The question about green building is a good one, no a great one because the idea of” green” needs and should be listened to. We all hear it no less than 50 times a day, but what does it mean? What does it mean to you? And for the sake of staying on a subject what does it mean to construction?
The concept of green building is certainly catching on more widely practiced day by day. It would appear there are many different facets that incorporate green building as a whole. First is the home itself. Many homeowners who are building new are opting for green conscience features for their home that are marvels at conserving energy. Things like faucets, solar powered water heaters, and solar energy panels that harness even the minutest of sunlight and creates the most optimal amount of energy and cost savings from a renewable energy source, bringing savings to the homeowner and the planet.
Another basic “green” idea is something as simple as windows. By creating much larger panels that bring the outside in, windows add an element of beauty and connection with the environment. This I find most interesting, equipping the house with a rain catching system that will absorb the rain water (If you’re from the East coast like I am, you know rain) stores it, treats it and converts it into water for sewage purposes.
There’s also the materials used that matters. Most important on the eco-friendly homebuilders mind is engineered wood coming from sustainable forestry. Engineered wood is the fastest growing category in lumber products today. It takes the wood from specifically grown in vast acreages. There are claims that the “green” wood is less eco-friendly, because they use more of the tree and the green method for treating wood severely impacts the wood’s durability. Truth be told, these are engineered trees not some pristine patch of undiscovered forest that’s being destroyed for profit. As far as treatment, “green” wood is treated with a new generation 100% acrylic protective primer and finished with a high build acrylic undercoat. This gives the wood state of the art protection, resistance to tannins and resin bleed, better adhesion, and flexibility, while being safer and more environmentally friendly than traditional oil or solvent coatings.
Probably the most important aspect to the environment itself in regards to green building is the removal of waste and debris. Like we discussed here at Bidconstruction.com about the lead law it is possible to go completely eco-friendly when removing debris. Special dumpsters and services are available today can keep up to 93% of our products out of the already aggravated situation with landfills. We’ve seen time and time again pictures of floating water bottles and debris in our waters and littering our lands. It’s especially obvious with the recent heinous tragedy in the gulf that the world around us is delicate and we must do our part. It is ultimately up to you to make sure your contractors understand and comply with “green” waste removal.
Going green is happily not restricted to new home builds. Homeowners can do their part and retrofit a house with “green” features like solar energy systems. It is said the value of a home goes up somewhere in the neighborhood of 20.73 for every dollar saved through solar energy. The government may also assist with incredible tax breaks for those who choose to install a solar energy system.
Going Green ultimately adds to the value of your home. Even Fannie Mae the nations largest lender has established “green lending “for those who with to purchase or upgrade a home with the concept of “GREEN” in mind.
There is so much we all can do, but like most things, going “green” starts at home!
No comments:
Post a Comment