There are plenty of reasons why you’d want to “go green” and create a more eco-friendly home. Here are some tips to help you get started. Source: Houzz

For a lot of homeowners, the first things that come to mind when they hear “going green” tend to be big, expensive, and time-consuming. Examples range from installing solar panels to building walls with straw bales. However, it is important to remember that going green doesn’t have to be complicated.

So get started with these green home tips:

• Awnings can have enormous impact on household operating costs because sunlight hits the Earth at a steeper angle in summer. This means that awnings placed in the right positions can let in less sunlight in summer and more sunlight in winter, thus reducing cooling and heating costs in the respective periods.
• Likewise, it never hurts to improve the insulation on the sides of windows with a little foam. Instead of a can, invest in a foam gun for both superior control and a reduction in waste.
• Using recycled products is beneficial for the environment, but using reclaimed and repurposed products is even better. You may even find such products appealing to your sense of aesthetics, since so many of them tend to be so full of character.
• Finally, avoid products that contain contaminants such as VOCs.

Please contact us for more information.

There are plenty of perks for installing a radiant heating system, including how eco-friendly it can be. Source: Houzz

Radiant heating means that the home is heated using plastic tubing circulating warm tubing usually placed beneath the visible flooring material. . Under the right circumstances, it can make a home more comfortable to live in while also reducing its heating bill because less heat is lost while being moved to where it needs to be. In a high altitude or cold weather environment, radiant heating has become the standard choice. Trilogy Partners uses radiant heat in all its high country homes.

Here are some of the most important considerations when installing a radiant heating system:

• Since radiant heating is less common than convection heating, you should choose a contractor with experience installing such systems.
• Most heating systems of this kind are installed beneath the floors. Therefore, you may need to vacate your home for a couple of months depending on the extent of the installation.
• You need to choose your flooring material so that the electromagnetic waves can pass through. Tile and concrete are perfect, but layered engineered wood can also work.
• Learn about how such heating systems are best used. For example, they need time to heat up, meaning that they are best when continuously run at lower temperatures.
• Ask an energy-efficient consultant to study the effects on your home’s overall efficiency before you have one installed.

To learn more about less common heating systems such as geothermal heating, please contact us at Trilogy Partners.

We’re going to “bust” some of the common green roofing myths that you may have heard. Source: Houzz

When it comes to green building, there are a lot of myths out there that often dissuade people from investing in it. For example, there are more than a few green roof myths out there. However, they are just that – myths. Green roofing is actually quite beneficial. The following are a few green roofing myths to avoid:

• Green roofs only work for green buildings – Your home doesn’t have to be completely green for a green roof to be effective. In fact, a green roof can be the only green feature your home has and it will still provide you with a ton of environmental benefits.
• Green roofs cause structural issues – Your roof isn’t going to be more prone to leaks if it’s a green roof. In fact, green roofs often have longer lifespans since they add a layer of protection to your waterproof membrane.
• Green roofs are too expensive – It doesn’t cost as much as you think, and the benefits are worth the cost – including the fact that some green roofs can last twice as long as normal roofs.

Avoid these green roof myths and contact us at Trilogy Partners for more green roofing information.

Using WaterSense faucets and duel-flush toilets, as well as reusing graywater, are some ways you can reduce the water usage in your home and otherwise live “greener”. Source: Houzz

When planning your bathroom design, one thing you should consider is the amount of water you use. Not only do you want to reduce water usage in order to save money on your water bills, you’ll want to do so to reduce your environmental footprint as well. The following are a few water conservation tips to consider when planning your bathroom design:

• Install WaterSense faucets – Faucets that are approved by WaterSense label will reduce the flow of water by up to 30 percent without sacrificing any performance. This can end up saving you roughly 500 gallons of water every year. Go the extra step by adding an aerator to decrease the water flow while increasing the water pressure.
• Install a dual-flush toilet – Toilets consume a ton of water. Dual-flush toilets boast two flushers, one for liquid waste, which uses less than one gallon of water, and one for solid waste.
• Use graywater – Install a graywater system in which used sink water is filtered and disinfected before being reused for toilet flushing.

These are a few ways you can reduce your bathroom water use. For more water conservation tips, be sure to contact us at Trilogy Partners.

Here are some tips for anyone who’s interested in going green. Source: morgueFile

You’ve probably heard about the phrase “going green” on more than a few occasions. While the concept is noble – going green refers to reducing your environmental footprint – the phrase itself has become something of a buzzword. The following are a few tips about going green that you should be aware of:

• Do your research – Don’t just buy into a product or service because they advertise it as being “green.” This word can be very misleading. For example, one product may be more eco-friendly than another, but that doesn’t make it eco-friendly in itself.
• Think about the future – In addition to how green the product or service is in the present, consider its future. Can it be reused or recycled? How long will it last? These are factors of being green as well.
• Is it local? – Materials that aren’t locally produced aren’t going to be very green because of what’s required to transport them to you. Look for products that use local materials to cut down on fuel use.

These are a few things to keep in mind when going green. For more tips about going green, be sure to contact us at Trilogy Partners today.

Some tips for creating a green home include installing awnings and insulation, and using high quality materials that will last longer. Source: Houzz

Striving to create a greener home environment is a great way to reduce not only your environmental footprint but to also reduce your monthly utility costs, thereby helping you save a lot of money in the long run. The following are a few tips for creating a green home environment:

• Install awnings – Strategically placed awnings can help you reduce the amount of energy you need to use. For example, during the summer awnings will help block out the sun’s heat, while in the winter the sunlight will hit your home at a steeper angle, which means low-angled light will be let in to heat your home.
• Add insulation – If you’ve added energy efficient windows, then the last thing you want is for heat to escape around the sides. Use fill-in foam insulation to help reduce the amount of heat that will escape around your windows.
• Use high quality materials – Not only should you use reclaimed materials, you should use materials that last so that you don’t have to waste money and materials replacing them.

These are just a few tips for creating a green home environment. Contact us at Trilogy Partners for more green home design advice.

Eco-friendly bathroom can be constructed from a variety of recycled materials, including rubber, copper, and aluminum. Source: Houzz

Are you trying to build a bathroom that’s a bit more environmentally friendly? If so, then don’t ignore what your sinks are made out of. The following are a few examples of eco-friendly bathroom sinks that you can use as inspiration:

• Salvaged bowls – Re-use any type of bowl. All you need is a bowl in which a hole can be drilled on the bottom to connect it to a drain. For example, an old cast-metal basin.
• Recycled rubber – For a truly unique option, use a sink that has been built out of recycled rubber tires that were melted and purified before being turned into a sheet that can be stretched across a basic frame.
• Recycled copper – Copper is a great choice for a bathroom sink due to its antibacterial and antifungal qualities. Just make sure to pick a sink made out of recycled copper.
• Recycled aluminum – If you’re going for a modern bathroom design, then recycled aluminum is a fantastic option. Not to mention that there is plenty of aluminum available to be recycled into a sink.

These are a few eco-friendly bathroom sinks. Contact us at Trilogy Partners for more green building information.

Concrete, pebble tile, and linoleum are three eco-friendly bathroom floor materials that we recommend for your home. Source: Houzz

Deciding on what type of flooring to use for your bathroom is no easy task. Not only do you want to make sure it is suitable for the bathroom environment, you’ll also want to ensure that it’s aesthetically pleasing as well as environmentally friendly. The following are a few eco-friendly bathroom floors we recommend:

• Concrete – You can add recycled aggregates to a concrete floor, including porcelain, coal fly ash or glass.  Concrete is also a strong material that holds up well in wet environments and is very flexible in terms of visual design.
• Pebble tile – Give your bathroom a spa-like vibe by using pebble tiles that will gently massage your feet when you walk across them. Instead of using stone, use a recycled glass version.
• Linoleum – Linoleum is naturally antimicrobial, which means it will resist both mold and mildew, perfect for the bathroom space. It’s also water-resistant and durable. Just make sure to get linoleum that’s labeled no-VOC.

We highly recommend that you consider one of these options when looking for eco-friendly bathroom floors. For more information about implementing environmentally friendly features into your home design, make sure that you contact us at Trilogy Builds today.

The R-House and TED House are two examples of homes with successfully implemented home energy saving ideas. Source: Houzz

When designing a new home, one of the things you’ll want to consider is energy efficiency. The less energy your home uses, the lower your energy bills will be – not to mention the fact that you’ll be reducing your environmental footprint as well. The following are a few designs that can provide you with some home energy saving ideas:

• The R-House – Located in Germany, this home was built to meet Germany’s passive house principles. It boasts highly insulated windows, heat-recovery ventilators and super-insulated exteriors. In fact, the home’s insulation consists of blown0in fiberglass insulation as well as foam insulation. Windows were placed to take advantage of the sun’s location.
• The TED House – This house makes use of highly insulated windows, a zip-panel air barrier, EPS insulation and closed-cell spray foam insulation. It also has a metal panel rain screen that helps keep air trapped inside the home and prevents outdoor air from leaking in.

These are a couple of homes designed to be energy efficient. Consider some of their energy saving features for your home design and be sure to contact us at Trilogy Builds for more information about implementing green features into your home today.

Interior designers often strive to bring the unique splendor that is Colorado into homes with natural interior themes and décor pieces. Source: Houzz

We live in such a beautiful area! Interior designers often strive to bring the unique splendor that is Colorado into homes with natural interior themes and décor pieces. You can, too. We share nature-inspired decorating whenever possible, and our friends at Houzz.com always have great ideas:

• Natural textiles are a good way to add eco-friendly fabrics and feel to your natural interior. You can also introduce botanical-inspired (tree branches, leaves, birds…) fabrics into any room.
• As you walk our wooded trails, save your wintry finds, like cattails, wildflowers, discarded birds’ nests and feathers. Dying flowers can become pressed-flower art pieces, and interesting rocks or woods will accessorize your tables.
• Old bottles and jars can be receptacles for outdoor treasures you find on your morning walk.
• In the spring and summer, turn your unused fireplace into a creative plant- and flower-focal point for your room. Have fun! One client artfully arranged weeds in a Waterford vase for a lovely, natural presentation.

The professionals at Trilogy Partners use a team approach for exceptional home design, construction and décor, and you’re a very important part of our team. We welcome your ideas! Please contact us to share suggestions or call 970-453-2230 for information.