Passive House (PHIUS): A Smarter Way to Build

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Not all homes are built the same. At WS Design & Build, we believe in building homes that are healthier, more comfortable, and dramatically more energy efficient. That belief is what led us to start building Passive Houses following PHIUS guidelines.

Passive House construction is not about trends or buzzwords. It is about creating a home that works with the environment, not against it, while delivering consistent comfort and long-term savings.



What Is a Passive House?

A Passive House is a high-performance home built to standards set by PHIUS, the Passive House Institute of the United States. These guidelines focus on minimizing energy use while maximizing comfort, indoor air quality, and durability.

Compared to a conventional home, a Passive House uses only a fraction of the energy for heating, cooling, and electricity. The result is a home with extremely low utility costs and a consistently comfortable interior, no matter the season.


Airtight Construction That Makes the Difference

One of the defining features of a Passive House is airtight construction. In this home, the entire structure is wrapped using an airtight membrane system, creating a continuous seal around the building envelope.

We pair that system with high-performance, European-style tilt-turn windows that are fully sealed when closed. Combined with very thick insulation, this approach dramatically reduces heat loss and air leakage.

This home features:

  • R-72 insulation in the ceilings
  • R-58 insulation in the walls

With this level of insulation and airtightness, the home can be heated with very little energy, even during the coldest months.


Is an Airtight Home Healthy?

This is the number one question we hear, and the answer is yes.

Passive Homes use an Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) system that runs continuously. This system brings fresh outdoor air into the home while exhausting stale indoor air, all day and night. At the same time, it recovers energy from the outgoing air, keeping the home efficient.

The result is clean, fresh air without drafts, dust, or the constant recycling of stale air that is common in traditional HVAC systems. Especially in winter, when people tend to get sick more often, a Passive Home supports healthier living and better sleep.


Comfort, Quiet, and Safety Built In

Living in a Passive House means consistent indoor temperatures year-round. No cold spots, no overheating, and no drastic swings from room to room.

These homes are also exceptionally quiet. The combination of airtight construction and double layers of mineral wool insulation significantly reduces outside noise.

Beyond comfort, Passive Homes offer added safety benefits. Materials such as mineral wool insulation, metal roofing, and fiber cement siding are fire resistant, adding another layer of protection to the home.


Building for the Future

We decided to start building Passive Homes because this is where residential construction is headed. High-performance homes are better for homeowners, better for the environment, and better for the long term.

This is not about doing more. It is about building smarter.


Watch the Video: Passive House in Action

See how PHIUS standards, airtight construction, and high-performance systems come together in this Passive House build. Watch the video below to learn more about the key components and benefits of living in a home designed for comfort, health, and efficiency.

Video Transcript

This home's different than a regular build. This is a passive home. We followed the PHIUS guidelines. Those are the passive institute of the United States. To use only a fraction of the costs of your energy bills, your heating, electrical, your air conditioning. It's minimized to almost nothing and it's designed to keep you very comfortable and very healthy all year round.

In this passive home, this is airtight construction which we use a a brand called Intello which the entire house is wrapped. We use airtight windows. They're European style tilt turns which are completely sealed and we use very thick insulation. We have R72 in the ceilings and we have R58 in the walls. You could heat this house with very little energy cost.

The number one question we get is a home that's sealed so tight, is that healthy? Is that safe? Yes. We use a system called ERV, which is an energy recovery ventilation system, which brings fresh air in, stale air out 24/7, and it's constantly cycling.

What's it like to live in a passive house? It's consistent and it's healthy. Winter comes, everyone's getting sick, you're sleeping in clean air. You're not that recycled heating or air that you have in your house, dust blowing in your face. The sound resistant. It's we built it with double layers of rock wool or mineral wool, which is that's fire resistant. The metal roof's fire resistant. The hardy plank siding is fire resistant. So, there's a lot of benefits to this home. We decided to start building passive homes because this is the future. We want to work with the environment, not against the environment.

This is just a smarter way to build.

Bring Your Next Custom Home Project to Life with WS Design & Build

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Starting a custom home or renovation project can feel overwhelming. For many homeowners, the biggest concern is trust. You are choosing a builder you may not know yet, investing significant time and money, and hoping the final result truly reflects what you envisioned.  At WS Design & Build, that trust is built through experience, transparency, and relationships that last well beyond the final walkthrough. A Relationship That Lasts One of the strongest testaments to our process comes from clients who have worked with us for more than a decade. What often begins as a professional relationship grows into a partnership built on reliability, communication, and results. When you work with WS Design & Build, you are not just hiring a contractor. You are gaining a team that guides you from concept to completion, ensuring your home is exactly what you dreamed it would be. A Family-Owned Company with Deep Roots WS Design & Build is a family-owned design and build company that has proudly served our community for nearly 30 years. Led by owner William Snyder, our company was built on craftsmanship, integrity, and a hands-on approach to every project. That family mindset carries through everything we do, from how we treat our clients to how we collaborate internally as a team. A True Design-Build Experience We are a full-service design and build firm, meaning everything happens under one roof. Our designers and builders work closely together from the very beginning, creating custom spaces that balance beauty, functionality, and budget. At the start of the design process, we ask clients to share inspiration photos and ideas. From there, we translate that vision into detailed custom renderings, allowing clients to see what is possible before construction begins. This collaborative approach ensures creativity and practicality go hand in hand. Once the vision is defined, we walk through the project in detail, exploring design options, creative opportunities, and budget considerations so there are no surprises down the road. Stress-Free Project Management Our goal is to make the entire process as smooth and stress-free as possible. From ordering materials to coordinating timelines and managing deliveries, our team handles every detail to keep your project moving efficiently. By combining skilled craftsmanship with quality materials and careful planning, we ensure timelines stay on track and expectations are met at every stage. Built on Trust, Communication, and Technology As a modern design-build firm, we use the latest tools and technologies to manage projects efficiently and communicate clearly with our clients. This approach allows us to stay organized, transparent, and responsive throughout the build. More importantly, we prioritize relationships. Many of our clients place their trust in us not just once, but repeatedly, returning years later for new projects and referring friends and family. Watch the Video: Meet the Team Behind the Build Get to know the people who make WS Design & Build different. Watch the video below to hear from our team and clients, and see how collaboration, experience, and trust come together to bring custom home projects to life. Ready to Get Started? If you are ready to transform your home into the space you have always envisioned, our team is ready to help make it happen. From first ideas to final details, we are here to guide you every step of the way.

Investing in an Outdoor Space Built to Last

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When it comes to outdoor living, a beautiful design is only part of the equation. At WS Design & Build, we believe the real value of an outdoor space comes from the materials, construction methods, and planning behind it. Every decision we make is focused on longevity, comfort, and peace of mind, so our clients can enjoy their investment for years to come. From Dull Backyard to Family Gathering Space This project began as an underwhelming backyard with untapped potential. Our goal was to transform it into a functional entertainment space that could be shared with family and friends, while ensuring it would stand up to sun, weather, and everyday use. The result is a space designed not just to look good on day one, but to perform and hold its value long after the build is complete. Paver Patios That Stay Beautiful One of the most common frustrations homeowners experience with outdoor patios is fading. After investing in a high-end paver patio, it can be discouraging to see colors dull after only a few years of sun exposure. For this project, we used pavers with an Armortek® coating. This protective layer helps prevent fading caused by UV rays, allowing the patio to maintain its color and appearance over time. Five years down the road, this patio will still look the way it was intended to look, without the washed-out finish many homeowners experience. Strong Joints and a Solid Foundation We also used polymeric sand between the pavers, which expands as it sets. This helps prevent large gaps, weed growth, and shifting over time. Every edge of the patio is poured and pinned, ensuring the structure stays tight and secure without opening up. To further protect the space, the patio is raised approximately a foot above ground level. This elevation helps manage water runoff and reduces the risk of erosion, keeping the base stable even through heavy rain and seasonal changes. A Cooler, Safer Composite Deck Behind the patio sits a composite deck designed with sun-absorption technology. One of the biggest concerns with uncovered decks is surface temperature, especially for families with kids. This decking material reduces heat buildup, keeping the surface temperature up to 35 degrees cooler than standard composite decking. Even in direct sunlight, it stays comfortable and safe for bare feet, making it ideal for open, roof-free spaces. See the Vision Before We Build At WS Design & Build, we believe clear communication is essential. That’s why we provide more than just drawings. Our clients receive full 3D renderings of their projects, allowing them to see exactly how the finished space will look and function before construction begins. This process removes uncertainty, ensures alignment, and allows homeowners to move forward with confidence. Build Once. Enjoy for Years. An outdoor living space is an investment, and it should be built to withstand time, weather, and daily life. By choosing high-quality materials, proven construction techniques, and thoughtful design, we create spaces that deliver long-term value, comfort, and enjoyment. If you’re considering transforming your outdoor space, contact us to invest in something built to last. Watch the Transformation Come to Life See how thoughtful design, premium materials, and expert construction come together in this outdoor living project. Watch the video below to get a closer look at the details that make this space built to last.
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