Sloped ceilings are a common solution when trying to maximize a space. This photo was taken in a carriage house that was renovated into a living quarters. What are the issues in this space that can cause comfort issues in the rest of the home? We see the same condition in rooms over garages and cape cod homes. Stay tuned to our blog for an analysis of things typically found in this kind of space.
Going green when building a sustainable home is the first step in ensuring you are helping your environment and your wallet for years to come. How are your eco-friendly decisions benefiting your home?
It is easy to dismiss making a decision that protects forests in South America if you have no direct attachment to South America. Using FSC certified wood is more expensive on a cash basis without a doubt. So why would you ever care about using this strategy? FSC is a third-party certification that protects rain forests in South America from being clear-cut.
How do we put value on saving these forests? It is difficult, however those forests are filtering air, sequestering carbon, and producing oxygen to breathe. So inherently we know the health of those forests is important, but again, is it worth paying more to build your home to protect forests half a world away?
Precious wood at Mil Madeiras Ltd. FSC, from sustainable logging. Amazon, Brazil
Deciding to build a healthy, energy-efficient, and durable home is not as complicated a decision as deciding which strategies are right for your home and budget. These are complex issues that should be considered with the full impact on the future of our world and the impact on your project. Installing a more expensive HVAC system, for instance, that saves you money through energy efficiency can easily be evaluated on a payback basis. Installing insulation that is air tight and vapor permeable is critical to maintaining your monthly finances and can also be easily evaluated. Using healthy products that do not off-gas dangerous chemicals into the air you breath should be done without a second thought.
Going green is not a political decision. It does not cost more if planned through design using the right strategies for your project. Going green benefits your wallet, the planet, and future generations to come.
Crossroads Farm
Wolford Dedication
There are many terms used to describe a home that is built to a higher standard, green, sustainable, LEED Certified, and EarthCraft Certified to name a few. EarthCraft is a regional green rating system that has been adopted across the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Projects that receive EarthCraft certification have an independent third-party verification, along with meeting the EarthCraft programs criteria. The EarthCraft brand ensures each project addresses indoor air quality, energy and water efficiency, reduced resource consumption, and reduced maintenance demands.
Developed in 1999 by the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association and Southface, EarthCraft was adopted in Virginia starting with the Blue Ridge Area Home Builders Association. This is the only regional green building residential rating system in the state. There are certification programs for Single Homes, Light Commercial projects, multi- (more…)
The attic is a very important part of the thermal envelope. Especially in a mixed humid climate like we have here in Central Virginia. This picture identifies a common problem that we find in the majority of the homes we visit. No insulation above the attic access. Whether it is a pull down stair or a scuttle, make sure you build an insulated door that is air tight.
Here you see another common problem we find – a recessed can light creating a thermal bridge and air leak to the condition space. Recessed lights are aesthetically clean from the finished side, but installed in a vented attic, create huge air leak potential.
This is a recessed can light in a thermal image showing air leaking around it and temperature differential.
This picture shows a HUGE problem. The insulation was pushed away when the ductwork was installed. It never was pushed back into place. Worse, this exposed drywall is right next to an exterior air vent. This leads to a high chance of moisture issues and mold growth and a guarantee for uncomfortable space below.
In a mixed humid climate (Central Virginia) the attic is probably the most important element when trying to achieve a healthy, energy-efficient, and durable solution. There are a lot of problems in this one – what do you see? I will post my thoughts tomorrow.