Looking for long-lasting, durable fencing?  Today’s composites offer the look of wood without all the maintenance.  Not all composite fencing contains recycled or reclaimed materials, so be sure to inquire if you’re looking at brands other than those listed below.

Close the Loop (made in Pennsylvania) offers post and rail fencing made from 100% recycled HPDE plastic (mostly milk jugs) that require no painting or staining.  It comes in colors of black, gray and cedar.

Fiberon® fencing is made from locally-sourced, discarded wood flour (8%) generated from other wood processes and 84% recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) from plastic milk jugs, shampoo and laundry detergent bottles.   Three colors are available:  weathered pine, pacific redwood, coastal cedar.  The company is mindful of the environment and recover 98.5% of all material waste from their manufacturing processes.  Fiberon fencing comes with a 20 year warranty.

LifeTime Lumber‘s privacy, decking and equine fencing is made with 60+% recycled (pre-consumer) mineral ash and binded with polyurethanes making it resistant to insects, rotting, mildew, fire, fading, staining, splitting and splintering.  Limited lifetime warranty is included.  (pictured above)

Nature’s Composites’ TerraFence is made in the USA from wheat straw and recycled HDPE.  They offer a 20-year warranty on a variety of styles in shadow box, privacy, basket weaves, ranch 2-rails, as well as ornamental styles.  Their composite fencing does not splinter or crack, and needs no painting or staining.

TimberTech FenceScape composite fencing is made from reclaimed wood flour and available in a rich, warm mountain Cedar color.   There’s no painting, staining or sealing, and FenceScape won’t split, rot, warp, crack, splinter or suffer termite damage.   TimberTech offers a 25-year warranty.

Portland, Oregon is one of the greenest cities in the U.S. and is a great place to see first-hand the latest sustainable technologies in action.  Take a self-guided tour through 22 remodeled and new homes that have implemented measures to save energy and natural resources.  Learn about green building, solar energy, rainwater harvesting, green roofs, earth-friendly landscaping and more, during the 10th annual Build It Green! Home Tour.

Before the tour, have some fun at the free Info Fair with green vendors, demonstrations, food, drink and music.

The event takes place on Saturday, September 24th.  Learn more here.

We all want our home exteriors to look attractive and protect us from the elements, so when it’s time for new siding, remember that there are siding options that have less of an impact on the environment than others.  Whether you live in a charming bungalow or a cool modern abode, there is an eco-friendly siding option for your home.

Some factors to consider when looking to purchase new siding include:  lifespan, maintenance and the source & manufacturing of the siding materials.

• Natural limestone stucco can be applied to virtually any substrate (wood or steel framed buildings, ICFs [insulated concrete forms] and strawbale construction).
• Reclaimed barnwood or wine-barrel wood can give a new house instant character and rustic appeal when used as an accent on a special part of the house or as whole-house siding.
• Cement board siding provides the look of traditional sawn wood boards, but is much more durable and long-lasting.  It is resistant to insects (including termites), fire, rotting, warping and salt-spray.  It’s made from a mixture of sand, clay, cement and cellulose fibers.  Look for those that are manufactured in the U.S. and contain a high percentage of recycled content.
• Brick or stone comes in veneer form nowadays, as opposed to solid brick or stone walls of days gone past.  These timeless materials last a lifetime with little maintenance.  The most eco-friendly options would be salvaged/reclaimed brick or stone, locally quarried stone or locally made brick.
• EcoClad® (pictured above) is a bio-composite siding made from post-consumer paper products and dense, sustainable bamboo fibers, which offers great durability and water resistance.

If you’ve built or remodeled a home, or business, that features energy-efficient and eco-friendly elements, why not let others see what you’ve done?!  The American Solar Energy Society’s 16th annual tour takes place this October 1st in most areas of the country, and you can add your place to the tour list!

Or, if you’re interested in learning more about solar energy, green technologies and earth-friendly design, join the other 165,000 people who will tour homes and businesses in neighborhoods across the U.S.!  You’ll see first-hand innovative technologies and materials that allow home and business owners to save money on utility bills, help protect the earth and create inspiring environments.  You’ll learn what costs are involved, as well as any applicable tax incentives available to help you go green and save some green!

pictured above is a solar-powered workshop in Maine

Strawbale construction is beautiful, energy efficient, long-lasting and environmentally-friendly.  Its non-toxic, natural materials are sourced from an agricultural waste product that is typically burned.  By utilizing strawbales as a building material, we can reduce pollution and maintain air quality, indoors and out.

If you’re an ambitious do-it-yourself type, you can even build your own strawbale home.  Learn more about the many benefits of strawbale construction and how you can attend an inspiring workshop, perhaps for free…

High density straw bales are used to create amazing homes, outbuildings and landscape features/walls.  They are finished with permeable lime or earth plasters, or stucco, to give a soft touchable appearance.  Deep window sills and built-ins, such as window seats and nooks, provide great design.

BENEFITS of STRAWBALE CONSTRUCTION:

• MUCH more energy efficient than standard frame construction, providing you with LOW heating and cooling bills
• Homes are quiet because sound transmission is reduced with the thick walls of strawbale construction
• Offer better resistance to pests, earthquakes, high winds and fire than standard construction
• There is less embodied energy in straw as it is available in almost every local market, thereby reducing transportation costs
• Straw is a renewable resource that has only a one year growth/harvest cycle

Interested in learning how to build with strawbales?  Check out upcoming workshops offered by Straw Bale Workshops.  During the 7-day hands-on instruction, you’ll be working on real homes, not “mock-ups”.  Be sure to enter to win a free workshop while visiting their site.

Some testimonials from previous workshop attendees:
“This was a life changing experience” -Dana P, Tennessee
“Andrew is an outstanding facilitator” -Julie S, Saskatchewan
“One of the best weeks I’ve ever had” -Federico F, Buenos Aires
“Workshop paid for itself the 1st day” -Clint P, Manitoba

The following is a guest post by Mariana Ashley, a freelance writer who particularly enjoys writing about online colleges. She loves receiving reader feedback, which can be directed to mariana.ashley031@gmail.com.

To some this sounds like old news, to others this sounds like gibberish. What is a prefab eco-friendly home? The term prefab simply means prefabricated. Components of a structure are manufactured offsite in an industrial facility. Once the structure is designed and constructed offsite, it is shipped to the building location and erected there. Prefab housing is not a new concept. Having components of the building process take place in a factory has been a part of home construction for decades now. However, in recent years, prefab housing has become synonymous in many ways with a modernist aesthetic and sustainable design. There are four central factors that make prefab eco-friendly homes the wave of the future: smart design, smart materials, affordability, and fashion.

Many prefab green architects begin their structural design long before ever drafting a sketch of a room or deciding on building materials. Laying a smart foundation is the first step to building an eco-friendly home. Green architects use advanced computer modeling to site homes in locations that will maximize natural light and passive heating and cooling. Architects must design to build less, use interior spaces wisely, and design for longevity and flexibility. This means that architects design spaces that feel larger than they are by incorporating large windows and spaces with multiple functions. Through the use of large and numerous windows, green architects design to minimize the need to turn lights on during the day. Furthermore, smart design orients homes in the landscape to maximize both views and energy efficiencies, while at the same time avoiding extreme excavations or other invasive procedures when laying a foundation. Prefab houses are designed to last longer than traditional homes. Designed for longevity, these homes are typically made primarily from sturdy wood and steel frames. Because the structures are built offsite in a factory with controlled conditions, the materials are better cared for during vulnerable stages, producing higher quality construction and higher quality houses.

Using smart materials is the next step to designing a prefab eco-friendly home. Many builders focus on incorporating as many recycled and renewable products as possible into their home design. Furthermore, utilizing offsite factory construction allows builders and architects to reduce waste by 50 to 75 percent and use less materials overall. One of the staple materials used in eco-friendly building is bamboo. Because bamboo grows so quickly and easily, it is a wonderful renewable material to use in flooring and other design elements. Utilizing steel, wood, and cement as durable framing materials enables homes to withstand even the harshest weather conditions and allows for easier upkeep.

Not only is prefab more environmentally friendly than traditional building methods, it is also considerably less expensive. The elements of mass customization, mobility, and versatility in building materials make prefab homes ideal for low-income communities and areas that are prone to natural disaster. As established, prefab homes use fewer building materials, making them less expensive. Furthermore, prefab homes take a fraction of the time to design and manufacture because they are created within a controlled environment. This means that prefab homes can be produced more quickly for a lower cost. Recycled countertops and glass tiles are common within prefab homes. These materials make beautiful stylistic accents within a home without having a negative impact on the environment.

Do not be fooled by the terms “inexpensive” and “mass production” when discussing prefab housing. While prefab eco-friendly homes are extremely cost effective, they have also become iconic of the new desired modern aesthetic. Homeowners and architects alike value clean and simple design. In light of the ever challenging economy, many celebrity-status designers have redefined prefab for a market that values both cost and style equally. The fact that efficient, green housing is replacing oversized homes in the world of fashion is a huge step in the right direction. All over the world, architects are refining modern design elements to coincide with environmentally friendly techniques. These smart and hip new homes are essential to the eco-friendly revolution of the modern world. And we like them!

Pictured above is the Sunset Breezehouse by Michelle Kaufmann Designs.  See all the details and additional photos here.

Not only do metal roofs look great and last a lifetime, they reduce energy bills too.  They’re available in a wide variety of colors and styles and can be applied to residential, commercial or industrial buildings.  There are metal roofs that mimic the look of cedar shakes, slate and even curved clay tiles.  Metal roofing is also available in traditional vertical panels.

Plus, until December 31, 2011, pigmented metal roofs installed on existing homes may qualify for a federal tax credit: 10% of the installed cost for qualifying equipment, capped at $500.

BENEFITS OF METAL ROOFING:

• Longevity: lasting up to 50 years, providing a low life cycle cost (replacement is not necessary as often as asphalt roofing)
• Low maintenance
• Resistance to corrosion
• Recycled content and recyclable
  
• Quick installation directly over existing asphalt roofing, so your old roof doesn’t add to maxed-out landfills
• Reduce cooling bills up to 40% by reflecting solar energy.  In warmer climates, a highly reflective and highly emissive painted or granular-coated metal roof is optimal
• Impact-resistant qualities may allow you to receive discounted homeowners insurance if you live in areas prone to weather events such as hail, high winds, forest fires and earthquakes
• Add value to your home

Find qualified roof products, a dealer/store, and additional special offers on the Energy Star website (under the Roof Products Resources bar on the right hand side of page).

photo courtesy of the Metal Roofing Alliance, a resource where you may also find a contractor in your area

Strawbale construction has been successfully used for centuries, and many of these durable structures are still standing today.  It certainly makes more sense to utilize this agricultural waste by-product than to burn it and pollute the air, as in the traditional method of disposal.

Straw-bale houses are indeed comprised of straw and are actually very dense and strong, even in earthquake territory. They can be built just about anywhere, except perhaps in areas of high humidity and excessive rain.  There are numerous advantages of straw-bale construction, including:   constructive use of a renewable resource, high energy efficiency and fire resistance, flexibility to be load-bearing or non-load bearing (as insulative infill), quick and fairly easy assembly, and of course aesthetics.

Typically, strawbale houses have 2′ thick walls and are situated on an east-west axis to capture passive solar energy from south-facing windows.  Thermal mass features are usually included as well.  Mr. Seigel’s 1200 square foot creation not only utilizes passive solar energy, but takes advantage of meadow views through two reverse shed dormers.  The house is actually divided into two sections so as to allow one to see just what this cool abode is constructed of.  This “dogtrot” space also promotes natural ventilation throughout the entire house without the use of a mechanical cooling system.

See photos and floor plans  here.

Each year, the American Institute of Architects’ Committee on the Environment (COTE) awards ten super sustainable structures. Most of the winners are located in the United States, however one winner is in Canada and another in Saudi Arabia.  The outstanding eco-friendly features include:

• Reuse of historic buildings
• Non-toxic materials, healthier homes
• Energy efficient design
• Wind, geothermal and passive solar energy
• Innovative wastewater treatment, including greywater for garden irrigation
• Brownfield redevelopment and urban revitalization
• Storm-resistant, affordable and efficient pre-fab housing
• Close proximity to public transportation, mixed use buildings
• Meeting stringent LEED requirements set by the U.S. Green Building Council

Pictured above is the innovative Kroon Hall, on the Yale campus in New Haven, CT.  Learn more about all of the AIA’s top picks here.

Looking for something interesting to read this summer?  Author Sheri Koones highlights 25 high-style, eco-friendly homes in her new book titled, “Prefabulous + Sustainable.”  Here, you’ll see how energy efficiency and green materials are used to create beautiful, cost-effective homes.  Check out WalletPop for the full scoop.

photo by Roger Wade Studio