Thoughts on green home construction
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by: hugatree
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Several aspects will impact a green home construction, and these need to be integrated in the primary plan of the building. In a green home, use of recyclable material is very important from the point of view of conservation. This could include using high fly ash content cement instead of normal cement. Salvage of reusable material from landfills, such as using reengineered wood or ancient wooden beams retrieved from old houses are other aspects of using recycled materials. Green features work better when included in the initial construction phase. Installation of a drip irrigation system instead of a sprinkler system is one such measure. Investing in a rainwater harvesting system is yet another step toward going Green. To aid absorption of rainwater into the surrounding soil, pathways, and roadways can be made out of permeable paving material.
The use of Forest Stewardship Council (SFC) certified wood for doors, window frames and other places where wood is required also helps the green cause. Even employing no/low formaldehyde based paints for the interiors of the house helps in creating healthier living conditions. Harnessing the power of the sun by fitting solar heaters and photovoltaic cells helps reduce electricity consumption and lower bills. It is better to fit light colored roofs than dark colored roofs because they are more reflective and thus reduce buildup of heat inside the house. Also, they last longer because since the heat absorbed is less, they do not expand thermally as much as dark colored roofs.
Green Home Construction holistically handles both fixed as well as movable items in a house. It is best to use recycled wood furniture for the house interiors. Garden furniture can be made out of recycled plastic, which is easily available in the market. Using cork or bamboo flooring instead of traditional hardwood flooring helps greening the house. It is better to use natural linoleum rather than vinyl linoleum. Leak proof ducting helps in conservation of energy. It has been estimated that leaks in ducting cause a loss over 10% of the energy used. Fitting flow reducers to faucets and shower heads and low volume flushes helps reduce 40% consumption of water without anybody noticing the difference. Formaldehyde free wall and ceiling insulation help reduce sickness. One good material for insulation is cellulose insulation made out of recycled paper.
Double paned windows with low emission are very good green concepts. The advantages of double paned windows are that they help in providing insulation as well as reduction of noise. The frames of windows should be made of wood as these provide more insulation. The piping of the house should have a jacket to reduce loss of heat. Use these tips to make your home truly green.
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For the real stuff on building a green home, goto GreenHomeGuide.org.
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