The Fun Times Guide > Home Building/Remodeling > LEED

7 Reasons To Install Radiant Barrier Roof Sheathing

Radiant barrier roof sheathing is a great product that is installed just like regular roof sheathing. photo by Randy @ The Fun Times Guide to Homebuilding

Radiant barrier roof sheathing is a great product that will reduce your power bill. There are just a few manufacturers that make this unusual type of roof sheathing that has a shiny, perforated aluminum foil/craft paper laminated to one side of it. For simplicity's sake, I'm focusing my attention on Georgia-Pacific's Thermostat® radiant barrier product, not to mention that all Georgia-Pacific wood product samples are available to me. I happen to manage the facility that sends out all of … [Read more...]

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A French Drain System Made Easy

french-drain-system

If you're about to install a French drain system on your property, you might want to consider a product manufactured by NDS called EZflow. It's also called EZ-Drain. I took notice of it during a visit to Home Depot recently and it piqued my interest. A French drain system allows water to flow away from residential foundations, buildings and sports complex surfaces in an unobtrusive manner via underground means. A French drain system traditionally consists of a trench, gravel and … [Read more...]

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Green Footstep’s Carbon Footprint Calculator To The Rescue

If you are an architect, a commercial or residential building designer or a developer/builder, how in the world do you calculate your carbon footprint for your building project? In today's growing carbon footprint-conscious building industry, it's important to know how to calculate it and how to use the results to lower the overall carbon emissions, and strive for net zero site energy of your residential or commercial project. This includes not only new projects but also retrofits, remodels and … [Read more...]

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USGBC’s LEED Program Wants To Hear Your Voice

Interested in having your voice heard regarding improving the LEED Green Building Rating System? You're in luck!The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Board of Directors has voted unanimously to open LEED 2009 for public comment. This is a huge step in the right direction to improve upon an already hugely successful program in the much needed green building movement. The LEED Green Building Rating System is an ever-evolving process and they realize that fact. Thus, the invitation to public … [Read more...]

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The 2008 HGTV Green Home Teaches Water Conservation

The HGTV 2008 Green Home is a shining example of how to build a beautiful eco-friendly home. If you weren't already aware, the 2008 Green Home was built just outside of Hilton Head Island (HHI), SC  where developers and builders are creating an environmentally responsible community called Tradition Hilton Head. We've vacationed on HHI quite a few times over the years and this year was no different. We were there just a couple of weeks ago to bask in the sunshine and swim in the surf. The … [Read more...]

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HGTV 2008 Green Home Has Plenty To Crow About

HGTV recently gave away a multi-million dollar dream home in Islamorada, FL and now they're giving away their very first eco-friendly Green Home located in Bluffton, SC near Hilton Head Island. My persistent daily entries DID NOT pay off for the Islamorada giveaway but maybe they will for this one. It won't hurt to try and it would be well worth the effort. I must admit...I admire much of what HGTV does. And why wouldn't I? They provide an abundance of informative programs and … [Read more...]

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Eco-Friendly LEED Home Rating System Simplified

What is the LEED Home Rating System?Ever heard of it? Maybe. Thought of it much? Probably not. If you're about to have a home built to your specifications I'd strongly suggest you educate yourself regarding the eco-friendly  LEED Home Rating Certification program. If you're in the market for a new home, condo, apartment, et cetera...seek out a dwelling with the LEED certification for a multitude of reasons.Okay...you might be asking yourself, "What the heck is LEED?" LEED stands … [Read more...]

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The New American Home Offers New Ideas For Energy Efficient Homebuilding

While in Orlando recently, I took time to visit the The New American Home show home built specifically for the 2007 International Builders Show.     This house is a spectacle of cutting-edge green homebuilding techniques, technologies, design and materials. Here are just a few of the numerous beneficial green homebuilding items of note. … [Read more...]

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