Like many of us, you might not give your heater a second thought…until it stops working. Then the panic sets in! Here’s a quick tutorial on how home heaters operate so you and your family can continue to stay warm in your home this winter! Read the article in Houseopedia here!
Ask the Architect - The high costs of home construction explained!
This is a hot topic. There is no one cause, and therefore no silver bullet solution. Here are the main reasons:
Labor shortage
The single clearest reason is that the region’s eight year building boom has resulted in an intense shortage of skilled labor. Labor prices are regional and Denver’s forest of cranes is attracting contractors who would otherwise be available to build here. Every plumber, framer and electrician is able to command premium prices as their services are simply in high demand right now. Since the end of the Great Recession (which devastated the construction industry and forced many skilled builders to permanently leave the field), construction prices in the area have risen roughly 9%/year every year. Which leads us to the second part of this issue – it’s not just that prices are high, but it’s that they are higher than you saw them last year. So if you heard that a house cost $350/sf. from your builder friend last year, anticipate that they are probably about $380/sf. this year. Lastly, as the price of housing increases in Boulder, more and more of the folks who design and build our homes have to drive from further and further away, which increases costs.
Building codes
The rigor of Building Codes generally increases every year. Structural, mechanical, electrical and a host of green building codes are constantly being updated, and with each revision, it becomes more expensive to meet their requirements. For example, in the Boulder County foothills all construction must now be ignition (fire)-resistant and all new homes must have a fire suppression (sprinkler) system. You do get a better, safer home, but it costs more. Note that the Boulder City and County areas also have more stringent codes than most surrounding municipalities, so the cost of construction here is correspondingly higher.
Low quality, aging building stock
The cost of new construction is affected by how much we need to change. The majority of our existing building stock was built between 1950-1990, which was a low point for quality in the history of residential building. So, every year, as these generally poorly designed & built homes age, the delta between them and a new code-compliant home gets larger and larger. The more we need to change, the more expensive the work.
Inventory shortage
You know and understand that the constrained supply of housing accelerates the price increases. However, unpacking the issue a little further, note in most other areas when there is a demand for less expensive housing, the market has the ability to respond. In the City and unincorporated Boulder County we don’t. There are no large subdivisions being built here, and the economy of scale of those subdivisions dramatically reduces their cost/sf. of construction. Additionally, due to a combination of state construction defect laws and anti-density rules and politics, we have very few local condo projects in the City & County – another staple of lower cost housing. Since we have locally eliminated the two main types of entry-level housing, it means that nearly all housing is forced to be the most expensive kind – single-family custom homes. And due to the high-land costs and banking rules for the value ratio of land-to-improvements, nearly all of these single-family homes are in the upper end. It’s not feasible to buy a $700K lot and put a $200K house on it. The story is different in Longmont, Erie, Broomfield and some of the other surrounding towns that have more land and less restrictive zoning rules. This has kept the price of housing more reasonable in those areas.
Great Expectations
Homeowners have higher standards today than they did previously. A decade ago, if someone came to us wanting a “starter home” we might suggest plastic laminate countertops. Nowadays, it starts at low-end granite. This shift in expectations is true in every category of construction.
Fixed & Soft costs
The requirements for Fixed and soft costs have been rising (especially in Boulder). This includes the cost of permits, utility connections, and site improvements (like landscape and sidewalks). Additionally, the amount of documentation required has increased every year and this drives up design and engineering fees. Lastly, greater risk requires greater reward and projects in the Boulder area have much higher likelihood of encountering obstacles than in other cities; therefore developers, builders, landlords and ordinary homeowners look for a higher rate of return on their development projects.
Cumulatively, all of these forces work together to dramatically drive up the cost of housing. Until we experience another regional slow-down in construction, I would not expect the cost of building to decrease or even level off.
About the author:
Scott Rodwin, AIA, LEED AP is the owner of the Rodwin Architecture/ Skycastle Construction, a 13 person award-winning design/build firm specializing in high-end custom green homes in Boulder. He teaches a free course (good for 2 CEU’s) called “Understanding the Rules for Building in Boulder” through BARA several times a year that goes into depth on these topics. scott@rodwinarch.com www.rodwinarch.com
Read the full article here.
Choosing the right design for your new construction home
‘Choosing to build your house from scratch means having the opportunity to create the home of your dreams and the chance to create something totally unique to you and your lifestyle. With that tremendous benefit, however, comes the added burden of myriad different details and decisions. Chief among them is the design of your new construction home. The considerations are nearly endless, and the process can begin to feel overwhelming before you’ve even started.’
Read the full article from Redfin here, with tips from Scott included!
'Ask the Architect' - How to create your dream home!
So exciting. You’ve been clipping images of your fantasy bathroom, living room or kitchen and sticking them on your fridge. Or perhaps you built yourself a folder of a hundred gorgeous images on Houzz or Pinterest. You’re ready to create your dream home. Now how do you move forward?
Unlike going to the doctor or getting your car repaired, most of us only work with an architect, interior designer or home builder once or twice in our life. Which means that we are going into a major legal, financial and creative relationship with few reference points as to what is normal for the industry and smart for ourselves. Here are some quick tips to help guide your way:
1. Understand the nature of construction. The three priorities on any project are cost, schedule and quality - on a good day you might get two. Don’t try to re-invent or outsmart the normal process. Don’t micromanage. Trust your team.
2. Believe the pros when they talk to you about cost and schedule. Every single client I have ever had wants 30% more house than they want to pay for. Don’t rely on prices or schedules you heard on an HGTV show. In reality, construction costs vary dramatically from place to place (San Fran is 3x the cost of building in Atlanta or Houston). Trust the price ranges that your architect, interior designer and builder tell you. Make sure that when you ask your professional to give you a range that they are including the total project cost (design and engineering fees, permits, site work and utilities, contingency, etc.); professionals will sometimes leave out costs that are outside of their normal scope of work (ex. the builder may not include permits or design fees).
3. Don’t expect perfection. Understand that these people are human too and that there has never been a perfectly executed project. It’s art - not science. And no one has done this exact project before. I tell every client, “I guaranty that I will personally screw up on your project.” That shocks a lot of folks, but it’s important to realize that every project WILL have 3 major things and 5 minor things go wrong. The numbers are debatable, but the idea is real. If you go in with this attitude, then when you inevitably hit one of these bumps you’ll be able to take it in stride. Include contingencies in your budget and schedule. You will use them.
4. How to pick and work with your design professional. Not all projects need an architect. If you’re just redoing a bathroom, an interior designer is probably fine. On the flip side, if you are doing a whole house, you need an architect. Find out if they offer full interior design services; some do, some don’t.
· Choose someone who is the right scale for your project. A big firm with an impressive portfolio might assign a junior person to your project if it’s smaller than their norm. When interviewing them, ask who will actually be doing the work; meet them and make sure that you like the way they communicate.
· Find someone who is good at listening to you. One of the most challenging aspects of our job is knowing how much to push back (offering our own opinion as artists and technicians), and how much to just do what our client asks. Let your design professional know what you want in that regard, and give them feedback along the way so they can fine-tune the process for you.
· Make sure you are clear on the contract terms. Designers can work on a Fixed Fee, Hourly or % of construction cost basis. If the scope of the project is uncertain at the start, then the latter two are best. The downside of those methods is that there is no limit to the total fee charged, and scope (and fee) creep is the source of most project conflicts.
· Before signing on, make sure you ask a few of their prior clients how the process went, and ask the designer if you can visit some of their projects in person.
· Know that some designers have a signature style, and some let you dictate the style. Ask them which they are.
· Make sure you understand who will be creating the “Specifications” (the product selections) on your project. It can be the designer, the builder or you, but it’s a major and necessary portion of the work, and sometimes it falls between the cracks.
· Lastly and very importantly, sustainable design has become part of the definition of “good design”. Ask them how they would incorporate “green building” into your project in order to save you money on utilities, support your health through good indoor air quality, and protect the larger environment in general.
5. How to pick and work with a builder. Much of the above advice on picking a designer applies similarly here. I believe it’s usually best to hire the designer first as they will often be able to recommend builders. That said, bring in the builder early in the design process as they are the most qualified to help you predict and control costs. Sometimes they will charge for these “pre-construction services” as you often won’t sign the actual construction contract until after all the design work is completed and the builder gives you a formal Bid. Sometimes they will credit you back some or all of the Pre-con fees when you sign the construction contract. Alternatively, your designer can put the project out for competitive Bid to multiple builders, and then help you evaluate the Bids (the lowest price isn’t always the best choice).
Ideally, your designer and builder will give you a balanced perspective so that you can make well informed choices. It’s very helpful to have a design and construction team that has worked together before as they understand what the other needs in order to be successful.
· Who’s the boss? The most important person on your construction team is your “Site Supervisor”. This is the person who is on site every day managing all of the work that is going on. Meet them during the interview process. They are about to become your best friend.
· Contracts. There are several common ways to work together. Fixed Fee (aka “Stipulated Sum”), Cost Plus (aka “Time & Materials”), pass-thru (of costs) with a Set Management Fee, or Guaranteed Maximum Price (which is just T&M with a cap). All are acceptable. If the scope of work is clearly described in the construction documents (drawings and Specs), then Fixed Fee is usually your safest bet. In all cases, make sure the section around “Change orders” is clearly spelled out and ask the builder to give you examples of how that would work, as it’s a common area of miscommunication. Lastly, if your project costs more than $100K, I recommend having a lawyer review the contract and the Warranty prior to signing.
· Payment. The most common conflict you are likely to have happens at the end of the project, when the builder runs out of fee, but still has some work to do. Suddenly they no longer show up to finish the work. One common way to prevent this is to hold back a 10% “retainage” of the total contract amount, which you don’t pay until the “Punch list” of incomplete items is done to your satisfaction and the house is turned over to you.
Good luck!
Read Scott’s article - ‘Ask the Architect’ in Origin magazine here!
How exactly does color affect architecture?
Innovation Lab / AIM Architecture. Image © Dirk Weiblen
We all know how evocative the power of color can be - red screams passion or danger, while blue denotes a sense of calm - but how much can the colors of a building or room profoundly influence how the people using it feel?
Altogether, the way a room is colored can have complex effects on how its users feel, while a façade can be perceived in dramatically different ways depending on how it is colored. Below, Archdaily summarizes the emotional associations of every color, assessing their differing effects as each is used in architectural space. Read the full insightful piece here.
How much does it cost to build a house?
How much does it cost to build a new home from the ground up? The short answer is that it depends. You could spend as little as $30k on a prefabricated tiny home or into the millions for a luxury custom home. So many factors—such as the house type, size, location, features, and finishes—will determine whether you ultimately pay $80 for a square foot or $350.
In this guide, we’ll share the average costs of building different types of houses from prefab to log homes and break down the costs associated with each component. If you’re curious to learn about the home construction process, read our guide on how to build a custom home.
Read the full article in Home Builder Digest here
How Boulder's own Movers & Shakers have forged unique paths to success!
Love this article from last year’s Boulder Lifestyle Magazine - ‘Hats Off To The Chief’ On Growing Pains, Lessons Learned and Finding Balance: How Boulder’s Own Movers and Shakers have forged unique paths to success. Scott Rodwin is in good company!
See his interview below: Scott Rodwin, President of Skycastle Construction and Principal of Rodwin Architecture:
Best part of being an architect? Making functional art on a large scale that supports lives and is beautiful to look at.
Personal philosophy? The lens through which I filter my decisions is BASIC: balance, awareness, simplicity, integrity and compassion.
A team approach: It would have been impossible to accomplish what I’ve accomplished without an extraordinary team around me.
Daily motivation? I’m addicted to creativity. If I see a problem, I can’t stop myself from trying to solve it.
Outside of work… Beyond being an architect, Rodwin is a father, artist, inventor, Professor of Green Building at Naropa University, Founder of Nomad Cohousing and a professional dancer.
Read the whole article here.
Rodwin Architecture wins Best Custom Home at CARE Awards 2019!
We are delighted to announce that Rodwin Architecture was a winner at the 2019 Colorado CARE Awards this year! The Hoefling House, our LEED Platinum project, designed by Rodwin Architecture and built by Skycastle Construction, won Best Custom Home under 5,000 s.f., and we are honored that it has been recognized! This modern home was designed to create a bold and unique space, one that was strongly connected to its site and deeply green in its performance. This award is particularly special to us as the Site Supervisor, our friend and colleague Tim Hoefling, sadly died shortly after the project was completed, and the homeowner decided to name the house in his honor.
Scott Rodwin, AIA Prepares to Speak at the AIA Colorado Practice + Design Conference
Scott is preparing to present “Extreme Green Custom Home Design for Colorado” at the AIA Colorado Practice + Design Conference on November 1st! During this session, he will teach you how to create net-zero energ, LEED Platinum custom homes. Plus, he’s leading a yoga class Friday morning!
Read his interview with Lauren Dundon, AIA, AIA Colorado Member Voice Committee here.
Skycastle named one of Boulder's best custom home builders!
The Hoefling House
We are honored to be listed as one of Boulder’s best custom home builders by Home Builder Digest!
“Since 2001, Skycastle Construction has been one of Boulder’s leading design-build companies. The firm is known for its superbly crafted, cutting-edge green homes throughout the Boulder County area. The 11-person firm is headed by Scott Rodwin, AIA, LEED AP and Brandon David, LEED AP.
Under their leadership, Skycastle Construction has amassed a host of awards and some of the best customer review records of any builder in the state. Many Skycastle projects have also achieved the highest level of third party certification such as LEED Platinum and Net Zero Energy. The firm relies on a team approach to their design-build delivery method, with unusually tight collaboration between the client, the architect, and the builder.
One of the firm’s impressive projects is the Hoefling House, a 3,000-square-foot modern home in Boulder. The homeowner wanted something bold and unique for this home and requested a warm material palette combined with green performance. Among the home’s magnificent features include interior Travertine tile radiant-heated floors, 14-foot ceilings on the second floor, Doug Fir ceilings, a floating staircase, and a “live roof”. The home also features 10kWh solar panels tucked onto the roof, LED lights, water-conserving plumbing fixtures, foam insulation, and EnergyStar windows and appliances. This near-Net-Zero Energy home achieved LEED Platinum Certification.”
Three things to consider when choosing lumber
With an ever-increasing focus on green, environmentally friendly practices, many individuals and organizations are moving away from traditional lumber and going for plastic lumber to build their structures.
Plastic lumber has several benefits in addition to the benefits for the environment, and a well-known brand like SelectForce plastic lumber is used more and more frequently in construction of all kinds. Read more here.
Ten things to know before moving to Denver this year!
Moving to a new place is overwhelming and scary. You do not know anything starting from the cost of moving to the most insignificant thing. For all those who’re contemplating moving to Denver; the Denver Times has hand-picked these ten things which you must know before proceeding, and we are pleased to have been able to contribute to the article! Read more here
Five eco-friendly cabinet options
People around the world are recognizing the importance of staying environmentally conscious in all aspects of life. There are many ways to help out the planet apart from cutting back on plastic straw use and driving less. In fact, revamping aspects of your home to make them greener can play a large role in reducing your carbon footprint. One of those aspects is choosing furniture and flooring from organic materials. Specifically, when it comes to your kitchen, you can end up paying a fortune for cabinets that are incredibly harmful to the environment and your home’s air quality. To keep that from happening, Ecospaints have listed out some of the best eco-friendly cabinets for your kitchen. Read more here
Home construction - just why is it so expensive?
This is a hot topic. There is no one cause, and therefore no silver bullet solution. Here are the main reasons:
Labor shortage
The single clearest reason is that the region’s seven year building boom has resulted in an intense shortage of skilled labor. Labor prices are regional and Denver’s forest of cranes is attracting contractors who would otherwise be available to build here. Every plumber, framer and electrician is able to command premium prices as their services are simply in high demand right now. Since the end of the Great Recession (which devastated the construction industry and forced many skilled builders to permanently leave the field), construction prices in the area have risen roughly 9%/year every year. Which leads us to the second part of this issue – it’s not just that prices are high, but it’s that they are higher than you saw them last year. So if you heard that a house cost $350/sf. from your builder friend last year, anticipate that they are probably about $380/sf. this year. Lastly, as the price of housing increases in Boulder, more and more of the folks who design and build our homes have to drive from further and further away, which increases costs.
Building codes
The rigor of Building Codes generally increases every year. Structural, mechanical, electrical and a host of green building codes are constantly being updated, and with each revision, it becomes more expensive to meet their requirements. For example, in the Boulder County foothills all construction must now be ignition (fire)-resistant and all new homes must have a fire suppression (sprinkler) system. You do get a better, safer home, but it costs more. Note that the Boulder City and (unincorporated) County areas also have more stringent codes than most surrounding municipalities, so the cost of construction here is correspondingly higher.
Low quality, aging building stock
The cost of new construction is affected by how much we need to change. The majority of our existing local building stock was built between 1950-1990, which was a low point for quality in the history of residential building. So, every year, as these generally poorly designed & built homes age, the delta between them and a new code-compliant home gets larger and larger. The more we need to change, the more expensive the work.
Inventory shortage
You all know and understand that the constrained supply of housing accelerates the price increases. However, unpacking the issue a little further, note in most other areas when there is a demand for less expensive housing, the market has the ability to respond. In Boulder we don’t. There are no large subdivisions being built in th City or unincorporated County, and the economy of scale of those subdivisions dramatically reduces their cost/sf. of construction. Additionally, due to a combination of state construction defect laws and anti-density rules and politics, we have very few local condo projects – another staple of lower cost housing. Since we have locally eliminated the two main types of entry-level housing, it means that nearly all housing is forced to be the most expensive kind – single-family custom homes. And due to the high-land costs and banking rules for the value ratio of land-to-improvements, nearly all of these single-family homes are in the upper end. It’s not feasible to buy a $700K lot and put a $300K house on it.
Great Expectations
Homeowners have higher standards today than they did previously. A decade ago, if someone came to us wanting a “starter home” we might suggest plastic laminate countertops. Nowadays, it starts at low-end granite. This shift in expectations is true in every category of construction.
Fixed & Soft costs
The last issue is that Boulder’s fixed and soft costs are higher than in neighboring municipalities. This includes the cost of permits, utility connections, and site improvements (like landscape and sidewalks). Additionally, the amount of documentation required in Boulder to obtain a permit is dramatically higher than in other cities and this drives up design and engineering fees. Lastly, greater risk requires greater reward and projects in the Boulder area have much higher likelihood of encountering obstacles than in other cities; therefore developers, builders, landlords and ordinary homeowners look for a higher rate of return on their development projects.
Cumulatively, all of these forces work together to dramatically drive up the cost of housing. Until we experience another regional slow-down in construction, I would not expect the cost of building to decrease or even level off.
Rodwin Architecture's 20th Anniversary!
We had a great time celebrating Rodwin Architecture’s 20th Anniversary in North Boulder Park this summer! Read the full article here.
Explaining Boulder's Green Codes!
Boulder’s green building codes have been some of the most rigorous in the county since the City began their Greenpoints program in 2007, and the County with Buildsmart in 2008. Every few years, each municipality implements a code update and the green building codes have been the most aggressive area of change. The two programs are somewhat different in the way they are organized, but are roughly equally challenging to comply with. There is no question that the codes add to the cost of construction here, and it’s going to increase with the next code updates, although that also means lower long-term utility bills. Here’s a summary of the latest changes:
City of Boulder
In May 2017 the City replaced its Greenpoints program with a comprehensive new system called the “City of Boulder Energy Conservation Code” (COBECC). Coupled with the City’s goal to operate on 100% renewable energy by 2030 and realize an 80% reduction in overall carbon output by 2050, the measures place Boulder on a sustainability path to hit Net Zero Energy by 2031.
Boulder will implement the next round of stricter energy code updates in January 2020.
Ø Meeting the new energy requirements in the City will become increasingly challenging, so home buyers need to be more aware than ever that their home will be shaped by Boulder’s codes. Specifically note that:
Ø Not all lots have the ability to allow a passive solar house orientation (it will be hard if not impossible to hit the energy rating without it). Narrow (under 60 ft in width) north-south oriented lots will be the most challenging.
Ø Not all lots have the ability to host an active solar photo-voltaic system, due to shading on the lot from mature trees or neighboring buildings, or the massing constraints imposed by the Compatible Development Ordinance. Without active solar many lots cannot come close to meeting their required HERS score. While the solar garden option (buying into off-site PV) theoretically gives homeowners a way out where on-site solar in infeasible, the program has had difficulty with availability.
Ø Remodels. This is the one that will affect the most people and may be the most difficult to deal with. Boulder’s 1980’s and older housing stock requires an enormous amount of work to make it comply with current green building codes. If the construction value of a remodel exceeds 50% of the assessed value of the house (not the property), then it must meet “new home” construction standards. When that happens, the cost to retrofit one of these homes is in many cases the same as rebuilding from scratch. That sticker shock will become increasingly common.
Ø Currently homes of 5,000 square feet need to be HERS 0 (net zero energy). Beginning in 2020 all new homes over 3,000 square feet will need to hit that benchmark.
Ø New homes are now required to be “solar ready,” meaning that even the City now requires up to 40% of available roof be solar oriented and pre-wired for future panel installation, including pre-sizing your service panel for eventual solar.
Ø All new homes are required to install dedicated circuits for Electric Vehicle (EV) charging – even if the owner has no electric vehicle.
Ø Jobsite waste recycling standards became increasingly rigorous.
Ø You can learn more about the City of Boulder Climate Commitment here: https://bouldercolorado.gov/climate/climate
Boulder County (unincorporated)
The County’s Buildsmart program remains fundamentally the same as last year with incremental increases to the requirements. It will continue to increase in rigor with the next update in 2020. The most recent updates in October 2017 include a “menu” of choices homeowners and builders can select from depending on what kind of project you are doing.
Ø Homes under 3500 square feet (of conditioned space) have it comparatively easy, still only needing to meet an aggressive ERI rating, or “HERS” score.
Ø Homes over 3500 square feet have additional requirements and certifications that have to be met – such as Energy Star compliance – an EPA program that requires using an Energy Star certified builder, among other things.
Ø Over 5000 square feet and you really have a challenge…You need to hit a HERS 50 before counting solar PV (which is very hard), Net Zero Energy and obtain either LEED Platinum, Living Building Challenge, DOE Zero Energy Ready Home or Passive House certification, which are extremely difficult, expensive and time consuming to achieve. Many homes simply won’t be able to.
Overall, the two programs share some consistent philosophical points:
Ø The proportion of what you have to comply with is relative to the scope of the work. For example, if you are just finishing out a basement, all you would have to do is an EnergySmart Assessment, hit a HERS 70, and air seal the house, all of which are a good bang for the buck.
Ø The City and the County use different systems to determine those thresholds of compliance. In the County they look at the square footage of the remodeled area relative to the size of the house. In the City it’s based on the construction value relative to the value of the house.
Ø The bigger the house, the lower the required HERS score (the more challenging the energy requirements).
Ø A variety of mandatory water conservation and waste reduction requirements.
The new green building codes are now right at the bleeding edge of what is physically possible to build even with the help of a knowledgeable design and construction team, so homeowners need to be fully aware of the challenge and constraints they may encounter.
About the author:
Scott Rodwin, AIA, LEED AP is the owner of Rodwin Architecture/ Skycastle Construction, a 13 person award-winning design/build firm specializing in high-end custom green homes in Boulder. He teaches a free course (good for 2 CEU’s) called “Understanding the Rules for Building in Boulder” through BARA several times a year that goes into depth on these topics. scott@rodwinarch.com www.rodwinarch.com
How to make your kitchen as green and healthy as possible!
For many years it seemed like if you wanted to be environmentally friendly, it meant you had to compromise on beauty, functionality or pay an exorbitant premium. Not so anymore. So how do you make your kitchen as healthy and green as possible? There are three areas to consider:
· Energy efficiency
· Environmental quality
· Resource conservation
Energy efficiency:
There are two main ways to save energy in a kitchen.
· Choose EnergyStar rated appliances. Not all EnergyStar appliances are equally efficient. Check the estimated energy use label to compare. If you want to switch away from fossil fuels, consider an electric induction cooktop (and pair it with a rooftop solar photo-voltaic system). While gourmet cooks have historically preferred gas ranges, more and more cooks are making the switch. It’s cool to the touch (a nice safety feature) and transmits 100% of the energy directly into the pots and pans. It’s also easy to clean.
· Second, swap out your traditional incandescent bulbs for LED lighting. If you choose 2700 Kelvin (color is measured in temperature for lighting), it will have nearly the same color spectrum as incandescent. LED’s last 10x as long and use 90% less energy. They are also an ideal choice for undercabinet lighting, as they are much cooler than conventional halogen lights.
Environmental Quality:
There are a host of things you can do in the kitchen to create a healthy indoor air and water environment.
· Low & no-VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) paint, sealant and adhesives: when remodeling or building new, use low or No-VOC versions of all these items. That “new paint smell” is the off-gassing of carcinogenic chemicals. These days non-toxic products are readily available, perform well and are nearly the same price as conventional.
· Cabinet construction: cabinets are often made from plywood or particle-board. Both are manufactured with formaldehyde which is a major source of VOC’s. You can specify “No Added Formaldehyde” (NAF) for particle board and plywood to reduce that exposure. Choose FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified solid wood for the doors and face frame.
· Declare Label: this new program requires a manufacturer to tell you what substances their product is made from; highly toxic products are not eligible, so if you see this label chances are it’s a green product.
· Sufficient ventilation: smoke and uncombusted gas from a cooktop can contribute to poor indoor air quality. Utilize an exhaust hood.
· Mold prevention: mold is the result of a water issue and is commonly found under cabinets where plumbing pipe leaks on wood, or appliances like a dishwasher fail slowly over time. There are a variety of Bluetooth water alert sensors for around $30.
· Water filtration: these systems come in several different forms. Faucet attachment or countertop units (cheap but ungainly), undercounter, or a whole house filter (handles all the plumbing fixtures in the house). They can filter out bacteria or chemicals such as chlorine.
Resource Conservation
There are a number of excellent products for the kitchen that can help conserve resources.
· Countertops are typically either made of plastic laminate on particle-board (cheap), stone (expensive) or a composite material (medium) – the composite comes in two varieties – solid surface and quartz. Both have several advantages over laminate or stone including: zero maintenance, extreme durability, and a virtually unlimited variety of styles and colors. They both contain a significant percentage of waste stone material which make them a green choice. These products are known by their brand names of Ceasarstone, Quartzstone, Cambria, Corian and many more.
· Made in America – going local (or at least domestic) is part of being green as transportation adds to the ‘embodied energy’ of a material. Nearly every component of a kitchen has domestic options: Countertops (Cambria), Appliances (Sub-Zero, Whirlpool, Maytag, GE, Viking, Thermador), tile (Daltile, Florida tile and many more), cabinetry, and flooring.
· Built-in compost and recycling center: having convenient dedicated receptacles (like a pull-out drawer) next to the sink increases the likelihood of keeping things out the landfill or garbage disposal.
· Grow your own: urban cultivators are special refrigerators that help you grow your own herbs and veggies. They tuck in nicely under the countertop.
· Water conservation: Look for the EPA Watersense label to find water-conserving faucets. You can also retrofit an existing faucet by adding an aerator. Installing a recirculation pump will keep water slowly moving in your plumbing pipes so that when you call for hot water it will arrive in seconds so you don’t have to waste water waiting for it to arrive. Lastly, older dishwashers use 15-18 gallons of water per wash. New EnergyStar washers use only ~4 gallons.
The kitchen uses more energy and material than almost any other part of the house, which means there are great opportunities to make your kitchen green and healthy!
About the author:
Scott Rodwin, AIA, LEED AP is the owner of the Rodwin Architecture + Skycastle Construction, a 13 person award-winning design/build firm specializing in high-end custom green homes in the Front Range. scott@rodwinarch.com www.rodwinarch.com
Great Green Ideas!
Read Boulder County Home and Garden Spring 2019 and find out Scott’s top 10 recommendations for building a cozy new home that’s super energy-efficient. Enjoy the full article here...
New Tech Changes: How Design, Construction Happens
Not since the invention of the nail gun has the construction industry encountered so many technological development that are revoluctionizing - and streamlining - how builders design, construct and renovate buildings. Read the full article here...
