
Continuous Insulation: R-25+ walls with no thermal bridging ensure consistent temperatures and eliminate cold spots that can lead to condensation and mold.
Superior Air Barrier: Concrete cores create an impermeable air barrier, achieving exceptional blower door test results and reducing energy costs by up to 60%.
Moisture Resilience: ICF walls resist moisture infiltration and provide excellent drying potential, critical for our wet climate.
Moisture Resilience Through ICF
Our ICF construction method provides exceptional protection against the Pacific Northwest's wet climate through integrated control layers and superior drying potential.
DADUs & Guest Houses
Guest Houses & In-Law Suites
Custom guest houses designed for maximum efficiency and comfort. Our advanced construction techniques ensure year-round comfort with minimal energy costs.
Small Home Specialty
We focus exclusively on smaller residential projects, allowing us to provide personalized attention and superior craftsmanship that larger builders can't match.
Why Choose Gnome Hills Construction?
Building Science Expertise
As a certified Fox Blocks Primary Installer, we bring deep understanding of building science control layers to South Snohomish County. Our commitment to the Pretty Good House philosophy means we build homes that are comfortable, durable, and energy-efficient without unnecessary complexity or cost.
Control Layer Integration
We ensure proper integration of all four control layers - water, air, vapor, and thermal - at every connection point. This attention to detail at windows, doors, roof-wall intersections, and foundation transitions is what separates a truly high-performance home from one that merely looks good on paper.
Pretty Good House Builder
We're proud to embrace Pretty Good House principles in Washington State. This means we focus on what matters: proper sizing, excellent building envelopes, simple and durable mechanical systems, and sustainable material choices that reduce both operating costs and environmental impact.
Start Your Energy-Efficient Home Project
Contact Information
Email: info@gnomehills.com
Phone: (214) 288-8536
Service Area: South Snohomish County, Washington & Surrounding Areas
Ready to Build Energy Efficient?
Whether you're planning a DADU, guest house, or energy-efficient small home, our sustainable building expertise will deliver superior performance and long-term value.