I wished for more green building in the florida, keys area. I pull permit(s) for contractors and owners all the time; however, I see maybe green building in the appliances; however, not in the construction itself.

I'm doing a major renovation/addition to my waterfront home in Chestertown, Maryland. I drew the plans using "Punch" software and found a local builder; Blue Heron Contractors, that uses the same software. They took my drawaings and worked with me to improve them. Then I went to work researching Green materials and building methods. It's been a productive partnership. I'm getting a greener house and they are happy to learn as I learn. Maryland has recently become a VOC compliant state, but most lumber yards and sub contractors don't even know what low VOC means. Only specialty paint stores know because they can't sell gallons or more that are high in VOC's.

In my case, the process has been driven by me; the consumer, but when I explain why (and identify alternative products)almost every one is happy to learn now what they will eventually have to learn anyway. My general contractor is a relatively small company that "wanted to be green" but admitted that it takes lots of time to change the way things "have alays been done". Now they plan to make the new methods used on my house standard on all their jobs. I've even overheard my job foreman bragging to his buddies that this project is "Green"!

Bob Patterson

Hi Marjie! I'm a small business owner and looking for references and ideas for making my building more green. I have an unusual business type (I own an indoor climbing gym) and have just gotten over my one year hurdle. I'm hoping to make my building more efficient energy-wise and believe that making things more "green" will not only save money, but also may attact more customers with the same value system! Any resources you may have would be much appreciated! Thanks for your time! Heather Rivard

I am going to build a garage/studio this fall and am planning on as much Green-building techniques as I can such as radiant flooring with solar panels. I am always watching this site for info on it. I am in the process of trying to find supplies and contractors in the Utah Valley, Salt Lake Valley area and am always interested in knowing more. I think we have a real responsibility to conserve the earths resources and we must start now. Thanks.

I have been enamored in energy efficient building (that's basically Green) for over 18 yrs now, I saw the benefits that long ago and began studying building science then. I find it a bit discerning how some builders can say they are Green just by riding their bike to work. Green or energy efficient building practices are extensive and require knowledge as a whole. A builder can really screw up a house just by using the right products the wrong way. I am in Steamboat Springs CO. We are launching a big campaign here to educate the public on Green Building practices.
Cheers

I'm a big believer in green building, but as a home owner am only able to incorporate green products into my remodel. At work I'm educating a range of people about the benefits of green products but they're slow to embrace them, normally due to upfront costs and inability to look beyond what they're used to. Only now that larger retailers are showing green items are consumers more aware and accepting. Local builders are offering energy efficient models but so far it's not mainstream, here in Colorado Springs, but our more urban areas have a far greater demand.

I'm in Missouri, and personally, I'd like to get into the "green building" business

going green is the way to go. if we don't we all will pay the price

Personal experience shows that the new generation, at least in California will pay more to get green building practices. My daughter and friend just bought a 'green' condo in San Francisco at the top of their budget! Passing by new but regular condos in gated communities.

I started looking for "green" products long before it became popular or mainstream. I remember constantly making the comments to retailers and builders that demand would lead manufacturers, retailers and builders to meet the new market. These days, when I go to my DIY store, there are employees who tell me I predicted the future. I laugh, tell them it was common sense, and if I could tell the future, I would have been rich from the stock market and real estate long ago. Legislation made cars more efficient, factories and plants cleaner, etc. It's needed now in the housing and building industry to benefit all of us. I wonder if other countries will follow the example?

In New Mexico green building is relatively popular but that maybe in part due to the fact that we have some excellent state tax credits for "going green"....especially for individual utilities.

We are building a green residence to LEED-H standards in Nebraska. We are viewing it as an educational exercise for ourselves, our builder and all the places where we are getting products. Although we have a green building store in Lincoln, most of the other places have said they have never had requests for green products before, so I think it is important for them to learn there is consumer interest in sustainable products. It has been a steep learning curve with many trade-offs as I am doing much of the research.
When the house is finished, if we are able to accomplish our goals, we hope it can be an educational example for the community.
I am also increasingly aware that we need to make lifestyle changes as a green life must go beyond just the building itself.

Green building & certification is becoming a HUGE market in Florida. It has really expoloded over the last 2 years. We are in the Bradenton/ Sarasota area and the company I work for, Two Trails, Inc., does Green Building & LEED AP certifications for commercial & residential projects & developments. Demand is so high that we are branching out & now certifying projects in North, Central & South Florida too. We also have a Green Building University online for people that are interested in getting a more in depth knowledge of green building.
Green is absolutely the way to go to help save our planet!

Heidi, how about sharing the URL of GBU so the rest of us can take a look?

Thanks.

Hi Marjie! My wife and I are working on a plan for our new home in North-central Washington State. Our plans include ICF's, in-floor heating; concrete (Hardi plank) siding and pre-fabricated plywood and foam ceiling insulation with a steel roof. We also plan to utilize solar panels to generate our power (as often as we can). I know it's expensive but we feel it will be well worth it in the long run. We have gone with these exterior elements as forest fires are our only real hazard for our area. We have are own well and cysterns so we can be pretty self sufficent. We are always looking for ideas in increasing the efficiency of this home. Please, do not hesitate to respond to our comment.

I have been an Interior Decorator for 35 years and I exclusively import my fabrics from Germany. 98% of the drapery fabrics are GUARANTEED machine washable and by putting them on the German drapery tracks I seel with the plactic roller wheels in the top, your elegant drapery is wash and wear right back to the window. Several are reversable so you get two for one. I am also an active member of the International Color Consultants Assoc and after ALOT OF RESEARCH we have learned the negative effects of FLUORESCENT LIGHT outweigh the energy factors. I am all for GREEN structures but we all have alot of homework to do to do it right.

My big fear is that "green building" will become just another meaningless buzzword, like "organic produce". It is vitally important to establish early on what constitutes 'green', and perhaps to have grades of green. For example, the highest potential for green building may be in the custom or sweat-equity constructions (perhaps Grade A), while subdivisions (whose priority is number of saleable and cost-effectivly produced units fitted into a site) might get a lower grade (C, perhaps) due to not being able to orient for solar gain, for example, but may have incorporated other green building practices insofar as possible. Additional considerations should be "locally sourced", "sustainably produced" and "fair trade". If I'm building in OH, I should lose points if I'm using lumber trucked in from OR. I should lose LOTS of points if I use old-growth teak and mahogany ripped from the Brazilian rainforest. I'm stepping off the soapbox now.

Hi. My husband and I haven't broken ground yet ,but we're very much interested in how to build "green".
We live in the Bahamas (Nassau, New Providence) and unfortunately "green" construction is not even a priority. Could you give us some ideas on how to make this experience both cost-effective and innovative? Thanks.

I've lived in the Maryland since 1981. Worked in the mortgage industry since 2003, I've research "Green Buildings" because I've always dreamt of making my home energy efficient. My Husband and I bought our home as a fixer -upper in 1996....to make our into a green building was extremely expensive and only a few builders to choose from....so I give up hope. I've also discovered an EEM "Energy Efficient Mortgage" A government mortgage loan product for the consumers who is interested in Energy Efficient Homes...Since then I've seen only a hand full of "green Homes" and I think that today 2007 there is more of an interest for "green building homes" in the Maryland area...and I am still working towards making my home energy efficient.

For those of you looking for a way to get guided through the process of making green decisions, you may want to try a free online tool from the NAHB and the Green Building Initiative.

The interactive Model Green Home Guidelines is a completely free online questionaire that guides you through the phases of construction. You start by answering questions about your project. At the end of each section it gives you a score for how green your answers have been, a list of suggestions for additional things you might consider and links to places you can find more information.

For those of you looking for a way to get guided through the process of making green decisions, you may want to try a free online tool from the NAHB and the Green Building Initiative.

The interactive Model Green Home Guidelines is a completely free online questionaire that guides you through the phases of construction. You start by answering questions about your project. At the end of each section it gives you a score for how green your answers have been, a list of suggestions for additional things you might consider and links to places you can find more information.

We are a building contractor in Volusia county ,fl.we have been building only green for 4 years now,Finally the mainstream is catching up with us,Its a good thing and will continue because it saves money for the home owner.Ralph Locke Construction Inc.Deland,fl-www.Lockeconstruction.info

WE ARE BREAKING GROUND NEXT WEEK ON A SIX-UNIT TOWN HOME DEVELOPMENT IN NASHVILLE, TN CALLED "THE ACROPOLIS". WE ARE PURSUING A LEED PLATINUM CERTIFICATION FOR ALL SIX UNITS. WISH US LUCK!