This beautiful Craftsman style Passive House has a carbon footprint 20% that of a typically built home in Oregon. Its 12-in. thick walls with cork insulation, ultra-high efficiency windows and doors, solar panels, heat pump hot water, Energy Star appliances, fresh air intake unit, and natural daylighting keep its utility bills exceptionally low. Jen G. Pywell

This 1970s ranch home in South East Denver was roasting in the summer and freezing in the winter. It was also time to replace the wood composite siding throughout the home. Since Colorado Siding Repair was planning to remove and replace all the siding, we proposed that we install OSB underlayment and insulation under the new siding to improve it’s heating and cooling throughout the year. After we addressed the insulation of their home, we installed James Hardie ColorPlus® fiber cement siding in Grey Slate with Arctic White trim. James Hardie offers ColorPlus® Board & Batten. We installed Board & Batten in the front of the home and Cedarmill HardiPlank® in the back of the home. Fiber cement siding also helps improve the insulative value of any home because of the quality of the product and how durable it is against Colorado’s harsh climate. We also installed James Hardie beaded porch panel for the ceiling above the front porch to complete this home exterior make over. We think that this 1970s ranch home looks like a dream now with the full exterior remodel. What do you think?

Kids often participate in Greenbuilders projects - here Eleanor checks our layout. Polly will sometimes have two construction days where there is something safe the kids can help with — like putting blue jean insulation in a wall. That makes the finished project special. She has done field trips with the kids to choose plants, or to see their countertop being fabricated. It’s a significant part of what we do.

conversion of garage to gym, Jeff Allen Photography
Inspiration for a timeless detached studio / workshop shed remodel in Boston

The design of this home was driven by the owners’ desire for a three-bedroom waterfront home that showcased the spectacular views and park-like setting. As nature lovers, they wanted their home to be organic, minimize any environmental impact on the sensitive site and embrace nature. This unique home is sited on a high ridge with a 45° slope to the water on the right and a deep ravine on the left. The five-acre site is completely wooded and tree preservation was a major emphasis. Very few trees were removed and special care was taken to protect the trees and environment throughout the project. To further minimize disturbance, grades were not changed and the home was designed to take full advantage of the site’s natural topography. Oak from the home site was re-purposed for the mantle, powder room counter and select furniture. The visually powerful twin pavilions were born from the need for level ground and parking on an otherwise challenging site. Fill dirt excavated from the main home provided the foundation. All structures are anchored with a natural stone base and exterior materials include timber framing, fir ceilings, shingle siding, a partial metal roof and corten steel walls. Stone, wood, metal and glass transition the exterior to the interior and large wood windows flood the home with light and showcase the setting. Interior finishes include reclaimed heart pine floors, Douglas fir trim, dry-stacked stone, rustic cherry cabinets and soapstone counters. Exterior spaces include a timber-framed porch, stone patio with fire pit and commanding views of the Occoquan reservoir. A second porch overlooks the ravine and a breezeway connects the garage to the home. Numerous energy-saving features have been incorporated, including LED lighting, on-demand gas water heating and special insulation. Smart technology helps manage and control the entire house. Greg Hadley Photography

Set within a postcard backdrop, on a local farm, this beautiful single floor home was a delight to build. Its personality brings a sense of modern architecture, combined with natural materials, to achieve a well balanced modern design that fits within Vermont’s natural beauty. Our clients were downsizing from a much larger home, and wanted to invest in a smaller footprint, with a focus on efficiency and details, rather than volume. The shell is a highly insulated and air sealed package that come from a reputable panelized company. In addition to the highly insulated envelope, triple glazed windows insured this home received passive rated blower door test. Clean lines, natural wood floors and beam work, as well as handmade cabinetry helped to give this project a very livable, warm and clean vibe.

Our task was converting a old and dated part time ski house into a full time updated home for our clients who decided to move out of the city and into the gorgeous landscape of the mad river valley. We removed all the dark shiplap wood walls and re insulated, re wired and sheet rocked all the walls to brighten everything up. A new kitchen, master bedroom addition,deck, bathrooms, flooring doors and trim to name a few items helped breath new life into this home.

This 1970s ranch home in South East Denver was roasting in the summer and freezing in the winter. It was also time to replace the wood composite siding throughout the home. Since Colorado Siding Repair was planning to remove and replace all the siding, we proposed that we install OSB underlayment and insulation under the new siding to improve it’s heating and cooling throughout the year. After we addressed the insulation of their home, we installed James Hardie ColorPlus® fiber cement siding in Grey Slate with Arctic White trim. James Hardie offers ColorPlus® Board & Batten. We installed Board & Batten in the front of the home and Cedarmill HardiPlank® in the back of the home. Fiber cement siding also helps improve the insulative value of any home because of the quality of the product and how durable it is against Colorado’s harsh climate. We also installed James Hardie beaded porch panel for the ceiling above the front porch to complete this home exterior make over. We think that this 1970s ranch home looks like a dream now with the full exterior remodel. What do you think?

This 1970s ranch home in South East Denver was roasting in the summer and freezing in the winter. It was also time to replace the wood composite siding throughout the home. Since Colorado Siding Repair was planning to remove and replace all the siding, we proposed that we install OSB underlayment and insulation under the new siding to improve it’s heating and cooling throughout the year. After we addressed the insulation of their home, we installed James Hardie ColorPlus® fiber cement siding in Grey Slate with Arctic White trim. James Hardie offers ColorPlus® Board & Batten. We installed Board & Batten in the front of the home and Cedarmill HardiPlank® in the back of the home. Fiber cement siding also helps improve the insulative value of any home because of the quality of the product and how durable it is against Colorado’s harsh climate. We also installed James Hardie beaded porch panel for the ceiling above the front porch to complete this home exterior make over. We think that this 1970s ranch home looks like a dream now with the full exterior remodel. What do you think?

Set within a postcard backdrop, on a local farm, this beautiful single floor home was a delight to build. Its personality brings a sense of modern architecture, combined with natural materials, to achieve a well balanced modern design that fits within Vermont’s natural beauty. Our clients were downsizing from a much larger home, and wanted to invest in a smaller footprint, with a focus on efficiency and details, rather than volume. The shell is a highly insulated and air sealed package that come from a reputable panelized company. In addition to the highly insulated envelope, triple glazed windows insured this home received passive rated blower door test. Clean lines, natural wood floors and beam work, as well as handmade cabinetry helped to give this project a very livable, warm and clean vibe.

THE ORIGINAL ENERGY-EFFICIENT HONEYCOMB SHADE An innovative window treatment that looks beautiful and insulates your home all year round, Duette® Honeycomb Shades were the first cellular shades, specially engineered to provide energy efficiency at the window in both cold and warm climates. Their specially engineered honeycomb construction traps air in distinct pockets, which creates insulation that can help lower your energy consumption and energy bills. Decorate every kind of window you have—even tricky skylights and unusually shaped panes—with Duette. Our signature honeycomb shades are one of our most versatile options and beautify every kind of interior.

These windows bring in too much heat during summer or cold during winter time. Honeycomb shades were the choice of the homeowners to give them more insulation and help in energy efficiency. Installed by Beltway Blinds from Greenbelt, MD We cater to the whole of Metro-DC and Baltimore area. Visit the www.beltwayblinds.com for more details on how to get this!

Set within a postcard backdrop, on a local farm, this beautiful single floor home was a delight to build. Its personality brings a sense of modern architecture, combined with natural materials, to achieve a well balanced modern design that fits within Vermont’s natural beauty. Our clients were downsizing from a much larger home, and wanted to invest in a smaller footprint, with a focus on efficiency and details, rather than volume. The shell is a highly insulated and air sealed package that come from a reputable panelized company. In addition to the highly insulated envelope, triple glazed windows insured this home received passive rated blower door test. Clean lines, natural wood floors and beam work, as well as handmade cabinetry helped to give this project a very livable, warm and clean vibe.

Inspiration for a large modern l-shaped dark wood floor enclosed kitchen remodel in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, concrete countertops, multicolored backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash and an island

Our task was converting a old and dated part time ski house into a full time updated home for our clients who decided to move out of the city and into the gorgeous landscape of the mad river valley. We removed all the dark shiplap wood walls and re insulated, re wired and sheet rocked all the walls to brighten everything up. A new kitchen, master bedroom addition,deck, bathrooms, flooring doors and trim to name a few items helped breath new life into this home.

This 1970s ranch home in South East Denver was roasting in the summer and freezing in the winter. It was also time to replace the wood composite siding throughout the home. Since Colorado Siding Repair was planning to remove and replace all the siding, we proposed that we install OSB underlayment and insulation under the new siding to improve it’s heating and cooling throughout the year. After we addressed the insulation of their home, we installed James Hardie ColorPlus® fiber cement siding in Grey Slate with Arctic White trim. James Hardie offers ColorPlus® Board & Batten. We installed Board & Batten in the front of the home and Cedarmill HardiPlank® in the back of the home. Fiber cement siding also helps improve the insulative value of any home because of the quality of the product and how durable it is against Colorado’s harsh climate. We also installed James Hardie beaded porch panel for the ceiling above the front porch to complete this home exterior make over. We think that this 1970s ranch home looks like a dream now with the full exterior remodel. What do you think?

S+H Construction and Architect Will Ruhl collaborated to transform and modernize this 3,500-square-foot contemporary home in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Doug Hanna of S+H Construction recognized that this building, originally an abandoned municipal garage that was later converted to residential space in the late 1950’s by renowned architect Paul Rudolph, was not a typical project. With evidence of water damage and poor insulation, the goal was to make the house energy-efficient and weather tight home with the help of Zero Energy Design. S+H installed translucent polycarbonate window panels to bring light and warmth to the back room of the house, which was formerly unlivable for several months of the year due to the lack of installation. The improved room now offers heating, cooling, and high density foam insulation, and is now home to the new owners’ extensive book collection. The S+H team also installed triple-glazed, super insulated, sliding glass doors—which required modification of the slab deck and steel trusses—to offer outdoor access for the new residents. Photo Credit: Tony Luong Architects: Ruhl Walker Architects Energy Consultants: Zero Energy Design

This view is inside the new garage, standing in the loft space looking down. The garage doors are high lift and follow the slop of the roof so that there is a lot of open head room space. Monarcha Marcet