Information on making building and remodeling projects more eco-friendly.
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
There's a good Q & A on solar energy in the Sept 30 New York Times: What You Should Know Before Going Solar
Solar shading is a system of controlling the effects of the sun’s heat and light for your home or office. It allows you to make the most of natural light, heat, and shade for a more comfortable, eco-friendly environment. Benefits A well-designed solar shading system helps you regulate the amount of sunlight and heat entering
While spring storms have eased California’s draught worries a little, it’s still good practice to conserve water wherever we can. Using graywater (sometimes spelled greywater) to irrigate your landscaping is an excellent way to reduce your water use. What Is Graywater? Graywater is water generated from household use that would otherwise go to waste. Water
With summer just around the corner, it’s an excellent time to think about remodeling your outdoor living spaces. One excellent, eco-friendly upgrade to consider is replacing patios and walkways made from impermeable paving materials—such as traditional concrete or stone, asphalt, or plastic—with permeable paving. Why Use Permeable Paving Materials? Permeable materials are porous and allow
With summer just around the corner, this is an ideal time to think about installing a solar energy system to take advantage of the abundance of sun we get in Marin and to increase the eco-friendliness of your home or business while potentially lowering your energy costs. So where do you start? These questions can
How much waste did your last construction or remodeling project generate? Chances are, it was more than necessary. According to California's 2008 Statewide Waste Characterization Study, 29 percent of the state's solid waste stream comes from the "Inerts and Other" category, which includes construction and demolition. But with a little planning, you and your architect or
One of the best ways to lower your project's environmental footprint is to use green building materials. Whether it's a simple kitchen remodel or a new, multi-unit office building, if you want to reduce your impact on our environment, there are five key questions to ask when choosing materials: 1. Is it sustainable? Sustainable materials
Green design, also known as sustainable design, was once an afterthought – a nice "extra" to think about after the big design decisions had been made. As our awareness of the importance of caring for our planet has grown, green design has evolved to become a key consideration for many people. But what does it
