There are many arguments to be made about why we should go green with our homes, not the least of which is that going green can actually save you money. The US Green Building Council reports that buildings consume 40% of raw materials, 39% of energy, and 14% of drinkable water in the United States. […]
The Case for Green Roofs
The creation of green space is something that is becoming increasingly valued by businesses, apartment owners, and homeowners. This includes green spaces on the roof: literally a layer of vegetation that covers the roof. Green roofs are considered a good long-term investment which will bring value not only to the building but also to the […]
A Good Building Experience Starts with a Good Builder
Building a home can range from being fun to being a nightmare, depending on the builder you choose to do the work. The process of building a custom home for yourself ought to be a fun one, so choosing the right builder for the job will always be important. There are several things to consider […]
Does a Composting Toilet Stink Up Your House?
Dr. Allison A. Bailes III of the Green Building Advisor built a green home for himself a decade ago. One of the most notable green features of the home is the composting toilet. Many people are cautious about the idea, wondering about the odor from a toilet that is composting waste in the house, but […]
New Home Sales in April — Steady Progress
In a joint report from the US Census Bureau and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, the seasonally adjusted annual rate of new single family homes reached 454,000 in April. This number is a 2.3% increase from March and shows progress in the housing market recovery. Buyers are bidding up the prices of […]
Mineral Wool Boardstock Insulation Gains Ground
In the world of green building materials, insulation has an exciting new product that can solve the issue created by XPS (extruded polystyrene) and polyisocyanurate. ComfortBoard mineral wool boardstock is manufactured in Canada, and has both residential and commercial applications. Roxul, the company that manufactures the board, is certified to produce it at a minimum […]
House Prices Continue to Rebound
Rebounding house prices signal economic recovery in the housing market nationally. In March, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) noted that housing prices rose steadily during the previous fourteen months. No division of the nation was left out of the increase. Though prices are not what they were pre-economic bust, it is thought that the current recovery […]
Green Design Standards in the Construction Industry
Are you or your company interested in pursuing green building? A working knowledge of green design standards will help you get going. To develop environmentally-friendly buildings, start with the IGCC (International Green Construction Code) as a guide to minimum green building requirements. To become acquainted with energy cost savings, reduced energy usage, conservation, and improved […]
Marianne Cusato on the American Dream Home
What does tomorrow’s dream home look like to the average American? Marianne Cusato’s talk regarding the future of home design touched upon new building trends and the country’s style progression in recent years. Author and Designer for the Katrina Cottages Cusato tackled the topic “The American Dream Home: Past, Present, and Future”. There, the designer speculated […]
What’s Different about Unity Homes?
In the world of home construction, what sets Unity Homes apart? Inspection reveals that the windows and walls are given special attention when it comes to energy performance. Unity walls are better than most R-35 versions and designers pay special attention to the orientation of the windows to select the best glazing and SHGC panes. […]