building

...now browsing by tag

 
 

Green Construction Materials

Thursday, April 19th, 2012

Many people are now opting for using green construction materials when building a home in order to lessen the impact on the environment. These materials can either be used partly in the construction of a home alongside other, more standard building components or green construction materials can be used entirely to build low impact homes.

A low impact home must make use of natural construction materials that are native to the area in which the home is being built. In doing this, less energy is wasted transporting materials long distances and less energy has to be used converting such materials into usable construction tools for a home.

Low Impact Housing vs. Standard Homes

The principles of building low impact housing involve using as little energy as possible, using green construction materials that use little energy to resource and the use of materials that conserve heat and enhance the natural environment. These principles can be taken to extremes when building new homes or they can be used in moderation to build standard homes that are more eco friendly.

Factors to take into consideration when building an environmentally friendly home include how to provide higher levels of insulation to the home in order to conserve heat and reduce the need for heating within the home, in which direction to build the home in order to make the most of natural light from the sun and including green construction materials such as energy efficient lighting and other electrical appliances.

Low impact homes may be built with triple glazed windows, high levels of insulation such as cavity wall or loft insulation and may include features such as solar panels mounted on the roof. Some low-impact homes have been built with no heating system in place and thus must be built with every care and attention to conserve heat within the home.

Mostly, using green materials during contraction and building low impact homes is far cheaper than building standard homes where little consideration is given to the environment. It is also important to think about the position of the home in relation to public transport routes or the distance away from work or the centre of town and local amenities.

Considerations when Choosing Materials

When choosing which materials to invest in when building low impact housing it is necessary to consider the cost, both in money and energy, of extraction of any material and how long such a material will last. Green construction materials are chosen for their long-life span such as hard woods. It is also important to avoid using materials that are non-renewable.

It is imperative to use materials for use within construction that are easily recyclable and that have been sourced locally as far as possible when building a home. This reduces energy consumption when delivering materials.

There are many examples of homes that have been built entirely using green construction materials. These include homes that have been made solely from wood and straw, mud and constructions made from recycled tyres that have been filled and packed together with mud or clay.

The Future of Green Construction

Tuesday, April 3rd, 2012

Green Construction Has an Impact on Home and FamilyOver the past decade construction has been going green.  Builders use greener products to benefit home owners and businesses.  These products may cost more to purchase, but they will save money on future power bills and the environment.  Constructions sites have to keep up with modern products because consumers want to either own energy efficient homes or work in environmentally friendly offices.  The future for builders is green construction and it is only increasing in popularity.

Double Pane Windows

Windows are an easy thing to change in a room to make a home or building more green.  Cheap windows may not seal as tightly as desired.  If the panes are thin, the windows will either let too much warmth in on a hot day or they will be too cool on a cold day.  A higher grade window will help maintain a desired temperature inside a home.  Upgraded windows will cut down on the amount of harmful rays that enter the home.

Tinted Windows

Tinted glass can also be purchased to keep the sun out.  Curtains and shades will also work to keep out the light; however, in an office building it is easier to get tinted windows for the employees.  Tinted windows are even commonly used on cars to keep glare out of the eyes of the driver.  A tint on a window will also keep the heat inside the home when the temperatures are colder outside than inside.

Skylights

Skylights are an environmentally friendly addition to the home because they reduce the need to turn on the lights during daylight hours.  They can be added to a kitchen or living room to add light without having to use the electricity or they can be installed in hallways or closets where there are not enough lights.

Green Construction

Upgrading the windows in a home or office will not only change the appearance and atmosphere of the room, it will also save the owners money on power bills.  A dark dreary office will turn into an uplifting work place by installing green windows.  A small home will appear bigger and brighter after skylight domes are installed in the roof.  These upgrades may seem simple or useless initially; however they will be beneficial for many years to come.  A window or a skylight dome are easy to install and they can be installed by a professionally in only a couple of hours.

VTECH Skylights is the leader in residential and commercial skylights and the best source for a skylight utilizing RIM Technology

Three Important Things to Look for in Energy Efficient Roofing

Monday, January 9th, 2012

If you have a home or business, it makes sense that you would want to stay within your budget and save as much as possible when it comes to construction and infrastructure updates. One thing that can have a huge impact on your bills and your carbon footprint is energy efficient roofing. 

Here are some things to look for when you are seeking the best possible roof for your building needs.

1. Durability and Endurance

There are a lot of roofs out there that claim to be good for the planet, but believe it or not, durability and longevity are two huge factors when it comes to finding a truly great roof.

Durability is important because of economic and environmental reasons. Let’s face it: roofs are expensive, and you want yours to last. The best kinds of roofing materials (like PVC, for instance) can last for 15 to 20 years when correctly installed. Less durable materials (like composite shingles) may only last a decade or less before they start needing to be replaced.

Infrequent replacement also means less waste. In terms of environmental friendliness, having little to no waste is a good goal to have.

2. Reasonable Pricing

PVC is an economical material to purchase and use for roofs. The material is easy to manufacture and comes in prefabricated sheets for strength and ease of installation. Due to the fact that it’s both quick and simple for a trained professional to install, PVC is a cost effective material in terms of labor, too.

In terms of value, warranty is key. Some PVC manufacturers offer competitive warranties at no additional cost.

3. High Degree of Earth Friendliness and Efficiency

In addition to being reasonably priced and durable, PVC roofing is a very good choice when it comes to the environment. There are many reasons for this. One is that installing a PVC roof doesn’t require anything that’s harmful to the environment. It doesn’t pollute with chemicals (no toxic substances are required to adhere the roof to your building), and it doesn’t pollute with sound (no heavy machinery is necessary to install it). 

When it comes time to remove or repair a PVC roof, all the components used are recyclable. Add this to the fact that PVC roofs have a high solar reflectance index (deflecting hot UV rays), and it’s a good insulator to keep wanted heat inside the building.

Go online to discover energy efficient roofing solutions for your property.

 

Samantha really enjoys writing and one of her favorite things to write about happens to be construction. If you’d like to learn more about Duro Last, please visit duro-last.com

How Metal Roofing Is Good For The Environment

Monday, May 23rd, 2011

The truth is that most people have a good handle on what is, and what is not, good for the environment. And contrary to popular belief, if given the choice a home owner will choose something that is environmentally friendly. We are seeing this as more and more people are turning to metal roofing because of its limited impact on the environment.   Not only is metal roofing the most cost effective form of roofing material, it is one choice that is naturally capable of standing up to what mother nature dishes out.

Metal roofing is good for the environment in many different ways. First of all, it can be recycled and does not end up sitting for decades in a landfill.  It can also be installed over existing roofing materials which make it great for reducing waste when being installed.  Installing the metal roofing material over the existing roofing shingles adds an extra layer of insulation, which could help lower heating and cooling cost. The roofing will also make the home almost soundproof. The insulating effects of the old shingles combined with the metal will add that needed barrier against outside sounds.

Click to continue »

Use Commercial Greenhouses for Professional Gardens

Friday, April 29th, 2011


Commercial greenhouses have a lot to offer growers who grow their plants professionally!


Commercial Greenhouse BusinessesThere are several types of commercial-grade greenhouses available.

  • These range from Gothic-style to high tunnel to special greenhouses that are used for shade.
  • Not only are the commercial varieties much larger, they also offer more advanced features that can greatly enhance the growing experience.
  • You should always buy kits or greenhouses from companies experienced in commercial structures. The employees will be able to help you make the right choice.
  • Anyone looking to build their own commercial greenhouse structure should find and follow expert commercial greenhouse plans for construction and planning.
  • With the right greenhouse, you’ll have a much better growing experience.

 


Click to continue »

Water Conservation Basics for New Home Owners

Wednesday, April 13th, 2011

By John Kurowski, Kurowski Development Co.

Once we talk about “building green,” it’s often assumed that we are speaking about power effectiveness or energy efficiency. Even though power effectiveness is definitely an essential component of building green it is truly about the thoughtful use of all organic and natural resources, especially water. Clean water is one of our most important natural resources.

You will find a number of ways that homeowners can conserve water within their new homes, regardless of what style is preferred. Our trade partners and suppliers join us in making sure that comfort and ease of use are not sacrificed for efficiency.

For our first strategy for water conservation, we take a close look at how, what, and exactly where water will be used inside a home. We might think our first consideration is the kitchen area, bathrooms, and laundry rooms, but we also need to examine the use of water for irrigation along with other outdoor requirements.

Within each of these locations, we think about the appliances and fixtures. Using the kitchen as an example, today’s dishwashers are far more water-efficient and energy-efficient than those of just a decade ago. By providing a wider range of cycles and cleansing modes, these appliances decrease the amount of water to the minimum required for your task. Energy-saver cycles operate to get a shorter quantity of time, using less heat and thus save energy and time.

Each and every kitchen area also contains at least one sink and faucet pair, occasionally more can be found in connoisseur or custom kitchens. New home owners can select low-flow and much more sturdy faucets and also self-contained hot water dispensers. Low-flow faucets dispense a decreased quantity of water without diminishing the water pressure. Self-contained hot water heaters save energy by delivering steaming hot water right to the tap without the waste of waiting for the water to heat up.

The Bathroom also provides several opportunities to reduce water use. The engineering of low-flow faucets, shower heads, and toilets has reduced water usage and saved home owners money. These products pay for themselves over time.

Tankless water heaters, is an innovation that provides almost instant hot water to some or all of the faucets, rooms, or water-using appliances in the whole house Inside your home and especially in a large house, a lot of water goes down the drain before heated water reaches the user Tankless or “on-demand” water heaters save water (and heating power) because they don’t need to wait for the water held in a conventional water heater. As much as seventy five gallons can be wasted waiting for your shower to warm up to the desired temperature as it flows via the pipes and out the spout.

Of all the water-using appliances, washing machines have seen the most technological advances. Like dishwashers, they are engineered for a variety of cycles. Various settings can be selected, based on the type and volume of clothes being washed. Front-loading models, for example, allow homeowners to clean more clothes per load, therefore decreasing the number of loads (and water utilized) to get them clean. All machines have enhanced their per-load effectiveness, as drum and agitation technology have advanced to complete a much better task with much less water.

Let’s move on to more creative and fun subjects relating to home ownership, designing your own landscaping. We would like to inspire homeowners to consider native and drought-tolerant landscaping for their new homes, which reduce the quantity of irrigation water needed to maintain them. Healthy and flourishing landscaping does not mean buckets of water running down the street. Even with more traditional plant selections, using drip and in-ground irrigation systems is much more water-efficient than using a hose and sprinkler and will accomplish a much better result and save you money.

As with most features that affect the comfort ,ease and on-going costs of the home, greater performance requirements are accomplished via a partnership between us as being a home builder, within our style and also the goods and building procedures we employ, and our homeowners, as the users of those methods. Ultimately, the efficient conservation of water depends upon way of life options that optimize the goods and methods we install.

By John Kurowski, Kurowski Development Co. has been devoted to building power efficient, environmentally aware custom houses within the Denver area since 1976.

Studs Open House

Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011

This Saturday we will be hosting a Studs Open House at a home we currently are building. The purpose is to show and demonstrate the energy efficiency features that get covered up after the drywall is installed.  It is also a chance for us to thank our trade contactors and employees for their quality work. If you ever wanted to know the value of an open framing corner, and all the little areas that need sealing and see a wall of closed cell foam, this is your chance. The time is 1:00 to 4:00 PM Saturday March 26th.  For more details and directions contact carol@kurowski.com

The Colorado Fall Home Show is Friday-Sunday September 10-12.

Friday, September 10th, 2010

The Colorado Fall Home Show is Friday-Sunday September 10-12.  On each of those days I will be presenting a seminar, “The Basics of Green Remodeling and Building.”   I really enjoy doing these presentations; sharing my experiences and meeting people who have an interest in energy efficiency and other Green Building ideas.  My presentation times are Friday, Noon, Saturday, 11:00 AM, Sunday, 2:00 PM.  For more information visit www.gardeningcolorado.com.

Green Building is picking more and more acceptance in both residential and commercial and energy efficiency is the basic element and that is the foundation on which and building or remodeling project should be based.  See you at the show.

Green Building: What it is and why it matters.

Thursday, July 1st, 2010

 Green building, sustainability and high-performance homes are now part of the vocabulary of new home construction. We welcome the attention brought to these important issues. As professional builders, however, we take the subject with a grain of salt. Green building is a far more complex topic than that portrayed in the media. News spots or magazine articles typically focus on specific areas like insulated windows, high-efficiency furnaces, roof-mounted solar panels, or recycled-content flooring. Certainly, those products provide measurable benefits in terms of energy savings and improved use of natural resources, but genuine green building is much more complex. A green builder uses a systematic approach to design, construction, and on-going operational durability in which the sum of the benefits are far greater than the individual components. A green builder also knows how to personalize the green building approach to each homebuyer’s needs and budget, carefully balancing the value that the client places on the benefits of green building as opposed to other choices available for new home construction. It is true that all homes (and all buildings) leave an environmental “footprint.” The materials we builders use in new construction use natural resources, such as trees and metal ores, even oil. The important goals of green building are to reduce the amount of natural resources required to build a house, and then to lessen the amount of energy used by the house. Energy efficiency over the life of the house further reduces the natural resources needed to produce electricity oil, and natural gas. To achieve those goals, we look for building materials, products, and systems that make the most (or best) use of every resource harvested while also performing better than traditional products. For example, an engineered beam uses smaller, fast-growing trees. Twice as much of each log can be used to make an engineered beam as compared with a comparably sized wooden beam. An engineered beam can also span longer, open spaces and resist warp better. A house that is free of even the smallest gaps does not waste energy. Various green building certification programs are now available to help builders create more sustainable and resource-efficient homes. As we review them, however, we often find that the building practices we already have in place meet or exceed those standards. That’s good news for our homebuyers and owners because it means we’re already providing a high-performance home — i.e., a home with many green features — without adding to the cost or price. Of course, a client may choose to add additional features as budget, needs, and passion for the environment dictate. It is my belief that it is necessary to have a green home certified by a third party program before it can be truly labeled a green home. With a systematic approach to green or sustainable building, we can build a new home that not only leaves as small an environmental footprint as possible, but also delivers durability, comfort, safety, energy and water efficiency and a higher level of value.

Are you considering the use of masonry on your next building?

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010

On Wednesday May 12, 2010 at 11:30 AM I will be presenting a seminar at the Rocky Mountain Masonry Institute ( RMMI) on insulation for Residential construction.  RMMI is located here in Denver.  Masonry in construction offers a key green fundamental, Durability.  Durability is a main consideration of green building.  The longer the product lasts and the fewer maintance issues it has means a better higher value for the owner.  Many may say it is also greener.

RMMI is proud to carry on Colorado’s masonry tradition through education and outreach.  It is a consortium of more than 100 manufacturers, contractors, suppliers and associate members located throughout Colorado and Wyoming.

RMMI’s  mission is to increase the understanding and use of masonry in homes, schools, and commercial building projects throughout the Rocky Mountain Region.  The staff and members work to enhance everyone’s awareness and appreciation of the beauty, durability, and environmental friendliness of brick, block and stone.

Their architectural and engineering experts are available to provide technical information and assistance at any stage of your project.  

For more information on this very active organization and thee benefits of masonry construction visit  www.rmmi.org