More Trending | Elemental Green

Lowell Net Zero Energy House Shows You Can Have It All

Inspiration from Eco-Friendly Interior Design Experts

While almost any interior design idea could be adapted to use eco-friendly materials and furnishings, it’s always nice to see what the possibilities are if you work with a pro who knows all the perfect products. (It sure makes it a lot easier, too!) Fortunately, there’s a growing number of eco-pros and some of them even have great websites with photos of fabulous spaces and blogs with more details. Click through and check them out!

Can Sustainable Homes Be Affordable and Beautiful? These Video Tours Tell All.

Sustainability expert Josh Byrne is embarking upon a national research tour that will bring together the best high-performance housing projects. Follow along as he inspires conversation about the future of our housing and the demand for more energy efficient solutions while not forgetting the importance of designing homes that are comfortable, good for our health, hip pockets and our future.

Sustainable Advantages and Inspirations of Redwood

Redwood lumber is naturally strong and durable, shrinks and swells less than other woods, and is less likely to warp or split. This natural strength, combined with its environmental benefits, makes redwood an ideal choice for any number of landscaping designs.

What the Heck is Biophilia?

There are three pillars of Biophilic Design: Nature in the Space, Nature of the Space and Natural Analogues. To simplify, Nature in the Space is literally incorporating nature into the space. Adding water, plants, fish ponds, herbs, to an indoor environment. Nature of the Space is about orientation within the building and how things are positioned and designed to create a more comfortable layout for occupants. Natural Analogues are furnishings, building features or fixtures that emulate something natural, like trees, clouds or water. These three pillars contain fourteen principles, which can be incorporated into the design.

The Top 10 Bathroom Trends Given a Green Makeover

Did you know bathrooms are by far the main source of water use in the home, accounting for nearly 75% of total consumption? Clearly, it’s a vital space for incorporating sustainable design. Beyond reducing water use, consider all of the other ways you can go green in the bathroom: install an energy-efficient exhaust fan, choose a reclaimed wood vanity (or adapt an old dresser), install a greywater system that waters your garden with your shower water – the list goes on and on!

How to Use a Reclaimed Window to Build a New Cabinet

There are many uses for reclaimed windows in the home. Although the most obvious is simply to install an antique window into an existing opening, you might want to turn to more creative options. Few uses are as charming and practical as the window cabinet described here.

How Your Roof Affects the Environment: Know Before You Buy

Did you know traditional asphalt shingles are a petroleum product and require replacement every 15-20 years (or sooner), resulting in about 20 billion pounds of asphalt shingles ending up in U.S. landfills every year? According to industry data, roughly 7 million U.S. homeowners replace their roof each year and many are looking for new 'green', energy-saving options. Here's what you should know about metal.

Eco-Marketplace: Smart Home Products for Sustainable Homes

It used to be fictitious technology reserved for sci-fi movies, but it’s become an increasingly popular reality: smart homes. Not only are there thermostats that automatically adjust based on your behavior – now, we have the ability to talk to our homes.

The Difference Between High-Performance Home Certifications

When combined with day lighting, heat pumps for HVAC and domestic hot water, and superefficient appliances and fixtures, total energy use in high performance buildings can readily hit 75% less than that of conventional buildings.

7 of the Most Popular Green Roofs

We’ve gone green with cars, appliances and technology. Now the movement is on to go green with residential roofing. Environmentally-friendly roofs are gaining in popularity as homeowners recognize the many benefits green roofing brings. With energy bills one of the major expenses of owning a home, eco-friendly roofs are becoming an attractive option for homeowners seeking ways to lower their heating and cooling costs. But more than that, certain types of green roofs are eligible for federal and state tax credits, and deliver benefits beyond just monetary.

What’s Your Eco-Home IQ? Take Our Quiz to Find Out!

What do you know about green homes? Think you have what it takes to be a Green Genius? Take our short quiz to find out. (And then challenge your friends!)

Tour a Super High-Performance Tiny House

This incredible off-the-grid Tiny Home, constructed by boat builder and cabinet maker Jeff Hobbs really has taken Tiny House construction to the next level.

The Idea Farm: A Custom, Eco-Friendly Farmhouse

This custom home is a sophisticated blend of rustic and refinement. Everything about it was purposefully planned for a couple committed to living close to the earth and following a lifestyle of simplicity. Affectionately named “The Idea Farm,” for its innovation in sustainable building practices, this home was only the 2nd new home in Minnesota to receive a Gold Rating by MN GreenStar.

SMART, STYLISH AND SUSTAINABLE: THE TOP 7 LANDSCAPE DESIGN TRENDS FOR 2017

With renewed enthusiasm for the outdoors, today’s homeowners are embracing thoughtful design, stylish plantings and smart technology to enhance their landscapes as extensions of their homes.

More Trending Topics