Sustainability: Building a brighter future

The need to evaluate how we produce, how we dispose, and how we build has been a hot topic in the recent years. LEED registration for green businesses, Energy Star ratings, alternative energies, and efficiency are the sectors of green that we hear most in the building industry. Unfortunately, a very important component to the 21st century green-conscious person is so often overlooked; Salvage. There are so many great resources and products available to help put a little more emphasis on Reduce and Recycle’s middle brother. Building materials account for an enormous percentage of our landfills. For a 2000 square foot home, approximately 8000 pounds of waste gets dumped into the landfill. By finding creative ways to reuse more and more of that material, the strain of our waste is reduced and we have furthered the goals of sustainability.

Liberty Valley Doors
This company is making a lot of noise in the building world with their salvaged products “Eco-Door”. Beyond the sustainable products, they have made huge leaps as a company to green their company. They went so far as to hire a sustainability manager and purchased a hybrid company car.

Bedrock Glass
All of their products are created from 100% recycled glass. They make immaculate glass tiles, tumbled rock glass for landscaping and crafts, lawn and garden gifts, and they offer mosaic classes to get people having fun while supporting a noble effort.

Habitat Reuse Store
One of the saddest facts about the construction world is how few of us really know about important businesses like this one. This is in essence a resale store for your leftover, otherwise discarded building materials. The Reuse store even has deconstruction crews, contractors that safely disassemble your room or house rather than mindlessly bulldozing it down or burning it. They remove any and all useful products, which is so much more than we expect, recycle what they can and save the landfill from another wasteful project. They offer store credit for donations, and more importantly tax breaks for contractor donations.

$1500 Tax Credit
When there is a need to really motivate people to better their homes (or to spend money in a recession), the government waves money in front of them. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, includes this federal tax credit of up to 30% of your qualifying home improvement project up to $1500. There are many loopholes and stipulations as many government programs have, but through Windsor Windows guide above it makes it pretty clear what you need to do and what you can expect.

Sustainability, as it has progressed thus far, is simply the first trickle of raindrops before the big storm; a storm of planet-awareness and responsible business practices to wash away the hundred year sin of the ignorant industrial revolution. From the revolution of pollution, waste, and surplus to the revolution of technology, computers, answers, and awareness; now we march ahead into the Green Revolution. It will be a revolution of reversing the damage, building a new future, protecting our children’s inheritance, and putting to good use all we have learned in the Tech Revolution to solve the problems of the Industrial Revolution and move forward at peace with the planet.

Tax Refunds and Home Improvement

Taxes are done, refunds are coming. Now is the perfect time to invest in your home. Contractors are fighting for work, material prices are low, and the government is freeing up millions of dollars in refunds for home projects. Spending that refund on your home will help build your equity, make your home more comfortable, and even help the economy bounce back. Here are some projects that will help you get the most bang for your buck.

Replace your old single/double pane windows with Low-E vinyl replacement windows.

-Approximate Cost = $3,000-$10,000

-Energy Efficient Tax Credit Qualification

-Vinyl Windows are low maintainence and easy to clean.

-Approximate change in home value = $6,000-$20,000

Finish your basement

-Approximate Cost = $10,000-$30,000

-Increase your useable home space.

-Approximate change in home value = $20,000-$40,000

Fix drywall, paint, plaster, and miscellaneous interior aesthetics

-Approximate Cost = $5,000-$20,000

-Polish up your home in the places that matter most.

-Change color or freshen up your walls.

-Approximate change in home value = $10,000-$30,000

Paint your exterior

-Approximate Cost = $5,000-$15,000

-Change colors or give your house a new face for the neighborhood.

-Make your house look like new.

-Approximate change in home value = $8,000-$24,000

Money is pretty tight right now. On the other hand, if you have the opportunity to spend the money; now is the time to act. Think about how great it would feel to face the rest of the year with some rejuvination to your home; better still if you can squeeze some tax credit out of your investment.

Deckbuilding time arrives with spring!

The warm weather has started, the grill is thawed out from the pile of snow in your backyard, and you have the itch to do some backyard celebrating. It is the dawn of the deck construction and remodeling season; embrace it!

Treated Lumber Materials

This is the inexpensive route. No matter what option you decide on, the actual unseen frame will consist of "green treated" lumber. This is lumber that has been treated with a combination of chemicals to make is resistant to the elements of nature. The biggest drawback to treated materials is revealed with time. As the sun beats down on treated products that are unstained, they begin to grey and slowly "burn" under the UV rays. The problem can be solved with routine staining, but treated products do not necessarily stain well.

Cedar Lumber Materials

Cedar is a beautiful, naturally resilient wood. It is rich with redish tones and takes to stain very well for an even bolder color. It is in the middle of the price range between composite and treated products. Unstained, it deals with similar drawbacks to treated products but retains a natural wood beauty that green treated products lose through the chemical process. For a truly beautiful deck that you never have to stain, which will last for years and years with nothing more than minor fading, research composite decking products.

Composite Materials

Composite materials are as close to maintenance-free as you can get. The price is about three times as much as treated products, but the value gained is nearly unmeasurable. Never again worry about slivers, routine staining, greying, or the other typical lumber products. There are a plethora of reasons that composite materials are well worth the additional cost, if the funds are available. Brands such as Trex, Evergrain, and Timbertech offer a range of sizes, colors, and resources for the builder, designer, and homeowner.

There are many resources for design ideas as well as additional design ideas for post lights, balusters, and railing selections. Look at resources from the internet, your friends' decks, and by simply driving around. Any excuse to get outside and get creative. Enjoy spring while preparing for your backyard project.