Green Building by Sandella

Green Building by Sandella

Many people are interested in Green Building and Materials these days and have asked me many questions about building green.  I decided to share the answers here so everyone can learn.   Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you’d like further information.

 

What is Green Building?

Green Building is about creating a project that is energy efficient, eco-friendly, and has sustainable design.  A structure designed to conserve resources and reduce negative impacts on the environment, whether it is energy, water, building materials or land. 

 

What does LEED stand for?

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.  LEED Green Building Rating System is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings put forth by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).  http://www.usgbc.org

 

What makes a given product Green?

To keep it simple remember the three R’s

Reuse – Reduce – Recycle

Whenever we can reuse a product instead of producing a new one from raw materials we save on resource use and energy. 

Products that reduce material use are considered green.  For example, concrete staining can turn concrete slabs into attractive finished floors, eliminating the need for conventional finish flooring. 

Taking a material at the end of its useful life and recycling it to make another product is considered green.  For example, plastic bottles after use can be recycled into carpet. 

  

Can you list some Green Building Materials?

There are so many “new” green materials popping up all over the place.  Here are a few new ones that interested me and I’m considering using for the new, soon-to-be-built green eco-friendly spec home in Paradise Valley. 

Soy-Crete – Yes it’s made from Soy.  It’s a soybased concrete stain that is non hazardous, low VOC (volatile organic content), acid free and looks just like acid stained concrete flooring – only healthier. 

Eco Top – used for countertops – it’s composed of FSC (forest council certified) bamboo blend and mixed with recycled wood fibers.  It is available in 7 colors.  It won’t fade and is extremely durable.

Natural Clay Earth Plaster – adds a rich texture to walls.  It’s available in 43 colors.  A nice bonus is it’s fade resistant, non toxic and easy to repair.

Denim Insulation – made from recycled denim.   No they’re not digging out your old blue jeans from the landfill, instead they’re using the scrapes from the manufacturers.  It’s 100% recyclable and formaldehyde free.  And it won’t itch like the fiberglass type.

 

The Team at Sandella Custom Homes & Interiors are forward thinking, innovative and ecologically conscious.

 

© 2008 SANDELLA CUSTOM HOMES AND INTERIORS, LLC.  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

 

Need help with your project?  Start a Design Notebook.  Get the FREE how to guide at www.sandella.net and click on FREE STUFF!

 

About Cheryl: 

Cheryl Sandella, Interior Designer ASID Allied Member, works with her husband and partner of 30 years, Al Sandella, General Contractor.  They own Sandella Custom Homes &Interiors, and Enhance Remodeling in Fountain Hills Arizona.   They design, build and remodel homes in the valley.  To read more about her go to www.sandella.net/aboutus/aboutus.html

 WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE?  You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Cheryl Sandella, Interior Designer publishes a monthly eZine called “Bespoke Home”.  If you want Tools, Tips and Guidance to design and build your custom home, be sure to get your complimentary subscription at http://sandella.net

 

Cheryl Sandella

Sandella Custom Homes & Interiors

Enhance Remodeling

PO Box 18132

Fountain Hills, AZ  85269

480.836.1543 – office

480.816.4233 – Cheryl’s personal line

bespokehome@ymail.com

www.sandella.net

www.enhanceremodeling.com

Remodeling Advice by Sandella

REMOLDING ADVICE

 

 

Have realistic expectations.  Remodeling can be very messy; there is no getting around that.  Sometimes projects can take longer and cost more than expected or planned for.

 

Be sure to ask lots of questions and do your homework ahead of time to ensure that the people you hire are reputable and conscientious.  They will be worth their weight in gold.

 

It is best not to cut corners when it comes to how you trim out your house in regards to appliances, materials or fixtures.  When you invest in quality, it will pay off in the long run.

 

Be sure the company you hire as a “go to” person so you can ask him/her daily questions, such as:  What time will the workers will be arriving the next day. Don’t take it for granted that they will be back – ask. Also find out what time they will be starting and finishing.  Make sure you find out what work will be going on.  I always recommend getting an approximate schedule for the week in advance.  Knowing the answers can mean the difference between having peace of mind and giving someone a piece of your mind. 

 

Find the right balance…you’ll need to be around to do some supervision, but you’ll also need to stay away to keep your sanity.

 

Finally, make sure you do some fun or relaxing things for yourself so you can get through it in a positive way.  Keep this thought – Remodeling is like having a baby, the pain is difficult but only temporary and the final results have a way of making it all worthwhile. 

 

Remodeling will give you benefits if you decide to sell your home.  A good estimate is you’ll get a return of 92% or what you invested into a kitchen remodel and 105% of your investment back on a master bathroom remodel.

 

Be mindful – don’t expect low-cost, quick fix remedies to pay off very well.  A complete renovation using quality materials and experienced contractors will be much wiser and a better investment.

 

Good luck with your remodel.

 

© 2008 Sandella Custom Homes and Interiors LLC.  All rights reserved

 

 

Room Additions & Home Expansions

 

Whether you need to expand, remodel or build from scratch, Enhance Remodeling by Sandella, provides the architect, contractor and interior designer.  Enhance Remodeling accesses things like usage, pattern flow and privacy needs to design spaces that work for the whole family. We create environments that are more than just living spaces.  Let us create what you imagine. 

 

 

 

Need help with your project?  Start a Design Notebook.  Get the FREE how to guide at www.sandella.net and click on FREE STUFF!

 

About Cheryl: 

Cheryl Sandella, Interior Designer ASID Allied Member, works with her husband and partner of 30 years, Al Sandella, General Contractor.  They own Sandella Custom Homes &Interiors, and Enhance Remodeling in Fountain Hills Arizona.   They design, build and remodel homes in the valley.  To read more about her go to www.sandella.net/aboutus/aboutus.html

   

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE?  You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Cheryl Sandella, Interior Designer publishes a monthly eZine called “Bespoke Home”.  If you want Tools, Tips and Guidance to design and build your custom home, be sure to get your complimentary subscription at http://sandella.net

Cheryl Sandella

Sandella Custom Homes & Interiors

Enhance Remodeling

PO Box 18132

Fountain Hills, AZ  85269

480.836.1543 – office

480.816.4233 – Cheryl’s personal line

bespokehome@ymail.com

www.sandella.net

www.enhanceremodeling.com

Notes from Sandella Custom Interiors

Design Notes from Sandella Custom Interiors

On Saturday I have an appointment with our client’s who recently moved into an amazing custom home we built for them.  My appointment is to design custom cornices for their windows.  We already covered the windows in Luminettes and Silhouettes but now we want to add some pizzazz!  The colors in the home are shades of gray, red and black with accents of copper.  I have selected fabrics for each room that will enhance the overall look.  We’ll also be creating custom bedding for the master bedroom.  We’ll be creating a jacket type of coverlet, it will fit snug over the mattress.  This style will look best on the low profile bed crafted from exotic wood. 

It’s a contemporary style home with walls of glass to take advantage of the magnificent mountain views and golf course. 

I enjoy designing the window treatments and other accessories…it’s jewelry for the home. 

I’ll post pictures once it’s all done.  Below is a picture of the rear exterior of the home. 

Cheryl

Sandella Custom Interiors

Cheryl Sandella, ASID Allied Member

PO Box 18132

Fountain Hills, Arizona 85269

480-816.4233

www.sandella.net

 

When visiting the site be sure to sign up for our FREE monthly eZine “Bespoke Home” and receive tips, guidance and tools on designing and building your custom dream home.  Let the dream begin. 

New Home by Sandella Custom Homes and Interiors