Many of you have asked, “What are some of the steps that I can take to build a more environmentally friendly home?”
First, keep in mind that you don’t have to sacrifice beauty to build green. There are a lot of “green” options for residential construction, with the first step being the use of green materials. Ideal exterior materials should be those that are durable with low maintenance requirements, such as stone. Also, choose materials from a local source to save energy and fuel spent on shipping.
When selecting materials, invest some time researching which companies use environmentally friendly manufacturing methods or recycled materials in production. Durable, high quality doors and windows insulate homes better, and homes with good insulation are more energy efficient. Exterior doors should have insulated glass and weather stripping, and check for Energy Star labels on windows.
After selecting materials, the next step is to seal the house correctly because a tightly sealed building envelope is critical for energy efficiency. Leaks allowing air in and out of the house are commonly found around doors and windows, counteracting the energy used by heating and cooling systems. The more efficient the heating and cooling systems, the more you’ll save on utility bills as well.
For caulk and sealants, look for low VOC products, which are healthier for humans and the environment because these products don’t release as many volatile organic compounds (VOC’s).
The good news is that green options are increasingly available as they grow in popularity. Suppliers are coming out regularly with new products that work and look just like the products of the past but that care for the future of the environment.
