Source: Trilogy Partners

Green home design is gaining in popularity as new home owners require more energy-efficient homes made from non-toxic and sustainable materials.

The standards for green home design and construction have been set by the LEED certification program (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) from the U.S. Green Building Council. The emphasis is on using renewable natural resources to build and lower energy consumption in the home.

Non-toxic materials must be used in construction to qualify as eco-friendly. This includes the use of sustainable woods, bamboo and recycled materials. The recycled elements can include wood and metals from old buildings, used brick and stone. Raw stone and tiles made from salvaged clay and recycled glass can be used for interiors.

New homes in the Colorado mountains can make use of solar energy to lower power costs. Energy Star rated appliances that use less power are incorporated into building and interior design plans.

New homes have good R-value insulation, based on the thermal resistance of the insulation or how well it holds in heat. This is important for Colorado winters.

Trilogy Partners has focused on green building in the Summit County area designing, and building homes that meet Green Building Council standards.

Source: Trilogy Partners

If you’re looking into remodeling your home, it’s a great time to assess what you can do to make your house greener.  We know going green reduces our impact on the earth, but it can also benefit you by increasing your home’s efficiency, and making it a healthier place to live. As you embark on your home remodeling project, here are a few things to take into consideration:

Begin by assessing your site. How can you utilize the property features you already possess? Use trees to your advantage to shade-cool your house, or find the optimal spot for passive solar gain. Look for building materials that are renewable or recycled, and find fixtures and appliances that are energy-efficient. Find finishes that are low- or no-VOC. Another good rule of thumb is to use higher-grade materials—the durability will prevent having to replace cheap materials that aren’t built to last.

Open floor plans help to increase cooling and heating efficiency, and require fewer materials. Lastly, look into a construction site recycling service. They can sort and dispose of construction waste in an earth-friendly way.

Implementing any of these tips will go a long way to making your home a little greener.

Source: Trilogy Partners

Despite outdated preconceptions, green homes built using modern materials with modern methods are as good or better than their conventional counterparts. In fact, their reduced costs are one of the main reasons that green building is popular.

Here are the benefits of choosing green home design:

• Green materials provide a number of benefits, ranging from long-lasting usefulness to reduced cost and reduced consumption of scarce resources. In fact, some green materials emit less pollutants, making for a healthier living space.
• Efficient fixtures and appliances consume less resources while still providing optimal function. For homeowners, this is important because less consumption means a reduced bill each month.
• Based on similar logic, automated amenities can also help homeowners save. For example, a programmable thermostat can turn down the heat during the day and then turn it back up when rush hour is approaching.
• Choosing an urban rather than rural location is better for the environment because it provides convenient access to amenities while encouraging positive habits. For example, being close to a supermarket means that homeowners and their families can walk rather than drive, thus saving on gas.

People interested in green home design can contact us at Trilogy Partners for skilled and experienced assistance with their needs.

Source: Trilogy Partners

No door is permanent, but some doors last longer than others. In general, longer-lasting doors are made of better materials, while also fitting into their surroundings in a harmonious manner. When choosing the perfect door for your home, consider the following:

• Instead of focusing on short-term savings, homeowners should prioritize long-term consequences. As a result, it’s better to install doors made of better and longer-lasting materials because the costs for multiple replacements add up over time. Furthermore, for homeowners interested in helping the environment, a longer-lasting door is much friendlier than one in constant need of repair or replacement.
• Consider the dimensions of the door because failing to do so can result in expensive and time-consuming modifications to accommodate the room’s needs. For example, if a room is going to be carpeted, then the door might need to be shortened to accommodate the carpet.
• Similarly, doors will affect the space around them. Double half-doors make convenient installations in cramped spaces such as hallways where opening a single full-sized door might open up into the walkway. Pocket doors and sliding barn doors can also help conserve space.

For more information about green home design, please contact Trilogy Partners.

Suspended beds are quite popular in interior design. They give the impression that they’re floating on air, so that you’ll feel like you’re sleeping on a cloud.

Suspension in design is not limited to beds, though. Suspended fireplaces are fast becoming a trend in homes as well, given how sophisticated and unique they can look when done right.

But aside from aesthetic appeal, suspended fireplaces offer function, too. They take up less area because instead of using horizontal space, they use vertical space, a part of the room that’s not usually maximized. They can be mounted on the wall, leaving the area beneath them free. They are a good choice for people who want sleek and modern fireplaces.

Suspended fireplaces can also serve as a room divider when placed between the living and dining room. But because they’re floating, they still work well in open spaces.

Lastly, suspended fireplaces offer a fantastic 360-degree view. Thus, you can install one in your home and treat it like a focal centerpiece. Because you are not hindered by a wall, you can go with any shape and any design you want. So instead of the usual rectangular fireplace, experiment with round and oval ones for a change!

For more information be sure to contact us at Trilogy Partners today!

Colorado is becoming well known for its craft breweries but there are also some great little wineries popping up throughout the area. Buying wine quite often turns into collecting wine. A wine cellar is the perfect place to store your wine collection and can also be the perfect place to relax and enjoy a glass of wine.

Wine cellars can be incorporated into an existing space such as underneath the steps of your home or they can be built to a specific plan. Not all wine cellars need to be damp and dark.

Here are some suggestions for your future wine cellar:

• Use bright colors on the walls to keep things bright and airy.
• If you like a cozy feel wood floors can make the right impact.
• If your cellar is short on height use custom lighting that sits close to the roof.
• Leaving walls and floors concrete can provide the right temperature, add some comfort by laying down plush area rugs to provide texture and warmth.
• Use a color combination making the walls a different color to the racks, this will provide visual appeal.

If you need more information about potentially adding a wine cellar to your home, then be sure to contact the experts at Trilogy Partners today!

If you’re looking to add a luxurious feature to your home that also happens to be a great universal design, then a wetroom could be perfect for you. A wetroom is basically a bathroom with a drain in the floor or an open shower room without any barriers to climb over. The following are a few elements you should consider for your wetroom design.

• Use Texture and Patterns – You can make a smaller wetroom look spacious by using cohesive patterns and horizontal strips in your wetroom’s tile design.
• Install a Seat – Having a place to sit in your wetroom gives you more flexibility with how you use it. Not to mention that it’s another universal design element that will help individuals who are physically limited to use the wetroom.

• Use Glass – To separate the wet area from the dry area in your wetroom, consider using a glass panel. This creates a clear division without sacrificing any visual space.

• Use Flexible Fixtures – Install shower heads on the ceiling as well as a hand shower at sitting level for additional flexibility.

These are just a few elements that you should strongly consider implementing in your wetroom design. For more information be sure to contact us at Trilogy Partners today!

Smart home buyers are recognizing the advantages of incorporating materials made of recycled plastics into their newly built Trilogy Homes. Keeping with the trend for green home design, the amount of products that are available is now larger than ever before and the possibilities are endless because of the versatility of the material.

Recycled plastics can be used to produce eco-friendly building materials made of HDPE (high-density polyethylene) or PVC (polyvinyl chloride), such as decking, exterior trim and flooring. You will enjoy the advantages of having a sturdy, well-made product that is naturally resistant to rot and mold growth unlike other materials.

Textiles for the home that are created from PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastics, such as those used for water bottles are now available in different forms. Fibers created from PET are similar to nylon in their durability and offer protection from moisture and stains, while resisting fading. This makes this material a good choice for carpeting and upholstery for your furniture that will continue to last.

Less energy and pollution are involved in the production of recycled products, which is good for the environment. This latest trend in green home design offers several benefits, in addition to reducing landfill waste.

Walls and fences are used in a fairly straightforward way in traditional houses. More modern designs, however, often rely on the use of wooden slats to define spaces and allow light to pass through while still providing privacy. Here are some ideas on how to incorporate them into your new home design:

Add a Dramatic Facade – Wooden slats are ideal for fronting a home as they allow light to pass through to the inner windows yet still conceal the interior of the home. In addition, they are an excellent way to create a unified look.

Create a Private Outdoor Space – While wooden slats can be used to surround a pool, they can also be used to create a private outdoor patio, shower or spa.

Beautify Necessary Evils – While no homeowner would do without sufficient storage space or an HVAC unit, most don’t really want to look at them. Slats are an excellent way to hide them while still providing the necessary access.

Photo Source: Houzz

Wood adds natural warmth and texture to any room and it’s used extensively in kitchens and bathrooms by Trilogy Partners.

Wood countertops and butcher-block kitchen islands have always been interior design favorites.  Wood top kitchen islands can also be combined with stone or tile for versatility in food preparation.

Maple, cherry and other hardwoods need to be sealed and cleaned but they work well in areas where water and other liquids are used in food preparation and cleaning.

Wood countertops can be varnished to a high shine where water beads up on the surface.  They can be treated with various products that include tung oil, lemon oil, linseed oil and beeswax. An under-mounted sink in the bathroom or kitchen allows water to drain into the sink from the wood countertop.

The countertop can be smooth and elegant or rustic and weathered. A weathered countertop works well in a bathroom or wash area that is part of a mudroom.  The wood is actually recycled from a barn or other building.  It is sanded, smoothed and varnished or treated to avoid splinters.

Photo Source: Houzz