“This is evidence that the District is moving toward my vision for a sustainable D.C. and will lead the nation in implementing green practices and growing a green economy,” said Washington, D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray. “We are fully committed to being number one again next year.”

However, for the past decade, Chicago, still remains the top green roof leader among metropolitan areas, with over five million square feet of installed green roofs.

Components of a green roof include layers of protected membranes and soil medium, and planted with any type of vegetation such as grasses. Advocates say the benefits of added insulation for buildings, increased energy efficiency and better stormwater management outweigh the costs.

In addition, green roofs contribute to cleaner air, reduce stress off sewer systems through stormwater retention and help reduce the heat island effect that urban areas experience.

Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC) is an association that promotes the development of green roofs and walls. “We are definitely beginning to see results from policy support that has increased over the past few years,” says Jeffrey L. Bruce, chair of GRHC. “The industry is also benefiting from the more than 500 accredited green roof professionals (GRPs) in the market, who are committed to driving future industry growth.”

“As awareness grows on the multiple benefits of green roofs and the success of the industry, more homeowners will recognize green roofs as investments that will pay financial and environmental dividends,” said Paul Erlichman, membership coordinator for the association. “At a larger scale, an increasing amount of policies such as Toronto’s Green Roof Bylaw will require that developers use green infrastructure principles in their projects. Certainly, the further development of these policies will make our cities greener and drive the residential green roof market.”

For more information on  Atlanta green building visit Atlanta Real Estate Forum.

Electronic Waste

Electronic waste is beginning to gain widespread attention as our society continues to mass produce and mass dispose of electronics. As of late, electronic waste, also known as electronic scrap, has been discarded to third world countries, where impoverished scavengers cut and burn old electronics to profit from the valuable materials within. In addition to putting their own health at risk by taking apart electronics without proper safety gear, these electronics hounds are endangering the health of their homes by releasing contaminants into the surrounding air and water.

Solar panels have obvious benefits for the environment, and environmental scientists are currently experimenting with more and more uses for them, from heating conductors to cars. But on the downside, solar panels also contain the same harmful materials found in many electronics, including cadmium, silicon tetrachloride, selenium, and sulfur hexafluoride. Of course, green-conscious solar power producers are hoping to maintain the eco-credibility of their solar products.

Solar Panel Recycling

Fortunately, there is some motion towards solar panel recycling, but it is still very limited.  Arizone-based First Solar, the world’s number one PV-cell manufacturer, has initiated an end-of-life solar module collection and recycling program. It currently recycles 95% percent of metal-rich semiconductor materials and 90% of module glass. But while the recycling program is free-of-charge, it is only applicable to First Solar products. This seems to be a common drawback with electronic waste recyclers. If they were truly concerned with the current state of electronic waste, wouldn’t they accept any form or brand of e-scrap? Yes, I’m more likely to buy new First Solar products, knowing they offer free recycling, but where does that leave me with my old, unusable solar panels?

Unfortunately, First Solar does not expect much solar recycling business any time soon. Though the company believes the service should pick up within the next ten to fifteen years, they might also want to consider producing solar products with waste-conscious updates in the meantime. As one of the premier solar recyclers, First Solar needs to set an example for other solar manufacturers. The addition of solar recycling plants around the country will not only benefit our earth, but create countless jobs in a struggling economy. Solar panels also are embedded with numerous precious materials, including pure silver. An effective recycling system could assist in the protection of our Earth’s valuable natural resources. Creating a solar panel from recycled materials costs nearly the same amount as creating a solar panel from new materials and requires only one-third of the energy. With these statistics, it’s obviously time to start recycling solar panels. Let’s not hurt our earth with the very products we use to protect it.

Written by Lynn Jackson

The three-day conference include educational programs, green product exhibits, local green home tours and the Muddy Boots Mixer, which is a networking and awards event.

“These awards recognize the best and most innovative builders and remodelers in green building”, said NAHB Chairman Barry Rutenberg, a home builder from Gainesville, Fla. “The demand for green building is growing in leaps and bounds, and these winners set a great example of what can be accomplished in terms of sustainable and energy efficient building practices.”

Five single-family home projects were honored:

• Purdue University of West Lafayette, Ind., for Project of the Year, Single-Family Concept and Research- Academic
• Meritage Homes of Goodyear, Ariz., for Project of the Year, Single-Family Production Builder
• TC Legend Homes/Zero-Energy Plans LLC of Coupeville, Wash., for Project of the Year, Single-Family Concept and Research- Enterprise
• Chandler Design-Build Inc. of Mebane, N.C., for Project of the Year, Single-Family Small Volume Builder
• MGM Construction of San Francisco, for Project of the Year, Single-Family Custom Builder

Two remodeling projects and one multifamily project were also honored:

• Trifecta Construction Solutions of Fort Meyers, Fla., for Multifamily Project of the Year
• G HOME of Rocking Horse Redevelopment of Phoenix, Ariz., for Remodeling Project of the Year Under $100,000
• G HOME by Rocking Horse Redevelopment of Phoenix, Ariz., for Remodeling Project of the Year Over $100,000

Two awards were given to individuals or organizations for their efforts in green building advocacy:

• G STREET of Scottsdale, Ariz., as Remodeler Advocate of the Year
• The Mungo Companies of Irmo, S.C. for Builder Advocate of the Year

A new award, NAHB Green Outstanding Contribution Award, was also presented to T.W. Bailey, of WaterMark Custom Builders in Frisco, Texas.

For more information on this year’s awards, visit the National Green Building Awards website.

Unlike typical paints, which are laden with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), natural clay plaster is safe for interior painting. Clay plaster is made from pure, naturally-occurring clay. It comes in a wide variety of earthy tones, and its pigmentation is derived from completely natural oxides and ochre minerals.

Natural clay plaster is an excellent choice for your health-conscious and eco-friendly home makeover. It’s completely natural benefits include:

Improving your indoor air:

In our modern world, we can’t avoid filling our homes with dangerous electromagnetic-emitting appliances, electronics, and synthetic plastics. Fortunately, natural clay plasters release negative ions, which neutralize the air. Biochemical studies have also shown that these negative ions have the capability of raising serotonin levels, which can help you and your loved ones better manage stress, depression, and midday fatigue.

Preventing mold:

Natural clay plasters contain the naturally-occurring mineral, borax.  Borax is well known for its anti-molding properties, which is particularly useful in mold-inducing “wet areas” such as bathrooms and kitchens.

Providing Texture:

As it is thicker, natural clay plaster has a greater potential for texture than regular paint. Paint producers have taken advantage of this property, by developing a range of clay plaster textures, including marble, suede, sponged, mica, and speckled. Applying clay texture to your walls will add depth and interest to your living space.

Practicality:

No need to strip your walls. With a quick primer, natural clay plasters can be applied directly onto just about any pre-existing surface, including wallpaper, brick, concrete, adobe, and drywall. Just be careful with glossy surfaces, as they may need a light pre-sanding. Both rollers and paint sprayers for home use should be enough to get the job done easily and effectively. And remember, natural clay plaster should be avoided on oriented strand board (OSB), ceramic tiling, and tongue-and-groove paneling.

Waste Free:

Natural clay plasters are eco-friendly in that they are waste-free. When you’ve completed your paint project, simply restore your leftover plaster for future patch-ups, as dried plaster can easily be rehydrated. Excess plaster can also be let out into soil, with no negative environmental effects.

Many people don’t realize that they are more susceptible to airborne toxins inside of their own homes than outside among smog and fuel emissions. Just because we can easily forget about them doesn’t mean paint-toxins aren’t plaguing our day-to-day lives. So if you’re looking to improve the look of your home, why not improve the air as well? Besides, in addition to being beneficial for your health, clay plasters are naturally practical, efficient, and eco-friendly.

Guest post by Lynn Jackson

The Project

The Sunset Triangle Plaza is a highly-publicized street-to-plaza conversion that opened in Silver Lake in March 2012. Not only is it a beautiful spot to sun one’s self in the afternoon or enjoy an iced latte under a shady umbrella, but it is L.A’s first street-to-plaza conversion. With nothing but an idea from the organization, Streets for People, access to construction equipment rental, and lots of hard work and planning, The Sunset Triangle Plaza was completed in a few months. Hundreds of Silver Lakers (residents of the L.A. hipster refuge Silver Lake) converged on March 9, 2012 to celebrate the official opening of the plaza and to congratulate the Streets for People organization for a job well done.

The Goal

The goal of the project was to bring open spaces to Los Angeles in a cost-effective manner. Los Angeles is a city filled with traffic, smog, and very little time to stop and smell the roses. By incorporating a small plaza with patches of grass, umbrellas, and a relaxing fountain, projects like The Sunset Triangle Plaza hope to bring a bit of beauty to a city that, at times, is anything but. Los Angeles, often considered to be somewhat of a concrete jungle, is lacking in parks in some areas.

The Costs

Sunset Triangle Plaza. Photo by Alissa Walker

Since the plaza is considered to be a trial in the city, the costs were low. The total cost of the project was about $25,000 and included construction equipment rental, paint costs, and labor. The majority of the project was funded by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Help, fundraising, and donations given to the Streets for People non-profit organization. The plaza was designed by Rios Clementi Hale, an extremely popular architecture firm, known for the unique Los Angelino flair they give to their projects. The plaza is painted lime green with yellow-green polka dots and is a bright addition to the City of Silver Lake.

The Realization

Although such street-to-plaza conversions are seemingly new to the city of Los Angeles, they have been popping up in New York for years and throughout Europe for centuries. Quaint European towns are known for their pedestrian zones, with streets filled with shops and restaurants that are closed to car traffic. While these are outrageously popular throughout Europe and in certain sections of New York, some worry about their practicality in Los Angeles. Sometimes, sections of streets are blocked off to make room for these street-to-plaza conversions. To construct The Sunset Triangle Plaza, for instance, one block of Griffith Boulevard was completely removed from through-traffic.

Whether or not the project lasts more than a year, it’s the first of the kind in the area and a welcome place to kick back and take in the sunshine of a state known for it. If you are inspired by this project, why not initiate your own in your hometown? Contacting your local government is a great way to kick start an outdoor project and using The Sunset Triangle Plaza as an example definitely won’t hurt. Don’t hesitate to take actions that will improve your local environment. You, too, could have a gorgeous park where concrete once was. Encourage fresh air for you and your neighbors!

Guest post by Stephanie Fehrmann

Cambria quartz countertops are the only domestically produced quartz surfaces and go through an extensive recovery and recycling of water used in the production process. This results in greatly reduced water loss. Combined with the lack of carbon footprint from having to ship the countertops internationally to reach the slab gallery, it is one of the most ecologically-friendly surfaces on the market. During the sale, all Cambria products will be 15 percent off and all quartz remnant inventory will be $10 per square foot.

Vetrazzo recycled glass countertops will also be featured in the sale. These 100 percent recycled glass counter surfaces join the wide array of other brands on sale, including Artisan Stone Collection, Kohler, Saratoga Soapstone, Heritage Wood, Caesarstone, Silestone, Corian, Zodiaq, Shaw, HiMacs, Viatera, Dal Tile, Artisan Sinks, Coastal, Closet Maid, Atlanta Marble Mfg. and Mohawk.

You won’t have to worry about missing a deal across the huge 13 acre facility, as there will be a shuttle to run guests from the indoor slab gallery, slab yard and other buildings. You can explore all over to find more than 3,000 granite and quartz slabs with hundreds of colors, styles and sizes to choose from. More than 30 experienced Construction Resources Project Managers will be on site to assist with your selection process.

Make sure to mark your calendars for this event on May 11 and 12! For more information about Construction Resources and the products on sale, visit their website www.constructionresourcesusa.com.

Your home has missed out on a little TLC over the winter. While others may tell you to dust your baseboards and wash all of your curtains to give your home the love it needs, Traton Homes has some things that you should be doing to your home that you may not even be thinking about to keep it performing at its best. Below are a few suggestions.

Inspect your air conditioner: The last thing you want to do is to try to turn on the A/C on the first day that the heat has become too unbearable to keep the air off any longer and find that it’s not working. Call a qualified HVAC contractor now to make sure your system is running efficiently.

Check your water heater: This is another major appliance that you don’t want to go out. If your unit is older than five years, then check the bottom for any leaking or rusting. If you find any, then it’s probably time to replace the unit.

Check for leaky window sills: Once you do turn on your A/C, you don’t want all that cool air to leak outside. Check your window sills, door sill and thresholds for cracks, replace your weather stripping and caulk the edges.

Traton Homes is a metro Atlanta home builder that has been building quality new homes for more than 40 years.

For more information, visit http://www.TratonHomes.com.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will be signed during a ceremony at Georgia Perimeter.

WHO: Gwen Keyes Fleming, Regional Administrator, EPA Region 4;
Dr. Anthony Tricoli, President, Georgia Perimeter College
Hank M. Huckaby, Chancellor, University System of Georgia Board of Regents
Karla Drenner, Georgia State Representative

WHAT: EPA and Georgia Perimeter College Sign MOU on Campus Greening and Environmental Careers

WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012, at 2:00 p.m. EST

WHERE: Georgia Perimeter College – Clarkston Campus
Atlanta Center for Civic Engagement & Service Learning
555 N. Indian Creek Drive
Clarkston, GA

For more information, contact Dawn Harris-Young at 404-562-8421 or harris-young.dawn@epa.gov.

According to the study, construction industry professionals report an even steeper increase in green home remodeling; 34% of remodelers expect to be doing mostly green work by 2016, a 150% increase over 2011 activity levels. Many home builders have shifted to the remodeling market due to the drastic drop in new home construction. In fact, 62% of the builders who do both new and remodeling work verified that the economy has increased their renovation work.

“The housing market is critical to the U.S. economy,” said Harvey M. Bernstein, VP of Industry Insights and Alliances, McGraw-Hill Construction, “and the results of our study show that despite the drastic downturn in housing starts since 2008, green has grown significantly as a share of activity– indicating that the green market is becoming an important part of our overall economic landscape.”

The green home building study, produced by McGraw-Hill Construction in conjunction with the NAHB and Waste Management, is designed to provide key insights into market opportunities, backed by proprietary research surveys and the power of the Dodge database. The study reveals business benefits afforded by green building, such as a competitive marketing advantage: 46% of builders and remodelers find that “building green” makes it easier to market themselves in a down economy, and an overwhelming 71% of firms that are dedicated to green home building report the same.

“This study demonstrates phenomenal growth in green building and indicates that we can expect even larger increases in the coming years,” said NAHB Chairman Barry Rutenberg, a home builder from Gainesville, Fla. “In a sample of NAHB builder and remodeler members, nearly 90% reported building green at some level. This is a powerful testament to the importance of green home building–and transforms the way we think of homes overall.”

By 2016, many more builders anticipate that they will be dedicated to green building work on over 90% of projects– 33% expect to be dedicated to green work in 2016, up from 17% in 2011. Remodeling will grow even more dramatically– 22% of remodelers report that they anticipate they will be dedicated to green work in 2016, nearly triple the 8% who report being dedicated to green work in 2011. These builders are clued into the revenue opportunity afforded by green building and know that home buyers will pay more for green homes, according to 61% of builders and 66% of remodelers.

“Home buyers and builders increasingly want to do what’s right for the environment,” said Jim Halter, VP for Construction Solutions, Waste Management. “This trend has been taking off within our business as customers look to recycle and divert more materials from landfills. We’re excited to see the results of the study; they validate the services we offer.”

Many factors are driving the green homes market, with “higher quality” and “increases in energy costs” topping the list, indicating that today’s green homebuyer is not just a green consumer. Buyers recognize that green homes have lower bills due to higher building performance. The reported costs of building a green home have also gone down significantly. Builders report that the cost to go green is now 7%, as compared to 10% in 2008 and 11% in 2006.

While green is growing across the U.S., three regions are seeing higher than average growth. The West Coast has seen the highest green growth; the Midwest’s northern region, west of the Mississippi, is second highest; and New England is ranks third.

McGraw-Hill Construction will continue analyzing the results of the Green Home Builders and Remodelers Study and release a printed report in April during the NAHB’s National Green Building Conference and Expo in Nashville. Further findings, including remodeling details, green technologies, and green product adoption in green homes, will be included in that report. For more details in the meantime, visit http://bit.ly/wsF2gJ.

For quartz countertops, green buyers are set with Cambria. As the only domestically produced quartz surface, Cambria Quartz goes through extensive recovery and recycling of water used in the production process through state-of-the-art settling and filtering techniques. Much of this water gets recycled during the fabrication process. These practices overall contribute to significantly lessening the manufacturing process’ impact on the environment. Cambria has received multiple awards and recognitions, from GREENGARD to LEED to NSF International.

Vetrazzo recycled glass surfaces are another great option for the environmentally-conscious who don’t want to sacrifice the look of a high-end counter top. Vetrazzo makes these surfaces from normally non-recyclable glass like traffic lights, buildings and windshields in addition to consumer recycled glass. They then form these into 550 pound slab counter tops with lively colors and unique designs.

Construction Resources stocks these two and many other environmentally-conscious brands in their showroom among over 3,000 slabs and 2,000 remnants. Customers can select their slab, a fabrication design, as well as set up delivery and installation all in one place, and more quickly in this one stop shop.
For more information, like new products, sales and other Atlanta kitchen news, be sure to check out the Construction Resources blog.