Tag: environmental
These items have all been tagged with the tag "environmental", You can see other tags in the Tag CloudConstruction Business Owner, May 2008
The implementation of "green" building practices promises to become an increasingly important initiative among construction business owners in the coming years as public concern for the environment rises and environmental legislation expands. Not only can green building practices serve to differentiate construction companies from the crowd and help them gain a competitive edge in the market, they can also generate community support and improve brand identity by establishing them as responsible, dependable members of the community.
Construction Business Owner, March 2008
Editor’s Note: This is the final of three articles on practical, cost-effective, green building techniques by Jeff Binder of greenbuildingblocks.com.
A few months ago, we set out to identify a few sustainable building techniques that actually save builders’ budgets. We came up with fifteen.
So what is the point—that it costs less to build green? Certainly not. A sustainably-built house will cost between 2 and 6 percent more than a traditionally-built house (but far less than the 15 percent builders assume, from a recent survey*).Construction Business Owner, March 2008
There are a wide variety of environmental investigation techniques that may be desired or required for new construction and remodeling. Each type of assessment has a different purpose and an ideal time frame to help answer questions without stalling the project. Unfortunately, at present, there is no such thing as a “tri-corder,” a device used in the Star Trek television series that determined types of life forms, genetic structure, chemical makeup and a risk assessment when pointed at any area of interest.
Contractors that have a "green" advantage can gain a valuable foothold in the architectural marketplace, especially as more and more designers and building owners seek environmentally-friendly materials and construction practices for their projects.
For most contractors, their role in implementing sustainable practices can at first appear intimidating. But it boils down to understanding the four main areas covered within most green building rating systems. These include: construction waste management, indoor air quality management, materials selection and use and reporting protocols.
Construction Business Owner, February 2008
Editor’s Note: This is the second of three articles on practical, cost-effective, green building techniques by Jeff Binder of greenbuildingblocks.com.
The latest trend in green building is multifamily. The whole idea has gone from straw-bale houses for kooky individualists to condo developments and entire master communities for mainstream Americans who may never think about sustainability.
Construction Business Owner, February 2008
The high cost of gasoline, conflicting information about new alternative fuels and the increasing availability of hybrids are all issues generating significant interest among contractors wondering how this impacts their companies’ fleets. Although some changes have been mandated—such as the new EPA requirement that all diesel engines be equipped with diesel particulate filters, revised catalytic converters and EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) valves to comply with limits for ultra low diesel soot emission limits—the vast majority of alternatives are completely optional.Construction Business Owner, January 2008
Editor’s Note: This is the first of three articles on practical, cost-effective, green building techniques by Jeff Binder of greenbuildingblocks.com.
A recent study points out that builders overestimate the cost of building green by over 300 percent. They tell clients that their new, green home will cost 17 percent more than a traditional one—when the actual increase is closer to 5 percent.
Construction Business Owner, June 2007
As most contractors already know, construction and demolition (C&D) materials are those items left over at a construction, renovation or demolition site.
Construction Business Owner, July 2007
We have all seen that black puff of diesel smoke coming from a bulldozer or dump truck as it moves about the construction site. While diesel engines provide the power needed to keep our communities running, the exhaust from these workhorses contains pollutants that negatively affect public health and the environment. Fortunately, there are many cost-effective options that can let us harness the power of these engines without compromising clean air and public health.
Construction Business Owner, December 2006
When it comes to green building, contractors, owners and architects alike are cleaning up their act. According to the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), sustainable building practices can be credited with reducing operating costs, cutting absenteeism and promoting knowledge retention in our educational systems. With the push for sustainability by environmentally-conscious faculty and students, schools are literally practicing what they preach.
