The term green home is being used more and more often in the residential building industry, but what does it really mean. According to the Green Building Council of Australia a green house is “a high performing home that is energy and water efficient, has good indoor air quality, uses environmentally sustainable materials and also uses the building site in a sustainable manner”. A green home also requires a holistic approach, beginning at the design stage and continuing on through the construction process and the eventual day-to-day running of the home. The main goal of these characteristics is to reduce the environmental impact a home will have over the course of its lifetime.

As mentioned above, a green house should begin at the design stage. Incorporating green design elements at the initial stages of a home construction will ensure the home can take advantage of the surrounding natural environment. By utilising the topography of the site, sunlight and breezes a green home can significantly reduce its dependence on additional heating and cooling sources. This saves the occupants money on their energy bills and reduces the production of greenhouse gases.

Choosing recycled and environmentally friendly building products is another important element of a green home. The type of materials used can affect the homes’ environmental impact and the health of the homes’ eventual residents. A green home utilises recycled timber or sustainable harvested plantation lumber for its structural and cosmetic components. It is also possible to use a range of other natural products in the construction of a green home, such as straw, mud, hemp and dirt. Although some of these materials are not conventional building products, it does not mean a green home has to look very different from a regular home. Many of the materials and finishes in a regular home contain formaldehyde and volatile organic chemicals (VOCs). Once installed in a home they continue to release gases which can be harmful to the people living in them. A green home uses materials and finishes with low or no VOCs that ensure good indoor air quality.

A green home also minimises the use of energy and water by using efficient materials and products. Water saving devices in the bathroom, toilet and laundry significantly reduces water consumption. Collection of rainwater and the recycling of grey water can further improve water efficiencies. Insulation in walls and ceilings helps maintain a constant indoor temperature reducing the need for mechanical heating and cooling. Energy and water efficient appliances can also be found in this home. They reduce environmental impacts and keep running costs down for the occupants.

Consideration of these factors and the inclusion of sustainable building techniques and materials make a green home use energy and water efficiently, provide a healthy environment for the occupants and reduce the environmental impacts over the lifetime of the dwelling. [http://www.fwrgroup.com.au/]FWR Group Pty Ltd provide our clients with [http://www.fwrgroup.com.au/sustainability-consulting.html]sustainability consulting services for all facets of the emerging sustainable development sector, including technology, strategic planning, sustainable business and education/training industries. We can, for example, source, consult on, and manage all aspects of sustainable development, including sustainable housing and development. Our ongoing relationship to the sustainable development industry, including housing, education, community, and national/international sustainability networks, allows us to provide comprehensive solutions and initiatives for sustainable technologies and development needs.

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Michael_Duggan]Michael Duggan

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?What-is-the-Definition-of-a-Green-Home?&id=3635940] What is the Definition of a Green Home?

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There has been an explosion of interest in going green. Everything from cars to light bulbs are being pushed to new levels of efficiency. New industries are cropping up, it seems, on a daily basis.

But what about buildings; office buildings and schools in particular. These are the places that we spend most of our waking hours, and where we consume most of the energy.

There is a movement, led by the US Green Building Council, to establish standards to which buildings are designed and constructed by. Affecting more than just the energy consumption, but also the environment of the occupants inside. Buildings are certified, showing that it has met the requirements for a particular level of efficiency.

Not only do buildings get certified, but individuals also become accredited. There are thousands of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Accredited Professionals in the United States, all of whom had to pass a fairly difficult test covering the details of the “LEED” program. These “APs” act as a guide to design a building for the specific purpose of attaining high levels of efficiency.

Just as hybrid cars are more expensive than their normal, gas powered counterparts, buildings achieving, or attempting to achieve any level of certification will have an increased cost. The cost, if calculated properly, should be offset by the reduction in energy usage, and the increase in productivity of the occupants of the building. And the payback of the additional cost could come in 5 years.

A recent study released from the venture capital firm Good Energies, Inc states that around 50% of non-residential building will be green by 2015. That is five years from now. It must also be noted that these numbers also include buildings that did not obtain LEED certification, but did adhere to the guidelines. This should be recognized as tremendous growth.

Based on the ever increasing number of buildings being submitted for certification and the growing population of accredited professionals, it looks as though green building has only barely gotten started.

If you like this article and have a website, you can link to it, or post it (please include greendesigncommunity.com as the original source).

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Brian_C_Diaz]Brian C Diaz

Brian Diaz is a LEED Accredited Professional with a Specialty in Building Design and Construction. Brian is the founder of Green Design Community, a community for Green Professionals and for those interested in the industry: [http://www.greendesigncommunity.com]http://www.greendesigncommunity.com.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Building-to-a-Higher-Standard&id=3647834] Building to a Higher Standard

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10. Don’t Get the Free Audit – Energy Audits are like all other things in this world. You get what you pay for. If you’re willing to take a day or a half day off work to have an energy audit on your home. Then it’s presumed that you intend to generate enough data to either satisfy an outcome, or solve a pesky problem that you may be having. Auditors who perform free audits do not get paid very well, think sub 40K per year. As so, they may not be as professional or as motivated to serve you as an auditor for hire.

9. Gather Your Records – An Energy Audit without clear usage histories on both your home’s heating fuel usage and the electricity associated with cooling, operating appliances, and lighting. Is likely to become an audit filled with anecdotes, probables and maybes. For instance, the auditor may very well miss the three space heaters you run in the deep of winter that costs $700 per year, or that your base-load domestic hot water usage cost is way too high. Most utility companies have at least a one year history of usage on each bill. So even just your most recent bill will really help out.

8. Be Prepared to Answer Questions – A good audit should always begin with the auditor taking the time to ask questions. He should be concerned with the history of the house, behaviors of the occupants inside the home, as well as finding out about any specific concerns that may have prompted the audit. And of course what sort of desired outcome there is for the findings of the audit.

7. Prepare the House – Do you want a really good audit? Or do you want someone to clean out your fireplace and move boxes around in the attic and basement. Auditors will burn lots of calories during the 2-4 hours they spend with you. Blower door testing, infrared imaging, combustion analysis, manual inspections of dark, tight places. If your fireplace is dirty with wood ash, clean it out for a safe blower door test. if you have furniture in front of crawlspace access doors, move it out of the way. I assure you, after doing over 2,000 private audits. If you take these steps prior to the audit, and maybe mention it in passing to the auditor at the beginning. He will work harder to maximize your audit.

6. Be At Home – Auditors are not magic. They will have questions for you. Because of the programs in place right now to train new auditors. It’s pretty likely you may have an auditor who hasn’t been in the field that long. He will need some guidance. Someone who can help him sort out what he thinking. I’m not saying you should stay in his “hip pocket” the whole time. But do make yourself available.

5. Don’t Sweat Infrared Imaging – I had a call from a guy last summer who said he wanted an audit but wanted to wait for winter so we could infrared image his walls. If auditors could only work in ideal infrared environments, then it would not be a viable occupation. Infrared is useful for about 4 months out of the year. Unless it’s less than 40 degrees outside or greater than 85 degrees, it just isn’t that accurate on the building envelope. Anything that can be determined on an ideal day for thermal imaging, can be determined on any day regardless of temperature, provided the auditor is knowledgeable and patient enough to carefully come to his conclusions.

4. Do They Do the Work Also, or Just The Audit? – Sure it sounds good: Have an independent professional who is not tied to the outcome in any way help you to prioritize energy improvements. However, here is how it happens in the real world. The real cost of a full service energy audit is about $500. Auditors who charge $500 don’t stay very busy. Auditors can only afford to do it for less if they also make money on energy upgrades. My preference is for the firm who does the audit and makes money on the absolute most cost effective measures. Which is usually some weatherization. This auditor should be an absolute expert on building envelopes and also offer real good advice about windows, doors, hvac, and lighting. But would leave the big ticket work up to those who specialize in it. This type of auditor can usually perform an audit for a couple hundred bucks or so, and more often than not will also earn a contract worth 1-4K. Don’t worry. Those first weatherization dollars pay for themselves quickly.

3. Do the Upgrades – No, you don’t have to do them all at once. Yes, you can start with the most cost effective first and then work your way through the list. But do them. IT WILL improve the value of your home.

2. Be Nice to the Auditor – Is he thirsty? Would he like a snack? Smile and thank him for coming out. Trust me… he’s much more likely to find the draft at the far end of that tight, dark crawlspace if he likes you.

1. Tip Him and Offer Referrals – Hey, he worked hard. Carried equipment in and out. Didn’t complain about your dog jumping all over him. Cleaned up after himself. Came up with some good ideas. Maybe saved you a pile of money because the windows or furnace you’re worried about aren’t ready for replacement just yet. That’s right… show him a little extra green so his lunch is paid for today.

Robert enjoys writing on health and business related topics. One of his newest ventures is bring together the buyers and sellers of the best whey protein on the planet at http://www.100wheyproteingoldstandardsale.com/ where you will find exclusive links to hot deals on top products 100% Whey Protein Sale for feeling great and staying fit.

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Robert_Broderick]Robert Broderick

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?10-Steps-to-Maximize-Your-Energy-Audit&id=3633861] 10 Steps to Maximize Your Energy Audit

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By now, many people of heard of and are intrigued by green building techniques. Vertical ICF construction is one green building method that has seen resurgence thanks to its energy efficiency and environmentally friendly construction and installation process. Traditionally used in commercial building construction, ICF construction is as popular as ever in providing energy-maximizing savings and structural integrity to residential consumers. ICF, or Insulated Concrete Forms, are a type of wall that is generally made from cement-bonded wood fiber (usually made from recycled wood and cement) and polystyrene.

The strength of a building constructed with ICF technology will be unmatched in terms of strength, energy efficiency, noise reduction and comfort when compared to a structure built with typical wood frame construction. Termites and other pests and insects will not be attracted to insulated concrete forms, therefore eliminated the risk of having structural integrity compromised. ICF walls are mold, mildew and allergen resistant as well, so you can rest assured that your home would be a comfortable environment for you and your family.

Vertical ICF walls are ultra efficient when it comes to energy savings. Concrete and foam is the best insulator available for your home. You can save as much as 50% to 80% on your heating and cooling bills when comparing to energy costs of a traditional wood frame house. The high insulation value also makes it an ideal sound barrier, keeping exterior noises out of your home and interior sounds from escaping, allowing for better security and privacy.

Insulated concrete forms can withstand the highest winds that you would encounter with severe weather including hurricanes and tornados. Winds of up to 200mph are no match for ICF construction, and neither is fire. Insulated concrete forms are able to resist fire for up to 3.5 hours. Furthermore, ICF walls will resist mold and will not rot due to excess moisture, so your maintenance and general upkeep will be virtually non-existent.

Installation of insulated concrete forms is relatively easy and can be done quickly with an experienced green building contractor. Many ICF walls are made with recycled and environmentally friendly materials, non-toxic and not manufactured with any harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde. Installation is easy and even the waste products are kept to a minimum. Cleanup will be quick and easy, and the leftover waste products from the construction can be recycled.

It is easy to see why Vertical ICF construction techniques are gaining popularity, especially within residential buildings. The energy efficient, reinforced concrete walls have an unmatched fire tolerance, a high resistance to termites and pests, resistance to mold and mildew, and will result in the maximum amount of energy savings possible. The structural integrity of a home or building constructed with Vertical ICF walls will be much more enhanced to those constructed with traditional wood frames.

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Budda_Oliver]Budda Oliver

Mr. Oliver is a marketing agent of Better Green Technologies. The green builder offers unique building options for eco-conscious builders, like vertical ICF construction. For more information on their [http://www.bettergreentech.com]Insulated Concrete Forms please visit their website.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Learning-More-About-ICF-Construction&id=3591450] Learning More About ICF Construction

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Unfortunately, it seems that everything that is beneficial to people tends to carry a higher price tag with it. For example, the checkout receipt from a simple trip to the grocery store seems to double if the items that were purchased include fresh fruits, fresh vegetables and fish; instead of chips, cookies and canned foods. Just when a lot of people are seriously thinking about trying to help preserve the environment by building an eco friendly home, a few disadvantages to this type of construction are slowly beginning to rise to the surface. Of course, the primary concern is the tremendous initial cost that is usually associated with the whole “building green” process. Therefore, it is a wise thing to spend a little time and effort thoroughly sorting out and searching through all of the variables that may be connected to this fairly new style of constructing a home.

The most important stumbling block in this endeavor might just be the availability, or rather the lack of, adequate funding. This is something that will have to be quickly dealt with. Obviously, since this construction method is a fairly new concept to many people, the conditions and restrictions of such building loans might make it very difficult for the average homeowner to even be able to obtain a mortgage. Secondly, any potential green house builder also has to remember that since “building green” is a relatively newly introduced technique, the demand for these types of building materials has been very low up to this point in time.

Consequently, the possibility always exists that it may be more than a little difficult to obtain them from any of the material supply sources that are located in their particular area. As most people can attest to, the lack of competition automatically increases the prices of most items. Add to this fact, if a person has to order these things from a distant supplier, shipping and handling charges will also have to be included in the final price. Therefore, at the end of the day, the bottom line figure that will have to be mortgaged may be a whole lot more than some of the lending institutions will be ready to agree to. Locating qualified building contractors can become another exhausting undertaking.

Therefore, as you can see, there are a number of variables that just might have an adverse effect on the entire building process. Delving into any brand new idea or concept requires a whole bunch of planning, consideration and preparation. Try to envision how much more of all of these things will be absolutely necessary when dealing with a project of this magnitude.

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=John_R_Roberts]John R Roberts

John is the owner of [http://www.EZMLSListing.com]For Sale By Owner, a For Sale By Owner company that specializes in placing For Sale By Owner (FSBO) properties on the Realtors® Multiple Listing Service (MLS) for a low one time flat fee. Please visit [http://www.EZMLSListing.com]For Sale By Owner to learn more about their services and the For Sale By Owner packages they offer.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Disadvantages-of-Building-Green&id=3639845] Disadvantages of Building Green

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In the midst of our recent economic crisis, the US federal government’s interventionist policies have again redeployed finite resources in contravention to market forces. Consumers and many custom builders have been pushing for better quality, sustainable, energy efficient construction. Unfortunately these market forces have been overcome by government intervention. The government has incentives for first time homebuyers who typically purchase cheaper starter homes. As a result almost all new construction is being undertaken by large tract builders who specialize in cheap housing. This end of the market is very price sensitive leading these builders to continued with larger designs that sacrifice quality for size.

Contrary to the belief of the US Congress, capital cannot be created by printing money or authorizing programs intended to create jobs. In a free market capital is deployed efficiently to areas with the best returns. When the government intervenes, it may skew the use of resources to less efficient enterprises. History provides us with numerous examples, but we do not have to look far back to see one of the best.

The deep recession we are experiencing resulted in large part from government interference in the housing market. The American dream has become the American nightmare. Successive governments, both Democrat and Republican, since the Great Depression have done everything they can to encourage privately owned housing. Government bureaucracies like the Federal Housing Administration and government sponsored, now government owned, entities like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac artificially created a market for low interest loans to high risk customers. In a perfect storm, the Federal Reserve artificially depressed interest rates for a short-term economic boost.

Without artificially low rates and low credit standards, it is unlikely that the production of homes would have risen from 1.6M in 2001 to almost 2.1M by 2005. Post deflation the housing starts fell to 554,000 in 2009. At the beginning of the expansion, the Federal Funds Rate in January 2001 stood at 6%. When housing peaked the rate had been lowered to 1%. Not only did the volume of construction increase during that time, but the size of homes increase dramatically as did the price. Consumers were encouraged by lenders to purchase the largest home they could afford to take advantage of a once in a lifetime opportunity. Capital that might otherwise have been used in other areas of the economy was deployed in housing at artificially low rates. The result was catastrophic.

The same government is again intervening through first-time homebuyer tax credits. Coupled with low interest FHA loans having 3% down payments, they are creating some of the previously existing conditions. In addition to risking another bubble, the tax credits funded by all taxpaying Americans are being funneled to large corporate builders that specialize in low-end housing. This is evidenced by the fall in the median sales price in 2009 to $209,000 from a high of $262,000 in 2007.

Some of the larger builders have developed smaller plans, but they have mostly done so to meet the lower price points that the government influenced market demanded. They are not increasing the quality, sustainability or energy efficiency of their new homes. Though not all large home construction has stopped, only the truly wealthy, who tend to build better constructed homes, are still building. Homes of this quality usually include energy efficient systems and last much longer; both qualities of sustainable construction. Much has been written about “McMansion” homes, but generally homes in this market are not included. That is discussion for another day.

While tract home builders dominate the starter home segment, custom builders control the large home market. The real battle will be for the “move up market”. This market will determine the character of American housing for the foreseeable future. Move up consumers will chose between low quality, lower-cost homes built by large corporate builders and high quality, higher-cost homes built by small custom builders. Given the same available dollar for construction, the tradeoff is size for quality.

Assuming market forces determine lending limits, the average price of homes in the move up segment will likely remain much lower than previously experienced. At the peak the move up segment ranged easily into the $1M plus range. Those who grew accustom to the quality of higher priced homes will not likely abandon their affinity for hardwood floors, commercial-grade appliances, custom cabinets and granite tops. To match those features with a lower total budget, consumers will need to build smaller, high quality homes. The skill set to build these homes lies with the custom builder.

If Americans are truly interested reducing dependence on foreign energy and increasing sustainability in the housing market, we will need to decide to build smaller homes to offset the higher cost of quality construction. While it is possible that tract builders may chose to build smaller, their main advantage currently is delivering large size for a low price. Their organizations are not set up to deal with the custom aspects that would make their housing sustainable or more energy efficient. Through builder association programs custom builders have become much more educated in energy efficient, sustainable building to go along with their inherent quality.

The question now is whether the government will continue to incent consumers to continue a behavior pattern contrary to free market forces. If all new construction continues in the low end of the market, it will drive many of the remaining custom builders from the market. Already the number of builders belonging to professional organizations like the National Association of Home Builders has been drastically reduced. Most small custom builders are surviving only through remodel work, but if the market continues much longer many will likely move to other work. Rebuilding the knowledge base and expertise may take years and impact the overall quality negatively for year to come.

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Brent_Beecham]Brent Beecham

Author is a builder and developer of Montaluce Winery & Estates in Dahlonega, GA. The Beecham family has been building in Atlanta for 4 generations. Their quality is known throughout the Atlanta area. Montaluce is the Beecham’s first large development project. Montaluce is based around its vineyards, winery and restaurant, all passions of the Beechams. The homes built on the property are built using some of the latest techniques of green building. The development was planned in such a way to preserve more than 60% as either greenspace or agricultural. For more information please check our website http://www.montaluce.com You can also follow via Twitter: @MVineyards

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Green-Building---Sustainable,-Energy-Efficient,-Quality-Construction-Under-Threat&id=3622630] Green Building – Sustainable, Energy Efficient, Quality Construction Under Threat

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If you need to sell your home but are having difficulty interesting buyers, there is an alternative available. The green real estate market has skyrocketed in the past five years, thanks to new interest in sustainable living and the passing of eco-friendly legislature. Here are some tips for transforming your home from dull listing clutter to green real estate commodity.

Invest in Making Green Real Estate

If you are truly committed turning your home into a green paradise, and thus make it more marketable, you may have to make a large investment. Map out the types of changes you want to accomplish, such as adding solar panels and water efficiency kits. Determine how much each project would cost, whether you can do it yourself or have to hire someone to do it for you, and how long the project will take.

With all of this in mind, research the kinds of houses that have made these adjustments and how much they have sold for. Contact a selling agent to ask questions. Get a home appraisal prior to these green projects, and also ask them their opinion on how much your home would be worth after the projects were completed.

Small Ways to Make Your Home Eco-Friendly

If you simply cannot afford the investment, or you don’t think the investment will yield greater returns, there are small things you can do to make your home more marketable as green real estate.

Check your home’s energy efficiency. Replace any insulation that may be allowing heat to escape. Check doors and windows for cracks in panes, sealant fails, or even holes. These small repairs will all save big on heating and air conditioning costs.

Replace your regular light bulbs with energy efficient CFL, or compact florescent lights. Also, install new showerheads and faucets, replacing them with low-flow technology. This will save water. Installing an insulating jacket around your water heater saves money and energy.

Plant a Tree

One of the simplest and best ways to make your home green is to actually surround it with green! Planting a tree outside will produce shade in the summer, and can reduce cooling costs by up to twenty-five percent. Trees and shrubs can also block strong winds from your home, which prevent them from coming in through compromised windows or leaks in your doors. This can save on your heating costs by up to twenty percent.

In the summer time, your home will be more attractive to potential green buyers if it is surrounded by plants and flowers. You can purchase cheap flowers ready for planting from a local greenhouse. Ask the greenhouse attendant for how to plant and care for the flowers if you are not sure.

It is also easy to make your home appear greener during the winter time. Keep plants and flowers indoors. Be sure to water them as needed, and consult online manuals for how to care for particularly tricky plants. As soon as a potential buyer walks in and sees that your house is a great place to have plants, the chances are that they will be more interested.

Promoting your house as a piece of green real estate can make it much more marketable. Decide whether you can make big investments like solar panels or replacing appliances with energy efficient ones. If not, there are many small things you can do to make your home more eco-friendly and attract those green buyers.

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Beverly_Manago]Beverly Manago

Beverly Manago is a freelance writer focused on the real estate industry. She is also a consultant for My [http://mysinglepropertywebsites.com]Single Property Website, a web 2.0 marketing tool that lets real estate agents create stunning virtual tours and single property sites easily, with a free version available for listing presentations. She also contributes to the [http://mysinglepropertywebsites.com/propertysites/what-home-sellers-want]What Home Sellers Want there.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Getting-in-on-Green-Real-Estate&id=3624126] Getting in on Green Real Estate

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The massive impact of an ailing environment is already manifesting in many pressing issues and dilemmas the world is facing today. Global warming, climate change, air pollution, flood and the like are just few of the problems rooted from the destruction of the ecology. For home buyers and owners, there are viable alternatives for you to contribute in the protection of the environment through opting for green features incorporated in the design, renovation and construction of your home.

There are Eco-friendly or green means and approach you can use in order to assure that your activity and investment is making the most minimal impact on your surroundings. So what exactly are some green features to look for and utilize in a home?

One of the topmost alternatives for green houses is energy efficiency which is basically manifested in choosing efficient household appliances, high efficiency water heating system, air sealing and extra insulation and advanced framing technique.

Advanced framing and extra insulation is known to reduce the construction costs hence increase energy savings through minimizing lumber demands and production. Through proper water heating system, you also cut off the pipeline energy loss. Choosing household appliances and equipment especially with the labels that meet energy efficiency criteria helps you reduce the initial costs of your appliances as well as your electricity bills.

Ensuring the indoor air quality of your home is another viable feature of an Eco-friendly home. You can do this through the right choice on your carpet, ventilation and paints. It is important to choose carpets with less allergen-attracting components and low-pile features in order to improve the quality of air in your home interior. Use low-toxic and low-VOC paints and make sure that your home is well-ventilated to avoid potential air quality hazards. You can use quiet and automatic electric fans or through heat recovery ventilators.

Lastly, it is of utmost value and importance that you deliberately use materials and equipment for your home project that is amenable in conserving natural resources. For instance you may opt for plastic lumber, engineered wood, brick and fiber cement siding. Plastic lumber materials are actually preferred as reliable construction materials for houses and buildings. This is a good alternative in building benches, decking, docks and fences among others. For engineered wood, a good example is laminated veneer lumber that composes of raw materials with superior performance quality which are equally viable options to traditional items used.

Most importantly, consider recycled building materials which are still of high quality without the hefty price tags. It is also making sure that the demand for construction materials is reduced which eventually means that you are also lessening the demand for the production of needed items from the environment particularly trees.

Green alternatives and features are naturally integrated in modern day houses and establishment due to its incomparable benefits to both home owners and the ecology. Educate yourself of the different green choices you have which are advantageous in your investment as well as sound and wise choices to nature.

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Rose_B]Rose B

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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Tips-For-Home-Investment---List-of-Green-Features-For-Remarkable-Homes&id=3615202] Tips For Home Investment – List of Green Features For Remarkable Homes

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For several decades now, we as San Francisco home owners, contractors, architects, designers and realtors have been told that bamboo is a wonderful material for remodeling projects in that it is very low in cost (relative to hard woods) and ecologically sustainable.

How many of us have attended trade shows in the San Francisco Bay area where bamboo stole the show? These trade shows tout the wonders of using bamboo for everything from flooring to ceilings, waste baskets to coffee table furniture, and even drinking cups more. The cost of many projects could be cut in one third or even one half as bamboo is far less costly (or so we have been told) than comparable hardwoods that were not as versatile nor as eco-friendly. Before the year 2000, much of these facts were true, and no one had any reason to doubt this after several decades of using bamboo for mass industrial uses in buildings.

But around the year 2000, many growers in Asia began harvesting the bamboo stalks at earlier ages than the minimum of five years growth. These younger stalks do not yet have enough strength and durability and are best used in craft projects like basket weaving or clothing. Many homeowners. contractors and designers continued recommending and using bamboo in the early 21st century totally unaware of the results to follow.

Today, in 2010, there still are large quantities of bamboo imported into the United States each year. How many of us can tell bamboo (or bamboo derived materials) that are more than five years in age? How many of us can tell bamboo that is younger than five years of age? Probably no one can. Therein lies the problem all of us face in choosing bamboo for our next “eco friendly” project! No one can tell. Well, actually we can tell after several years of wear and tear – but who would want to waste thousands of dollars (or risk thousands of dollars waiting) if the bamboo begins to decompose several years after installation?

Perhaps in several years there will be a bamboo rating system so that those of us who choose to use bamboo for its potential strength and beauty, not to mention its functionality. May I suggest that the rating system be simple to include only three categories: A “harvested at 5 years or older from a verifiable source/ documented”; B “harvested under 5 years and therefore not of durable strength for most projects”; and C “source or harvest age unkown”. In this way the buyer can have some sort of confidence up front at the start of a project that they are truly using an eco friendly material or not.

Until that time, I will continue to admire bamboo, but I will not encourage my own clients to use it in any projects expecting long term durability, nor as a substitute for hardwood flooring. Maybe it is best used only as an attractive live landscaping plant until further notice!

If you would like further information about bamboo and ways to begin a simple easy to classify system that can easily be internationally accepted, write me. My contact information is below. The first step is for a large bamboo harvesting plantation in China to start a documentation process. Documented bamboo, fetching far more in revenues (as if it were “organic produce”) will be the impetus for change. Even if change comes slowly, many home owners, builders, and designers will happily step to the front of the line for a truly certified quality building material. Bamboo deserves a place in every home. But first, let’s at least know the age of the material when harvested.

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=John_D._Kaufman]John D. Kaufman

John Kaufman
Realtor, Green
Coldwell Banker Real Estate
San Francisco, CA, USA 94132
John Kaufman c/o Duck Brand Homes
415 334 1880
rel=nofollow http://www.duckbrandhomes.com
[mailto:duckbrandhomes@yahoo.com]duckbrandhomes@yahoo.com

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Bamboo-is-Not-Always-Eco-Friendly-to-Use-in-Green-Projects---Is-Using-Bamboo-a-Boo-Boo?&id=3606466] Bamboo is Not Always “Eco-Friendly” to Use in Green Projects – Is Using Bamboo a Boo-Boo?

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The biggest trend today is the green home design. Why? Living in a home that has a smaller impact on the environment and the Earth is great for everyone involved. The materials used to create a environmentally friendly house are often recycled from other buildings, last longer than traditional materials and reduce the cost of electric and heating bills over the life of the residence.

Renting Vs Buying Eco-Friendly Spots

Eco-friendly designs are exciting for builders to create, but that does not mean the owner is always the one living in the eco-friendly structure. Finding an environmentally friendly home to rent can be a difficult process because everyone wants to live in a home that makes they feel just a bit better about their part in saving the Earth.

As is the case in any business, there are owners who will place some Energy Star appliances in a home and swear the home is a green home design. This is not the case. Energy Star appliances do decrease the carbon footprint the home has on the Earth, but that does not make the home a green home.

An Altered Building Process

One aspect of building a greener residence that owners forget, is the energy expenditure used in building. The builder needs to agree to use more energy efficient building methods during construction. Hiring a professional green builder could mean working with someone who understands the need to decrease energy use during the build.

For the homeowner or investor who wants to do their part to reduce carbon emissions, energy use and the impact the house has on the environment, home designs with Mother Earth in mind are the best solution.

Find Out All You Need to Know About Green Home Design from EcoFreek.

EcoFreek offers tips, hints, advice and articles on green home design both inside and out!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Yvonne_Jane_Mustafelli
http://EzineArticles.com/?Green-Home-Designs—Express-Your-Inner-Green-Thumb&id=3329994

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