How to Build a Healthy Home with Green Building Practices. There’s a housing shortage in the United States, and it’s being felt most strongly by potential buyers. A major housing supply shortage is helping to fuel bidding wars as homebuyers scramble to find homes in America’s fastest-growing cities. In fact, the number of existing homes on the market dropped 39.6 percent to the lowest levels ever recorded according to the latest quarterly survey of single-family home sales in 100 U.S. markets by the Census Bureau and Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Simultaneously, intense homebuying demand is taking prices higher than ever.
The demand for new housing is clearly outstripping supply, and it’s not just young families looking to put down roots. There is growing interest in buying a home from retirees, who are seeking the comfort of knowing they have the space they need and are perhaps also hoping to turn their home into a steady, reliable source of income.
Building new homes is the key to replenishing America’s housing supply. In fact, 60% of Americans want a newly built home, and we’re likely to see residential construction continue to gain steam in response to this demand. This means more new homes for people to live in, which leads to more demand for materials, a stronger economy overall and an opportunity to prioritize sustainability in the home building process.
Traditional construction methods are known for leaving a heavy environmental footprint, from using toxic building materials to producing significant amounts of waste. Whether you are a homeowner or an aspiring preservationist, the time has come to consider new construction methods that can help keep our communities clean while also improving the quality of life for present and future generations. The time has come for us to consider using alternative methods of construction.
In the last few years, the attention toward green building materials and practices has increased. With more houses being built on sustainable materials, the time has never been riper for considerations when choosing material for your new home. Construction materials have made a noticeable change in recent years; they’re becoming more aesthetically pleasing as well as making a positive impact on our environment. A recent survey found that one-third of home builders use green building methods for more than half of their projects, and 21% are committed to building green for more than 90% of their projects. That number has grown in recent years as builders and consumers are recognizing the need for homes that are better for the planet and the people who live in them.
Benefits of Building Green
Characteristics of a Sustainable Home
Home sustainability has become an increasing concern for consumers in recent years. As the population grows and climate change continues to affect our planet, there is an increasing demand for sustainable housing.
But what makes a house green and sustainable? There’s no universal standard that determines what makes a home green. Different certifications and rating systems, such as LEED or the National Green Building Standard, use different definitions and levels of ranking to determine how sustainable a home is.
The factors that influence how a home is considered green are many and complex. To simplify things, we will focus on three main areas: the construction process, materials used and their effectiveness in reducing emissions, and the natural surroundings of the building. Ultimately, your overall impact on the environment will depend on how well you implement these measures — from the way you plan your building, to the way you live in it. As you begin to incorporate more sustainable practices into your home — whether these are things you as a homeowner already do or things you discover as you explore green building materials — you will see your home begin to measure up to the higher standards that have been set for green structures across the country.
Generally, the more you can incorporate the following design features into your home, the healthier and more environmentally friendly it will be.
There is no doubt that home building activity will continue to ramp up as we work to replenish America’s housing supply, but it doesn’t have to be at the expense of our health or the environment. Adopting green building initiatives will help ensure we’re building a future that’s sustainable and improves our quality of life. The good news is there are some simple steps you can take today to start helping the environment and your health while helping yourself build a dream home.
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