Remodelwrights - The earth friendly design/builders.

Your largest source of heat loss/gain in your home! Windows and doors bring light, warmth, and beauty into buildings and give a feeling of openness and space to living areas. They can also be major sources of heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer. However, when properly selected and installed, windows and doors can help minimize a home's heating, cooling, and lighting costs. Not an area to skimp on with ever rising heating costs and should not be overlooked as an important aspect of your project’s design.

While we use predominately use Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) and Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs), which are insulated products to begin with there are still areas or projects (remodels) that require other forms of insulation. In these cases we use spray foam or cotton insulation for all other applications as fiberglass is a health hazard and we prefer not to use it, for the safety of our workers as well as our customers.

Spray foam creates an efficient, draft-free, noise-free, and pollution-free environment with air that is healthy to breathe. Spray foam insulation and air-sealing products provide a protective barrier to the entry of outdoor allergens and pollutants. Forming a complete and proper air-seal also prevents warm, moist air from crossing the building envelope and contacting colder surfaces, causing condensation. This condensation can then create a breeding ground for mold, mildew and other airborne bacteria.

Cotton insulation is made of natural fiber insulation and is 100% recyclable, so it helps to reduce overall landfill waste. Because it's made from natural fibers, it feels as soft to your skin as your own clothing; there's no itch or irritation. While fiberglass is listed as a possible cause for cancer, cotton insulation is so natural there is no warning label of any kind.

A building’s exterior wall surfaces are among its most visible and defining features. It is no short order, however, to choose an aesthetically appealing siding material that can stave off years of harsh weather, require minimal repainting or waterproofing, and be a substitute for wood. North America’s most popular siding has traditionally been solid wood, a regionally logical but problematic solution due to decades of over-harvesting and the subsequent declining quality of materials. Vinyl siding (made primarily from polyvinyl chloride), long-lasting but often unattractive, and creates pollutants associated with PVC production, and many experts feel it has no place in a healthy structure Fiber-Cement is increasing in availability creating siding systems in the form of smooth and textural panels, planks, and shingles that combine Portland cement with recycled wood fibers to simulate wood. Green builders are turning to these products because of their relatively low cost and projected longevity, as many have 50-year guarantees. Selecting the right siding material can provide for nearly maintenance-free exterior that will look great for years to come, while minimizing the effects to the environment.

Incentives, technology and new products in the roofing industry are diverting waste from landfills, paving the way for recycled roofing across the country. Reusing existing building materials, incorporating recycled products and recycling construction waste may contribute to earning certification points under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)** rating system from the U.S. Green Building Council. Recycled synthetic shingles can often require smaller support structures because they are lighter, more durable, easier to maintain, and are equipped with longer warranties, better fire ratings, and good seismic and sound insulation performance. Equally as important, you’ll help slow the tons of waste shingles that end up in the waste stream each year. Insurance companies have also responded to the superior resistance of recycled synthetic shingles by offering discounts to homeowners who use them. In addition to color, weight, fire rating, price, and appearance, consumers should look for these “green” qualities when selecting a roofing product.

Following in the mission to help reduce the dependence on dwindling timber, sustainable, harvested bamboo flooring and bamboo panels is an excellent “green” flooring material. When bamboo is harvested properly it can leave behind a thriving plant and new shoots. Because bamboo is a rapidly renewable resource and the adhesive used in the manufacturing process has virtually no formaldehyde, it makes it an excellent choice for our clients to use in their home construction and remodeling projects. .

Stamped concrete is another new and interesting flooring option as to not deplete other natural resources. You can make them look like pavers, cobblestones, tiles, and even wood planks. Concrete flooring has been used in commercial settings for decades due to its durability. Of course tile continues to be a long standing colorful and durable product. Both concrete and tile floors are great thermal options when combined with radiant heating systems.

splintering. The wood protects the plastic from UV damage and gives your deck a solid, natural feel. It looks great year after year. And because there is no need to spend hours staining or repairing, the enjoyment of a composite deck is truly timeless.

For real wood decking options some Brazilian hardwoods are a very durable wood product. It won't warp and should last a lifetime. Even without a finish this wood is beautiful and strong. It will weather a silver-gray without a protective finish; however, a nice finish will also bring out the highlights of the wood. The advantage to using a product like this is that it is harvest managed and its’ long lasting properties requiring infrequent replacements.