Green Building
Proud Member of SLO Green Build and Build It Green
What is “Green Building” ?
Green Building includes all aspects of designing, developing, and implementing building solutions that are eco-friendly. These practices involve both the materials used and the practices that are employed to build with those materials. Green Building often includes the use of materials that are derived sustainable sources, such as wood that is harvested using non clear-cutting tactics from old growth forests. Green Building also utilizes less harmful chemicals to avoid “off gassing” of dangerous volatile organic compounds, which are known as “vocs”.
At JC Construction we are trained and certified to utilize all modern sustainable building practices for our clients. Many of our projects, in fact, are both higher quality and less expensive that their traditional counterparts since we’re using our natural resources in a positive and sustainable way.
Values of Green Building
- Recycling of existing material
- Consume less energy and water
- Reclaimed materials put to new beneficial uses
- Low maintenance
- Reduced waste in landfills
- Future home value
- use of resource efficient technologies/design
- Extended durability
- High performance products
- Enhances occupant health and comfort
- Personal satisfaction
Why Green Building Matters
USA comprises approxiamtaly 5% of the world population and uses 25% of worlds energy.
In the USA from the data years 1995-2002 buildings (US DOE)
- Consumed 65% of electricity
- Created 30% of total greenhouse gas emissions
- Created 136 million tons of Construction and Demolition waste each year.
- Consumed 12% of potable water.
- Used 40% of raw materials globally.
- For the construction of a standard 2085 s.f. home it can use up to 1.5 acres of forest (23-20″ diameter trees).
- For each ton of portland cement produced, 1 ton of co2 is produced.
Types of Green Building
- Water Efficiency
- On demand water heaters
- Dual flush or 1.28 gal or less per flush toilets
- Water conserving clothes/dishwashers
- Low flow shower heads
- High efficiency irrigation
- Energy Efficiency
- CFL bulbs
- LED lighting
- Dimmers and occupant sensors
- Solar energy systems renewable energy (PV)
- Double or triple paned windows
- High efficiency HVAC design and install
- Energy Star appliances
Framing techniques/Lumber use
The use of advanced framing thru design/build. Utilizing less studs and providing better areas for insulation. 3-5% labor cost savings and 1-10% materials cost savings.the use of Certified Wood or FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) approved lumber.
Engineered Lumber
Engineered i- joists: Building products that including floor and roof joists. Made from wood fibers bound with adhesives typically from plantation grown trees.
Glulam timber: Consisting of thin layers of wood glued and bound together to form a structural beam instead of solid sawn trees.
Oriented strand board (OSB): An engineered wood panel for shear walls, subfloor, roofing ply. Made from crisscrossing layers of wood that are glued and bound with an adhesive.
Parallel strand lumber (PSL): Another engineered wood product made from pressurized wood glued together to form beams.
Structural insulated panels (SIPS): A core of foam insulation surrounded and bonded to 2 pieces of OSB or metal.
Radiant barrier: Typically a thin aluminum attached to plywood, OSB installed on a homes ext. walls or roof framing to keep out summer heat. An avg. savings of 8-12% in A.C costs.
Insulation
Cellulose is a 75% recycled and formaldehyde free Ultra Touch is a 85% recycled denim product Soy based thermal sealing is advanced insulation that can fill the smallest of holes. Making a tight building envelope helping prevent the forming of mold and mildew and therefor reducing allergens. Also can reduce utility bills by up to 30%.
Fly Ash
A waste product from coal fired power plants that a lot of times can be substituted for portland cement at little or no extra cost there for reducing energy use and co2 emissions.
Composite Decking
Is a non structural external decking/railing material made of a blend of wood fiber, plastic bottles/bags, or even pure plastic. An alternative to wood products that require little maintenance, rot and insect proof and best of all no sanding,staining, or splinters! . Trex and Evergrain are two brands of the composites.
Solar
Installing solar panels can have an immediate and drastic impact on your utility bills. Contact us for an expert consultation on how solar can help you save money and be more environmentally responsible.
Water Efficiency
On demand water heaters.
Dual flush or 1.28 gal or less per flush toilets
Water conserving clothes/dishwashers
Low flow shower heads
High efficiency irrigation
Energy Efficiency
Dimmers and occupant sensors
Solar energy systems renewable energy (PV)
Double or triple paned windows
High efficiency HVAC design and install
Energy Star appliances
The future is now: LED Lighting