How Green is Green?
What exactly spurs someone to take on a project like this? After 5 years in a small pre-war bungalow, my wife and I decided we wanted more room to start a family. So for us, this project was born out of a need for more space.
However, at some point along the way, our priorities changed. We still need the extra space, but I came to realize we could build a better home instead of a bigger home.
I’m sure “better” means something different to everyone, and for us it originally meant a modern esthetic with nice fixtures. And while we still want this, I’ve also come to appreciate how sustainability must work into the equation. So I’m left wondering… how green is green?
I’m not sure I have a definitive answer for this, but we are trying to do as much as possible given our budget. I’ve heard many claims that “green” doesn’t necessarily equate “expensive”, and while this is true in some cases, it’s hard to argue when you look at the budget. The fact is, we could have built a much larger home if we wanted, but instead we reduced the footprint so we could build it greener. I’m not suggesting it’ll be the poster-child for LEED construction, but it’ll definitely be better than it would have been.
I’m planning on discussing these more in future posts, but here a few things we’ve considered with the design of the house:
- Window shading
- Passive lighting
- Passive heating & cooling
- Rainwater collection
- ICF / SIP construction
- Spray foam insulation
Beyond the products & practices we’re considering, I’m often asked about the existing house. Why did we decided to bulldoze it? Why not build on the existing foundation? If we are going to demolish it, what will happen to the waste?
These are all excellent questions, and I must admit I hadn’t actually considered all of them. We had originally intended to build on our existing foundation, however proximity to our neighbors made this problematic. And I would love to recycle/reuse everything… I just don’t think that’ll be entirely possible.Crushing and reusing the foundation is an intriguing possibility given our flat roof (we’re investigating covering it with crushed gravel). As for the rest of the house, we’re going to be selling/giving away as much of it as possible (the kitchen cabinets, radiators, boiler, etc). However, I realize that won’t make much of an impact and I assume most of it will end up in a landfill.
Not exactly the most eco-friendly solution, but that’s where we stand today. I hadn’t considered recycling the rest, but it’s something I’m definitely going to look into it now.
So these may not all be the greenest of steps, but hopefully they’re steps in the right direction.
Photo via Flickr user CasualTea>
Post Tags: Construction, Design, eco, Financial, foundation, green, LEED
Have you considered a green roof rather than covering it with gravel? Since you’re building the house from the ground up you can design in the support system, and it can save you 15% on your heating and cooling bills. It also lowers the temperature around your house in the summer, and prevents extra runoff to sewage systems. Plus if you make a way up there, you get a rooftop patio with nice grass.
Good quality pieces of the house you can donate to Habitat for Humanity http://www.torontohabitat.on.c.....ationID=32
They’ll even come pick it up for free I believe, and give you a charitable donation receipt.
There is also a local company that for the life of me I can’t remember the name of who will take your brick and wood and use it again.
I’m sure you’re too far along for this, but instead of concrete consider rammed earth. It tests stronger than concrete, is a natural insulator, and doesn’t have the massive footprint that comes from making the cement.
If you read GOOD magazine, there is an interesting article about LEED this month. It’s up for renewal and there will be some major changes because of a loophole that allows buildings to get points for things like being non-smoking. Condos have also been registering for the LEED test and advertising as “LEED Registered” which doesn’t mean anything at all, other than letting them mark up the price.
Long comment… Missy and I have spent the last few years immersed in sustainable design, as you go along the process if you need a sounding board you can always bounce things off us!
talk later.
— posted on June 3, 2008Hey Michael!
Yep, we’ve considered a green roof – and it’s something we may still end up doing. However, at this point it’ll all boil down to costs. The roof itself will be constructed to support a green system (should we want to do it later), but initially we’re going to go with the cheapest covering. If the gravel proves to be more expensive (or at least close), we’ll seriously evaluate the green option.
Habitat will definitely be contacted when we demo the house… but I didn’t expect they’d actually take much. I assume everything that’s not bolted down will be removed, but that still leaves a lot of stuff. Regardless, I’ll gladly give it all away if someone will come and get it ;)
I don’t read GOOD – at least I didn’t before. It’s officially bookmarked.
— posted on June 3, 2008