|
|
|
The hottest words in building these days are "green" and "sustainable". Construction activities often have significant environmental impacts, and it makes sense that those of us in the industry would try to minimize the negative effects of our projects. Unfortunately, the marketplace is now full of "green" advertising for products that are often anything but. Nonetheless, there are many steps that anyone can take to reduce the impact of their project.
Keep it simple. Simple shapes are faster and more efficient to build, using less time and material • Build as small as reasonably possible. Smaller uses less material, disturbs less soil, requires less energy to heat, and consumes fewer hours of labor • Use durable materials that will provide long service and require little maintenance • Build a tight shell and insulate well. Understand insulation technologies and air sealing • Maximize passive solar gain. Orient your home to the south and capture as much sunlight as possible • Maximize the use of renewable materials, those that are recyclable at the end of their service life, and those with less embodied energy • Install efficient mechanical systems, and alternative energy sources such as solar thermal and PV • Use materials that are produced locally or regionally, to reduce shipping.
We're keenly interested in building as sustainably as possible, and have made it our business to understand the methods and materials that will help us do so. If this is of interest to you, please let us know.
|
| | Full-service building & remodeling • Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, Washington
Bailer Hill Construction, Inc. • PO Box 2053 • Friday Harbor, WA 98250
360.378.8337 • fax 360.378.8397 • info@bailerhill.com |
|
