A great home is more than just what meets the eye. For a secure, cozy dwelling, the finest materials and craftsmanship must exist behind the scenes as well as in plain sight. Thanks to top-quality components, this Lake Michigan home will be ready for whatever the elements — or festive get-togethers — bring its way.

First, adequate insulation insures more than a toasty home when the snow blows and a cool home while the sun beats down. It also helps cut energy usage and costs throughout the year. Whitson Insulation Company of Grand Rapids supplied and installed all the acoustical insulation and the thermal insulation, which is a combination of spray foam and loose blown fiberglass.

“Foam insulation was used on the west wall for added protection on a wall that gets hit the hardest from wind off the lake,” shares BDR project manager Mark Homans. “The foam provides a very tight seal and fills gaps while expanding and curing.”
Integrity Systems Group of Hudsonville helped design and install everything to do with wiring in the home. In addition to audio, automation and lighting control systems, the home is wired for a back-up generator. “This was an important feature for the homeowner, as there tends to be frequent loss of power related to lakeshore conditions,” explains Homans.

Two forced-air furnaces for heating and cooling and a boiler for the infloor heat in the lower level and master bath came from Grand Rapids’ Bel-Aire Heating & Air Conditioning. “For added efficiency, the boiler used to heat the floor will also be the source for heating the domestic hot water, which is housed in a separate storage tank,” remarks Homans.

In addition to stone for the home’s exterior, Belden Brick provided two fireplaces to ensure an inviting atmosphere any time of the year. “A wood-burning, zero clearance fireplace for the lower level provides a casual setting for entertaining, where the sounds and smells of a warm fire fit in perfectly,” says Homans. On the main floor, a sealed direct vent fireplace will provide warmth and ambience.

With each detail attended to, this home will truly be even greater than the sum of its parts.