| The concept of green living, while gaining momentum | | | | construction and the location of thermal mass within |
| in a modern era, is not new. The ideology peaked in | | | | the home by strategically placing certain rooms deep |
| the 1960-70's where individuals now known as hippies | | | | within the earth. Just keep in mind that these areas |
| devised communes that believed in the reduction of | | | | will have to be well insulated so temperatures can be |
| modern product use. The idea was to "get back to | | | | controlled and maintained. |
| nature" and live off the land. | | | | - Use Recycled Materials - economical as well |
| The paradigm largely relied on people working | | | | ecologically sound, using recycled materials to accent |
| together as a community and sharing tasks to make | | | | the home or create foundations is another way to |
| the commune work seamlessly. Although few, if any, | | | | establish an eco-friendly home that benefits both |
| contemporary communes exist on the level as they | | | | man and planet. While many of these recyclables can |
| did in the 60's, many of the concepts are being | | | | be purchases, one can also locate prime scrap |
| embraced in today's time for a number of practical | | | | materials at dumps and construction sites. |
| reasons. | | | | - Green Building Materials - whether you are creating |
| Why Build and Eco-friendly Home | | | | a foundation or setting up the walls, you will need |
| Everything man builds has a shelf life, including homes. | | | | products that keep the eco-friendly theme in mind. |
| Once we are gone, a home, if it is not kept up, | | | | Items like bamboo, straw bale, stone and mud based |
| degrades. The materials that the home is built from | | | | creations like adobe can be great for walls, floors and |
| can harm the environment if they are toxic in any | | | | ceilings. Biodegradable papercrete, a re-pulped paper |
| way. | | | | fiber filled with clay dirt and a small amount of |
| For those who enjoy the earth's natural landscapes, | | | | concrete, is another material that is moldable and |
| skies, rivers and animals, the thought is inconceivable. | | | | lends to more decorative homebuilding, although it is |
| It therefore behooves those who are interested in | | | | not as green as some may like because of the small |
| maintaining the land to consider green housing. | | | | amounts of cement. |
| How to Build an Eco-friendly Home | | | | - Poured Earth Foundations - poured earth is a |
| To build a more environmentally friendly domicile, one | | | | replacement for traditional concrete and is made up |
| must first start with the foundation. This could be | | | | of clay and stones. It is also considered a moderate |
| with the purchase of untreated lumber, the use of | | | | strength concrete. Although a sound and reliable |
| handmade adobe bricks and the use of local materials | | | | foundation base, the materials have to pass |
| that decreases the need for transport. | | | | engineering standards before they can be considered |
| Other tips for green home building include: | | | | viable for home building. |
| - Energy and Temperature Control - Solar energy is | | | | Building an eco-friendly home is an endeavor that is |
| free and can be utilized to keep your home heated | | | | well worth the effort, and in time, it may become a |
| and energy efficient. Taking thermal mass into | | | | necessity in terms of protecting the environment as |
| account is one way to maximize this natural resource. | | | | well as human life. |
| Cooling the home could also benefit from thoughtful | | | | |