Green Building and Remodeling For Dummies

Want to build responsibly, reduce waste, and help preserve the
environment? Green Building & Remodeling For Dummies is
your friendly, step-by-step guide to every facet of this
Earth-friendly method of construction. Building a home--even a
green home--uses plenty of resources and energy. This
practical, hands-on book shows you how to build or remodel
conscientiously, whether your dream home is a simple remodel or a
brand-new multimillion-dollar mansion.

You'll start by identifying green materials and sizing up
potential systems and construction sites. You'll weigh the
pros and cons of popular green building methods and identify
opportunities for saving money in the long run. Need to find some
green professionals to assist you in your venture? We'll help
you do that, too. This book will also help you discover how to:

• Understand the lifecycle of building materials

• Choose the right system for your green building project

• Put together a green team

• Work within your budget

• Use green building methods and sustainable systems

• Speed construction and reduce energy use and waste

• Refinish old fixtures and materials

• Beware of asbestos and lead-paint hazards

• Avoid costly mistakes

Complete with lists of ten green things to do on every
project and ten things you can do right now in your home in order
to go green, Green Building & Remodeling For Dummies is
your one-stop guide to planning and building the home you've
always wanted.

Autorentext
Eric Corey Freed teaches sustainable design at the Academy of Art University and the University of Claifornia, Berkeley. He sits on the board of numerous environmentally focused nonprofits and museums.

Zusammenfassung
Want to build responsibly, reduce waste, and help preserve the environment? Green Building & Remodeling For Dummies is your friendly, step-by-step guide to every facet of this Earth-friendly method of construction. Building a homeeven a green homeuses plenty of resources and energy. This practical, hands-on book shows you how to build or remodel conscientiously, whether your dream home is a simple remodel or a brand-new multimillion-dollar mansion. You'll start by identifying green materials and sizing up potential systems and construction sites. You'll weigh the pros and cons of popular green building methods and identify opportunities for saving money in the long run. Need to find some green professionals to assist you in your venture? We'll help you do that, too. This book will also help you discover how to:

• Understand the lifecycle of building materials
• Choose the right system for your green building project
• Put together a green team
• Work within your budget
• Use green building methods and sustainable systems
• Speed construction and reduce energy use and waste
• Refinish old fixtures and materials
• Beware of asbestos and lead-paint hazards
• Avoid costly mistakes
  Complete with lists of ten green things to do on every project and ten things you can do right now in your home in order to go green, Green Building & Remodeling For Dummies is your one-stop guide to planning and building the home you've always wanted.

Inhalt

Introduction 1

Part I: The Need for Green 7

Chapter 1: Going Green 9

Chapter 2: Green Building in an Organically Grown Nutshell 27

Chapter 3: Remodeling with a Green Eye 41

Chapter 4: Working with Building Professionals 57

Part II: Paying Attention to Material Matters 73

Chapter 5: Looking at a Material's Life Cycle: From Cradle to Grave 75

Chapter 6: Material Opportunities: From Cradle to Cradle 97

Chapter 7: Green Finish and Construction Materials 109

Part III: Green Building Methods 139

Chapter 8: Framing Things Up 141

Chapter 9: Natural Building Methods 167

Chapter 10: Manufactured Building Methods 199

Part IV: Green Building Systems and Site Planning 213

Chapter 11: Energy Systems 215

Chapter 12: Heating and Cooling Systems 239

Chapter 13: Water and Waste Systems 261

Chapter 14: Landscaping and Site Planning: Going Green in the Great Outdoors 281

Part V: The Part of Tens 305

Chapter 15: Ten Common Myths about Green Building and Remodeling 307

Chapter 16: Ten Green Things to Do on Every New-Home Project 313

Chapter 17: Ten Green Materials You Can't Live Without 321

Chapter 18: Ten Green Things You Can Do in Your Home Right Now 327

Appendix: Resources 335

Index 343