2021-04-09 15:47
A new report modeling SPF’s impact on the CO2 footprint of a home over its lifespan finds huge differences in impact, based on the type of blowing agent.
Every time I conduct… Read More
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Green Builder Media Blog
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Expert news and articles about green building, building science, green products, renewable energy and living consciously on Earth.
2021-04-08 17:01
Michael Mann has spent the last two decades studying climate science. Even with a clear understanding of the substantial risks we face, he is optimistic about our future. Why? It&rs… Read More
2021-04-07 14:17
Tiana and Shannon Harris have jumped both feet into rehabbing a 17-year-old home outside Austin. Midway through the process, they share some valuable lessons about buying a home tha… Read More
2021-04-06 15:03
This self-stick, water-resistive barrier acts as a sort of Swiss army knife, solving building code, insulating, and resilience challenges.
One of the age-old problems with standard… Read More
2021-04-06 12:30
Get past your home-buying blues with this hopeful free guide.
Sick of living like a character in "New Girl?" Done with awkward parent moments when you bring a friend home? Ti… Read More
2021-04-05 16:46
This winner of Green Builder’s Home of the Year award boasts efficiency is everywhere you look.
Building his first Passive House in 2014 permanently altered how Bill Freeman… Read More
2021-04-02 14:58
Take a look at any industry and you will see massive change and innovation over the past decade. The building industry? Not so much. The construction sector needs to catch up quickl… Read More
2021-04-01 12:15
The end of the gas-guzzling combustion engine is in sight: experts predict that economies of scale will bring down the cost of batteries to allow electric vehicles to reach price pa… Read More
2021-03-31 19:13
Above-and-beyond energy saving features in this cost-effective New Zealand home won over Green Home of the Year judges.
Sometimes, small things can lead to a bigger one. That&rsquo… Read More
2021-03-29 12:30
The quintessential guide to homeownership options for the millennial generation is now available for free download.
Millennials are tired of renting and dealing with landlord… Read More
2021-03-28 15:03
Advocates for mechanized help on the job site say the shift has already begun with ‘smart’ excavation equipment.
Could robots be the answer to construction’s labo… Read More
2021-03-27 14:53
When students finally go back to college campus communities, what kind of housing should they move into?
With the holidays approaching, universities and colleges continue to try an… Read More
2021-03-26 18:33
Deadly house fires caused by dryer lint are on the rise, due largely to the use of extended duct runs for hot air discharge.
About five years ago, the National Fire Protection Asso… Read More
2021-03-25 14:03
This year’s Sustainability Symposium is a free virtual event that offers two days of future-looking speakers. Here’s a sneak peek at the presentation planned by Andrew B… Read More
2021-03-24 18:24
These three cities illustrate how to keep greening, even in the most trying of times.
With all of the controversy of the past year, it’s easy to believe that cities haven&rsq… Read More
2021-03-23 14:11
Lennox embarks on another year of its popular charitable program, Feel the Love, in a time when corporate social responsibility, particularly for millennials, is more important than… Read More
2021-03-22 20:33
Whirlpool was given a blank canvas to create an epic kitchen for the VISION House Seattle Cascades. Watch this video to learn the most important appliance features for green homes… Read More
2021-03-22 18:21
The key to becoming a bigger, better construction industry is collaboration on all levels.
Studies show that over the last 50 years, the building industry has lagged behind others… Read More
2021-03-18 16:04
COVID, along with unbridled social unrest, historic wildfires, and devastating superstorms, rocked us to our core in 2020. With a vaccine around the corner, light is appearing at th… Read More
2021-03-18 15:03
Millennials reign supreme in the hearts and minds of builders. Here’s how they are changing home building.
There were a lot of firsts in 1984. Apple’s Macintosh compute… Read More
2021-03-16 19:30
Water heating uses more energy than anything in a house, except space heating. This wifi-controlled device converts an electric tank into a smart appliance.
It’s not often th… Read More
2021-03-15 14:47
The new off-site construction standards give Salt Lake City builders a map for the greater use of modular homes and other off-site construction options.
Salt Lake City adopted the… Read More
2021-03-14 17:49
The housing market is projected to continue its growth trajectory throughout 2021 and 2022.
Intelligence harvested by COGNITION Smart Data shows that the housing market’s exp… Read More
2021-03-13 16:15
According to COGNITION Smart Data, consumers are making different dietary choices reduce their environmental impact Read More
2021-03-12 21:36
Gene Myers and Thrive Home Builders raise the bar on high-performance housing by “just doing the right thing” and, in the process, earned our Sustainability Superhero aw… Read More
2021-03-11 16:51
Getting to net zero energy is paramount if we’re going to reach our climate goals, but the hard, cold truth is that it isn’t enough. It’s time to explore the next… Read More
2021-03-10 21:53
As people spend more time in their homes, thoughts turn to indoor air and water quality.
Covid-19 could be on the wane, but the importance of healthy homes is a concept that is her… Read More
2021-03-09 21:02
With more people than ever are shifting to full-time, in-house work, many household office designs need rethinking.
Once upon a time — about 35 years ago — working from… Read More
2021-03-08 16:03
WaterSense-labeled soil-based irrigation controllers save water and promote healthier plants.
IAPMO R&T, a third-party testing and certification body for plumbing, mechanical a… Read More
2021-03-05 20:36
Radiant floors bring energy-efficient, low-maintenance comfort to homes while promoting a cleaner indoor environment.
When the global pandemic forced lockdowns across the cou… Read More
2021-03-04 18:33
Our cutting-edge whole-house remodel, The Forever House, takes into account extreme heat, pandemic prep, and stay-at-home priorities.
Design matters. To put this in perspective, yo… Read More
2021-03-03 14:00
New products address a post-pandemic reality where hygiene, clean air, safe food, and efficiency reign supreme.
Matthew Harris is co-author of this article.
New eco-friendly… Read More
2021-03-02 14:12
Possible vote on the standard proposal that would disenfranchise governmental officials could happen as soon as March 3.
Alexander Kaufman's in-depth Huffington Post article includ… Read More
2021-03-01 21:04
According to COGNITION Smart Data, consumers have become more aware of their plastic and food waste during the pandemic, and they’re actively taking steps to reduce their envi… Read More
2021-03-01 13:45
The Housing 2.0 program is for those who understand that norm-altering techniques and methods are needed to take the building industry to next level.
Before Ron Jones a… Read More
2021-02-27 16:30
HVAC company now sells indoor air quality products directly to consumers on its new website.
Carrier has decided to take its indoor air quality products directly to consumers with… Read More
2021-02-26 16:45
TEAM ZERO inventory of net zero units shows the growth of net-zero units and the momentum of the all-electric home.
The recently released TEAM ZERO 2019-2020 Zero Energy Residentia… Read More
2021-02-25 16:41
Greenfiber brings what’s behind the walls to the forefront of sustainable living.
When Tiana and Shannon Harris bought their dated home in Austin, they knew they had to addre… Read More
2021-02-24 21:21
COVID has highlighted the importance of good indoor air quality, which is now a non-negotiable for today’s home buyers. Fortunately, thanks to advanced technologies and buildi… Read More
2021-02-23 17:00
This year’s greenest ideas bring us closer to harnessing the true potential of solar energy.
Samantha Carlin is co-author of this article.
It’s time again to honor an… Read More
2021-02-22 16:19
The housing sector is undergoing massive disruption, expedited by changing consumer demand, exacerbated by the climate emergency, and facilitated by advancements in enabling technol… Read More
2021-02-19 17:36
According to COGNITION Smart Data, building professionals are as optimistic as ever about advances in and access to green building products.
A recent COGNITION Smart Data survey of… Read More
2021-02-18 20:13
Lumber prices are high. Shouldn’t that spark innovation instead of hand-wringing?
Those of us who have been around long enough to remember the gasoline prices at the pump pri… Read More
2021-02-18 19:45
The housing market is proving to be a bright spot in the economy—at least for now. Housing sales are strong, inventory is limited, prices are stable, and mortgage rates remain… Read More
2021-02-16 16:45
JinkoSolar’s panels help to push the boundaries of sustainable living.
When it comes to living sustainably, one of the biggest concerns is how to generate electricity and whi… Read More
2021-02-15 18:37
Before a plan to help control global warming can work, people need to reduce air pollution.
Solar geoengineering, a method of cooling Earth’s atmosphere and reducing the impa… Read More
2021-02-13 00:09
An increasing number of building manufacturers are getting the word out about their commitment to the environment as they learn it really matters—especially to millennials.
M… Read More
2021-02-11 16:46
Remote working is no longer a trend precipitated by a pandemic, it’s now a long-term strategy that many businesses are using to cut costs and attract workers. &nb… Read More
2021-02-10 19:26
Read the ICC’s response to the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce, which includes an MOU that may give builders disproportionate control over code development.
The I… Read More
2021-02-09 19:03
Get practical advice on how to save money and cut your carbon footprint while realizing a 15 percent ROI with key high-performance building products. (Plus, get the book it’s… Read More
2021-02-08 20:32
Green Builder's January-February 2021 Issue is now available on line. Click here to view and see further options for viewing and downloading
Despite the carnage of 2020… Read More
2021-02-08 13:30
The choice of residential metal roofing and other super-durable materials raises the bar on this ultra-modern Texas home.
As many architects can attest, designing a residence for o… Read More
2021-02-07 15:45
The city’s ban will require electric appliances in all new construction as of 2021 Read More
2021-02-06 14:30
Stand aside, millennials—when it comes to real change, baby boomers tend to take more real steps than younger generations Read More
2021-02-05 20:09
As homeowners spend more time at home, kitchen remodels are on the rise. The average expenditure on a kitchen remodel was 2.5 times in 2020 compared to 2019. What are homeowne… Read More
2021-02-04 20:08
This house can stand up to extreme climate, high winds, wildfires and seismic activity while offering stylish interiors and unfettered views of the Seattle Cascades.
The VISION Hou… Read More
2021-02-04 17:58
COVID has spurred an unprecedented surge in suburban living as people have moved out of populated urban markets into lower-density areas, but the expectations of today’s homeb… Read More
2021-02-02 16:50
Digital twins are a popular technology for tracking building performance in the commercial building world, but the residential sector should use the concept, too. Read More
2021-02-01 22:08
New Jersey moves the needle on an important home feature that helps new homes go all-electric.
An eight-month legislative process gained major momentum in the second ha… Read More
2021-01-29 20:48
This new sink made with environment-friendly materials gives the farmhouse style a more svelte look.
BOCCHI just rolled out the Forte apron-front sink. This new take on a modern fa… Read More
2021-01-28 21:19
Pre-COVID, only about 10-15% of homes had dedicated office space. Now, that number is closer to 75 percent. What do remote workers want in a home office? Read More
2021-01-28 01:17
Join Energy Efficient Codes Coalition’ Bill Fay for a webinar that explores why Congress is getting involved in ICC’s plan to limit IECC development to an ever-shrinking… Read More
2021-01-27 13:30
Learn how advanced products, spurred by pandemic concerns, are making homes safer and more efficient—and are in red-hot demand by today’s home buyers and remodeling clie… Read More
2021-01-26 16:28
Middle-class design combines with present-day craftsmanship to form a “sanctuary.”
Green marketing may attract home buyers, but quality construction is what makes happy… Read More
2021-01-25 17:14
This isn’t gloom and doom. It’s an invitation to rise to the top of the home building industry during times of intense change.
“Disruption happens to all industri… Read More
2021-01-23 14:00
What do millennials want when it comes to housing? Follow along with us as we follow a couple on their quest for the perfect house Read More
2021-01-22 17:04
These new and emerging technologies may make electrification the greenest way to power up the household.
If we want our societies to achieve net-zero carbon emission status, their… Read More
2021-01-21 19:36
Is this the first step toward turning over building code development to a more objective group?
For more than a decade advocates of energy efficiency—as well as stakeholders… Read More
2021-01-21 16:13
Within hours of taking office, President Biden rejoined the Paris Agreement, canceled the Keystone XL pipeline, and began reinstating environmental protections, clearly signaling th… Read More
2021-01-20 13:30
LEE Industries brings environmentalism to the forefront of furniture.
When it comes to building or remodeling a sustainable home, consumers must overcome many challenges. Product s… Read More
2021-01-19 13:30
RESNET releases a new climate proposal to help the incoming Biden-Harris Administration craft a strong National Climate Policy.
It’s an understatement to say the incoming Bid… Read More
2021-01-18 13:30
Join architect and building science expert Sam Rashkin for his sobering look at how perfecting high-performance home building isn’t enough to survive in the next building era… Read More
2021-01-15 13:30
Sustainable project offers mixed-income housing in Alexandria, Va.
A new $32 million development by AHC Inc. transformed a three-acre parcel of land owned by St. James Method… Read More
2021-01-14 13:30
With surging consumer demand for healthy home solutions, manufacturers are racing to develop innovative technologies that improve indoor air quality. One HVAC company, Carrier, has… Read More
2021-01-13 13:30
This home’s disaster-resistant build and green energy source give it the best of both worlds.
Owners of this new 2,512-square-foot home in Newburgh, N.Y., can rest easy knowi… Read More
2021-01-12 13:30
Despite pandemic-induced disruptions early in the year and regulatory uncertainties, the solar industry hit record levels in 2020, with projections for continued explosive growth in… Read More
2021-01-11 20:08
Converting a fossil fuel-heavy home to an all-electric design takes time, but when it’s done, there’s financial and environmental satisfaction.
“Hi, I’d lik… Read More
2021-01-08 16:29
Three housing market trends—access to capital, diversified portfolios, and enhanced virtual sales—offers insights into the sector’s strength as we shift into a new… Read More
2021-01-08 02:25
See the Vision House Mariposa Meadows from the perspective of a future sustainability leader.
Driving to Mariposa Meadows is an adventure in and of itself, replete with spectacular… Read More
2021-01-07 18:05
The events that took place on the Hill yesterday were shocking. Will they open the floodgates to more civil disobedience? Will they serve as a wake-up call for national solidarity?… Read More
2021-01-06 20:42
This home builder had the unenviable task of building a super energy-efficient dream home on a difficult building site.
Perched high on a mountainside in southwestern Colorado, the… Read More
2021-01-05 19:59
The housing market is expected to continue its rapid growth in the first half of 2021, with a possible slowdown in the second half of the year.
According to COGNITION Smart Data, G… Read More
2021-01-04 18:05
The ICC wants to change how the nation’s model building energy code is developed—moving it from an open process to having it be developed by a committee without input fr… Read More
2021-01-04 17:21
Anti-regulatory lobbyists from building industry groups hope to pull off a code-killing coup in 2021.
2020 was a historic year, both for reasons we currently comprehend and for rea… Read More
2020-12-31 14:18
As we bid a not-so-tearful goodbye to a most challenging year, we embrace the vast opportunities awaiting us.
No doubt, we’re all ready to see 2020 fade away in the rearview… Read More
2020-12-31 13:22
Homeowners have invested in enhancing their outdoor living areas at record rates during COVID.
While consumers have scaled back general living expenses during the pandemic, spendin… Read More
2020-12-30 19:51
As homes go electric, interest in induction cooktops grows.
According to COGNITION Smart Data, more consumers are looking to induction cooking as a healthier alternative to natural… Read More
2020-12-29 13:50
The electric housing market is about to go boom—and that’s a very good thing.
Once upon a time, Charles Arias thought all the talk about an emerging electric housing ma… Read More
2020-12-24 14:00
As supply shortages impact lumber, hardware, and other goods, high-performance alternatives can solve some problems, but not all.
In the second quarter of this year, Home Depot, ac… Read More
2020-12-23 19:42
Special interests in the building industry continue to tighten their long-standing stranglehold on the policy decisions of the International Code Council.
Special interest groups w… Read More
2020-12-23 18:30
Demand for touchless faucets has exploded as consumers find creative ways to pandemic-proof their homes.
According to COGNITION Smart Data, Green Builder Media’s market intel… Read More
2020-12-23 17:33
2020 has been a grueling year. May this holiday season bring you the miracle of mindfulness and wellbeing.
2020 displaced us. The arduous year removed us from our comfort zone, div… Read More
2020-12-23 13:15
IAPMO water expert explains the importance of addressing water stagnation in low-occupancy buildings.
COVID has taken its toll on buildings. Work-from-home mandates have turned onc… Read More
2020-12-22 14:44
Ahead of the curve, this door manufacturer includes 60 percent recycled material and low-VOC adhesives to manufacture interior doors.
One of the things I look for in companies that… Read More
2020-12-17 17:09
Virtually every major industry in our economy has experienced massive disruption. Housing has been able to sit on the sidelines, but not any longer. The disruption occurring now wil… Read More
2020-12-16 16:28
The rhetoric has cooled now. The election has come and gone, but the shape of the outcome will depend on us. I’m not talking about who won and who lost. That’s decided… Read More
2020-12-16 15:54
Combining spray foam with Neoprene sheathing, this wall system achieves R-34 with two-by-four framing.
[body text] One of the challenges of moving the needle on home energy efficie… Read More
2020-12-16 14:37
For the next decade’s workforce, saving the environment and taking Earth-friendly jobs are top priorities.
Ninety-two percent of Generation Z members believe climate change… Read More
2020-12-15 19:31
The physical and financial impacts of wildfires and other climate-related disasters will only get worse in years to come, says a new report from the Environmental Defense Fund.
Wil… Read More
2020-12-11 11:07
This company's Pro Defense non-toxic compound can be applied to both organic and inorganic materials to greatly inhibit flammability and flame spread.
You know that tired proverb a… Read More
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