One of my first inspirations to learn about healthy and eco-friendly building methods  was my own health. I've had hay fever since I was about ten, with no other health problems early on. In my late twenties I started getting hives, and in the search to find what caused them, started changing my diet. When I got into home inspections in 1986, there were environmental issues that came along with them: formaldehyde insulation, asbestos in building products, mold, and more to come over the years. As I became more focused on how what I ate affected me, I also became more aware of things in the environment that made me sick. I bought an old gas stove about the same time I started doing home inspections, and learned within a few years that it was making me sick. Anyway, I became very educated and experienced in dealing with environmental issues, especially within the home. I added that to my credentials as a house & home consultant in the late 1980s.

     I had a revelation in this period of my life: I remembered that when I was born, my family had just moved into a brand-new home a month earlier. So, it's possible my immune system was compromised by that event: exposure as an infant to the chemicals from the new building products in that house. After a pretty serious education on harmful building products and methods, I started making major changes to my diet, my home environment and the way I built things. I have always been an advocate of recycling, and good health in general.

MY FRIENDLY-BUILDING PRACTICE

     I've learned that you can use harmless paint and finish products for just a bit more material cost, and eliminate the prolonged exposure to chemicals by the homeowners, not to mention the painter, contractor and crew. Simple paint and adhesive products can off-gas for more than a year, and several years in some cases. There are many types of products to stay away from that are so dense in chemicals it is frightening. One of these is drywall glue. I always have the drywall screwed up without adhesive. Adhesive beneath sub floors is also avoided. I don't use particle or structure board on interior spaces. I use plywood. Floor coverings are especially important when choosing environmentally friendly materials. When working in an infant's, or child's room, the bar is raised even higher. Energy-saving products are abundant now, helping to save energy, and money, a no brainer. The truth is that I have been involved in green building, eco-building, friendly building, whatever you choose to call it, for twenty years now, and at last we have a multitude of options when building new homes or renovating that can provide a healthy, comfortable, responsible place for us to live.

     I've chosen to use the word "friendly" to describe my building practices, because it encompasses a healthy environment; energy-saving and sustainable building products and materials; recycling; prudent building methods; and most of all, a healthy relationship with building partners, customers, the job site and community.

FRIENDLY MATERIALS & PRODUCTS

ABOVE & BELOW: Two types of cork flooring: glued down above on concrete, floating plank on second floor bedroom. 

BELOW: An authentic, all natural linoleum flooring made with cork flour, linseed oil,etc. 

ABOVE: This kitchen also has authentic linoleum, that, by the way, is a good match for the period of the house: a pre-WWII model. The cabinets here are all plywood, no particle board. Notice the wooden counter top to the right. 

BELOW: A steel-frame garage. The studs and trusses are galvanized steel, made from recycled steel. Pre-cut and pre-assembled panels were delivered to the job for easy on-site assembly with screws.

ABOVE: This kitchen and adjoining living room were completely re-done in 2001 using very benign building methods and products. The old wooden flooring was revealed beneath layers of vinyl, carpet and linoleum. It is pine. We repaired and refinished it with water-based, no v.o.c. finish. The cabinets are all plywood and solid wood, made off site. They and the wall and ceiling surfaces are painted with water-based no v.o.c. paints. The counter top is an inert synthetic granite: Silestone. There where no harmful building methods or materials used on this project. I will always insist on the best types of finishes for flooring and walls that contain no or little v.o.c.s.

RECYCLE                                                                         

     I have been recycling my waste paper for about twenty years. I recycle every bit of paper and cardboard that comes into my house. I take the same responsibility for the paper waste, scrap metal and old appliances generated on job sites.  I haul all bulk cardboard to a recycling station. There is a lot of cardboard on kitchen remodels, mostly from cabinets and appliances. The dumpster service I use is known for emptying the contents of the dumpster, off site, and sorting out the recyclables, if apparent. 

LEADING EDGE

     Below are just some of the building practices and products I am either experienced in, or open to using in the course of building.

ALTERNATIVE BUILDING SYSTEMS

STEEL FRAMING 

SOLAR ENERGY

WIND POWER

GEO-THERMAL HEATING PLANTS

NEW INSULATION TYPES

NO, AND LOW V.O.C. PRODUCTS

SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS

CLEAN INDOOR AIR ACCESSORIES

WATER FILTRATION

BASEMENT-LESS FOUNDATIONS

NATURAL LANDSCAPING