Making Green Building Mainstream

How to Expand the House Almost Cost Free

Date February 12, 2017 Category Renovating

Many homes look large from the outside, but that’s because about one third of the front is taken up by the garage roller door.  Once inside, the house doesn’t have as much room as you may have expected.  When your family expands, there’s really not enough room unless you add an extra one. That may cost more than your budget allows.

But there is another way when it comes to home renovation that you can expand the house and get more room, be it a bedroom or living room. It’s time to convert the garage.  This works best where the garage has a doorway straight into the house as many do these days. But even if it doesn’t, cutting a door into the wall between the garage and the house is a relatively easy matter for a handyman.

(more…)

Read More

12 Ways to Make Your New Home Sustainable

Date June 14, 2016 Category Sustainable Living

New-Home-Sustainable

Moving into a new home is a bit like starting your life anew. You have a new area to explore, new neighbours, new school for the children and a whole new home to make your own. While you are doing this, consider some of the many ways you can make your new home sustainable – environmentally friendly. If you were always going to start caring for the environment this is the ideal time to start.

There are many ways to make a new home eco-friendly and the good news is that it will often save your costs as well.  Here are some tips on how to make your new home sustainable.

  1. Make sure all the lighting is either CFL (compact fluorescent light) or Led lighting. Not only will it save you money, but it is healthier for you than incandescent light bulbs.

(more…)

Read More

Artificial Turf vs Real Grass – Pros and Cons

Date April 19, 2016 Category Renovating

Turf vs Grass

If you have just built a new house or redesigned your yard, the Lawncare Man tells us you need to think about lawns. What sort of lawn do you want, what sort of grass do you want, or do you want to use artificial turf?

While most people choose to buy roll on turf from a turf farm, artificial lawns are becoming more and more popular.

Artificial turf has a few pros when compared to real grass, but it also has plenty of downsides. If you are looking at installing a new lawn, it is important to consider the pros and cons of both. In our opinion, they are as follows:

Artificial turf:

When you think of artificial turf, you probably think of sports fields or hockey pitches. Really, you wouldn’t be too far wrong. As far as artificial turf for residential use goes, it is generally made to look a bit more like real grass, but is still obviously fake. Some of the pros and cons of artificial turf include:

Pros:

  • Artificial turf doesn’t need mowing, which means that you can simply lay it, and forget about it. You don’t have to buy a lawnmower or whipper snipper, and you don’t have to waste time mowing.
  • Artificial turf doesn’t need fertilising or watering, again, saving you a lot of time and money.
  • Artificial turf has a consistent, uniform look throughout.


Cons:

  • Artificial turf feels fake, and may be looked down on by kids.
  • Artificial turf will wear out eventually, and replacing it is a lot harder than simply seeding a new lawn.

(more…)

Read More

How to be Environmentally Friendly with Equipment Hire

Date November 30, 2015 Category Eco Design, Sustainable Living

Equipment-Hire

When you need plant hire it is essential to choose the right size for the job. Should you hire equipment that is really too big, it is simply wasting money, as such equipment will be more expensive to hire than a smaller one.  In addition, it is not likely to do the job properly and can often make an unnecessary mess of the surrounding area, possibly destroying habitat that could have been saved.

Equipment hire can be unsustainable

If you choose equipment that is not large enough for the job, it will have to work much harder to accomplish what is needed, and then it will take a lot longer to get the job done. This is not sustainable either, for you or for the environment.  It will take more fuel and the equipment may even break down due to doing a job it was not meant to tackle.

So if you are interested in sustainability, it is wise to take care with your equipment hire plans so that you get only equipment appropriate for the job. If you are not sure, don’t be too proud to ask a professional for advice. Usually the ones that hire equipment will have a good idea of what is needed if you tell them a bit about the job. Be guided by their advice, since they are the experts.

(more…)

Read More

Sustainable Choices for Your Wedding

Date June 9, 2015 Category Sustainable Living

Eco Friendly Reception Venue

These days many people look for eco friendly ways to run their lives so they can conserve the earth’s resources and help make it a more pleasant and safer place to live with less pollution. But when it comes to a wedding there is so much to think about they are likely to forget about it. However, there are many sustainable choices that can be made for your wedding and Photo Booths are one of them.

At first glance it may be difficult to understand just how having a photo booth at your wedding reception can be considered friendly to Mother Earth, but it is. Remembering that every little bit counts towards the whole, so even if you think it is only a tiny drop in the bucket, it is still important.

(more…)

Read More

Colorbond Roofing and Sustainability

Date May 23, 2015 Category Recycling, Sustainable Living

Colorbond-Roofing

To understand whether Colorbond roofing is sustainable, you need to understand something of the steel making process. Traditionally speaking, steel making seems to have a poor reputation when it comes to sustainability, yet this is now undeserved. Steel is made from iron which occurs naturally in the earth. However, it is the process of converting it to steel that some people consider to be less than sustainable. But are they right? Consider these points.

Waste

The waste from making steel is mostly slag, a rock-like substance. Where many years ago this was just discarded, today it is all recycled and sold to construction companies that use it to make concrete. So, no waste.

Steel and water usage

Making steel takes a great deal of water to cool, de-scale and clean the steel, so this could be why many people feel that steel is not an environmentally friendly product. But these days, even though the water is polluted with various elements, most of this can be removed so that the water can be recycled and reused. In fact, 98% of the water used is able to be used again. The other 2% is lost through evaporation during cooling.

(more…)

Read More

Different Types of Accessories for Your Natural Stone Walls

Date March 9, 2015 Category Eco Design

Natural-Stone-Walls

Natural stone walls make any building look unique and beautiful, but especially residential buildings. Stone has been used as a building material with applications such as stone cladding for hundreds of years and many buildings made from it are still standing today, proving its worth and durability. However, these days there are more technologically advanced ways of cutting stone so that the finish is even more attractive.

For instance, stone can be cut into blocks or bricks that make it much easier and quicker to build with as well as giving a different look and appeal from years ago. The tools that are used these days to cut stone don’t depend on muscle power like they used to and they are made of stronger materials as well, so the job of cutting stone can go ahead more quickly and efficiently, offering a cost effective solution for your building.

There are different types of accessories that can be used to enhance your natural stone walls.

  • Gothic windowsill – a favourite that will add a wonderful perspective to your walls and your home.
  • Bullnose window – the rounded convex trim enhances the window. Rounded edges prevents wearing or erosion of a sharp edge.
  • 2-course splayed corbelling – an extension of two rows of limestone bricks out from the face of the wall.

(more…)

Read More

The Advantages of Sustainable Security Fencing

Date July 16, 2014 Category Sustainable Living

Security-Fencing

Many security fences are made from steel palings that are attached to steel horizontals similar to the design of a timber paling fence. According to Divine Landscapes the difference may be that there is a concrete footing along the bottom so that no access can be gained by digging a hole under it. Security fencing of all kinds does an essential job of keeping assets safe and preventing harm from coming to people or animals.

Steel is sustainable

Steel fencing can be said to be sustainable or environmentally friendly because it can be reused and recycled. For instance, when wire fencing is no longer required around construction sites it can be taken down and used somewhere else. Steel also has a very long lifespan so it may also be taken down and re-used in another application. But even if it is not, it is so durable that it will last for many years. During this time there is really nothing in it that can cause harm to the environment.

(more…)

Read More

How to Stay Healthier as a Senior

Date May 24, 2014 Category Sustainable Living

Gardening

Having outdoor furniture to rest on is an ideal way for seniors to keep up their gardening habits. As you become older it is more difficult to keep up the amount of exercise you need to do to stay healthy and keep your muscle tone good. The trouble is that the less you do, the less you are able to do and the less you feel like trying to do it. That’s because once you stop it is not long before you become weaker – and the weaker you are the harder it is to enjoy exercise.

Benefits of gardening

It’s important to fight this feeling and keep on exercising and one way to do it is to have a garden you enjoy working in.  Gardening is great exercise with gentle bending and lifting and the benefits of fresh air and sunshine.  Many seniors get a great deal of pleasure from their gardens, but others find it more difficult to spend time working in the garden because they get tired and need to rest. Then once inside, they can’t be bothered going back out.

(more…)

Read More

How to Choose an Eco Friendly Reception Venue

Date May 9, 2014 Category Sustainable Living

Eco Friendly Wedding

When it comes to planning a wedding there are many decisions to be make and if just some of them are eco friendly it will certainly help the environment. If you are hiring a photo booth for a wedding reception will avoid the use of chemicals used in developing print photos and choosing organic flowers gives a boost to farms that insist on keeping the earth free of pesticides.

However, you can also choose an eco friendly reception venue and that doesn’t mean it has to be outside, although this too, is an option. So what about considering a venue for an inside reception that is a little out of the ordinary? For instance, some museums or art galleries allow the use of their building for other things such as receptions or conferences – and they may even provide catering.

(more…)

Read More

A Roadmap To Truly Green Practice

Date January 16, 2014 Category Sustainable Living

Green Practice
SPI provides companies who design, build and manage the built environment with a roadmap to truly green practice. The Certification program validates the capability of these companies to deliver consistent, high quality sustainability services as core to profitability. Companies in the Certification program generally fall into one of two camps:

 

  1. Companies seeking to validate their existing capability and to be recognized for their leadership.
  2. Companies aiming to accelerate the transformation of their practice to make sustainability service delivery a competitive advantage.

 
Accountability Without The Bureaucracy

The SPI Certification process generally follows 4 steps: 1) Registration , 2) Assessment, 3) Fill Gaps, and 4) Audit and Certification.

(more…)

Read More

Sustainable Properties of Aluminium Windows & Doors

Date October 31, 2013 Category Recycling, Sustainable Living

Aluminium-Windows-&-Doors

These days including aluminium windows and doors in your home is a popular way to let in light, the view and warmth from the sun. When considering the sustainable properties of this building material we have to take the two parts into consideration; the glass and the aluminium frame.

Glass is sustainable

Glass is considered environmentally friendly because even though it does not break down in landfill, it is 100% recyclable. That is not to say all glass waste is recycled, but it can be and probably will be one day when councils realise they need to provide bins for the different coloured glass to make recycling more viable.

Apart from that, glass lasts a long time and the sand it is made from is plentiful. It is an inert substance that is ideal for storing medications and food. So really, the advantages of glass outweigh the few disadvantages. So what about the aluminium frame?

(more…)

Read More

Why Hire a Removalist for Moving House

Date September 14, 2013 Category Renovating

Hire a Removalist

When the time comes to put the ‘sold’ sign on your front lawn and move to greener pastures, it’s an exciting time in your life. You may have purchased your new dream home, or you might be moving out of state for a new job opportunity or a change of scenery. Whatever your reason for moving, you’ll be excited by the prospect of phoning removalists to get the process underway.

However, this excitement can soon be masked by the stress and frustration associated with moving house. There is so much to do, and so little time, and you still have to carry on with daily activities while your home slowly gets emptier and emptier.

(more…)

Read More

Does Carpet Cleaning Harm the Environment?

Date August 30, 2013 Category Eco Products

Carpet Cleaning

You may think that something as simple as cleaning your carpet couldn’t possibly harm the environment.

That may be true if it is done with a damp towel, but what about professional cleaners?

Much depends on the kind of products they add to their steam cleaner.

Increasingly, professional carpet cleaners are moving towards cleaning products that do not harm the environment.

(more…)

Read More

How to Protect Your Carpet from Furniture

Date July 12, 2013 Category Eco Products

protect-your-carpet-from-furniture

You wouldn’t think something as essential – and static – as furniture could damage the carpet, but it can if you are not careful. The trouble is most furniture is heavy and dragging it across the floor is often necessary if you don’t have the muscle or help to lift it. When you get to the carpet you tend to think it will slide a lot easier and not mark the carpet like it might another floor surface. In fact, carpet cleaners who know the best way to care for carpets will tell you this is wrong.

If you look at the underside of some furniture, especially the types with turned timber legs, you will see that it has been left quite rough in comparison to the rest of the item. So when you drag it across the carpet those rough legs are going to pull out some of the carpet fibres. If you have a loop pile carpet it might even pull out a whole row of thread, which would be very visible damage.

(more…)

Read More

How to Recycle Packing Boxes

Date April 30, 2013 Category Recycling

Recycle Packing Boxes

Once you have moved into your new home, the removal men have left and you have unpacked all those boxes you will be glad to get them out of your home so you have room to move. But wait. How can you get rid of them? Even if you flatten them out they are going to fill up your recycling bin to the max for several weeks – if you can even fit them in. Rather than go to all the trouble of destroying those boxes and sending them to landfill, why not recycle them more usefully?

Even though cardboard boxes break down quickly in the environment, getting more use out of them is less wasteful and can help someone else as well as yourself. Here are some tips for re-purposing those packing boxes.

  • Give them to others who are moving. A small ad in the paper or on a free noticeboard can take care of the problem of what to do with packing boxes after you have moved in. Other people will be glad to take them off your hands and they will get a second use. That is always better than disposing of them after just one use.

(more…)

Read More

How Scaffolding can be Considered Sustainable

Date April 3, 2013 Category Sustainable Living

Scaffolding

Many products we use these days can be considered sustainable. That is, they don’t harm the environment when being made or when being used. Even some products that may take from the environment when being made by either using a lot of water or power, can still be sustainable if their use puts back more than they took out when being manufactured. Scaffolding comes under this heading.

Scaffolding metal gives back what it takes

Scaffolding is made from steel or an aluminium alloy that is strong and lightweight. While both metals take a lot of water and heat – and so power –  to make, they give back a great deal in both what they accomplish and how they increase safety. Scaffolding is absolutely essential when it comes to erecting buildings or maintaining plants & gardens. The job simply could not be done without scaffolding to climb up and support the workers, tools and building products.

(more…)

Read More

How to Treat Algae Growth in Your Swimming Pool

Date January 5, 2013 Category Eco Products

Treat-Algae-Growth

Algae in the swimming pool is something that most pool owners dread seeing. Since algae loves warm, stagnant water, it is particularly likely to be a problem in a pool that is not kept at the right pH level and where the water is not circulated enough. Keeping the water ultra clean with an automatic pool cleaner can help, but even then, sometimes algae takes over.

Even though there are over 20,000 different species of algae, only one of four varieties will be found in swimming pools; green, black, pink or yellow algae. Here’s how to treat them.

(more…)

Read More

How is Professional Property Maintenance Sustainable?

Date January 3, 2013 Category Sustainable Living

Professional-Property

You may think that professional property maintenance has nothing to do with sustainability or being environmentally friendly, but this is not true. If you have a home in need of repair it is highly likely that something is being wasted. And when things don’t work properly around the home it can be very annoying and cause a lot of stress just because it makes life difficult.

For instance, if taps leak, water is certainly being wasted and you have to pay for it. If there are cracks around the doors that need sealing, power is wasted as your heat or cool air will leak out of the gaps, meaning you pay more for power. In addition, the air conditioner or heater are working harder and so will wear out more quickly.

Many people try to fix those seemingly small things themselves but this may not be the best way to save. Unless you do a good job on the repair, it can cost more by the time you get the professionals in to fix your mistakes and then to do the repair properly. It is far better to get the professionals in to start with. You stand to save time, stress and money.

(more…)

Read More

Sustainable Forestry and Timber Flooring

Date October 19, 2012 Category Sustainable Living

Timber Flooring

Timber flooring is low maintenance and durable, stylish and one of the most popular materials used by householders and business alike. Natural and elegant, timber flooring is recognized as both a hard-wearing and natural product suitable for just about any building type. You can have solid wood, engineered or laminate, all with a wide range of colours, textures and grain patterns as a result of the species of tree. You can’t beat that winning combination of aesthetics and sustainability.

It’s not only in the domestic area of homes and DIY that timber flooring is used, the commercial sector has gotten on board as well. Compared to carpet, it is hygienic and easy to clean. It is often specified in healthcare and educational environments.

Your Floor and the Environment

Because wood products use a lot less energy during production, the demand for goods produced responsibly is growing exponentially. Climate change and environmental concerns are making clients ask for products that have been responsibly sourced.

(more…)

Read More

4 Benefits of Adding a Verandah

Date October 12, 2012 Category Renovating

verandah

Feeling the need for more space? Adding a verandah or patio to your home could be the answer. Not all homes have a verandah; adding one will not only add value to the home, but will enhance your lifestyle as well. You will be able to sit out there on warm days and the children will have a place to play outside, but out of the rain and heat of the sun. There are many benefits of having a verandah apart from those just mentioned. Here are 4 of them.

  • You can make it into an outdoor kitchen easily enough. That way you can all enjoy alfresco meals instead of the cook having to be in the hot kitchen. And there is no ferrying of food, plates, tables and chairs in and out every time you want to have a meal on the verandah. You will be covered by the roof if it suddenly starts to rain and you can easily install clear blinds that let in light but keep out the showers that would otherwise be blown in by gusty wind.

(more…)

Read More

How to Make Your Concrete Pool Sustainable

Date May 3, 2012 Category Sustainable Living

Concrete-Pool-Sustainable

In a dry continent such as Australia there are times when having a pool seems to be a total waste of water. However, once that concrete pool is in you can’t really take it out without it costing you even more so you might as well enjoy it. So is a concrete pool eco friendly in any way?

When you think of how long it will last with little or no maintenance, the answer must be yes. But don’t confuse maintaining the water quality with maintaining the actual concrete surface. The former must be done on a regular basis. That said, there are several ways in which you can make the pool – and the water in it – environmentally friendly.

  • Studies by the University of Maryland have proven that moss-filtered pools need much less chemicals than normal pools. In addition, a great deal of water is saved by not having to back-flush when cleaning the pool.

(more…)

Read More

Can Glass be Considered Eco Friendly?

Date March 22, 2012 Category Recycling, Sustainable Living

toughened-glass

If you are looking for eco friendly solutions for your home you really have to think about certain products and do a little research to find out if they are harmful to the environment or if they have negative effects on the people who use them. Glass is one of the products you might think at first is not eco friendly because it does not break down in the environment. But there is more to consider than just that fact.

Glass is durable

For a start, glass products can last for many years –  unless they get broken, of course. However, while some glass products may break easily, products where the glass is really thick, or that are made of toughened glass do not break easily, or at all in some cases, even if they were dropped. Pool fencing panels made from toughened glass are just one example.

(more…)

Read More

Is Security Fencing Sustainable?

Date January 22, 2012 Category Sustainable Living

fencing

If you are into finding eco friendly solutions to all of life’s problems you may wonder whether security fencing is sustainable. The trouble is sometimes you have to choose between keeping something or someone safe and helping the environment. However, in that such fencing is strong and durable, it could be said to be eco friendly.

Security fencing may be made from wire mesh or chain link, or it could be make entirely from steel posts and concrete. Neither has all that much impact on the environment when it is being created or when it is in use as a fence. And the good it does in keeping people or assets safe far outweighs any perceived environmental pollution.

Other options may be available, but they do not do quite the same job as traditional fencing.

  • Hedging takes a long time to grow and can easily be cut through or burned.
  • Fencing that uses bamboo can also be much less strong that steel or wire fencing. Plus, these days bamboo is being indiscriminately harvested to the ruination of many natural bamboo forests.
  • Even timber fencing that looks attractive can be cut down, burned or can rot. Plus, it may have to be treated with chemicals to prevent decay, making it unfriendly to the environment.

(more…)

Read More

Certification

Date December 19, 2011 Category Sustainable Living

Only the Best Organizations Can Deliver the Best Projects
Today, clients demand more than ever before. Whether their target is LEED, Net Zero, the Living Building Challenge, or making a 2030 Commitment – the stakes are high. Delivering “LEED on demand” is simply not enough anymore.
Differentiation is key. Everyone makes claims when it comes to sustainability and green building. Yet many companies struggle to maintain momentum, get stuck on particular challenges, or end up achieving “random acts of sustainability” but not the comprehensive integration needed to produce consistent and optimal results. This concern for delivering consistent, high quality sustainability services is why many building owners have endorsed the SPI Certification program.

(more…)

Read More

Forum Membership

Date September 1, 2009 Category Sustainable Living

Learn. Share. Network.

            And Help Green Our Communities.

                            Become a Forum Member Today!

    MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNT AVAILABLE NOW!

The USGBC Massachusetts Membership Forum works to enable individuals to participate in and support local USGBC activities across  Massachusetts. Join the Forum today to become connected to the fast-growing green economy, new career opportunities and cleaner, healthier, more energy-efficient communities. Revenue from membership enables The Forum to expand community-based programming as well as maintain proactive advocacy for green building policies at the city and state level.

The USGBC Forum Leadership Council recently approved a reduction in membership dues for the remainder of 2009. You can benefit by signing up as a member today for half price and get full membership benefits for the rest of the year. That’s right, half price!

(more…)

Read More

The USGBC Massachusetts Membership Forum

Date July 2, 2009 Category Sustainable Living

Who Is The Forum?

In mid 2007, The Green Roundtable supported the formation of the The USGBC Massachusetts Membership Forum (The Forum) which is the mechanism for the green building community to lead, engage and participate in green building activities locally.

The Forum, over 1000 members strong, is a member based community volunteer group, responsible for providing opportunities for individuals to participate in US Green Building Council (USGBC) and other green building educational, technical and advocacy activities while networking with other industry professionals and lay people. The Forum will be administered by The Green Roundtable which is the Massachusetts Affiliate to the USGBC, and the groups will collaborate in order to carry out transformative programming across the state.

(more…)

Read More

Boston Emerging Green Builders Summer Concert Series

Date June 13, 2009 Category Sustainable Living

On August 11th, Boston EGB is holding a fundraising event at the MILKY WAY LOUNGE in Jamaica Plain that will feature Abbie Barrett with special guests Lady Eagles. There will be a 50/50 raffle with multiple prizes. The cost to attend is $10 if you pre-pay or $15 at the door and the proceeds go to support the Boston Emerging Green Builders Natural Talent Design Competition (see below). Hope to see you there!

Where: 284 Amory Street (The Brewery Complex in Jamaica Plan). Stony Brook on the Orange Line is the closest T station.
Time: Event runs from 9-11 p.m.
Payment: Pay online here – $10 in advance, $15 at the door.

RSVP’s are encouraged – bostonegb@gmail.com with Milky Way Event in the subject, and your first and last name in the message.

(more…)

Read More

Community Corner

Date May 25, 2009 Category Sustainable Living

Interested in expanding your green building community networks?

Itching to do good work outside of your office setting?

Passionate about green concepts and want to get involved in community projects?

Look no further! There are plenty of interesting and meaningful projects as part of the USGBC Massachusetts Membership Forum activities in Boston and state wide. There are on-going as well as temporary projects that are in need of active and motivated volunteer involvement. Many of these projects are at a level where anyone can participate, meaning it doesn’t matter what skills you have, just choose which one you are most interested in and get involved today!

Active Projects

(more…)

Read More

Membership Frequently Asked Questions

Date March 25, 2009 Category Sustainable Living

How is USGBC MA Membership Forum membership different than Green Roundtable membership?
The Green Roundtable (GRT) membership program is now run by the USGBC Massachusetts Membership Forum (The Forum). The same member benefits offered under GRT membership will remain in place, however, membership will be limited solely to individuals. Companies and organizations are encouraged to join USGBC National (see below) and/or support activities locally by sponsoring an event or program. All membership revenue will go to support The activities of the Forum.

Is a USGBC Affiliate different from a USGBC Chapter?
Chapters and Affiliates serve the green building community in similar ways but there are some differences, mainly in terms of their history and level of organizational development. Affiliate’s are well established non-profit organizations that have a synergistic mission with USGBC , which is to advance green building principles and practices in its regional marketplace. Affiliates usually have larger budgets, staffing and a wider scope of programs than Chapters.

The Green Roundtable has been the Massachusetts Affiliate for eight years. The USGBC MA Membership Forum is the group of leaders and members working to carryout Affiliate activities across the State as part of GRT.

(more…)

Read More

NEXUS Internships

Date March 11, 2009 Category Sustainable Living

The Green Roundtable offers unpaid internships at our NEXUS Green Building Resource Center on a semester basis. We ask for a commitment of 16-20 hours per week for at least three months. NEXUS is currently looking for interns to join us from May/June to August 2009.

Interns are instrumental in helping to develop NEXUS educational resources for our audiences of building professionals and the general public interested in green building and sustainable design. Interns may also have responsibilities with ongoing tasks such as helping to staff the front desk, assisting with events, various administrative tasks, and helping with the Samples Library, Reference Library, Exhibitor Showcase, Sponsorships, Marketing and Events. In exchange, interns expand their knowledge of the rapidly growing green building industry, network with industry professionals, attend roundtables and other NEXUS educational sessions for free, and gain valuable professional experiences and skills to add to their resume.

(more…)

Read More

Next posts