DIY Network

DIY's 2006 Best Built Home Special Grand-prize winner, Billie Bentley, moves into her grand-prize home. From "Special Presentation" episode DBBH-S

(Continued from page 4)

Exterior Finishes

Billie's exterior design choices don't just look good, they are maintenance-free and will keep moisture out of the building envelope. The vinyl siding (figure S) will be able to withstand the extreme weather in Missouri and it won't rot, peel or dent--and it's scratch resistant and won't ever have to be painted.

Thanks to thru-wall flashing (figure T), the brick siding on the front of the house also keeps moisture out of the building envelope. This flashing is a material that basically is waterproof and gets integrated with the house wrap and is laid between the mortar joints of the brick.

When the brick is laid the installers will leave a void marked with rope in the mortar of every fourth brick. Later the rope is removed, leaving space called weep holes. If any water gets behind the brick the weep holes will allow it to escape.

The builders also use mold-resistant drywall as another preventive measure to moisture infiltration. Both these elements contribute to making the Bentley home a best built home.

Figure S

Figure T

	The Bentleys' family and friends, along with DIY officials and associates, celebrate the key ceremony.
	The completed Bentley DIY Best Built Home!

The Key Ceremony

DIY and the town of Keytesville, Miss., celebrate with Billie and Jesse as their best built home officially becomes their dream house.

Jeffrey Lawrence, the contractor, said one of the most difficult aspects of working on a project such as this is not to become emotionally involved. "But the story we're involved in has gotten to us, and we've decided to do some things for them [Billie and Jesse] that weren't in the original plans," he said.

Michael Dickens, the CEO of Build IQ (industry experts on best built home practices and a partner on this project), said, "We're really excited for them [the homeowners] and, in fact, very honored to be part of the project ourselves because we know they are going to get a home that will save them much money on utility bills per month, and they'll finally experience what it's like to breathe healthy indoor air. And this home will last them for a lifetime."

"It's gorgeous," Billie said. "I love it! It's so comfortable."

You Could Be the Next Winner! If you would like to know more about constructing the best built home or if you feel lucky you can enter DIY's Best Built Home sweepstakes by visiting our Best Built Home Zone.

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RESOURCES :

Ford
Ford F-Series Super Duty Pick-Up truck
Website: www.fordvehicles.com

L&J Development (Builder)
Website: www.ljdevelopment.com

The Home Depot
Website: www.HomeDepot.com

Protecto Wrap
Website: www.protectowrap.com

American Rental Association (ARA)
Website: www.ararental.com

GUESTS :

Ed Del Grande
Plumbing Expert
Host of DIY's Ed the Plumber and Warehouse Warriors

Anthony Grisolia
Building Performance Specialist
IBACOS, Inc.
Website: www.ibacos.com

Michael Dickens
CEO, BuildIQ
Website: www.buildiq.com

Jeffrey W. Lawrence
President
L&J Development, Inc.
105 North Ave.
Moberly, MO 65270
Phone: 660-269-8008
E-mail: jeff@ljdevelopment.com

Lara J. Lawrence
L&J Development, Inc.
105 North Ave.
Moberly, MO 65270
Phone: 660-269-8008

Linda Haston
President
Keytesville Chamber of Commerce
414 West Bridge St.
Keytesville, MO 65261
Phone: 660-288-3841

Sherry Meyer
Owner
Sherry's Place
304 West Bridge St.
Keytesville, MO 65261
Phone: 660-288-3149

Janet Weaver
President
Friends of Keytesville, Inc.
PO Box 40
Keytesville, MO 65261

Mayor Sue Pruitt
210 North Ash St.
Keytesville, MO 65261
Phone: 660-288-3745
E-mail: CityKey@mcmsys.com

M'liss Sanders
Interior Designer
Phone: 660-388-6311