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Green Building

Green building has become such an integral part of the language of construction that it’s hard to imagine a time when builders didn’t talk about renewable energy, sustainability, and environmentally friendly design. But a decade ago, green building was still something of a novelty. Builders and homeowners were slowly got acquainted with a new set of construction standards, and new expectations for what houses could and should do for their owners.

Green building is often called sustainable building because a big part of its appeal is the idea it can continue into the indefinite future without jeopardizing either the planet or us. Green building is about choosing building materials carefully, maximizing durability, and minimizing waste. Green houses are comfortable, healthy places to live, and they lower both operating costs and maintenance for their owners from the day they move in.

How we get there can be a complicated tale. Builders and building scientists have learned the hard way how to make buildings that are much tighter and much better insulated than the leaky, energy-guzzlers of a generation ago. The specialized materials and construction techniques are here, and the number of builders who know how to use them is climbing steadily.

A decision to build a green house, or renovate an existing house to green standards, often winds up with a discussion of renewable energy. A house with solar power on the roof may even make it to the net-zero promise land, where energy bills essentially go away and homeowners plug their cars in at night. It’s much more than that, of course. It’s a holistic approach to design and construction that offers benefits far into the future.

Energy-efficient, sustainable building is the future of building. If you’re not on the bus yet, we’ve got a seat saved for you.

 

  • environmentally friendly spray foam

    Is There Environmentally Friendly Spray Foam Insulation?

    HFO-blown foam is significantly better than HFC-blown foam when it comes to global warming potential, but no spray foam has zero environmental impact.

  • Building a Prototype

    Building a Prototype For Net-Zero Neighborhoods

    Green-building strategies and low-carbon materials define the design of this cluster of energy-efficient, solar-powered homes.

  • Rise of the IAQ Monitor

    These devices may lack accuracy, but they can teach us how we play a role in maintaining indoor-air quality.

  • The Evolution of a Pretty Good House

    A detailed look at the new low-carbon edition of the grassroots building standard.

  • window flashing

    Don’t Forget the Flashing

    Easily overlooked and sometimes installed incorrectly, flashing keeps water out and rot at bay.

  • Dry board

    In Favor of Wood-Fiber Insulation

    Learn about the benefits, properties, and installation methods of this unique insulation developed in Germany by companies like Gutex, STEICO, and Best Wood SCHNEIDER.

  • Air Barriers Are Essential for a Modern, High-Performance Home

    Controlling air movement through the walls and ceilings is a key step toward comfort, energy efficiency, and building durability.

  • Water-Resistive Barriers

    This water-impermeable layer beneath the siding protects walls from rain and snow, and often functions as a building's air barrier.

  • Why Would My House Need a Blower-Door Test?

    Few metrics are as important in high-performance building as air tightness, and a blower door is how you measure it.

  • Minisplit Heat Pumps Efficiently Heat and Cool this House

    Three indoor units provide the right mix of comfort and efficiency for this well-insulated but complex floor plan.

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