In recent years, sustainable design has been gaining popularity with architects, builders, and homeowners; individuals (especially in Boulder County) are concerned with energy conservation and sustainability now more than ever. 2015 has been a great year for innovative green houses, as designers continue to focus on energy efficiency and natural or reusable materials to create […]
What You Need To Know When Investing in Green Building Materials
One of the most important aspects of green design is using sustainable materials during construction. Any house that aims to be eco-friendly should focus on using natural, recycled, or durable resources. Here’s what you need to know when choosing green building materials:
Green Building Materials for Improved Indoor Air Quality
Poor air quality inside your home can have a negative impact on both your health and comfort level. Indoor pollutants and allergens, as well as excessive moisture or heat, can make for potentially hazardous living conditions. Luckily, there are a variety of options for preventing poor air quality before it ever becomes a problem.
Deconstruction vs. Demolition
Many people are quick to demolish old properties when they’re falling apart or in need of serious work. However, deconstruction is a great alternative to demolition and should be considered by all homeowners. Rather than tearing down an entire building and wasting potentially reusable materials, deconstruction allows materials to be salvaged and recycled or reused; […]
Balancing Budget and Sustainability in Home Design
Photo © TreeLine Homes Environmentally conscious homebuyers often assume that sustainable design is expensive and beyond their budget. But many creative individuals and design organizations are helping debunk the notion that green homes are unaffordable.
Green Building as a Health Issue
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) came into existence thirteen years ago, when the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) launched it with the idea in mind that the construction and real estate industries would utilize it to improve the energy efficiency and environmentally friendly practices in their projects in order to gain recognition […]
Rise of Solar Powered Homes
Homes powered by photovoltaic (PV) systems, more commonly referred to as solar-powered homes, are still a small share of the total housing stock, but their numbers are rising thanks to both government incentive and also the preference of home buyers. Energy efficiency is one of the top features in current demand for housing, and a […]
The Ventilation Omission That Can Make You Sweat
A lot of factors go into the design of a ventilation system, from determining how much outdoor air is required for the house with either the ASHRAE 62.2 or BSC-01 standards to choosing which type of ventilation system to use. In green homes, the balanced system is becoming quite popular, but many balanced installations are […]
New Housing & Building Standards Are Increasing the Demand for Green Jobs
The housing market is beginning to stabilize and state legislatures are taking the opportunity to implement new energy efficiency standards, particularly for large residential buildings and for commercial buildings. Local Law 87 in New York, for example, sets a date for all buildings of a specific type to meet a specific energy standard. These laws […]
Consumers Are Looking for Sustainable Green Building Products
Mainstream U.S. awareness regarding the environmental importance of green living, as well as the economic importance of American-made product lines, has made a significant impact on buyer demand for sustainable building materials. Sustainability expert Ron Jones of Green Builder Media recommended several products on a segment of “The Daily Buzz,” a nationally syndicated morning show. […]