Green Remodeling Provides a Second Chance at SustainabilityLife Cycle

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Beyond the basic repair work to fix the structural and moisture problems, the remodeler made a variety of changes to make the space more comfortable. Once dark and poorly insulated, with just small windows in the foyer, the in-law unit now has a larger foyer that is daylit by south- and west-oriented operable floor-to-ceiling windows and glass doors that look out on a new patio and garden. Cabinets, instead of a clinical white wall, now divide the bed area from the kitchen area. Insulated walls and ceiling make the room more comfortable and quiet, and radiant floor heating warms the room without stirring up allergens.

The project went even further to incorporate energy efficiency, renewable energy, resource conservation, and indoor environmental quality. The occupant chose to install a photovoltaic system for use by the entire house, with its electricity meter visible to passersby. The apartment includes a tankless water heater and several Energy Star appliances.

The project reused some existing materials, such as trim, flooring, and interior doors, and the remodelers recycled 80 percent of the construction waste. Cabinets, interior doors, trim, flooring, and shelves were either salvaged or FSC-certified. The finishes and adhesives were low-VOC. Details count when you're constructing the healthiest home possible.

Second Life

When Kristin Leimkuhler and her husband decided to remodel their 1894 Berkeley, Calif., Victorian, the biggest green feature on the project was Leimkuhler's commitment to saving a 110-year-old building, "instead of demolishing it and starting over, which might have been cheaper and easier," says Michael McCutcheon, president of McCutcheon Construction, the detail architect and contractor for the project. The Leimkuhlers wanted to preserve the historical exterior of the house as much as possible, while at the same time making it more energy efficient.

The home had collected various hazardous materials over the years, including layers of lead-based paint and asbestos-covered ductwork. McCutcheon replaced the lead-painted siding and interior trim with new materials and used professional asbestos abatement to rid the home of hazardous materials.

To improve energy efficiency, McCutcheon installed radiant floor heating using a dual boiler system that also provides hot water for the bath, kitchen, and laundry room. He used energy-efficient lighting where possible. Old windows were replaced with double-paned units featuring low-E glazing. Large windows with a southwest exposure receive passive solar heat, and a concrete floor acts as a heat sink to hold heat in during the day and radiate it into the home at night. The project also included operable skylights that vent the entire house, cooling it without air conditioning.

Photovoltaic panels were prohibitively expensive at the time, but the owner added a conduit in preparation for adding them at a later date. The plumbing fixtures and several doors came from salvage yards and Internet sources such as eBay. Existing doors and other features were refurbished when possible instead of replaced. McCutcheon also helped the owner choose unseen green materials, such as engineered lumber instead of beams from old growth trees, and Greenguard-certified insulation and formaldehyde-free cabinets. The owners put a premium on practical decisions that saved money in the long run.

Waste Not, Want Not

Remodeling may be like recycling a home, but to make the most environmental impact, remodelers should consider using recycled building materials in their projects or salvaging the building materials from deconstruction to reuse in the home or to sell. About 30 percent to 40 percent of the country's waste comes from building, renovation, and demolition, and almost 40 percent of that waste comes from renovation, according to Brad Guy, president of the Building Materials Reuse Association (BMRA). Salvaging building materials by either reusing them in a renovation or donating or selling them to reuse stores keeps them out of the landfills. Plus, Guy adds, "There's an awful lot of historic and high-quality materials that get thrown away. That's a cultural loss."

Guy says cabinets are the most popular salvage item for reuse groups, but windows and doors, kitchen and bath fixtures and appliances, and lighting fixtures are all big sources of products for the groups.

About 1,000 to 1,200 stores nationwide offer salvaged building materials, Guy estimates, and some will strip out useful materials from projects for free in exchange for keeping the materials—one aspect of a project you can outsource at no cost. Reclaimed materials sometimes can be 30 percent to 50 percent of the price of a new product, Guy adds, so reusing products can be green and inexpensive—and a way to please a green client with a taste for the one-of-a-kind.

Reuse Resources

To find a reuse store or salvage service near you, try these resources:

• BMRA (www.buildingreuse.org): Offers a directory of reuse stores and salvage services.
• www.build.recycle.net: Pros can buy, sell, or trade used building materials of all kinds.
• EPA (www.epa.gov): The Office of Solid Waste has a page dedicated to resources on construction and demolition materials.
• Freecycle (www.freecycle.org), Craigslist (www.craigslist.org), and eBay (www.ebay.com): While not exclusively focused on building materials, these sites can be useful online resources for buying and selling salvaged products.
• Habitat ReStore (www.habitat.org/env/restores.aspx): Includes a directory of ReStores that salvage and sell reused building materials at a discount.