Written by John-David Hutchison

An environmentally friendly building product should cover three essential elements to make it green:

Where does it come from? – Is it a readily renewable resource? Is it local?

Does it have a high percentage of recycled content? How is it made? – What are the ingredients in the manufacturing process?

Is there fair trade involved? How much energy does it take to produce? How does it affect the environment after it is used? – Does the material off gas? What is its care and life span? Is it recyclable at the end of its initial use?

Caleb’s Journey Reclaimed Oak Floor

I live in Chelsea, which is built on a sea of clay. If I were to dig up the clay from my back yard, install it as a floor and polish it with beeswax from my friends at Berg en Dal Honey in Wakefield, I would probably qualify in having the greenest floor. Leaving aside such pure and perfect ambitions, let’s consider more realistic possibilities for the average consumer choices:

Bamboo

Often thought of (and definitely marketed as) the greenest floor on the market, bamboo has probably the longest list of pros and cons. In order for bamboo to meet high environmental standards there are a number of hurdles to consider/overcome.

Bamboo grows incredibly fast, takes very little energy to cultivate, and makes for a very hard floor, around 14-17% harder than maple. If produced and harvested properly the farming of bamboo has a very low environmental impact. To achieve this, the bamboo must be harvested no earlier than every 7 years and cut 6 to 12 inches from the ground, so that the plant can grow back without replanting. The problems are that wild bamboo is used and a lot of the farmed bamboo is harvested at three years, making for a lower quality product.

The manufacturing process also needs to be evaluated. The raw bamboo is stripped, steamed, baked, and dried. It is then compressed using glues and is usually prefinished. Ideally the glues and finishes used are non-toxic with a low VOC content and manufactured in an ISO certified facility. Unfortunately, too often this is not the case; very few of these glues and finishes have a low VOC content and most of the work is done in ramshackle factories with no concern for the health and safety of workers. I have seen pictures of buildings in the deep forests where the workers are wearing nothing but shorts and making their own glues in a large toxic vat over a fire. (This is the $.99/sq. ft bamboo sold at Uncle Joe’s Flooring emporium.)

Bamboo floors take a lot of energy to manufacture and, as it all comes from China, a considerable amount of embedded energy to transport.

Wood

Ah wood, the classic and still most popular choice. Some say you can’t do much better than a locally produced farmed wood product in a solid format (low energy) with a natural oil and wax finish. In Ontario and Quebec you can now find FSC certified solid maple flooring at a fairly reasonable cost.

The opposite end of the spectrum is imported clear-cut Merbau covered in a heavy coating of toxic off gassing Varathane. The devastation of the Merbau forests prompted Greenpeace to produce a hefty volume dedicated to documenting the destruction of the forests. The scary fact is there are many species of endangered trees readily available at your local flooring store.

Engineered wood flooring is manufactured by bonding a veneer of solid wood on top of two to three layers of other, less valuable products. In the greenest examples these secondary layers are made of recycled or waste materials. This manufacturing method results in a more efficient use of the best / most valued wood, stretching out the resource use while still satisfying the consumer need for an abundant variety of options.

Reclaimed wood – On the outset this seems to be the ultimate in environmental choice. There are two main types of reclaimed wood:

1. Flooring made from wood reclaimed from barns or old farmhouses, planed down and reinstalled for your walking pleasure. Unfortunately, due to the intense labour involved in reclaiming the wood, and the limited supply of the product, it is an expensive option. Reclaimed wood also generally needs to be finished onsite, which is a general pitfall for most consumers.
2. River Run Reclaimed flooring is manufactured from logs dredged from the bottom of rivers. It’s a great concept to create quality flooring and it is generally less expensive than reclaimed barn board. The argument against this practice is that no one is quite sure of the long-term impact of pulling up the silt and possible toxins from rivers such as the Ottawa and the Fraser. Impact studies will take some time to finish to before we can really know the environmental consequences.

Cork

I’ll be honest; I have a personal preference for cork. It is warm, soft, and beautiful. The tree is harvested every seven years by shaving the bark from the trunk, not by cutting the whole tree down. Cork flooring is made from the scraps of the manufacturing of wine corks. (In turn, pin boards and gaskets are made from the scraps of making the floors.) Cork trees are highly prized and protected in Spain and Portugal. But as with Bamboo, on the flip side cork flooring is an engineered product from abroad. What’s worse, currently a large portion of cork is shipped to China for manufacturing and then hauled back to Europe and North America for sale. On top of the embedded energy debate, one needs to make sure that the cork is manufactured using low VOC glues and finishes.

Carpet

Carpet is not very fashionable at this time, being looked down upon as a cheap, short-term product that over time will provide a breeding ground for mold and bacteria as the toxic chemical protection wears off. But there is a bright green future in carpet, especially in commercial applications. Up and coming companies are using recycled and recyclable content. (If you haven’t seen “The Corporation”, Interface Carpet’s Ray Anderson is a truly inspirational businessman-come-environmentalist.) Kraus is manufacturing such a product in Ontario.

There are also similar pros and cons for Linoleum, ceramic tile, and cement, but I am running out of room.

In the end, making a decision on the most environmentally friendly floor will involve a lot of tomato, tomato, potato, potato; it can come down to personal priorities. Regardless of your choice there are always trade offs.

If you are really stuck…. I have an acre of clay, send me an e-mail.

About the Author
John-David is currently working as a Sustainability Consultant with CSV Architects in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, specializing in the coordination of the process and submission for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Certification by The Canadian Green Building Council (CaGBC). He also makes the best veggie burger in the Outaouais. hutchison@csv.ca

Source: GreenbuildingPro

If you’ve decided to build a new home, then one of the things you should consider is the environment around you. To reduce your environmental footprint, think about incorporating some green building ideas, such as active daylighting, into your home design.

Source: Wikipedia.com

Active daylighting occurs when a mechanical device collects sunlight in order to increase the efficiency of your home’s light collection. Active daylighting systems are different than passive daylighting systems in that they actively track the sun’s light instead of remaining stationary.

There are two types of active daylighting systems: closed loop and open loop. Closed loop systems use sensors that are directed at the sun. The sensors will pick up on when the sun begins to move whenever they are hit by shade, thereby allowing them to track with the sun. Open looped systems use sensors, but not to track the sun’s movement. Instead, the use a motorized system that is pre-programmed to follow the sun’s path.

Make your home more efficient by implementing an active daylighting system, whether it’s a closed loop system or an open loop system. Find out how you can implement green building techniques into your home design by contacting Trilogy Partners today.

There is an unfortunate misconception amongst homeowners that a professional designer isn’t necessary. That it is a luxury most people can’t afford. This is simply not true – in fact, a professional designer can help you to avoid making costly mistakes, and thereby actually save you money!

The Top 3 reasons why you should consider hiring a professional designer for your next project:

They will help you figure out your vision – Putting together your interior design can be a bigger task than you might think. Choosing a couch you want may not be difficult, but making sure all the elements of your design complement each other can be.

They will collaborate with you – In addition to helping you achieve your vision, a professional designer will help you improve upon it with suggestions. By collaborating, you’ll have a much better chance at putting something special together.

They will prevent your budget from exploding – Professional designers can help you find good bargains due to their connections and will help keep you from making serious design errors that can cost a lot of money to fix.

Trilogy Partner’s unique Project Management Modeling (PMM) process employs a professional interior designer as part of the virtual 3D modeling process. See the interior design come to life in a highly detailed model before construction begins. For more interior design advice or more information about PMM, contact us at Trilogy Partners today.

Designing your kitchen space is something that you shouldn’t take lightly. More than any other space in the house, the kitchen has to be as functional as possible in order to be effective. A poor kitchen layout will result in a kitchen that is difficult and frustrating to use. This is why you should work with a kitchen designer.

The following are a few tips for working with kitchen designers:

Know the difference – Some kitchen designers work for certain kitchen product manufacturers, which means that they won’t be as objective about the materials they suggest you use since they work for a particular brand. The way you’re charged may be different as well.

Know the pros and cons of your kitchen – When renovating your kitchen, you’ll want to know what it is you like and don’t like about the space. This way your kitchen designer can help you fix what you don’t like while keeping what you like as it is.

Have a budget – Create a budget so that your designer knows what they have to work with in terms of materials and appliances.

Keep these tips in mind and contact us at Trilogy Partners for more professional design advice.

A smart, well-planned design makes your home not only more attractive, but also easier to live in. Trilogy Partners has been designing and building custom homes in the Colorado mountains since 1998, and we’d love to help you create the home of your dreams, too.

We take a team approach. Working closely with our design and build partners, we are involved in every step along the way, from your initial design to the finishing touches. You won’t find yourself making endless phone calls to builders and contractors — we keep everyone organized for you.

We work with your land. Trilogy Partners has created many beautiful homes and landscapes that integrate with the surrounding land features, rather than against them. We’ll create a space that accentuates the natural beauty all around you.

We’re experts on materials. As professionals, we have worked with many materials and can suggest the ones that are best for your home. We know where to get the best of everything, from stone to sustainable wood.

We employ advanced 3D Design Technology and Project Management Modeling throughout the design and build process. This allows everyone involved, from Architects to Framers, to have a better understanding of what the finished home will look like. And how it should be built.

Our clients recommend us because we stand behind our product. Completely.

If you’re looking for a Colorado builder and designer to tackle your project, contact Trilogy Partners today. Our team of talented experts is dedicated to designing stunning mountain homes for customers like you.

When it comes to designing your own home, having a clear budget is incredibly important. Without a detailed budget,
you may end up overspending and digging yourself into a financial hole. The following are a few home building budget tips to keep in mind:

Determine the type of project – You’ll budget differently for a renovation or remodel than you will for a new home construction. If you’re building a new project, then you can use a per square foot cost method for budgeting. This, however, won’t work for something like a kitchen remodel.

Determine additional costs – The construction isn’t going to be the only cost. Remember that you may have to pay for legal fees, land costs, landscaping, permit costs, financing costs, architectural fees, decorating and even the cost of moving.

Know what you want – Don’t budget for a standard oven if you know that you’re going to end up wanting a high-end stove. Know what you’re going to want and budget for that.

Choose Design Build + Project Management Modeling – Truly the best combination of process and technology available to bring your home project in on budget.

Involve a builder early in the Design Process even if you hire the architect first. Builders know what things cost. Designing without a builder’s practical guidance is a sure way to go over budget.

These are a few tips to keep in mind when budgeting for a project. Be sure to contact us at Trilogy Partners for more information and advice concerning your home design budget.

Here are some design tips to help you make your home accessible and safe for children and seniors. Source: Houzz

One of the things that we suggest you keep in mind when planning your home interior design is how it will function for every member of your household and not just you. This means making your home accessible and safe for children and seniors. The following are a few tips for doing this:

• Unique shapes – Don’t feel like you have to adhere to the traditional solid-surface rectangular shapes, which can be difficult for seniors to lean over as well as dangerous for children if they bump into them. Use curves and rounded edges to improve safety and accessibility and to provide a unique aesthetic.
• Kneespace areas – Not everything has to be at the same height either. A kneespace area in the bathroom makes it easy for children to use the counter space and for those in wheelchairs to roll up.
•  Lever faucets – Lever faucets are easier for children to use as well as individuals with arthritis.
•  Layer lights – Lighting is important, especially since we need more of it as we age. Use layered lighting by implementing natural lighting, accent lighting and dimmers.

Use these design tips and contact us at Trilogy Partners today for additional home interior design advice.

Function, mood, and personality are the 3 principles of interior design that should most often dictate your design choice.

Creating a well-balanced interior design is much easier said than done. Before you get started trying to throw your interior design together, it’s important that you know the principles of interior design. The following are the 3 principles of interior design that you should use to guide you:

1. Function – Function should always be your number one priority. It doesn’t matter if it looks good if it’s not functional, after all. For example, the way your furniture is arranged and how you’ve lit a specific room are vital to the function of a space.
2. Mood – The mood you create in any given room is going to have an effect on the mood of the people within the room. Use colors, style, texture and patterns in order to establish the right mood. The best way to start is with an inspiration piece and a basic theme.
3. Personality – Without personality, your home will just feel like a stale display. Add accessories to your interior design, such as area rugs, pictures, throw pillows and more. Don’t be afraid to be whimsical with your choices and to add some unexpected details.

Keep these principles in mind and contact Trilogy Partners for more interior design tips.

Trust, collaboration, and flexibility are all integral parts to establishing a positive designer-client relationship.

Working with a designer can be a very rewarding experience as long as you realize that the designer-client relationship should be fostered from both sides. The following are a few tips that you should keep in mind in order to strengthen your relationship with your designer:

• Be flexible – Be willing to listen to what your designer has to say – they may suggest you use a different material in order to keep your project under budget. By being flexible, you may be able to spend more on other features.
• Have trust – Trust your designer. If he or she recommends something you are unsure about, give it a chance. For example, if a designer suggests you use a gray color instead of that bold blue you wanted, wait until the designer puts a sample up before drawing a conclusion – trust that your designer knows what he or she is doing.
• Collaborate – Bounce ideas off of your designer. Collaboration usually results in some fantastic ideas that neither you nor your designer may have thought of without one another.

Use these tips in order to foster your designer-client relationship. For more information about working with a designer, be sure to contact us at Trilogy Partners.

The following are a few home fixtures you should consider investing in to help reduce your water usage. Source: Houzz

When it comes to your custom home design, don’t forget about the smaller details that can help you create a more eco-friendly home. For example, the home fixtures that you use in your kitchen and bathrooms. The following are a few home fixtures you should consider investing in to help reduce your water usage:

• WaterSense faucets – These faucets can help to reduce the flow of water by as much as 30 percent without sacrificing performance. This could end up saving you as much as 500 gallons of water a year.
• Dual-flush toilets – Toilets consume more water than any other indoor fixture. A dual-flush toilet has two different flush options, one for liquid waste that uses less water and one for solid waste.
• Graywater reuse – A graywater reuse system allows you to use the water that you wasted in the sink for a nearby toilet for use in flushing. Basically, the system lets you recycle water.
• Urinals – Obviously, the urinal only works for the boys; however, you’ll conserve way more water. Some manufacturers even offer waterless urinals.

These are some home fixtures that you can use to help save water. Contact Trilogy Partners for more tips on creating a green home.