Brick by Brick: A Guide to Basic Green Building
Don’t be overwhelmed by green building options. Use our guide to navigate the most important decisions you can make to increase the sustainability of your home.
July/August 2007
By Miriam Landman
The world of green building can seem intimidating for anyone—start researching and you’ll encounter an array of websites on the topic, thick books with technical jargon, lengthy checklists and rating systems, and a variety of material choices. But you shouldn’t be discouraged by information overload and the seemingly infinite number of things you could do. Any positive change for your home and the environment makes a difference.
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If you’re building new, several basic steps will improve your project’s eco-sensibility; if you’re already in a home, you can make simple changes now to significantly improve your house’s energy efficiency and sustainability.
Even if you’re not ready to invest in solar panels or hire a green builder, you can make eco-conscious decisions that make a difference. Change happens incrementally—often with baby steps. A gradual approach can be more effective than trying to learn and apply every green practice at once. When your initial steps are manageable and rewarding, you’re more likely to take bigger strides on your next project.
Building Blocks: Consider these eco-friendly options when you build or remodel.
MATERIALS
Resource Reduction: Avoid unnecessary finishes. Leave concrete floors exposed in some rooms (rather than adding a carpet or flooring layer) or leave ceiling rafters exposed instead of covering them with drywall or plaster.
Paints and Stains: Select interior latex paints that are “natural” (non-petroleum based) or that are low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs)—chemical vapors emitted from the paint. Almost every major latex paint manufacturer now offers a low- or zero-VOC product. When buying wood stains, sealers and finishes, look for products that are low VOC, water based or made with natural oils.
Carpet: Select natural-fiber carpet (wool, jute), forgo carpet with synthetic latex backing, and use a tack-down rather than glue-down installation method. Even better, avoid installing any carpet, as it provides habitat for dust mites, bacteria and mold.
Composite Wood/Fiberboard: Instead of traditional particleboard, which contains urea-formaldehyde (a carcinogen), use wheatboard, exterior-grade plywood, or formaldehyde-free particleboard or medium-density fiberboard (MDF).
Non-PVC Products: Many materials, including vinyl siding, vinyl flooring, irrigation piping and shower curtain liners, are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which pollutes the environment and can cause health problems. There are non-PVC alternatives for almost every traditional PVC product. For example, flooring alternatives include natural linoleum, cork, ceramic tile, concrete, wood or bamboo.
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