Making Better Buildings: A Comparative Guide To Sustainable Construction For Homeowners And Contractors

From foundation to finish, a wealth of information is available on sustainable construction methods. Entire volumes have been published on individual green and natural building techniques! But with so many different ideas from which to choose, there is no single resource that allows an owner or builder to quickly and objectively compare the merits of each system for their particular project. Making Better Buildings cuts through the hype and provides the unvarnished facts about the upsides and downsides of the most widely discussed materials and technologies. Drawing on the real-world experiences of designers/builders, this comparative guide systematically and comprehensively examines each approach in terms of: Cost, sourcing, labor intensity, and ease of construction Energy efficiency embodied energy and environmental impacts Availability/accessibility Viable applications and future potential Each chapter is rounded out by a chart that summarizes the material in a quick and accessible manner. Whether you are an owner preparing to build a green or natural home, or a conventional contractor determined to integrate sustainable alternatives into your existing construction practices, this up-to-the-minute resource will help you make the best decisions for your project, while meeting your energy, efficiency, budgetary and site-specific needs.