green building means sustainable building, which means being conscious and aware of how we are using our resources and materials.  a green home is high in performance, built to exceed the minimum requirements of the building code, especially in relation to indoor quality and resource efficiency. 

green means asking how can we live life to the fullest without further damaging our environment and our natural resources? how are we using our water, energy and building materials? it is not enough to conserve or use less.  we must design and create better homes and buildings that are more efficient, more affordable and more pleasing.  it begins with simply doing our part to save our earth.  new products and designs make all the difference to our world.  it is our social responsibility to act in a thoughtful manner.

it’s really pretty easy being green.  being certifiably green is another story. the
U.S. green building council (USBGC) established the standards for building green and for leadership, energy and environmental design (LEED) certification. all LEED homes are inspected and tested.  LEED for homes is a voluntary initiative aimed at transforming the mainstream industry.

LEED certifications range in scope, but all are environmentally friendly, durable, innovative, and made with recycled resources.  furthermore, they are fuel efficient, produce geothermal energy, and conserve energy.  there are various “shades of green”.  a home can be light green to dark green.  Leed homes are one of four levels: certified, silver, gold and platinum.

the national association of home builders (NAHB or HBA) has recently formed the green building institute (GBI), which can verify a home, but it’s not the same as LEED certified.  the HBA/GBI verifies building practices for energy efficiency and approaches for builders.  This program is verified locally by laclede gas.

if you’re interested, the home builders association is having the first national green building institute conference here in st. louis next spring, 2007.

why go green?  it is our responsibility and you will personally reap rewards. you’ll lower your utility bills. you’ll experience increased comfort and improved environmental quality. durability will be enhanced with lower maintenance of your home.

some easy ways to go green?  use sustainable, renewable or recycled products.  buy only materials that are within a close radius of your site to cut down on shipping, thereby cutting down on oil.  avoid the exotic woods and stones. use what grows locally.  or use a floor product like bamboo or cork, which are sustainable. or use linoleum, which is making a huge comeback. consider using recycled glass for countertops or flooring or bathroom walls or backsplashes.  consider using a synthetic concrete for veneers on countertops, etc. synthetic concretes, like syndecrete © are made from recycled composite materials.

considering more committed ways to go green?

1.  a steel and fiber cement roof covering will last longer than conventional roofing materials and thereby reduce waste.  solar roofing products blend asphalt shingles, metal roofing and tiles. lighter colors on the roofing will absorb and therefore generate less heat.

2.  use oriented stand board (OBS) to sheath your roof. this is an engineered wood product that doesn’t require large trees.

3.  preserve trees surrounding your property, to break winter winds and provide summer shades. trees will also filter pollutants in the air.

4.  replace your kitchen, bath, and laundry appliances. consider energy star © appliances throughout.  they use less water, save energy and are more efficient. energy star © save 30% over standard models.

5.  build with recycled plastic lumber and wood composite materials.

6.  make the most of every piece of lumber. use factory built trusses and pre-hung doors. this cuts down on waste at the jobsite.

7.  use linoleum – it’s a natural product.  or low VOC carpets, or laminates that mimic scarce hardwood.

8.  insulate foundations as well as living spaces.  use sprayed insulation made of foam, cellulose or wood rather than glass fiber batting.  or better yet, consider ICF (insulated concrete forms.)

9.  use efficient, correctly sized hvac and water systems.  tankless water heaters provide hot water on demand.  geothermal heat pumps can heat your water and work with renewable energy.

10.  use native plants to reduce watering, and also reduce your use of fertilizers and herbicides.  this is xeriscaping.

11.  incorporate passive solar design, such as large south facing windows that allow for more natural light and for heat in the winter.

12.  consider fiber cement siding. it’s termite and water resistant and carries a warranty to last up to 50 years.

13. use energy efficient windows with low-E glass coatings, gas filler between layers, and composite framing materials.

just a few thoughts.  there are tons more.

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