Green building

View photos and read about an extensive private green remodeling project in Minnetonka at www.livegreenlivesmart.org. For more green building links, visit www.eminnetonka.com.

Building green involves using environmentally sound and natural resource friendly techniques during construction to help make homes more comfortable, efficient and healthier places to live. Consider using green building techniques in your next construction project, whether you are planning to build a new home, remodel an existing home, or just repaint an old room. You can extend these practices into your yard by using rain gardens and native plants to capture and absorb runoff, composting your yard waste, and other methods. Major renovations aren’t required to make a home greener—many green building concepts are relatively simple and inexpensive to incorporate into your home, and some may even save time and money.

Be certain you or your contractor contact the city before you begin any new construction projects to obtain the necessary permits and comply with city codes.

Planning ahead

  • Think carefully and creatively about the actual space you need. You may be able to find additional room by relocating existing walls, reorganizing your furniture, placing items in storage, or finishing your existing basement. Remember that smaller, intimate spaces require fewer resources to build and maintain.
  • Design your construction project to minimize wasted materials. Reconfiguring your design may result in substantial cost and material savings.
  • Seek out designers and contractors who use green building methods and materials.
  • For inspiration, visit Web sites and local stores specializing in green building.
  • Look for ways to reuse existing materials.

Selecting materials

  • Deconstruct rather than demolish. Deconstruction services will remove and will accept reusable materials such as windows, doors, cabinets, etc.
  • Shop for used building materials. You can often find unique sinks, bathtubs, wood flooring, and light fixtures. Some items can be refurbished for much less then the cost of new materials and offer greater variety.
  • Choose materials that are recycled, recyclable, renewable, reusable, and long-lasting whenever possible, including natural linoleum, bamboo, cork, glass, steel, and natural fibers such as cotton and wool. Countertops made from recycled paper or colored glass are an attractive alternative to quarried stone.
  • Purchase lumber harvested from sustainable forests. It should have a certification label from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
  • Select products manufactured without toxic materials and that produce low or no fumes. You can purchase insulation made from recycled paper or cotton as well as paints and adhesives that emit little or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Saving energy

  • Buy locally produced and available materials—transporting materials consumes energy.
  • Use energy-efficient materials wherever existing materials cannot be reused. Larger initial costs are often paid for by long-term savings.
  • Incorporate natural lighting though the use of clerestory windows, skylights, and solar tubes. Use compact florescent or LED bulbs where artificial light is needed.
  • Consider alternative energy sources such as geothermal, solar, or wind. Power companies often allow customers to purchase electricity generated by alternative energy sources such as wind.
  • Add energy-saving devices to your heating and cooling systems. Heat exchangers, programmable thermostats, zone controls, and other devices can often be added to existing systems with few modifications.
  • Plant trees and shrubs to help shade your house in the summer and protect it from winds in the winter.
  • Buy or replace older appliances with Energy Star® rated models. Tankless (on-demand) water heaters can save both energy and water.

Conserve water

  • Choose appliances and fixtures that conserve water. Dual-flush toilets save water by allowing selection of two different flush volumes.
  • Install rain barrels or cisterns to capture water for irrigation. Constructing a rain garden or replacing existing pavement with pervious pavers will help absorb runoff and recharge groundwater.
  • Consider planting a green roof. Green roofs can add interest to an ordinary roofline, last longer than standard roofing materials, improve insulation, and absorb rainwater. Consult an expert to see if a green roof would be compatible with your shed, garage, porch, or entire home.
  • Plant native vegetation in your yard. Native trees, shrubs, wildflowers, and grasses require less maintenance and generally no irrigation once established. They also provide greater aesthetic interest and can attract desirable wildlife such as birds, butterflies, turtles, and frogs.

Green Building Links