Green Construction

Environmentally friendly green construction is the fastest growing segment in the building industry. Each year the number of new construction projects using green construction practices increases. With the world's population becoming ever increasingly concerned about the environment and global warming, this trend in green construction is expected to continue.

Green construction means to construct or remodel your home (or building) in a way that uses less virgin material, less energy and creates less waste and pollution while still having the same or better benefits as past construction projects. An integral part of this type of construction is to also recycle, reduce and reuse existing materials.

In simple terms, to recycle means to take an existing usually older and less used product and use its materials to create a new product. Reduce means to lessen the amount of resources that are consumed and only use what is absolutely needed. And Reuse is to extend the life of the item or to find different purpose for the item. (Recycle - Reduce - Reuse can be applied to all areas of our life.)

All of these concepts are used to create what is being called "smart design" and can save not only the environment, but can also save you a lot of money over time.

Some of the more familiar design techniques being used in green construction today are building orientation, solar panels, geothermal heating and cooling, rooftop gardens, solar chimneys, naturally created ventilation and the recycling of rain water.

Details, rather than new technology, often make the biggest difference in green design. Details such as the orientation of a building to maximize heating or cooling, as well as lessening the need for electric lighting can make a big difference and pay huge dividends. Roof overhangs can also provide shade to lessen the dependence of air-conditioning.

Convective cooling is one of the oldest and most obvious methods for cooling. Working on the theory that heat rises, a vent in a vaulted ceiling or a built in thermal chimney in an upper area can allow hot air to escape while bringing in cooler air through a lower window or vent. For maximum effect, cool air vents should be located on the north or eastern side of the building. Proper placement of vents is essential in order to promote rapid air exchange and a cooler setting.

As sitting under the shade of a tree in the summer will provide you with a cool respite, it can do the same for your home or building. With shade in mind, a well designed rooftop garden will not only provide you a cooler structure, but can also provide a place to grow your vegetables. Rooftop gardens will be more prominent in cities where there are a number of flat roof tops.

Rain water from rooftops and runoff can be recycled and if it is properly filtered can be used for cooling systems, sanitary systems and if treated properly can even be used for drinking or cooking.

Also being used in new construction and remodeling projects is the reclamation of building products from demolition sites. Everything from finished carpentry to structural lumber, bricks and plumbing is being salvaged. In more and more cases, complete rooms are even being disassembled in one building and then reassembled in a new construction or remodeling project. Such projects reduce the need for the harvesting of new lumber which in turn reduces carbon emissions associated with the processing and trucking to the retailer.

Give thought to these few facts when you consider if going green is worth your time and effort.

- The average American uses 100 gallons of water per day and roughly 75% of it is used in the bathroom.
- Almost half of the average home's energy consumption is used for heating/cooling.
- Lighting consumes up to 34 percent of electricity used in the home today.

With a little thought and proper planning you can be green and save a substantial amount of money at the same time, and for years into the future.

NOTE: When talking green you may hear somebody use the term "LEED" or "LEED RATING." LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. This is a designation that is given by the U.S. Green Building Council and based on how well a structure reduces its energy use and environmental impact. Ratings are currently classified as Bronze, Silver and Gold.

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