Grand Contracting, Inc. was selected by HGTV to be featured in their new show called "Beyond the Box." The focus of this new television show is beautiful homes that have materials or products used in creative ways to bring about savings. Homeowners featured make their homes work within their budget, whatever that budget is.

Some of the savings and creative use of materials that this 2005 Overall Parade Winner (featured on this web site) utilized was its use of barnwood siding, reclaimed from an old weathered school house and then later used as a dairy barn. This reclaimed lumber is not only unique, but the 100-plus-year aged siding requires little or no maintenance, thus adding future savings since it never needs to be restained or repainted. This house was also chosen for its use of  beetle-kill lumber; that was then distressed, stained dark and then secured with old fashioned cut nails, for a rustic-elegant great room floor. And all 52 windows were also distressed, stained and then glazed, in-house, to create the look of reclaimed windows and trim, but at new build costs. The grout in the fireplaces and exterior stone were also made wider to copy the look that a farmer would have created when building his own barn foundation. This widened grout gave the home the old west look they were seeking while reducing the amount of stone needed. Being in the Parade of Homes created large savings, as well, as manufacturers, suppliers, subcontractors and vendors reduced costs for the chance to highlight their products.


This home, built by Grand Contracting, Inc. and designed by architect Scott Munn of James K. Pool Architect and Associates (now of Munn Architecture, LLC), was one of the featured homes on an one-half hour episode. The show is in high-definition, with lots of sweeping, stunning photography. The show is reputed to raise the televison production quality bar, showcasing amazingly creative homes, but shot in a sleek, contemporary style.

           


The series "Beyond the Box" began airing  in the Fall of 2008, with the episode featuring this home built by Mike and Isabel Conger of Grand Contracting, Inc. having aired in October of 2008.

           


Photos feature Isabel and Mike Conger, Vice President and President of Grand Contracting, Inc., the host of the series, and a camera crew from High Noon Entertainment, for the Home and Garden Channel (HGTV).