Trend Report: Green Building
The green wave is real — and it’s not set to subside anytime soon
Photo by Courtney Apple
Less is more. “Green building produces less waste and creates a healthier building that uses less energy,” says contractor Kenny Grono, owner of Buckminster Green in Philadelphia. Clients appreciate the benefits of their new homes: less off-gassing of VOCs, fewer drafts, fewer health issues and lower electricity, gas and water use. “Clients want to lessen their carbon footprint,” says Mela Breen, founder of Atmosphere Design Build in Grass Valley, California.
Less is more. “Green building produces less waste and creates a healthier building that uses less energy,” says contractor Kenny Grono, owner of Buckminster Green in Philadelphia. Clients appreciate the benefits of their new homes: less off-gassing of VOCs, fewer drafts, fewer health issues and lower electricity, gas and water use. “Clients want to lessen their carbon footprint,” says Mela Breen, founder of Atmosphere Design Build in Grass Valley, California.
Go beyond basic. “Building codes are catching up with the green building industry,” says Robert Soens, who owns Pinnacle Custom Builders in Decatur, Georgia. “But codes are the minimum standard. We can always do better by using products that are better for the environment.”
Houzz Green Picks: Rustico Tile & Stone Avallon Concrete Tile, Sartodoor Eco-Veneer Door, Real Milk Paint Tung Oil
Houzz Green Picks: Rustico Tile & Stone Avallon Concrete Tile, Sartodoor Eco-Veneer Door, Real Milk Paint Tung Oil
Equalizing costs. “Costs of increased efficiency are declining,” Breen says. “We are able to build zero-net-energy homes for essentially the equivalent price of an equally well-crafted home that’s not high-performance.”
Photo by Sam Oberter
Top techniques. “The use of advanced tapes, sealants and membranes as informed by the Passive House movement has been a game changer for us,” Grono says. Breen echoes the importance of techniques that achieve a tight building envelope. “We’re super interested in trying AeroBarrier, which is an innovative process that uses a blower door to pressurize the building and automated sprayers to create a fog of acrylic sealant inside,” she says.
Top techniques. “The use of advanced tapes, sealants and membranes as informed by the Passive House movement has been a game changer for us,” Grono says. Breen echoes the importance of techniques that achieve a tight building envelope. “We’re super interested in trying AeroBarrier, which is an innovative process that uses a blower door to pressurize the building and automated sprayers to create a fog of acrylic sealant inside,” she says.
Bottom line. “If you do it right, building green has an immediate payback the minute your clients move into their house,” Soens says. “They immediately have a healthier, more comfortable home. It’s a win every way you look at it.”
More Houzz Green Picks: Varaluz Harlowe Mini Pendant, Susan Jablon Mosaics Recycled Glass Tile, Kraus Bolden Kitchen Faucet
More Houzz Green Picks: Varaluz Harlowe Mini Pendant, Susan Jablon Mosaics Recycled Glass Tile, Kraus Bolden Kitchen Faucet
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Natural materials are on the upswing. Clients are seeking more energy-efficient options. Building codes are incorporating more eco-conscious requirements. All indicators point to an ever increasing interest in environmentally friendly construction.
To celebrate Earth Day on April 22, we spoke with green building professionals across the country about the latest in sustainability.