Building Green
Environmentally sensitive design and construction to help build a greener world.
Building Green is an option we are working towards providing to our clients. We believe in
being good stewards of the earth and strive to help clients understand what they can do for a
cleaner, healthier environment inside their homes.
Below is an excerpt from the Times Community Paper that gives a high-level explanation of
building green for anyone who is new to the idea.
being good stewards of the earth and strive to help clients understand what they can do for a
cleaner, healthier environment inside their homes.
Below is an excerpt from the Times Community Paper that gives a high-level explanation of
building green for anyone who is new to the idea.
According to the EPA, a successful green building has five major components: energy, water,
materials, waste and the indoor environment.
New buildings should consider the site location and determine if it will have a minimal negative
impact on the environment. Efficient use of energy and water is a must for any green building.
Green roofs use soil and plants to absorb rain water. Succulent plants (sedums, etc.) are
commonly chosen because they can tolerate a wide range of temperatures and water
conditions. A green roof can also increase the roof's longevity, reduce heating and cooling
costs by providing an extra layer of insulation, improve the air quality, reduce noise and
increase wildlife activity.
If possible, recycled or recyclable materials should be used in the building process. Building
waste should be minimal, nontoxic and recyclable.
The indoor environment must have a proper ventilation system and no volatile compounds from
building materials. Indoor plants should be used to help the indoor air quality.
Landscape:
Not all landscapes are equally friendly to the environment. Highly manicured lawns, and
landscapes with large fertilizer and pesticide needs, can pollute our environment.
Beneficial or natural landscaping includes the use of native plants. Native plants can adapt
better to our climate and they require little to no additional water in most years.
Beneficial landscapes ought to have strategically placed trees and shrubs that shade the
house in summer while acting as a windbreak in the winter. These landscapes should have a
large number of different plants, to increase the diversity while providing a good wildlife habitat.
Home owners should also create a composting area and use an integrated pest management
plan to deal with insects and diseases.
©Times Community Newspapers 2006
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