Thinking of Going Green?
How About a Green Home?
Yes, how about a green home?
That's what I'm going for.
And you're invited to accompany me on this exciting adventure.
This is the story, step by step and dollar by dollar - mistakes and all - of how a typical, small 1950s house is going green by being transformed from an energy-guzzling series of little rooms into a comfortable, energy efficient and resource conserving home.
In these pages, you'll be able to follow my green home project - both in text and in photos - as it takes shape over the next several months.
As each stage develops, it will be documented and added to the site - warts and all!
But to keep abreast, you may want to subscribe to the Green Home Journal, a mini-blog that is accessible via RSS feed (see the RSS box, left). That way, when a new page has been added, or a previous page updated with the most recent happenings, or when some news or announcement has been posted, you will be the first to know!
Hopefully, following these adventures will encourage you to undertake your own green renovation project.
As well, this site aims to become a resource for you if you think that going green at home is the right thing to do.
Because living green is much more than the "3Rs" now - it's a whole new way of thinking.
I'm looking forward to your visits and your comments!
Do you have a green building story you'd like to share? Your Stories is a special section for visitors' own projects, so don't hesitate to add your own personal green home story.
Please note that I fund this site through advertising; this means that if you click on a Google ad on any page in my site I may get a small commission and if you click on a product link and purchase something as a result, I may also receive a commission, depending on many factors. These small commissions continue to cover the cost of this site and allow me to keep it up and running. Thank you for your continued support and all your purchases, clicks, emails and visits!
TABLE OF CONTENTS(Clicking on the picture will take you to the page.)
PICK THE RIGHT HOUSE
Is your house a suitable green remodeling candidate? Find out here how to pick the right house for your dream green home and why I chose this particular one.
GET AN ENERGY AUDIT
Before embarking on your green remodeling project, get an energy audit to discover the true nature and extent of your home's energy deficiencies. Follow me as I document my home's energy assessment process with the specialist.
TRY DECONSTRUCTION
Achieving your energy efficiency goal may entail some demolition. Try deconstruction - demolition's eco-friendly sister- instead! We show you how it's done.
MOVE THE STAIRS
Ever thought of moving a staircase? It's easy! Watch this step by step stair project how-to from top to bottom. (All puns intended!)
CHANGE THE ROOFLINE
To get a cathedral ceiling for the sunroom/office, first I had to get rid of the dangerous old roof structure. See how rebuilding was done.
GET RID OF THE ROT
Rebuilding can reveal some nasty rot in unexpected places! See how my crew and I solved this scary problem when we wanted to rebuild the sunroom/office walls.
OPT FOR A TOTAL KITCHEN MAKEOVER
When the heart of the home is as disheartening as this, there's only one option: start over!
PILE ON THE INSULATION
Looking for way to save energy? Home insulation should be high on your list of priorities. Get the facts.
INVEST IN SPRAY FOAM INSULATION
See how-to photos of an insulation project that uses two kinds of foam -- before embarking on your own spray foam insulation adventure.
DOWNSIZE YOUR LIFE
Are you serious about reducing your consumption? Your energy use? Your heating bills? Your impact on the environment? Start by downsizing your home! See how this homeowner did it -- and why.
DO IT ON A SHOESTRING
You can have a green home, even on a modest budget! Green remodeling costs CAN be reasonable, as I demonstrate here, dollar by dollar and step by step.
TAP THE EARTH FOR WATER
We prospect for water by ancient magical means and lo! water appears just where the dowser pointed. See it happening, step-by-step.
SEAL UP THE HOUSE
Poly, foil, tape, acoustic sealant, staples and elbow grease are the
only ingredients required to seal a house against all sorts of nasty
consequences. The how-to is another matter.
ANOTHER STAIR STORY
We took out the stairs to the second floor, so now how do we get up there? A folding attic ladder supplies the answer.
LEARN ABOUT SOLAR ENERGY
If you thought solar energy was only about solar panels, think again... and read this article by solar energy expert Michael Martinez.
CHECK OUT THE PHOTO ALBUM
Photo album of my Green Home, documenting every stage and every phase of the project in full detail.
SEND IN YOUR COMMENTS
Use the contact form to send in your comments or share your own green building or remodeling stories.
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