Archive for the 'Green Building' Category

Steel Roofs - Lifetime Comes with a Price

Wednesday, August 22nd, 2007

Spoke to Keri Foster of Foster Roofing. She says her roofs are going to be 3-4x the price of composition shingles. However, they come with a lifetime warranty and are much more green. They also provide superior cooling, as the roof doesn’t retain heat like asphalt shingles. Keri says to roof both houses with tar [...]

Toilets - Saving Water With Fewer Flushes

Sunday, August 12th, 2007

The Toto Aquia has an ingenious feature that allows you to flush .9 gallons or 1.6 gallons. It’s a great way to save water.

It sells for around $300 online. Another comprable model is the Kohler/Sterling Stanton 402040. The Stanton sells for around the same amount.

Cement Fiberboard: An Alterntaive to Cedar Shingles

Monday, August 6th, 2007

Here’s a great alternative to cedar, especially when applied high on a building. I saw these on display at the local Keith Brown building supply center.

The photo above comes from here

Gypcrete: Mundane Concrete or Sexy New Floor?

Sunday, April 29th, 2007

Gypcrete both a general and trademarked term that refers to lightweight concrete used for sound insulation and radiant floor heating. In the past, it was applied then covered up by wood or other flooring materials.

IceStone - Recycled Glass Combined with Concrete

Sunday, April 29th, 2007

Here’s a beautiful use for recycled glass:

It’s a product made from cement and a mixture of recycled crushed glass. Locally it’s available through Pratt and Larson . Neat option for counter tops!
Pratt and Larson
1201 SE 3rd Ave.
Portland, Oregon 97214
503-231-9464

Woodstoves: Design Flair

Monday, February 5th, 2007

Here’s a great line of European woodstoves: RAIS

It looks like it’s available through local dealer Ecohause. According to the website, their stoves are so efficient that they are “carbon neutral” - meaning that burning the wood releases the same amount of CO2 as would be released by the tree as it decomposes. They’re highly efficeint [...]

ADU Inspiration…The Rose House

Thursday, January 25th, 2007

The city of Santa Cruz offered a design competition for ADU design. Great idea! Check it out here
Some while back, the city of Portland had a “skinny house competition.” It would be great if they’d do the same for ADUs.
And while we’re on the topic of ADU inspiration, I’d like to mention the “Rose House.” [...]

Bring on the heat!

Thursday, January 25th, 2007

Warmboard

Tankless water heater systems - I wonder how this would fit into a solar water heating system (or if it would at all)

a new studio, a new home