Residential green building remodeling & deconstruction -- some brief notes…

Remodel vs. build new – consider the green alternative – the “greenest building” is one that is already there. Beyond remodeling for functionality, added space or modernization – remodeling creates an opportunity to make a building more durable, energy and water efficient and healthier for inhabitants.

Some of these opportunities are:

• Upgrade insulation, add radiant barrier (roof especially). Consider spray foam.
• Improve structural deficiencies exposed during remodel.
• Weatherstripping and air sealing.
• Upgrade wiring, add better, more efficient fixtures, switches, outlets.
• Plumbing – renew piping pipe insulation and allow water recirc., install better, more efficient fixtures.
• Duct testing and sealing. Upgrade/improve equipment efficiency.
• Removal or remediation of Toxics - Lead, Asbestos, Fiberglass, etc.
• Revealing areas for repair of leaks and sources of moisture for fungus (dry rot), termites and mold as well as rodent and vermin entry areas.
• Improve ventilation, natural lighting with skylights, new windows.
• Add radiant heating and cooling systems (non-forced air alternatives).
• Select Low and No VOC and Formaldehyde/off-gassing finish materials.
• Pre-wire and pipe for future solar electric and solar hot water (or install if budget allows).
• Install whole house fan/ventilation and balanced attic venting for night-time cooling.
• Install ventilation for better moisture control in bathrooms (use timers) and kitchens.

One of the old accepted standards of remodeling has been the necessity for and presence of a dumpster. One of the signs that your neighborhood was being improved was the number of dumpsters out on the street or in the driveway.

As the new values of green building take hold and landfill costs continue to climb, “Out with the Old and in with the New” has to be rethought. Here is a list of issues to be introduced and discussed:

1. Value of reusing materials - old growth lumber no longer available except by salvage, antique fixtures – light fixtures, antique plumbing, antique hardware, “wavy glass” etc. – these are typical, high value items.
2. Recycling materials by segregation– separation of lath and plaster for example so each can be handled and disposed or repurposed.
3. Recycling steel, wiring, piping, cardboard, concrete, plastics, aluminum, drywall, roofing, framing, etc.…
4. Techniques of salvage and deconstruction – accessing, break paint bond, incremental prying, nail removal, tape broken or split parts together (wood can be glued and made “good as new”), paint stripping, reuse and refinishing.
5. Dealing with toxics – lead, asbestos, mold.

Planning - Pre-deconstruction evaluation.

Prior to doing any demolition or deconstruction, take an inventory of materials that can be re-used or recycled. Here are some things to consider for wood salvage:

1. Reuse of materials for their function – eg. reuse a door as a door, a framing member for framing, siding used for siding..
2. Reuse or “upcycling” of material for other use – “cannibalize” a door for it’s finish material, old growth framing becomes finish lumber, etc.
3. “Pre-sell” items for salvage – do a “pick and pull” for certain items. Liability concerns.
4. Plan for separation, sorting and storage.
5. Plan for re-use, recycle or resale.

Some “dumpster wood”, coated with lead paint – when stripped, solid heart redwood, 13” wide x 2” thick. Turned into a garden bench and a countertop.

Links:

http://thereusepeople.org/Sacramento_Store

http://www.treehugger.com

http://www.shannonquimby.com/rex/

http://your.kingcounty.gov

Other resources:

Paint stripping

Window rehab

Accoya wood

List of Northern Calif. Salvaged wood and material resources

Green Sacramento Celebrates 5 Years Saturday, March 13, 12-5pm 10% off all purchases

We opened our doors on March 15, 2005 at our original location on Fulton Avenue. Owning a ‘green’ business at that point was still very radical. But we have endured through our early years on the ‘fringe’ and through an economic downturn that has seen many in the building industry falter. We have endured because we have a commitment to providing our customers with great service and high quality products that are also healthy and sustainably produced. We have been in our new space, the Green Living Center now for five months with five other businesses focused on different aspect of green building and will be celebrating the opening of this new center as well.

So please come and celebrate with us. Along with good food and drinks we will have all of the other business owners here to advise customers on their projects in architecture, design, landscape architecture, green building and energy efficiency. Bring in your drawings, ideas and concepts and speak to our professionals. Green Sacramento will also give 10% off any purchases placed on or before that day. View our Events and Education Facility that we are getting ready to open and enjoy the company of a growing green community. Also stick around that evening for 2nd Saturday. We have partnered with 20th Street Art Gallery and will be featuring the art of Bernie Weston.

We truly hope to see you here!

New Education and Events Facility at The Green Living Center

Providing more educational opportunities around various topic of sustainability and green lifestyles has been a goal of ours from the beginning. We now have both the facility and the resources to do this now. We will focus on both classes for industry professionals and for the public. For the professionals we have begun by teaming up with the Environmental Institute of America who has training courses for LEED certification and for finding and securing stimulus money for businesses. These courses will be one to three days depending upon the class. EIA has developed a strong curriculum and has a very professional and well educated teaching staff.

Our first classes will be:
· March 29 LEED GA
· March 30 - 31 LEED AP BD+C (Building Design and Construction)
Find more information online at , http://www.eiofa.com/ or call us at 916.448.8109

Melissa Smith of Shades of Green Event Services has also signed on as our events coordinator and will start to put together classes and events for the public as well. Some of our programs will include hands on classes in historic home window repair and design charettes for developing out door living spaces. We will also host classes on green building concepts and practices that will help you feel more confident and get your building projects focused and organized. What types of classes and events would you like to see? We really want to know.

Soles 4 Souls

In partnership with the 20th Street Art Gallery, The Green Living Center is collecting new shoes for those in need. There are over 300 million children around the world who are without shoes, that’s about the population of the United States! The shoes that are collected from this project will go to children in the Greater Sacramento area. We are specifically hoping to collect shoes in children’s sizes 2-6. Donations will be made to Soles 4 Souls a non profit that distributes shoes to children all over the world. We are hoping to collect 50 pairs of shoes by March 13, 2010 in honor of Green Sacramento’s 5th Anniversary, the grand opening of The Green Living Center, and Second Saturday! Please drop off any donations to 911 or 919 20th Street Sacramento, CA 95811

Gifts From the Heart

Wooley Wood Works is a family owned business located in Sonoma County, CA. They specialize in crafting custom handmade Children’s furniture that is high quality and safe.

The company was founded when the Wooleys first became Grandparents. They wanted to create a treasure for their grandchild to cherish forever. So naturally safety was a huge consideration. Precautions you can expect from a Wooley creation includes the use of non toxic finishes, including products that can be found at Green Sacramento (Vermont Natural Coatings and OSMO), non-toxic waterproof glue (Titebond III), rounded corners, sanded surfaces, non-skid pads on table legs and plastic glides on chairs, to prevent injury or damage.

Customization of a Wooley Wood Works item includes the ability to choose wood type, stain or paint color, personalized artwork or lettering (via Woodburning) and cut-outs.

High quality is ensured by not only a lifetime of experience and joy in wood working, but meticulous inspection and a satisfaction guarantee.
Please visit their website for more information: http://wooleywoodworks.com/index.html

Windfall Lumber

Beautiful, Durable, Simple, Sustainable, Unique… all are qualities desired in a countertop.

Windfall Wooden Countertops possess all these traits and more. Made in Tumwater, WA from sustainably harvested Northwest hardwoods and reclaimed exotic timber, Windfall Lumber provides an unparalleled butcher-block countertop.

Every countertop produced by Windfall Lumber has a story. For instance the African Hardwood Blend is FSC Certified Recycled and it comes from used pallets made in West Africa for use in the United States. The Western Black Walnut is salvaged wood from Northwest Orchards.

Many of the wood species come in either side grain or end grain, giving the same species a completely different look. These countertops maybe stained, finished and refinished with OSMO natural wood finishing products allowing for a greater range of customization for your project. OSMO products are also available at Green Sacramento.

Please visit Green Sacramento for samples and pricing.

Squak Mountain Stone

Squak Mountain Stone is back at Green Sacramento.

Warm to the touch and rustic in appearance, Squak Mountain Stone is a truly unique countertop experience. Squak Mountain Stone is a lightweight countertop that resembles limestone in its "natural" color variation and texture, but is hand-cast in Seattle, WA.

Armed with a new formula, Squak Mountain Stone is now made with over 50% recycled paper and glass, as well as low carbon cement. All of the materials used in creating a slab of Squak Mountain Stone are sourced from the local Seattle community.

With Squak Mountain Stone you get all of the benefits of a beautiful stone countertop but with added peace of mind. Squak Mountain Stone comes in five colors and two sizes. Please visit Green Sacramento for samples and pricing.