Focus on Green Building Materials — Bamboo
Bamboo flooring has become hugely popular in recent years for a couple of reasons. First, it is good looking flooring, but second it is also an easily renewable resource that takes less than 5 years to grow to maturity. When you compare that to the 50-100 years that traditional hardwoods you can see why bamboo has potential. Bamboo is affordable to boot!
One thing to consider when purchasing bamboo for your home is where it was produced. Most bamboo is produced in Asia and shipped to the US. In my opinion that is far from green. However, there are some local US producers of bamboo. They should be your first choice in bamboo providers. If you can’t find a local producer make sure and ask your distributor if they do carbon offsets for the bamboo they ship from Asia.
Jonathan Blackwell
404-551-3845
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Saving Money With Green Renovations
Spurred by corporations and consumers with an eye on the bottom line, the green building industry grew from $7 billion in 2005 to nearly $12 billion last year. The reason for the growth is economics, building green saves money.
Green Renovations — Bathrooms
Let’s face it: the North American bathroom isn’t the most glamorous of rooms. Ranging from staid and boring to downright dangerous, with slippery showers and water hogging toilet tanks and tubs set in a poorly ventilated, water-tight box, many modern bathrooms just haven’t been designed as thoughtfully the rest of our homes.
Green Renovation — Why Should I Bother?
So, how do you approach the concept of renovating green for the folks that are not into environmental responsibility? Economics and health of course…
What is HERS Report & Why Do I Need One?
Most energy-efficient financing programs will encourage you to have an energy rating for your new or existing home, which will tell you and the lender how energy efficient it is. A rating typically involves an inspection by a professional energy rater who is certified under a nationally or state accredited home energy rating system (HERS).
Energy Efficient Mortgages Get Boost From New Housing Bill
The new rule eliminates that $8000 cap and changes it to 5% of the purchase price / appraised value of the home. On a home that sells for $300,000 that means you can get $15,000 of energy efficient improvements with having to qualify for the additional debt to income produced by the higher loan amount or putting the extra down payment that would also be required by the higher loan amount.
Major Discovery Primed to Unleash Solar Revolution
In a revolutionary leap that could transform solar power from a marginal, boutique alternative into a mainstream energy source, MIT researchers have overcome a major barrier to large-scale solar power: storing energy for use when the sun doesn’t shine.
FHA 203K Loans — The Complete Guide
This provides an outlet to purchase dilapidated properties, many of which have spent extended periods on the market due to the lack of availability to traditional financing, and solves the problem that most lenders face when dealing with property in disrepair. What this means to the home buyer is generally a significant discount to “as-is” value and, quite often, a fantastic deal on a house.
Green Guide — Atlanta
Green destinations in and around Atlanta.
10 Good Benefits Consumers Should Consider For Building or Remodeling Green
There is a lot of emphasis these days about building green and thinking green when it comes to our environment and our homes. Here are ten things that homeowners should be aware of when it comes to building or remodeling green