Buildings account for about 40% of all energy, water, and materials consumption. It is the number one cause of CO2 emissions, coming in ahead of the transportation and industry sectors. It should not be surprising then that they in turn generate similar proportions of pollution. These alarming statistics make it fair to deduce that buildings have an immense impact upon our environment. Additionally, since people spend an average of 90% of their time indoors, for owners, occupants, and visitors, buildings have a disturbing impact upon health. So much so that the Surgeon General classifies indoor air quality as one of the top health concerns. The solution is simple. Build green and sustainable!
What is green and sustainable building?
In short, green and sustainable building means building more wisely for the environment, the economic and health benefits of the owner and/or its occupants, the community, and for future generations. It means leaving a smaller environmental footprint while increasing the quality of life for everyone. Building green enhances and protects ecosystems by reducing energy use, CO2 emissions, water use, and solid wastes.
How is this achieved?
Green buildings are sited, designed, constructed, and operated to enhance the well-being of their occupants and support a healthy community and natural environment. The largest part of implementing a green building is choosing materials that are renewable and save energy, reduce waste, and decrease CO2 emissions before, during, and after construction.
Log homes Eco-friendly—green and sustainable!
Log homes and log building materials are environmentally conscious and sustainable structures that save energy and reduce environmental impacts through the use of renewable resources. Most timber manufactures utilize all portions of the log, from bark for mulch, scrap from cut-offs for raw material used other home products, sawdust used by farmers as bedding material, etc. Timber is the only renewable construction material on earth, demanding less energy to produce than any alternate building product obtainable. Numerous reasons support the fact that log components use less energy and labor between harvest and placement, and beyond. Logs absorb energy during the day and radiate it at night thus evening out the temperature and requiring less energy. Properly constructed log homes are built to eliminate air permeation and moisture and conserve energy This Eco friendly technique continues with every product used in a log home; such as brand-name, double-paned windows and doors with low-e glass.
At Homestead Timbers we can assist you in building a green and sustainable home that will not only produce an environmentally sound, personally rewarding, resource-efficient home, but it will also enhance economic gains through increased home value, and cost savings.
Visit www.homesteadtimbers.com for our entire product offerings.
Tags: eco-friendly, Green, leed certified, Log Cabins, Log Homes, Sustainable buildings
