Northwest Timber
Frames
Building
Green Benefits
Because
it is recyclable, renewable and biodegradable, wood easily surpasses
other options such as steel or concrete as a sustainable building
material with an acceptable impact on the environment. Based
on how much energy and other natural resources it takes to create
and the amount of pollution it generates from its removal from
the forest through its useful life until its final disposal,
wood may be the perfect building material.
And
should the homeowner/builder choose to do so, other environmentally-friendly
options are also available,
beyond
just using wood for the general framework of the project. Alternative
roofing options include, among other choices, 50-year recycled
asphalt shingles, recyclable fiber cement and of course true “living” Green
roofs, which consist of planted vegetation.
In
addition to the alternative enclosure systems mentioned earlier,
the use of natural plaster, masonry heaters
and passive solar systems
can help assure that we meet the needs of the present generation
without jeopordizing the prospects of future generations.
Some other things the homeowner might want to take into account
as they plan their construction project:
- Site
Management - tree protection, jobsite and construction waste
recycling
- Water
Efficiency - drought-tolerant landscaping and turf; hot water
on demand system or water heater within 30 ft. of fixtures
[to reduce water waste by using technologies that provide hot water
at the tap with minimal wait time]
- Indoor Air
Quality - right-sized HVAC system for more energy efficient
operation, lower installation cost, more
effective dehumidification and pest control, and better air
filtration; no vapor barrier
such as vinyl wallpaper on inside of exterior
walls so
that moisture in wall interior can dry and avoid mold; continuous
drainage plane on exterior walls behind cladding material
and proper flashing at windows and doors to protect building envelope
from water intrusion
and potential structural damage, pest problems,
mold; avoid attached
garage or isolate garage from living space
with appropriate sealing techniques to prevent car exhaust
and other fumes from
entering living space
- Energy
Efficiency - Energy Star Certified; minimized sun on east-west
windows; Energy Star appliances; radiant
barrier, light-colored or insulated roof deck
- Materials - engineered lumber products including trusses and finger-jointed
dimensional lumber;
minimum 25-year warranty exterior cladding; gutter extensions and positive
drainage
away from house to protect foundation and cladding; advanced
framing techniques that reduce amount of materials used
while maintaining structural integrity, saving 3-5% of framing
cost and lowering energy cost 2-5% per year by replacing excess
wood
with more
insulation
- Homeowner
Education - operations and maintenance kit; information on
recycling, green energy service providers,
and Energy Star
- Design
the building envelope (air barrier and insulation) and air
conditioning/heating system so that
all ducts and air handling equipment are in the conditioned
space (so your central
AC
system is not guzzling energy trying to make ice cream
in a 140-degree solar-oven attic in August!).
- Keep
plumbing out of exterior walls where pipes can freeze, break,
leak, and cause water damage and
mold.
- Design
at least a 2-ft. roof overhang or vegetation shading to minimize
unwanted heat gain from
sun on windows from May-Sept.
The end result of careful planning
can result in an energy efficient
home with lower
utility bills
and less
air pollution, healthier,
safer indoor air quality, comfortable
and quiet, lower maintenance
and more durable, water efficient,
resource efficient and improved
resale value.
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