Green Construction

There is currently a great clamor in the construction business for “green” materials.  From out of the din, numerous products are emerging that truly are environmentally friendly. That is surely win-win for all of us and I am happy about it.  Bamboo floors and low VOC paints and formaldehyde free insulation are tremendous improvements over past products.  Even most carpet has been rid of noxious, off-gassing fumes and, of course, asbestos has been banned for years.  Virtually every building code specifies increasingly energy efficient methods and materials for home building.  I am glad to see it.  This is just plain old common sense.

I am a Realtor and I am a builder in the “green” city of Decatur, Georgia.  I have no problem spending a few extra bucks today on a furnace system that will heat & cool a home for years to come without using nearly as much fuel as the older, inefficient systems.  I love the new insulation products that keep conditioned air on the inside and raw elements on the outside.  One insulation product is made from shredded newspaper and another uses Blue Jeans lint.  What could be better re-purposing than that?  (There is even clothing fabric made from bamboo!  Wow, what next?  But that is another topic.)  Windows have seen a new light, too.  Self-cleaning double and triple glass panes filled with Krypton and treated with reflective coatings are the greatest things since sliced bread.  I recently saw an amazing demonstration that erased all my doubt about how much these windows really help  –  ask me and I will tell you about it. You will be amazed, too!

Tankless water heaters, reflective shingles, solar collectors, kitchen counters made from paper (yes, PAPER).  The list is endless.

My favorite products are the “engineered” offerings that combine saw mill floor sweepings with used plastic milk jugs to produce boards that don’t twist, won’t rot and termites won’t eat.  They even hold paint better, too.  Made by man but truly heaven sent!  I also love the engineered I-joists that are made from scrap wood chips and small strips of inferior lumber.  They are way lighter than solid lumber so they cost less to transport and are easier to handle on-site.  They don’t twist and crack and it is easy to cut holes for ductwork and wiring and plumbing without compromising the structural integrity of the joist.  Plus, they let architects design some really wide room spans without needing posts or walls in the middle for support.  Cost more?  Sure it does, but is it not worth it? You bet it is!

Yes, I am a Realtor, and I will be happy to sell you any house your heart wants to buy.  Fact is, though, I wish you would buy a NEW, energy efficient house.  Just about any home built recently is tremendously more efficient than homes from even a few years ago.  The savings on energy bills are substantial and the benefits are immediate.  Amazingly, some new homes are so “tight” they need air exchangers to pump in fresh air because odors and CO2 can’t escape without assistance.  Another reason to buy NEW….it is a distressed market right now and prices are as low as you are likely to ever see again.

Carol Chiofalo is lead agent with The Carol Team, Keller Williams Realty Metro Atlanta in Decatur, Georgia.  Carol is a Realtor, builder, designer and does home staging.  Your comments are welcome and you can reach her at 404-966-7878, carol@TheCarolTeam.com or www.TheCarolTeam.com.

The Carol Team…..Why Some People Are Moving Faster Than Others