Environmentally Friendly Building

Recently a highly acclaimed architectural firm in Texas published an article that helps identify ways for new and existing homeowners to make their dwelling "green friendly". Gary Gene Olp, Founder and President of GGO Architects outlines steps to becoming energy efficient. Olp and his firm promotes green and energy savings by installing a radiant barrier in the attic. Read on!

Dallas - Sustainability and energy efficiency have become significant selling factors during the home-buying and home-building process. In honor of Earth Day, Gary Gene Olp, Founder and President of GGO Architects, offers key questions to ask when that infamous word “green” makes its way into the conversation.

“Sustainable living is about interpreting natural processes in a modern way,” said Olp. “Many homebuilders and sellers make green claims, pointing to green products utilized in the building process. However, it’s the overall design that constitutes a sustainable design, not just the products used.”

Olp’s involvement in the “green” movement dates back to the early 1970s. He lays claim to the design of the first LEED Platinum home in Texas in 2007, further substantiating his “green authority.” Here are three questions to determine if the home you are buying or building is truly green:

1. How energy efficient is it really? Ask the builder to quantify what the expected annual utility cost will be. With current green building codes, Energy Star ratings and online energy modeling software, this is easily derived from the R value of insulation installed, the quality of the windows and the seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) rating for hot water, heating and air conditioning. If they cannot provide a reasonable answer, perhaps their claims are more guesstimates than engineered performance. Windows should be insulated Southern Low-e, walls should have a minimum of R 24 and the roof should have a minimum of R 40 insulation. The heating and air conditioning can easily have SEER ratings of 16-18 for little extra cost.
2. Demand that a radiant barrier is properly installed on the underside of roof decking. This simple feature is perhaps the most significant design component in our hot Texas climate. Properly installed, it can repel up to 75 percent of the heat gained from the sun in the summer. Every British thermal unit (BTU) of heat reradiated away from the attic of your home means fewer BTUs of cooling required to keep it comfortable, which means smaller utility bills. It is important to make sure the radiant barrier is the metal foil type, and not a faux spray-on paint coating.
3. Do not fall pretty to smart Eco gadgets; instead look for the real thing. Take a compass with you when looking at a new home, and check to see which direction most of the windows are facing. Large amounts of windows on the west are certain to spin your smart electric meter into a frenzy. If most of the windows are on the north, the home may be cooler but generally dark with little natural light. The best orientation for windows is on the east and south for good natural light. Be sure any windows on the south are properly shaded with broad overhangs or large deciduous trees to block out the intense summer sun from passing directly into interior spaces. That same southern sunshine will be appreciated as it reaches deep inside to provide warmth and daylight on cold, gloomy winter days.

And for those who already own a home, it’s not too late to achieve energy efficiency. Homeowners can:

• Install a radiant barrier in the attic. It works equally well for an existing home as it does for new construction.
• Shade the windows facing south and especially those facing west. The easiest, albeit shower way is to plant native deciduous shade trees to block the intensity of the summer sun. Consider adding alternative shading devices like a fixed awning with decorative brackets, hurricane shutters or those really great aluminum awnings from the 30’s and 40’s, which bounce wonderful diffused light back inside.
• Upgrade lighting to compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) or LED lamps, replace aging appliances with newer high efficiency Energy Star models, and maintain your HVAC equipment and/or at the end of its useful life replace it with a higher SEER rated unit.

Olp, (American Institute of Architects, National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, LEED AP) is the 2011 chairman of the North Texas Green Council Chapter of The U.S. Green Building Council. Olp’s work has been published extensively for the quality of design and to substantiate efforts to push the concept of sustainability.

“The amount homeowners can save with an energy-efficient home is mind-boggling, and it is not just for the elite – green is affordable and attainable for everyone. You just have to know the questions to ask to get started on the right path,” Olp said.

Read more about metalized film radiant barrier in this past blog post.

About GGO Architects
GGO Architects is a highly acclaimed private architectural practice in Dallas, Texas. Recognized for its innovative contemporary designs that feature a sustainable approach, each project represents a commitment to environmental responsibility. GGO Architects is noted for cutting-edge “Green Buildings” that incorporate energy efficiency, passive solar techniques, natural day lighting, non-toxic materials, advanced building science and enhanced indoor air quality. Sustainability and long-term durability influence every aspect of project development. www.ggoarchitects.com

Credit: dBusinessNews.

Tropical hardwood decking, such as Ipe decking and Abaco decking from Aljoma Lumber, should be stored out of direct sunlight and be allowed to acclimate and stabilize to the installation environment's humidity level prior to installing. Once Ipe or Abaco decking is delivered to a job site, be sure to keep the material off the ground by placing a few pieces of scrap lumber under the deck package. Cover the material with a tarp to protect it from the elements (sun and rain). If left uncovered, unfinished or unprotected, virtually any exotic hardwood decking may warp and split.

About Abaco Tropical Hardwood Decking
The species used in Abaco decking are abundant, have fine textures and are dense, naturally strong, extremely durable, and will provide an elegant exotic look for years to come. Abaco tropical decking is kiln-dried for exterior use and has a superior fire rating when compared to redwood, cedar and pressure-treated lumber decking. Because Abaco is all-natural, it does not need to be chemically treated. And best of all, Abaco is considered an environmentally friendly building material.

See how Abaco compares to the Ipe species.

Saving money around the house continues to be a major pursuit for homeowners nationwide. And with a focus on “going green”, savvy homeowners are looking for ways to cut energy use to reduce utility bills and their home’s carbon footprint.

There are dozens of ways to curb energy use around the home. Sealing drafts by applying caulk and weather-stripping around windows and doors, and applying foam sealer around drafty outlets and piping leading outside can save up to 5 percent on heating costs alone. Most important, installing the proper amount of attic insulation with the proper airflow is generally the best way to save on home energy use.

If you are among the millions of Americans who enjoy do-it-yourself home improvement projects, installing a radiant barrier in the attic space above your home is one of the most effective energy-saving projects to consider.

While radiant barriers are not a new concept, new products on the market are making it easier for homeowners to install them and realize reductions in their energy bills—every month. Overall, a radiant barrier can save an average homeowner up to 15 percent on utility bills.

Rick Jordan of EcoRite Products, a major radiant barrier manufacturer, says the benefits of installing a radiant barrier have long been known by professionals in the construction, roofing, heating and cooling, and energy industries. Only recently have products been manufactured specifically for the DIY installer market.

Jordan explains that a radiant barrier is a product that is installed in the attic—between the rafters on the underside of a roof—to reduce the radiant heat gain that permeates a home when the sun is beating down on it. Radiant barrier, a particularly effective product for summer months, also reduces heat loss from a roof during the winter, which in turn reduces the workload on your furnace and lowers your heating bill.

Early, less-effective versions of radiant barriers included spray-on metallic paints, reflective radiant barrier chips or products known simply as attic foil. Installation was cumbersome, often requiring special tools, adhesives or multiple installers, and the low flash point on the older type of foil created added dangers in the event of a house fire.

It’s important to choose the best radiant barrier that is Energy Star approved and made of metalized film, not perforated aluminum foil. Today’s radiant barriers are far more sophisticated, yet some are so simple to install that no tools are required.

About Enerflex Radiant Barrier
Enerflex Radiant Barrier is an example of the best new radiant barrier technology. The product is available nationwide through a network of lumber and building materials dealers, as well as through major retailers. The product is Energy Star approved and was named one of the “Best New Products of 2010” by Professional Remodeler, a leading trade magazine.

Enerflex Radiant Barrier comes in rolls or panels, pre-cut for 16” and 24” widths for installation ease. The radiant barrier panels literally flex or “snap” into place between the rafters, with no tools needed. This makes it possible for installation to be a simple, one-person, do-it-yourself job that can be completed in a matter of hours. Watch a video on installing Enerflex radiant barrier.

Studies on installed radiant barrier products show that attic temperatures are typically reduced by a full 30 percent during the summer months, which can translate to 30 degrees on a hot summer day. In addition, the radiant barrier keeps heat from escaping from the home through the roof during the winter, so not only does your HVAC system get a break, but you can realize energy savings year-round.

Unlike the earlier versions of radiant foil barriers, Enerflex is made of a highly reflective, multilayered, metallic film that is protected by a tough poly scrim that keeps it from tearing or being punctured. The product is made in America, comes with a 15-year warranty, and has achieved a Class A/Class 1 fire rating.

In really hot climates, homeowners are finding other uses for radiant barriers. In Texas and Arizona, for example, many homeowners keep garages cool by installing radiant barrier insulation on the inside of garage doors and walls. Outbuildings on farms or ranches, or outdoor workshops can also be kept cooler in the summer when the product is installed between rafters under the roof.

Jordan of EcoRite Products says adding a radiant barrier in the cooler months makes installation safe and more comfortable for the installer.

Radiant barriers are proven environmentally friendly building materials for reducing energy bills and reducing the strain on a home’s HVAC system. And when you can spend a few hours over a weekend and complete a project that saves money month after month, it’s hard to ignore the benefits.

If you’re remodeling an older home, there are many options for updating with green principles in mind. Indoor air quality, water conservation and sustainable building products are considerations when planning an environmentally friendly home. If you’re looking for the biggest bottom-line and long-term effect, let reduced energy consumption lead the way for your remodel.

In warmer months, air conditioning is a leading cause of increased utility bills. In hot weather, roof shingles absorb the sun’s heat—which in turn heats up the sheathing below and radiates heat toward the floor or the attic. To reflect up to 96 percent of this radiant energy back toward the roof, install Enerflex Radiant Barrier.

A Centex Corporation and Energy Center of Appalachian State University study has determined that when radiant barriers are installed in an attic, the air conditioning system works more efficiently and electric bills decrease. The study found that when radiant barrier was installed in test homes, there was a drop of 23 degrees Fahrenheit in the attic’s peak temperature, a 20 percent reduction in operating time of the air conditioning system during seven hours of peak attic temperatures, and an efficiency improvement of 57 percent for cooled air coming through a home’s air ducts.

Energy Star approved Enerflex Radiant Barrier’s simple, between-rafters tension fit allows easy, tool-free installation. And Enerflex is great for existing homes. Watch our step-by-step “how to” video and see how easy it is to install Enerflex Radiant Barrier.

Your home center may have several options when it comes to pressure treated lumber for landscaping. You should know a few basic facts about each before you buy.

3”x5”x8’ landscape ties (nominal measurement)
Most 3”x5”x8’ pressure treated landscape timbers (LST’s) originate as the center cants from plywood veneer peeling mills. Logs are kept wet to make peeling easier and the peeled cants arrive at the pressure treatment plant without benefit of kiln or air drying. Lumber that is not dried before pressure treatment cannot be fully penetrated by the treatment solution during the treatment process. This will be reflected with a shorter term warranty—in the case of ProWood Micro CA treated lumber, one year—than would have been otherwised offered by lumber that had the advantage of full preservative penetration. These ties are not recommended for applications that call for in-ground, structural performance over several years, such as fence posts.
 
4x4 and 6x6 timbers (nominal measurements)
ProWood Micro CA timbers carry either a lifetime limited warranty or a one year warranty, depending on their intended end use. The surest way to know the difference between a timber made for landscaping and a timber made for a structural application is by the warranty. If the timber carries a lifetime limited warranty it means it was dried before pressure treatment and can be warranted for structural use. Generally, these timbers are building code approved and carry an Evaluation Service Report from ICC-ES, a third party testing agency. You can use timbers for fence posts, raised garden beds, retaining walls and any other projects that call for high performance over a long period of time.

End tags
Every piece of treated lumber in the store has an end tag, on which you should find the following:

• Third party testing agency
• Standard to which it is treated (ESR-2240 in ProWood Micro’s case)
• End use (ground contact or above ground, for instance)
• Wood preservatives used (ProWood Micro uses micronized copper azole)
• Treating company’s name
• Warranty
• Handling information

Eco Friendly Products
ProWood Micro treated wood products use the MicroPro treatment process which is certified under SCS's Environmentally Preferable Product (EPP) program. In addition to EPP status, the technology has earned Green Approved Product certification from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Research Center.

Knowing the above information will help you make the informed choice when specifying your next outdoor landscape project.

Take concrete protection to the next level with EZ Cover. EZ Cover’s ability to breath, allowing green concrete to continue to cure and harden is definitely one of its greatest assets. Two unique advantages this concrete and floor protection blanket has over other floor protection fabric are spill absorption and great impact resistance. In fact, test results show a 24”, 15 lb pipe wrench dropping from a height of 10’ resulted in no damage to concrete protected with EZ Cover. In another test, a 2”, 20 lb steel pipe dropped from 20’ resulted in minimal impact damage to the surface protected with EZ Cover. No other product protects finished concrete formwork like EZ Cover.

Key Benefits of EZ Cover Concrete Protection

• Helps protect large colored and gray slabs as well as marble, hardwood, and more
• Simple installation—rolls out where needed
• High friction coefficient keeps blanket in place
• Lightweight, moveable and reusable
• Helps prevent surface scratches, contaminants and potential impact hazards
• Disposable, biodegradable and environmentally friendly building material 

The patent pending EZ Cover protective blanket features a soft bottom layer to help prevent surface scratches, while also allowing new slabs to continue to breathe and harden. The harder top layer helps shield against contaminants and potential impact hazards.

There are many ways to remodel an older home with green principles in mind. Contemplating indoor air quality and water conservation, and the use of sustainable, green building products all play a part in the planning process of environmentally friendly homes. But reduced energy consumption has the biggest long-term, bottom-line affect for a home owner once the last nail is driven.

Air conditioning is a major cause of high utility bills during summer months. On a hot day, heat from the sun is absorbed by the roof shingles and warms the sheathing below, which radiates heat toward the attic floor. By installing Enerflex radiant barrier, up to 96% of this radiant energy will be reflected back toward the roof.

Air conditioners will have an easier time doing their job and electric bills drop when radiant barriers are added to attics, a study by Centex Corporation and the Energy Center of Appalachian State University has determined. When a radiant barrier was installed in test homes, the study found:

• A 23-degree F drop in the peak attic temperature
• A 20% reduction in the AC unit’s run time during the 7 hours of peak attic temps
• A 57% efficiency improvement in the cooled air delivered through the air ducts.

The Energy Star approved Enerflex radiant barrier is best for existing homes and installs easily, with no tools, via a simple tension fit between rafters.

To see just how easy Enerflex radiant barrier installs, watch our step-by-step how-to video.