Alternatives to Solid Wood in Construction

One of the main components of green construction is the materials used. With the primary construction material in residential construction being wood one of the biggest impacts with regards to the construction of the home can be made by using environmentally friendly wood products. Alternatives can be found in the framing phase of construction all the way to finish. With a wide choice of materials available all one has to do is look. There is even a more environmentally friendly choice when looking at traditional options.


Framing:


FSC material: FSC stands for Forest Stewardship Council and by now many people have heard of them. They cover many areas of wood use; everything from framing material to the paper print material is printed on. FSC oversees the management and harvesting of material to ensure it is done in an environmentally friendly way. While FSC material is not different fundamentally than comparable material it is an indication that the wood products with the FSC stamp was harvest and manufactured in an environmentally conscious manner.

Finger Jointed Studs: Dimensional lumber can be made out of smaller pieces by joining the pieces into longer lengths. These studs follow the same mentality of engineered wood in that they are able to be made from smaller pieces or even waste. The studs are typically used in vertical applications but there are grades available for roof framing applications.

Engineered Wood: Engineered wood comes typically in two forms when looking at framing members, trusses and I-joists. These are usually used in floor, ceiling and roof applications. Trusses are made in the same form as bridge trusses. They use smaller pieces of wood to form a large load bearing structure. They are typically very strong and able to span longer distances than traditional wood framing members. I-joists are made from laminate wood and OSB (Oriented Strand Board). Like trusses they are able to span longer than comparable traditional lumber. They are also able to use waste material or smaller sections of material by being constructed of laminated wood material.

Finish Material:


Sorghum and Bamboo plywood: This is plywood manufactured from the stalks of sorghum or bamboo. Bamboo is of course made from the bamboo reeds and is very similar to bamboo flooring. It is used as a finished product and can be used in a wide variety of applications from flooring to wall panels. The sorghum plywood is constructed from the waste products from the cultivation of the edible sorghum grass. It is also able to be used in paneling, furniture, cabinetry, flooring and much more.

Wheat particle board: These boards are visibly very similar to particle board but they are made from wheat straw. There are various grades depending on the application but they can be used in the same applications as particle board. They can be used to construct cabinets, as the subsurface for flooring and in furniture. The material can be finished as one likes depending on the grade.

Cork Boards: Cork is widely known as flooring material but boards of the material is also available. The cork boards are primarily used as countertops to furniture, cabinets and more.

Choosing a Countertop in Green Construction

The housing market downturn has resulted in limited new construction but remolding is active. Many homeowners are opting to stay where they are and remodeling their existing home. One of the most expensive but popular rooms to remodel is the kitchen. Due to the complexity of the room there are several opportunities to go green. One of these is the countertop. There are several green options available when choosing countertops but there are also some misconceptions.


1. Natural Stone: Granite has risen to the top of countertop preferences and has been touted as green by some. I have heard several arguments for granite’s green properties but in my opinion granite is far from green. Some individuals have a misconception that granite is renewable because it comes from the earth. This is far from true. It has taken millions of years for the stones to form and will take millions more for them to come back, if ever. Another con of granite is the large amount of embodied energy that goes into getting the stone from the earth. There are a few upsides to granite and possibly the only saving graces. It is very durable making it a possible life time material for the owners of the home. It can also be repurposed. An example of this is the EarthStone stepping stones that are made from granite refuse. To summarize, while it looks nice and is very durable granite should be on the bottom of anyone’s green countertop list.

2. Engineered Stone: There are several quartz based/engineered stone countertops on the market. These countertops are made from quartz and resin. While the resin leads to some questions regarding the green properties of the material companies such as Cambria have taken steps to ensure the resin has limited environmental impact. The green properties of these materials are very similar to engineered wood in that they are able to be created from smaller pieces of material, even waste from other process and they are very durable.

3. Tile : Tile countertops are not that common but they are an option when it comes to countertops. Natural stone tiles have similar “ungreen” properties to granite but there are recycled content tiles available. In using these, the countertops gain several green properties and can quickly become an option for the eco conscious homeowner. While the tiles are durable there is a weakness when it comes to the grout. Standard grout is subject to staining and the countertop is uneven due to the grout lines. With proper care and selection, tile countertops can be an enjoyable green option.

4. Concrete: There are several different versions of concrete countertops. The most commonly recognized are ones that incorporate recycled glass. This material has several green properties. If the countertop is fabricated on site the embodied energy of the product is reduced. All raw materials are delivered to the site and the countertop is made there. This differs from manufactured materials in that the raw materials are shipped to the manufacture site and then to the home. Using recycled materials is of course always a bonus with any material. The countertops are durable but they have been known to crack depending on the quality.


5. Bamboo: Bamboo countertops have the basic same properties as bamboo flooring. The countertops come from the same renewable material as flooring and are assembled in the same manner. The raw material does come from overseas but it can be shipped in large quantities on container ships. The countertops can contain urea-formaldehyde glue as can the floors. Durability can also be questioned but it will perform very similar to hardwood countertops.

6. Recycled Paper: This is probably one of the oddest countertops when first explained but it is a very good green choice. Paper countertops are made from recycled or FSC certified paper and resin. The countertops are durable and perform very similar to solid surface or granite. They do require some maintenance but again this is similar to several other materials. The finish is typically a matte and they do change color with age. This color change is similar to the darkening of wood over time. Overall like the other recycled product countertops this is a very good green choice.

What's in your paint? VOCs and Paint

I am sure many people are familiar with the new paint and new car smell. These familiar odors originate from Volatile Organic Compounds. While many people may enjoy these smells and even call them a fresh odor they are far from safe. VOCs and other chemicals that are in paints, stains and finishes can cause short term health problems such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, allergic reactions and sore throats. They have even been linked to long term problems like cancer. The VOCs in paint can even contribute to several environmental conditions such as fog.

The good news to all this is that there is an alternative to VOC containing paints. Many people have heard of low or no VOC paints but they may not know that there is even variation among these classifications. For that reason let’s take a look at the different categories and what some of these variations are.

Low and No-VOC

These terms mean exactly what they say. Low VOC paints will have a reduced amount of VOCs in the paint base. The paint base is the tintable base that is regulated with these classifications. Similarly in the no VOC paints these paints will contain no regulated VOC in the tint base. All your major manufacturers carry low VOC paints and the majority of them now carry no-VOC paints.

As you may notice I continue to state that the base contains low or no regulated VOCs. This is because the federal regulations that apply to VOCs in paint only cover VOCs that contribute to the formation of smog. There may be other VOCs in the paint base but this depends on the manufacturer. Also tinting the base can add VOCs to the paint because the pigments used to tint the base may be dissolved in solvents that contain VOCs. The deeper the tint the more VOCs that paint will contain. To avoid the tinting pigments from adding VOCs to your no-VOC paint you can seek out companies that use zero-VOC colorants.

Zero VOC

There has been a new trend in paints with some of the paints being classified as zero-VOC paints. You may ask what is the difference between no-VOC and zero-VOC paints? As I mentioned before to obtain the classification of no-VOCs the paint must contain none of the regulated VOCs. This means that the paints can still contain non-regulated VOCs and even some other potentially harmful chemicals such as ammonia or antimicrobials.

The zero-VOC paints contain none of these chemicals and are considered non-toxic. These paints are a great choice for individuals that have multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) or facilities such as hospitals that may contain individuals that do. There are several companies that produce zero-VOC paints like Mythic, AFM and Biodhield.

Painting with these paints

These paints apply like any other paint and clean up with water as well. You can get a wide variety of colors and sheens just like conventional paints. The only difference that you may find is that the dry times may be slightly longer, especially with deeper tints. You may want to allow a little longer drying time between coats for the darker tints to allow for a quicker overall dry time. Like conventional paints these paints also need to cure over time to full hardness (just because they are dry doesn’t mean they have cured) but you may find that it takes a little longer for them to become completely rock hard especially for the glossier sheens. However just like conventional paints they are hard enough to touch up and hang pictures in just a few days.

Other than these minor variations the zero-VOC and no-VOC paints cover and paint the same as their conventional counterparts. The major upside is that they don’t provide your home and you with the harmful chemicals that are associated with conventional paints.

If you are looking to use these paints it is recommended that you look at your choices and if you have any questions regarding the overall VOC and chemical content of the paints ask to see the material safety data sheet (MSDS). This will list any potentially harmful chemicals that are in the product. If you will be working with a contractor make sure they understand the differences in the paint and take the time to make sure you are getting the product you want. Due to the limited local suppliers in most areas for some of these paints you may even want to purchase them yourself so you are sure you are getting the paint you want.

What is Green Building (Green Building Basics)?

In the last few years, a new sector of construction has been created called green building. Many of us have heard of this term, and many companies have begun marketing themselves or their products as green. When this term pertains to construction, several of us may be left with a daunting question, “What exactly is green building?” This is a very valid question, especially for someone who doesn’t work in the industry and is exposed to the terminology every day. Some of you may even begin to question whether green building is any better than conventional, or whether it's just some marketing scheme created by large corporations - or even you next door neighbor - to bring attention to themselves, and/or justify higher prices.

These are valid questions, and I can understand the concerns that many of you may have. I too have these concerns when I'm working with individuals, as I must also wade through all the hype to find the true meaning and function of a product. I could sit here and write a lengthy article as to why certain products are better than others, or why one company is building green when another is not. However, this would do nothing but provide you with my opinion, and not give you the basic knowledge to formulate your own opinion!

To better understand how to evaluate a company or product, one must first understand what green building truly is.

What is Green Building?
In its most basic form, green (or sustainable) building is a process that allows people to reduce their impact on the planet. Green building takes a systematic approach to the construction process involving all phases and aspects of the project, from site planning to indoor air quality, to achieve this goal. It even goes beyond just reducing our impact on the planet by ultimately providing a better built home.

To truly understand green building, one must understand how the house works as a system. Many individuals have learned their trade by working with others who in turn learned from those before them. This pattern has led to a long line of skilled carpenters and other related professionals in the trade who understand their profession; however, few individuals have taken the time to learn building science.

Fundamentals of Building Science

There is a science to building, and it is this science that allows us to make our homes function properly and keep us comfortable. Green building relies on this science; without a basic understanding of it, one can have a hard time understanding the importance of many of the features of green building. To better understand green building, we must first understand some key components of building science:

1. A house is constructed of several interrelated parts, and these parts that work as a system;
2. The home should be designed for the environment in which it is constructed;
3. Energy loses some of its potential each time it is converted from one form to another. This is why direct energy sources (such as solar heat) are much more efficient than indirect sources (such as electric heat).
4. Air leaks in a building can result in a large loss of energy and accumulation of moisture.
5. Movement of heat, air and moisture must be controlled in every part of the building

With a basic understanding of these items, one can then begin to look at the basics of green building.

Basics of Green Building

Green building is not just about the structure itself, but also how the building and its occupants relate to and interact with the environment and community around them. Many individuals get lost in the process of green building, believing it's just about the structure - how many green materials the structure has in it or the cost-saving technologies it contains - but true green building is concerned with all aspects of the structure, including the inhabitants. To only look at the construction process of the building causes one to be short sighted. This is a few months in the life of the home; however, this structure will hopefully stand for hundreds of years. One must be concerned with the building process, including material and waste, the impact the construction process has on the planet, and the impact the building and its occupants will have on the environment over the life of the building.

To help achieve the goal of having a better built and less impactful structure, there are three key areas in green building:

1. Energy efficiency: This is a cornerstone of green construction. The home must be designed to reduce the energy consumption of the home and the individuals within it. This may sound like one and the same, but there are several considerations when looking at green building that not only encompasses conserving energy in the home, but also in the community around it. One example of this is positioning the home in an area where mass transit is convenient.

2. Conservation of natural resources: While many individuals know about recycling, this takes on a new meaning in green building. Conservation of resources not only entails recycling or reusing material when possible, but also limiting the need for new resources altogether. An example of this is using more durable material to limit the need for replacement in the future, or even improving existing structures to meet your needs instead of constructing new ones.

3. Indoor Air Quality: This is often a forgotten factor in green building, but we spend the majority of our day and lives indoors. Buildings are often found to have worse air quality than outdoors, and because of this we must be concerned with the air quality of our home. This portion of green building includes the use of material that doesn’t emit harmful chemicals into the air and using systems like our HVAC to maintain good air quality.

Green building is not just the simple process that involves the use of “green” materials and recycling. It is an intricate process that has evolved over the years to provide a better built home that lessens the impact of the building and its occupants on the planet. So next time you hear something termed as “Green Construction,” ask yourself - and the contractor - if it was truly built that way, or was it really just a standard home built using a few recycled items to justify a higher price tag?

The 3 R’s of Green Construction (and what to do with material from a demo)

One of the most perplexing things that I see almost every day is the demo of a building to just rebuild a building of similar shape and size. While I understand that there may be times in which this is necessary due to the age of the building or other circumstances, there are still materials in that building that could be reused; often, they're just scrapped and sent to the landfill.


This frame of thought can also apply to home remodels. When a room has lost its appeal, no longer serves its purpose, or is damaged beyond repair, you have to remove the old material. Depending on what this material is, it may still have some use left in it. This use may not be in the manner that it was originally intended, but it may still serve a purpose!

When you're performing your next remodel or repair, think about the 3 R’s for green construction:

Recycling

This may seem like it would be obvious, but for a lot of construction-related items it can be hard to imagine how they would be recycled. The truth is, at this point and time, it can be very hard to recycle the materials. However, it is possible. As more individuals discover the possibilities and the resources come available, this will be an easier task to perform. In the meantime we can look at some of the possibilities of recycling.

• Tile can be recycled into tile again. The challenge: While there are companies that produce recycled tile, they are typically limited to industrial waste, and use very little post-consumer material. Of the few that do have recycling programs for post-consumer material, the one program with which I am familiar for collecting material is extremely restrictive to the point that they're almost impossible to use! 
• Wood materials can be chipped and used as mulch for flower beds. The challenge: The wood has to be free of metal for conventional chippers
• Drywall can be used for a soil amendment. To best apply this, the material must be ground into a powder and spread on the soil. Again, crushing the material is not an easy task for most individuals. 
• Brick/Cement blocks can be crushed to use as mulch, gravel, or bedding material for cement pads. The challenge: This can be labor intensive if one is to crush it by hand.

Reusing materials

Some materials on the jobsite can be easily reused in the same project. Most of these include trim. This is something that has been done for years in the insurance restoration industry! If the material can be reused, it will be carefully removed and reinstalled. Some items, such as baseboards or crown molding, may not need to be changed in a remodel, as trim patterns have stayed rather consistent over the years.

Other items commonly reused include doors, sinks, cabinets, and toilets. All these items, and more, can be reused in the home if they are still functioning. If the items don’t fit in your remodel plans, you can donate them to local charities that can resell them to others who can use them. One of the most common in my area is Habitat for Humanity. They use the proceeds from the sales to build homes for individuals in need.

In the same line of thinking, if you are looking for items to install, you can actually check out a store like Habitat first! You may be able to find what you need at a reduced price. I've often found materials that are hard to find at these stores, like doors in older homes, and they're much cheaper than buying the product new or even purchased from a for-profit salvage store. With a little cleaning and paint, you may end up with a great deal!

Repurposing

If you can’t recycle it and don’t think it can be reused for the same purpose, then repurpose the item. The easiest of these is the use of trim. I have reused trim to make backsplashes on vanities, trim out mirrors, and make key/coat hangers.

If you are really handy, you may be able to turn some old doors into a bed or use old wainscot in pieces of furniture. Wood is beautiful in its own right, and our predecessors made pieces of artwork when they crafted some of these items. Using some of the old trim for other purposes extends the showcase of beauty that it contains.

You can break up old tile and use it to cover a tabletop, or you can take old door knobs and make them hangers. Newel post can be turned into plant stands, and windows can be used as drawing boards. Repurposing of material is only restricted by your imagination! Because of this I find this to be one of the most versatile of the 3 R's.

Sustainable Insulation Options

One of the largest - yet least noticed - systems in your home is the insulation. We rarely ever see it unless we're in the attic or crawlspace, and we hardly ever have to worry about it breaking down or needing to be fixed. However, when performing sustainable construction, the type of insulation you choose should be at the top of your list. When you look at the amount of material you use when insulating your home and how important of a role it plays in making your home energy efficient, you begin to realize how important this hidden product is.

The good news is that all insulation performs about the same when considering insulating value. This may be contrary to what many people have heard or what some contractors may tell you, but we' get to that in a second. When selecting the insulation, review the information you have on hand and make an educated decision on which product best fits your installation.

For the most part, everyone is familiar with fiberglass insulation; while it is the cheapest of all of them, it is also probably the furthest from green. So let’s take a look at some of the alternative choices you have when selecting you product.

Cellulose:

Like all of the different insulation types that we're discussing, cellulose will have an R-value of about 3.6 per inch. This means that its insulating properties will be comparable to fiberglass and the others when installing it in your home. Cellulose can be wet sprayed or dried sprayed, depending on the application, and when it is dense packed it can provide air sealing.

It comes from recycled paper, approximately 80% post-consumer newspaper. Due to the insulation being made of paper, it must be treated with a borate solution to make it fire, insect, and mold resistant. Cellulose is also hygroscopic, so it will hold moisture if exposed to it. For this reason, many people will argue that cellulose is bad to have in the home because it can hide minor leaks.

For the dense-pack application, it must be applied correctly to avoid sags and separation from the wall. This is a common issue with all sprayed in insulations, including foam.

Denim:

As the name implies, denim is made from recycled denim. Utratouch by Bonded Logic is manufactured from 100% recycled content, 85% of it being post-industrial waste. Denim has no harmful chemicals and is safe to the touch, which means there is no protective clothing required for install. In fact, there are several pictures available with children playing with the product.

One argument of the denim is the cost to collect and ship material to a central manufacturing plant and then reship across the country. However, when looking at this argument, one must also consider that this is true for most any recycled material; but you are also preventing material from going to landfills. Another downside to denim is that is can hold water similar to the cellulose.

Wool:

Wool is another alternative material, made from sheep wool. It is very similar to the denim insulation in properties, as it comes from an organic source as well. The unfortunate part of wool is that it is currently only available in England. For more information, visit Thermafleece.




Spray Foam:

There are several manufacturers of spray foam, and there are different types. To remain brief, there are two main types, open cell and closed cell. Open cell allows moisture to pass through and closed does not. The products can also be petroleum based or soy based, and finally, they can use water or polyurethane in their application.

Icyene is the most popular. It is made from petroleum extracts, and it is applied with water. Spray foam has been praised for its air-sealing abilities and insulating properties. However, for the most part the open cell does not insulate any better than the others mentioned here. It does have very good air sealing properties when applied correctly, though.

The open cell product is supposed to allow water to pass through, allowing for the discovery of leaks. However, there have been some complaints regarding this leading to the questioning of quality between manufacturers. Other possible downfalls of the product have to do with how hard it can be to work with when retrofitting or remodeling, and it's much more expensive than the other products.

The largest misconception with this product occurs with the marketing practices of the companies that install it. They continue to claim that you can install less of this product and achieve the same insulating rating you would from other products. In all actuality, it basically has the same rating as all the other products, and what people are using in their marketing is an “effective” R-value to relate the ability of the insulation to provide air sealing. This practice has led to the acceptance of the product to be applied in lower quantities, leading to under insulating.

Nanogel:

This product is one that will probably not be seen in home installation, but it is still worth the mention just to show what products are available and new innovations. This product is a NASA-developed silica gel that is super strong, super light, and super insulating. It is primarily used in clear panel applications for commercial settings. Due to the inherent properties of it, it is sealed into panels for use. For more information, check out one of the panel manufacturers, Kalwall.

The pictures below are not photo shopped. These are real images of the product.

You Don't Have to Be Stuck in a Box: Sustainable Alternatives to Wood Framing

When you think of building a home, probably some of the first steps you think of are building the foundation and walls. Convention probably even has you thinking of some form of concrete block foundation with a wood frame wall. While these are the most common forms of construction for these components of the home, they are not the only way to build.


There are several nonconventional methods to build a home, and some of the methods can even provide benefits that the standard wood frame home cannot provide. If you have been interested in the sustainable movement for a period of time, I'm sure you've heard of the construction practices that stray far from conventional, such as Strawbale, Cob, Rammed Earth, and EarthShip. However, you may not have heard of some of the other techniques that are closer to conventional methods.

The following three methods can either be used in conjunction with or as standalone methods, but they all turn out a product that looks similar to a conventionally built home. Each has their pros and cons, but ultimately they are solid building practices for sustainable homes.

Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPS):

These are panels made of foam insulation sandwiched between two panels of oriented strand board, plywood or other panel siding. They are used to construct all faces of the building; floors, walls, and roofs. One of the main advantages of SIPS is because of the rapid construction that is possible with them. SIPS are engineered and cut to size off-site, limiting the amount of time on-site prepping the material. SIPS also speeds up the process because the insulation is included, so once the framing is up, several steps are already completed. Finally, the properties of the panels help seal the home better and reduce noise from the outside.

There are a few downsides to the panels. First, there is a large learning curve for everyone on the job and they must be kept dry - so flashing is critical. Also, they may require a crane to install. Planning for electricity in the home is also critical. The panels are predrilled for wiring based on wiring plans that are submitted. Many people may also point out that petroleum is used to make the rigid foam board that is vital to the component. However, this shows a common issue in all green products; if you look at them hard enough, you can bring into question their sustainability. One must look at the overall product in some cases, and the life cycle impact it may have.

Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC):

AAC looks very much like a standard concrete block until you pick it up. AAC is made with a variation of concrete made with aluminum powder to create an increase in volume while trapping air. This trapping of air insulates the blocks and makes them surprisingly light. The blocks will even float! They're produced in 8” and 12” thicknesses, 8” high and 24” long. One of the advantages to AAC is that it can be easily cut on site with specialized handsaws, bandsaws, or just ordinary tools that are no longer sharp enough to cut wood.

One of the advantages of AAC, like SIPS, is that once the walls are constructed, the framing and insulation is finished. Some sources say that the 8-in block can have an insulating value as high as R-21! AAC is also fire-poof, mold-proof, insect resistant, and sound absorptive. The blocks are laid very similar to standard concrete blocks using a type of mortar. It has been found by some installers, though, that individuals that are trained in laying standard blocks have a harder time learning to install AAC than someone who has little construction training.

AAC is not all pros; there are some cons to this material. It has a large learning curve for electrical and plumbing trades. While AAC can float, it does absorb water over time. Once the water is absorbed, the blocks no longer have the insulating properties that it has when dry. For this reason, the blocks are not a good fit for below-grade construction. The blocks can be cut to run chases, but for someone who's used to working with wood and the cavities that comes along with that style of construction, the idea of having to cut through solid block may be a little daunting. Homeowners may also find it a little unusual hanging a picture or other items on a wall made out of concrete.

Insulated Concrete Form (ICF):

ICF is made of polystyrene forms that interlock like Legos. The forms are then filled with concrete to form the structure. They're typically not stacked more than four high at a time to keep a blow out from occurring. After the concrete cures, the forms are left in place to allow for insulation, space to run electrical and plumbing, and to act as a backing for drywall or stucco.

As with all these products, ICF creates a tight envelope, and it includes its own insulation. The construction techniques used to build with ICF are easy to learn, and it is much stronger than wood frame construction.

A few of the downsides to ICF construction:

• Retrofits are typically costly, as concrete saws must be used to make openings or move walls
• Curing the concrete can also cause humidity issues inside the home for a period of time during construction
• Pricing is also typically more than traditional construction.

As mentioned before, each one of these can be used independently of each other or together. I've had the privilege to visit homes that used ICF for the foundation, AAC for the walls, and SIPS for the roof. These homes took advantage of all the alternative construction forms to construct a very sustainable home! Each one of these construction methods has its own pros and cons, and you may find one may fit your style better than the other. Talk to individuals who have worked with and lived in homes incorporated with these technologies to see which one best fits you.