Distinctive Homes
The Boulders is an intimate neighborhood nestled into a wooded hillside in the heart of Westford (driving directions below). This community will feature a mixture of unique, thoughtfully designed homes each designed to take maximum advantage of its special setting.
The sub-division includes eight lots. Lot one is occupied by the original 200-year-old family farmhouse. Lot eight is a 122 acre natural area with trails, streams and waterfalls that has been placed in the Vermont Land Trust. Lots two and seven are being held in reserve.
Lots two, three, four, and five are currently being developed and offered for sale by TrueNorth Construction. These lots range in size from 2.7 to 5.4 acres. All lots feature a mixture of mature and new hardwoods and pines. Lot three includes a substantial meadow. The entire sub-division is laced with over one mile of beautiful stone walls made from field stones. Each lot also features large boulders that add to the charm of the setting. Lots three and four offer panoramic views of Mount Mansfield and the Green Mountains to the east.
This beautiful parcel has been in the Cobb family for over two hundred years. Generations of family members and other locals cleared this land. The stone walls and boulders left behind stand as a monument to their struggle to tame the wilderness.
When the time came to develop this land, doing so in an environmentally responsible manner was of high importance. The most obvious measure of protection is the 122 acre parcel placed in the land trust, but other steps were taken as well including:
• Developing only eight lots when up to fifteen might have been permitted.
• Eleven acres of open space in developed lots
• Designing roads and lots to the highest storm water run-off protection standards.
• Lot covenants that encourage resource-efficient homes and the maintenance of the natural landscape and vegetation.
The Boulders is a special place where each home is unique. Residents can enjoy total privacy in a natural Vermont setting without having to live far from city amenities.
Driving Directions
From Main St in Milton take Milton/Westford Road east & turn right onto Rt 128. Turn right onto Twin Hills Road. From Route 15 to 128 (Westford Rd). Follow Westfor around the green. Turn left onto Twin Hills Road about 100 yards past intersection of Woods Hollow Rd.
Listed & Marketed by The Gray Group, Coldwell Banker Hickok & Boardman Realty 802-846-9505, graygroup@grayvermont.com
Specifications
The Boulders
Sample Specification List
ADDRESS: Twin Hills Road
Westford, VT
PERMITS: All permits to be supplied by TrueNorth Construction
EXCAVATION:
A. Trees will be cleared to allow construction.
B. Stumps will be removed from site.
C. Excavate for house and garage.
D. Install foundation drainage as needed. Either daylight or sump tied to 4” perimeter drain in minimum of 6” of crushed stone.
E. Install all waste and storm water management systems to permitted specifications.
F. Install well and connect water supply to house.
G. Connect electricity and phone.
H. Complete back-fill of house and garage with sand and topsoil.
I. Topsoil and seed disturbed areas of lot.
FOUNDATION:
A. Basement – standard walls 8” thick X 7’ 8” tall on 8” thick X 16” wide footings with double #4 steel reinforcement at top and bottom of wall. Straight walls longer than 40’ are 10” with vertical #4 steel every 24”. Walk-out walls to be 8’10” tall. All walls have anchor bolts every 8’ on center and a minimum of 2’ from corners.
B. Basement slab – 4” thick, 3,000 PSI concrete.
C. Garage walls – 6” thick X 5’ tall on 8” thick X 16” wide footings.
D. Garage slab – 4” fibermesh reinforced, 3,500 PSI concrete pitched towards garage door.
E. Foundation rods broken and sealed and walls coated for water resistance.
STRUCTURE:
A. Engineered TrusJoist floor systems with a 50-year limited warrantee.
B. Full ¾” TrusJoist Performance Panel sheathing, glued and screwed
C. Engineered frame with beams, posts and load bearing walls per design
D. Exterior walls – 2 X 6 studs, 16” on center
E. Interior walls – 2 X 4 studs, 16” on center
F. Wall sheathing – 7/16” OSB
G. House wrap applied and integrated into window flashing
H. Engineered roof trusses 24” on center
I. Roof sheathing – 5/8 tongue and groove OSB with composite underlayment
J. Shingles – IKO Cambridge 30-year architectural shingles
K. Exterior Trim – integrated window trim with 4” super corners.
L. Siding – 50-year warranted or better vinyl. Style per design.
INSULATION:
A. Exterior walls 6” fiberglass (R-21) with vapor barrier.
B. Flat ceilings to be 10” blown cellulose (R-38) with vapor barrier
C. Sloped ceilings to be 10 1/2” high density fiberglass (R-38) with vapor barrier
D. Roof ventilation with ridge vent, soffit vent and rafter vents if applicable
E. Basement walls studded and insulated with 3 1/2" fiberglass (R-11)
F. Basement sills insulated with 6” fiberglass (R-19)
G. All exterior penetrations, windows and doors foam sealed
H. All insulation inspected and certified by independent energy auditor
I. House to be 5-Star rated by Efficiency Vermont
WINDOWS AND EXTERIOR DOORS:
A. Pella Energy star-rated windows
B. Exterior doors insulated fiberglass per design
C. Garage doors metal insulated with openers
INTERIOR DOORS AND TRIM:
A. TrueNorth offers a wide variety of distinctive trim and door styles designed to fit each home design and budget. Trim details are specified per design and allowance
SHEETROCK AND PAINTING:
A. Sheetrock - 1/2” sheetrock on walls and 5/8” sheetrock on all ceilings. Moisture and mold resistant in baths.
B. Garage 1/2” sheetrock on walls and ceilings except common wall where 5/8” sheetrock is used for fire break.
C. Interior walls and ceilings – two coats flat latex, one color throughout. Custom paint available upon request.
D. Painted trim and doors – two coats latex semi-gloss
E. Natural trim and doors (if applicable per design)– stained (optional) with two coats water-based polyurethane
PLUMBING:
A. Pex supply lines, PVC waste lines
B. Washer / dryer hook-up per plans
C. Two exterior, sill cocks
D. Fixtures per plan and per allowance
HEATING AND VENTILATION
A. Energy star, direct vent, propane-fired furnace
B. Zoned per design
C. Rough-in for AC
D. Energy star, direct vent, 80 gallon, propane-fired hot water tank.
E. 110 CFM fans in all baths. Two on 24-hour timer.
F. Vented or re-circulating range hood based on design
FIREPLACE
A. Fireplace and trim per design and per allowance
ELECTRICAL
B. 200 Amp service
C. Outlets per code
D. Fluorescent fixtures per energy-star requirements
E. Switching and fixtures per plan and allowance
FLOORING:
A. Flooring per design and per allowance
CABINETS, VANITIES AND TOPS
A. Per design and per allowance
APPLIANCES:
A. Energy Star refrigerator and dishwasher per allowance
B. Electric range and hood per allowance
C. Roughed-in central vacuum only.
PORCHES, DECKS, WALKS AND DRIVEWAY
A. All decks and porches per plan
B. Concrete walks
C. Driveways to be water pervious material with vegetated strip in center
LANDSCAPING
A. Landscaping per design and $2,000 allowance for plantings other than lawn work.
B. Only native species may be planted.
Listed & Marketed by The Gray Group, Coldwell Banker Hickok & Boardman Realty 802-846-9505, graygroup@grayvermont.com
Builder Comparison
TrueNorth Construction is known for quality construction, high standards, and attention to detail. Their reputation is built on their commitment to building with integrity and to high standards. There are a few key differences in a TrueNorth Construction home:
| Typical Builder Specifications | TrueNorth’s Specifications |
| Structure | |
| Foundation walls 8” thick | Foundation walls 8” thick. Walls longer than 40’ are 10” thick with pilaster reinforcement for improved stability and straightness |
| Foundation walls 7’ 10” tall with 7’ 9” of head clearance | Foundation walls 8’10” tall with 8’ 11” of head clearance |
| Floor systems built to code with 2X10 or 2X12 joists and supporting; columns placed throughout the basement. Standard one year warrantee. | Fully engineered floor systems with 50-year performance warrantee built to exceed codes. Minimum supporting columns are used to keep basements open for future use. |
| Tongue and groove ¾” OSB glued and nailed | Tongue and groove ¾” Advantec or TrusJoist engineered panels glued and screwed for more strength, water-resistance and squeak-resistance |
| 2X10 plus plywood window and door headers | Engineered headers with built-in insulating foam for greater long term stability and superior insulating properties |
| Stairs build with 2X12 stringers | Stairs built with Timberstrand engineered lumber for stronger, straighter and more squeak-resistant long-term performance |
| ½” roof sheathing with “H” clips | 5/8” tongue and groove Advantec sheathing for greater strength, long-term stability and moisture resistance |
| Steel doors | Fiberglass, dent-resistant doors |
| Doors attached using integrated trim | Door screwed to framed openings underneath jamb stop and then attached using integrated trim |
| Weather Protection | |
| 15lb or 30lb asphalt-impregnated felt paper | Engineered composite underlayment for long-term durability and water resistance |
| Shingled roof valleys | Open metal roof valleys for better appearance and long-term protection |
| Off-brand, lumber yard vinyl windows | Pella Impervia fiberglass windows for better strength, lower maintenance and longer lasting insulating performance |
| Windows flashed with house wrap and felt paper | Windows doubled caulked, wrapped with house wrap and taped with approved window sealing tape |
| Doors flashed with house wrap and felt paper | Doors double caulked, wrapped with house wrap and Ice & water flashing pan |
| Energy Efficiency | |
| House built to state energy codes | House built to federal tax credit status which is 50% more efficient than state building codes and 30% more efficient than Energy Star |
| R-19 wall insulation | R-21 wall insulation |
| R-38 fiberglass ceiling insulation | R-38 blown cellulose insulation with extra blown over insulated duct work |
| Little or no basement wall insulation in unfinished areas | R-10.5 foam basement wall insulation in unfinished areas |
| Standard duct work or unverified insulated duct work | Insulated and independently tested air-tight duct work |
| All insulation and home efficiency measures unverified | All energy efficiency measures independently verified and tested by Efficiency Vermont |
| Electrical | |
| 15 AMP, 14 gauge circuits to bedrooms | 20 AMP, 12 gauge circuits in every zone including bedrooms |
| Switched outlets for bedroom lighting | Steel, ceiling mounted fixtures for lights and future fans. Fans and lights switched separately |
| Outlets placed to minimum code | Extra outlets placed in logical locations |
| Switched bath fans | All bath fans on 24-hour programmable timer |
| Few, if any recessed ceiling lights | Recessed ceiling lights throughout |
| Little or no planning for future amenities | PVC chases for running speaker wires in potential home theatre room |
| Plumbing | |
| ¾” main supply lines to ½” fixture supply lines | 1” main supply lines to ¾” fixture supplies for superior water pressure even when multiple appliances are in use simultaneously |
| Hot water lines run directly to appliances | Re-circulating hot water loop for fast warm-ups even in appliances located far from water heater. |
| Heating appliances placed to minimize installation costs | Heating appliances placed to maximize efficiency and allow for flexible future uses of utility space |
| Rented hot water heater | Owned, super high-efficiency, direct vent water heater |
| Other Details | |
| Little or no sound deadening insulation in privacy areas | R-11 fiberglass insulation on all bathroom walls and on interior master suite wall for extra privacy and noise abatement |
| Hollow core doors throughout | Solid core doors on all room entries for noise abatement and better “feel” |
| Trim mitered and nailed to wall independently | Trim miters joined with biscuits and glue and then nailed to wall as one unit for long-term gap control and reduced re-caulking |
| Trim work painted with a brush | Trim work spray painted for smoother finish free of brush marks |
| Garage unfinished or finished with drywall and fire tape only | Insulated and finished taped and painted garage with radiant gas heater |
| Little or no planning for an outdoor barbecue | Heat shielded wall and gas connection to main supply for gas grill |
| Single color, matte finish, “builder quality” paint | High quality, eggshell finish paint in designer colors |
| Pressure treated deck and railings | Exotic composite decking and tensioned stainless steel railing to preserve views |
| Most builders use ½” sheetrock on ceilings | All ceilings have 5/8” sheetrock |
