HAPPY ENVIRONMENT

Incorporating Green Architecture Into An Existing Home

The latest buzz in the residential market for architectural enthusiasts is green living. And why shouldn't green living cause such a stir? Green architecture means a cleaner environment and using cost efficient energy saving building methods. If you're looking for ideas to incorporate green architecture into your existing home, there is a lot you can do.

• Incorporate green architecture into your home by using sustainable materials for your home finishes. Items like countertops, wall surfaces, and flooring can be sustainable. Use finishes like recycled plastic, salvaged steel, and locally mined and produced stones and tiles.

• Select low toxic paints and finishes for the interior and exterior of your home.

• Use low flush toilets to conserve water usage.

• Conduct an energy audit by doing an inspection of your house and looking for any areas that might have air leaks or could use more insulation. By creating tight seals in your home and properly insulating your walls, you save on heating bills and usage. See if there is a non-profit in your area providing green building services that will conduct an energy audit for you.

• Look at the product labels.

A Prefabricated Home Is A Green Home

Once, a prefabricated home typically consisted of homes designed to be mobile homes or tract type housing. Today, a prefabricated home, or pre-fab home, is the new modern affordable alternative to housing. This new green home comes designed with cost-saving building techniques, a streamlined construction timeline, and often incorporates elements of green architecture, like energy efficiency and recycled or renewable building materials. The pre-fab home comes in a sleek, modern, package with streamlined edges and open floor plans

Benefits Of Living In A Green Home

Though the concept certainly sounds good in theory, you may wonder what the real benefits are to living in a green home. Whether you're contemplating remodeling your existing residence, purchasing a sustainable home, or building a new one, not only will you reap the benefits of cleaner, greener living, but so will the environment. Here's how living in a green home as its advantages:

• You'll realize savings in the long-term due to lower utility bills.

• Living in a green home can actually keep you healthier. Less toxic substances and cleaner air help promote healthy living.

• You help the environment by utilizing recycled products and renewable resources. You live in a home designed to have the least impact on the surroundings around you.

• An energy efficient, well designed green home will command a high market value in the real estate market.