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What Does It Really Mean to Be Your Own General Contractor?
More homeowners today are exploring the idea of acting as their own General Contractor (GC). On the surface, it can sound empowering — more control, potential cost savings, and a hands-on role in building your home.
But what does it really mean to be your own GC?
Joey Feliciano
15 hours ago3 min read
Build Smart Home Builders Series Event!
If you’re thinking about building a home—whether next year or five years from now—the most important decisions happen long before construction starts.
That’s why the Build Smart Home Builders Series begins with Series 1: The 30,000-Foot View—an educational, big-picture session designed to help you understand the entire homebuilding journey before you commit time, money, or energy in the wrong places.
Dustin Wiebold
Jan 112 min read
Moisture Is the Real Structural Threat
Moisture Is the Real Structural Threat
Joey Feliciano
Dec 28, 20253 min read
Durability by Design: Building for 30+ Years, Not 3
Buildings rarely fail suddenly.
They fail gradually—through moisture intrusion, uncontrolled air movement, thermal stress, and assemblies that were never designed to work as an integrated system.
Joey Feliciano
Dec 24, 20253 min read
Building Science Before You Build: Why Smart Homes Start With Better Questions
Building science is the study of how a home works as a system—not just a collection of parts.
Dustin Wiebold
Dec 22, 20253 min read
Build Smart Home Builders Series – Session 1: Start With the 30,000-Foot View
At Performance By Design, we know that the decisions you make before construction starts are some of the most important ones you’ll ever make — affecting comfort, efficiency, cost, and long-term value. That’s why we’re proud to partner with Rum River Consultants to bring you the Build Smart Home Builders Series, a free community education event designed to help you build with clarity, confidence, and a smarter plan from day one.
Joey Feliciano
Dec 14, 20253 min read
What Is a Blower Door Test — And Why Does It Matter?
If you’ve ever wondered how builders measure a home’s true energy performance, the answer often begins with a blower door test. At Performance By Design, we rely on blower door testing to confirm that homes meet airtightness and efficiency goals — especially in cold climates where performance matters most. It’s a simple diagnostic tool that delivers powerful insight. ⸻ What Is a Blower Door Test? A blower door test uses a temporary, calibrated fan installed in an exterior doo
Joey Feliciano
Dec 10, 20252 min read
Understanding Climate Zones — And Why They Matter for Smarter Building
Not all homes should be built the same way — because not all climates are the same. That’s why the U.S. Department of Energy divides the country into climate zones, and why understanding yours is essential long before construction begins. At Performance By Design, climate awareness is the foundation of every home we design, analyze, or advise on. When you build for your climate instead of against it, your home performs better in every season. ⸻ What Are Climate Zones? Climate
Joey Feliciano
Dec 7, 20252 min read
Understanding Thermal Bridging — And Why It Matters for Winter Comfort
When winter arrives in Minnesota, our homes face some of the harshest temperature swings in the country. Snow loads, freezing winds, and subzero nights test every part of a home’s structure — especially the building envelope.
Joey Feliciano
Dec 6, 20253 min read
Essential Services in Custom Home Building with Performance by Design!
Building a custom home is an exciting journey. It’s your chance to create a space that fits your lifestyle, your tastes, and your dreams. But it’s also a complex process that requires expert guidance and a range of essential services
Joey Feliciano
Oct 22, 20254 min read
Building Smarter: The PBD Approach to Sustainable Construction
Discover how Performance by Design uses Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) from Extreme Panel Technologies to create stronger, greener, and more energy-efficient homes across the Midwest.
Joey Feliciano
Oct 14, 20252 min read
Reframing Affordability: Why SIPs Are Now Cheaper Than Lumber Framing — and Why Timing Your Build Matters
With lumber prices rising and mortgage rates starting to settle, 2025 may mark a turning point for Minnesota’s housing market. Discover why Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) are now cost-competitive — and how to assess whether this is the right time to secure your construction financing.
Dustin Wiebold
Oct 6, 20254 min read
Performance by Design: Energy-Efficient Design Benefits
Let’s get specific. When you choose energy-efficient design, you’re making decisions that affect every part of your home. From the foundation to the roof, every detail counts.
Dustin Wiebold
Oct 2, 20254 min read
Discover the Benefits of Energy Efficient Home Design
You might think building an energy efficient home is expensive upfront, but the long-term savings are impressive.
Dustin Wiebold
Sep 15, 20254 min read
Retaining the Value of Your Home: Why Building With Intention Matters
When you invest in a home, you want it to hold its value over time.
Dustin Wiebold
Sep 7, 20253 min read
We Don’t Build Them Like We Used To.
You’ve probably heard someone say, “They don’t build them like they used to.” And when you look at a piece of lumber from 1918 compared to 2018, you can see why. The old wood is dense, heavy, and full of tight growth rings. Modern lumber, by contrast, is lighter, softer, and has wider growth rings.
Dustin Wiebold
Aug 30, 20252 min read
Energy-Efficient Barndominiums & SIP Homes: Dream, Build, Live Responsibly.
Energy-Efficient Barndominiums & SIP Homes: Dream, Build, Live Responsibly.
Dustin Wiebold
Aug 24, 20252 min read
Healthier Living by Design: The PBD Way
At PBD, our goal is simple: build homes people love to live in—and to own. That means quiet, steady comfort, healthier indoor air, and predictable operating costs. Every PBD project starts with a SIP-centered shell—our foundation for performance. From there, details adapt to your site, climate, and lifestyle so you can live well today and responsibly prepare for tomorrow.
Dustin Wiebold
Aug 13, 20253 min read
The Future of Housing Is Here
For too long, homebuilding has followed the same patterns—standard designs, oversized systems, and construction methods that don’t always deliver the comfort, efficiency, or long-term performance homeowners deserve.
At PBD, we believe the future of housing will look very different. It will be smarter, healthier, more energy-efficient, and built to last. We’re already bringing that future to life in our projects today.
Dustin Wiebold
Aug 3, 20252 min read
Plan First, Build Smart: How the Right Guidance Saves You Thousands
Plan First, Build Smart: How the Right Guidance Saves You Thousands
Dustin Wiebold
Jul 19, 20252 min read
Building Dreams:
Insights from the Experts at Performance by Design
Welcome to the blog page of Performance by Design! Here, we share insights, tips, and updates from the world of custom home building to help you stay informed and inspired throughout your journey toward creating your dream home.
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