What Are VOCs? VOCs – volatile organic compounds – are carbon-containing chemical compounds that vaporize easily at ordinary temperatures and are released into the air. VOCs are all around us. They can occur naturally – they give certain evergreens that “piney” smell – or in man-made products – like paint. They are common in many
You recycle, you compost, you turn off lights when you’re not using them, but have you ever wondered what else you can do to improve your home’s “green quotient?” One way to make sure you’re doing everything you can to save energy and water and protect our environment is to do a green audit of
Do you have an “almost-launched” young adult living with you? Need space for an aging, but still independent, parent? If so, you have new reasons to consider adding a second unit to your home or lot. If you have some extra space, even an extra bedroom, creating a separate, legal living space can be a
Concrete is one of the most widely used building materials in the word. Globally, about 10 billion tons of it are produced each year. Since the Romans pioneered its use more than 1,000 years ago, architects and engineers have used it in everything from skyscrapers to suburban backyards. Chances are, your home uses it somewhere
Earthquakes are a fact of life in the Bay Area. The same geologic features that create our dramatic mountains-meet-ocean vistas mean we have to live with a little bit – or sometimes a lot – of shaking. California’s building codes are continually updated based on emerging research and lessons learned from each quake to make
Permits are among the top things people complain about when planning a building or remodeling project. It’s understandable: permits are sometimes a pain to get, they cost money, and they slow things down just when you’re eager to start on your project. It can be tempting to sidestep the whole permitting process, especially if you’re
Last month I mentioned converting to LED lighting as a simple way to improve your home's "green quotient." Today, I'll take a more in-depth look at LEDs and what you need to consider when converting from incandescent or CFL to LED bulbs. Why Convert to LED? Energy Savings - LED bulbs use at least 75%
January is typically a time to take stock of ourselves and our goals. Many of us ask ourselves, “What do I want to achieve this year?” Along with going to the gym five times per week, eating less meat, or finally finishing that novel sitting in your desk drawer, why not commit to making your
Most people who pay attention to contemporary American architecture have heard of Eichler homes. Developer Joseph Eichler’s dream of bringing beautiful, affordable modern design to the masses was spurred by his admiration of Frank Lloyd-Wright’s soaring architectural designs, and the homes he built throughout California beginning in the late 1940s through the ‘60s have become
In my last post, I talked with Realtor Pam Theroux about renovating and updating mid-century modern homes. This time, I asked Marin/Sonoma Realtor Elizabeth Meyers, of global real estate firm Engel & Völkers, for advice about what to think about when buying or selling mid-century modern homes. Special Considerations for Mid-Century Modern Homes While much of the
