Beautiful custom homes also abound in the Western Slope ski havens of Vail, Telluride, and Steamboat Springs. The Front Range, where about 70 percent of the state’s population resides, is also home to amazing custom homes — many built according to high efficiency standards and using the latest green and sustainable techniques and materials. This […]
The 30 Largest Metros Ranked for Walkable Urbanism
New York City tops the list as the most “walkable urban place”, but Detroit’s development potential looks promising after years of significant market absorption and economic growth. The nations largest metropolitan areas are focusing on building walkable urban development, and for perhaps the first time in 60 years, walkable urban places are gaining market share […]
Permeable Grass Pavers: A Sustainable Alternative to Traditional Concrete Paving Methods
Surface paving is most commonly accomplished with concrete, asphalt, or some combination of the two. While this is very effective for creating drivable surfaces for our vehicles, it’s not exactly eco-friendly. In fact, the manufacture of cement causes significant carbon emissions in every step of the process. The amount of airborne pollution that is produced […]
How Cultural Shifts are Affecting Home Design
Popular home styles have always served as a sign of the times. Victorian homes, with their elegant and intricate details, are a monument of Queen Victoria’s reign (1840 – 1904). Colonial-style homes are living relics of the colonial period, when various European cultures had colonies scattered throughout the United States. The list goes on, but […]
Outdoor Kitchen Must-Haves
In recent years, the practice of extending a home’s living area by adding an outdoor kitchen has become extremely popular. Outdoor kitchens are a luxurious addition to houses of any size, and they are especially useful if you enjoy entertaining guests in your home. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to planning this outdoor living space; everyone’s […]
What is a Photovoltaic Solar System, and How Does it Work?
A photovoltaic solar system (also known as a PV system and PV power system) is a series of devices designed to capture energy from the sun and convert it into power that you can use. It’s a clean, quiet, and extremely reliable way to power a home or business. In recent years, solar power has […]
Snowmelt Systems: The Latest Innovation in Snow Removal
To say that we get more than our fair share of snow in Colorado would be stating the obvious. While most U.S. cities get about 25 inches of snow per year, Boulder averages around 83 inches. So, if you have lived in Boulder for any amount of time, you understand the kind of hassle that […]
Making Radiant Floor Heating Part of Your Green Home Renovation
It’s hard to explain the feeling of walking across a heated floor; it’s just one of those things that everyone should experience at least once. For so long, radiant floor heating was something that was only ever found in luxury homes, hotels, and spas. That doesn’t seem to be the case now, however. Radiant floor […]
3 Green Renovation Ideas For Your Home
Renovating can be both an exciting and overwhelming endeavor. Homeowners invested in eco-friendly design may feel particularly uncertain about where to start or which materials to use when remodeling. If you are considering taking on a green home renovation project, here are three suggestions to help you begin:
Traditional v. Contemporary Design
For many people, the difference between a traditionally designed house and contemporary one is a matter of taste. Traditional residences are influenced by more historic styles like Victorian, Spanish, Colonial, or Neoclassical, while contemporary homes are fashioned from modern 20th Century architecture. Popular contemporary elements include sleek lines, square or rectangular shapes, heavy use of […]