Browsing all posts in Lindsay Marino.
Zero Tolerance: No Energy Bills Allowed
Last month the DGBA had an opportunity to view the future standard of building performance at the TimberCreek Zero Energy House in Lewisville. As part of the Department of Energy’s Building America Program, public tours were given to inspire change in residential building practices. This open house has attracted 1,000′s of industry professionals and homeowners to see a [...]
Are Dallas Builders Ready for Sustainability?
Last week the Dallas HBA's two-day seminar for "Green Building for Building Professionals" was a packed house of builders, suppliers, city planners, and designers. It was exciting to have a large turnout to learn about sustainable home construction however, there was resistance to acknowledge the feasibility of making these changes with their customers. While I [...]
The ABC’s of Green Building
Who can keep track of all the acronyms out there? Many products bear labels not well know to consumers. Here is a cheat sheet to the most common abbreviations when searching for green building products: CARB | California Air Resources Board | Maintains healthy air quality, protecting the public from exposure to toxic air contaminants [...]
What Impact Does your Countertop have on the Environment?
One of the broadest spectrums of product lines when finishing out your home comes when selecting countertops. One way to narrow down your options is by choosing a material that is more sustainable. Many natural products are deceivingly more harmful to nature than their artificial counterparts. A way of exceeding a natural product is [...]
Formaldehyde Legislation Could Improve Industry
A coalition of sponsors introduced an emission standards bill in early September on Capitol Hill. Broadly based on the California Air Resources Board’s CARB rule that began last January, this legislation would mandate a reduction in formaldehyde levels in composite wood products–particle board, plywood, and medium density fiberboard. The EPA says urea-formaldehyde can be toxic, allergenic, and carcinogenic. [...]
Smart Lot Selection for Optimal Energy Efficiency
One of the easiest ways to design a new home efficiently is through site selection. Simple building orientation and location can make a huge difference when designing a high performance home with a reduced environmental impact. The greenest development sites are in-fill properties like former parking lots, shopping malls, etc. Consider the area infrastructure and proximity of resources. [...]
LEED Compliant Flexible Moulding
ResinArt has manufactured flexible mouldings for over 40 years, becoming the largest manufacturer and industry leader in quality and delivery. ResinArt recently introduced a newly formulated product that is LEED compliant and meets qualifications for green building certification programs. Listed below are a few new reasons to specify BMC’s DuraFlex by ResinArt. Zero VOC emissions [...]
CORIM Says Wood Products Reduce Global Warming
The Consortium for Research on Renewable Industrial Materials (CORRIM) at the University of Washington conducted a study on the environmental impact of lumber production. They have interesting findings that might shock you regarding the sustainablility of wood. Wood is among the most energy-efficient and environmentally friendly of all building materials. Wood buildings are readily adapted and are a renewable [...]
Efficient Door Tax Credit for Existing & New Homes
Take advantage of the tax credit available for purchasing a qualified energy-efficient exterior door or window by December 31, 2010. In short, the door must meet a U Factor and SHGC rating of 0.30. Congress raised the per-item credit to 30 percent of the cost up to $1,500. They also extended the deadline for making the improvements through the end of 2010. If [...]
Outside the Box, Inside the Forest
Looking for a great product that also helps the environment? You must be thinking wood. No? Well maybe you should. Being green doesn’t mean you have to build a cold ultra modern house. One of BMC’s sheetgood vendors, Sierra Pacific, points out common misconceptions about the resourcefulness of wood. Trees provide the only 100% renewable, recyclable, reusable, [...]
