Traditional new construction in Canada mean site-delivered lumber and tradespeople turning up on-site to build a home from scratch - but this type of construction is unlikely to produce the 3.5 million homes needed by 2030, according to the CMHC. Housing affordability and availability are major challenges in Canada…
As much as we want to see homes that are built sustainably - they must also fulfil their primary function - to provide safe, comfortable, healthy shelter for families to thrive - so durability and good design is key. I’m writing this during a heat wave in June, 2021, as much of the US and Canada seem poised to…
Those setting out to build an efficient, sustainable or even net zero home in the USA or Canada, or to renovate an existing home for lower energy costs and better comfort, need to ask first; "what climate zone am I in?". The first step to building a durable and energy-efficient home in North America, including…
Zero-carbon housing & zero-energy housing are terms used interchangeably to define single family dwellings with a very high energy efficiency rating - but the overall calculation includes many other factors & should insist on good internal air quality. The low carbon footprint of the S1600 kit house The…
When having a home built, making better choices in design and materials is a wise choice. Even if unconvinced about climate change, green homes are proven to last longer, are healthier and more valuable. As the effects of climate change become more pronounced every year, it is becoming virtually impossible for the…
Prefabricated & modular construction is growing as the building industry starts to realize the full potential of building homes in the controlled atmosphere of a factory; a new report reveals some interesting facts. Following on from our predictions for green construction in 2020 , Dodge Data & Analytics just…
When building a new home, especially a sustainable high-performance home, planning everything out in detail will save time, money & stress, while ensuring the best possible choice of building materials for the budget. Proper planning is the key to successfully building a sustainable green home. An energy-efficient…
The Top Twelve Green Building Trends for 2020. Top Sustainable Construction Trends for 2020 There are always new green building products coming out that lead to more efficient, more durable or more eco-friendly homes. But most of what grabbed our attention this past year, and the things that we will see through…
The carbon footprint of a building is the sum of 2 things; the embodied carbon from construction & the energy used once built. The EC3 tool from Skanska calculates a building's embodied carbon. EC3 - Reducing the carbon footprint of buildings EC3 Tool – The background - The interest in the environmental impact of…
Dense materials hold more heat than light fluffy stuff does. This can work for or against you. Materials in a home that act as thermal mass are things like concrete, masonry, ceramic tiles, even a large volume of wood like timber frames. All materials inside the insulated building envelope will store and release…
When a substance melts or solidifies, it absorbs or releases energy. Materials that do that at room temperature can help regulate temperatures in homes. This article was inspired by a podcast I heard at Positive Energy, where I have yet to hear a podcast that I didn't want to listen to a second time, so check them…
Visitors to Ecohome are looking for help & advice for their sustainable construction projects - well, it's our turn to ask for your help. By taking a few minutes to share some insights about your green construction goals, we can plan for the future. Ecohome is a global pioneer in promoting sustainable housing, and…
With home construction trends for 2021 look towards Net Zero Energy homes, water efficiency, carbon neutral construction, eco friendly prefab kit houses and more - fueled by Government incentives, the future looks Green. After a look back at our predictions for green building trends in 2020 , we weren’t really far…
This World Green Building Week, (as well as every week!) we’re #BuildingLife and exploring how we can create a green, healthy and climate resilient built environment for all. World Green Building Week (23 – 29 September 2019) is an annual campaign that motivates and empowers us all to deliver greener buildings…
With climate change on everyone's lips, this UK survey of over 2000 people gives some interesting insights on their thoughts about homes in the future. Smart Homes of the Future On one hand we have what "the experts" think Smart Homes of the future will be like , with 'Intelligent' temperature-controlled bed sheets…
