LEED homes are at the cutting edge of green home development, and now Habitat for Humanity is getting in on the action. The Habitat for Humanity covering the Greater Indianapolis area just launched a six-week build of a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-certified home on Wednesday. Located on the 1300 block of Ninth Street, this new endeavor will be Habitat’s first platinum-standard LEED house. This new project will include products such as “25-year asphalt shingles, compact fluorescent light bulbs, a tankless water heater, and a solar-powered attic fan.”

Energy efficient products are used in Habitat for Humanity builds because all Habitat homes meet at least the gold-standard requirements as set by the U.S. Green Building Council. This means that all Habitat homes have received between 75 and 89 points (based on a 100 point scale) also set by the USGBC. But this new platinum-standard home has raised the bar, earning 90 points or more. Its future owner, Lori Pye, did not specifically set out to live in a green home, but claimed, “I picked my three favorite, and then I just happened to pick that one (the LEED house).” Lori will enjoy her new home come September 3^rd when she officially moves in and becomes an active member in the ever-growing green campaign.

For more information, visit http://www.indystar.com/article/20100722/LOCAL18/7220414/Habitat-for-Humanity-takes-green-to-new-level

We’ve all heard it before: It costs more to build green.  But does it? And how can you save money on your green home or renovation?

GREEN BUILDING ACTUALLY SAVES MONEY

True, the project itself costs more. There is about a 20 to 30 percent increase above the cost of a traditional home or renovation.  However, that and more will be made up over time.

Take for example, energy efficient windows.  They initially cost more than regular windows, that’s for sure, but they are also coated with a microscopic metal that reflects heat. This keeps heat out in the summer and inside in the winter. A quarter of a home’s energy is lost through its windows, so over time energy costs will decrease.

This also applies to energy efficient products such as water heaters.  They may cost more upfront, but will save on water heating bills. When monthly costs are factored in, green home products actually save money.

Also, several tax incentives are available for those who build green. Individual items may be eligible for rebates as well.  Green products are also more accessible for DIY-ers, as major home improvements stores carry energy saving materials.

Green is now viewed as a way to add value to the home. In fact, a green house can add 20 percent to the overall value of the home in some markets.

3 WAYS TO SAVE ON A GREEN BUILDING PROJECT

1. WATCH THE SIZE OF YOURHOME

If you are building a home, start by making it smaller. Do you really need two guest rooms? A living room AND a family room? Two closets in each bedroom? Probably not. The best way to cut costs is to figure out exactly what you need in the layout of your house… and what you can do without.  Avoiding the cost of material for a room you might use only twice a year will significantly help your savings.  And it could allow for extra room in the budget to buy higher quality materials and products for the rooms you do use.

2.  THINK ABOUT WHERE EVERYTHING WILL GO

Not only will you save money by where your house is located, but you’ll save based on how it’s designed. Homes with east and west-facing windows help block much of the solar gain inside the house. If trees are planted in certain areas, they can provide natural shading for the home. And try to place water heaters in a neutral position so they can be as close as possible to every water source that will use it. The farther away a water heater is from a bathtub or dishwasher, the longer the water has to travel, and therefore will cool down. To make matters worse, more energy will be used to re-heat the water.

3. BE CREATIVE WITH MATERIALS

Many sustainable materials can be used or recycled in the building process.  Boards from old buildings can make beautiful wood floors. Or a structural material (such as grout or concrete) can function as the finished surface as well, eliminating the need for additional purchases. Think also about all-in-one products such as  primer that has the look of real paint so an extra coat is not needed.

If you use a stronger framing material for the skeleton of the house, studs do not need to be used as close together, which will also save money and optimize each piece of material.

Green building is not just a trend. According to the National Association of Home Builders, “…it is the future of building.” Hopefully more homeowners and builders will learn that this future is more cost effective and won’t break the bank.

Check out these sites for more information:

http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2010/0630/A-home-made-green-and-lean/

http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/11613/green-building-myth-1-its-more-expensive

While at the Pacific Coast Builders Conference in San Francisco a couple weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to sit down with my favorite radio hosts, James and Morris Carey. They asked me to fill them in on new and innovative products from the show, many of which focused on energy saving and sustainability. Below is a little bit about the products and companies that stood out above the rest, as well as the audio clip of my time on On the House.

One really great thing I saw was a new lighting technology by Halo. Halo has introduced LED luminaries that save both energy and money by conserving electricity and having a longer life.

Eternal makes a hybrid water heater that conserves energy, and can save you money on your monthly water bill.

Several companies explored the great outdoors with products perfect for outdoor living:

Danver Stainless Steel Cabinetry introduced its Wood-Fired Pizza Oven, charcoal fire grill and smoker, and infrared grill, all made for outdoor cooking.

Belgard exhibited a ready-made outdoor fireplace that can literally be dropped on a patio with a forklift.

Fire Rock also makes a line of outdoor fire places that can be easily installed using a simple kit.

You can “build green” with Nichiha’s fiber cement. This cement is both water and insect resistant, and the factory even recycles its water when making their products.

I found these products to be quite impressive and revolutionary, and expect their popularity to rise  in home building.

“On the House” with the Carey Brothers

What would it look like to integrate social media more with marketing home products?

Diesel jeans, the makers of ludicrously expensive denim for the 18-25 year-old market, recently used Facebook as part of an interesting branding initiative –customers try on clothes at the store, and if they like the look, they can get a picture snapped of them in the new garb at one of the company’s photo-booth style kiosks. People can even log in to their Facebook account from there for instant photo posting to their wall. Finally, friends can “like” or comment on their friend’s purchase (example comment: “You’re spending HOW much on those?”).

I think it’s a great idea – you have a tech-savvy and designer-label-craving audience built for you in the Millennials (or Gen-Y, whichever you prefer).

Though each person is a unique snowflake, generally, as a whole, this generation would think nothing of sharing shopping preferences or a great butt shot with hundreds of digital acquaintances.

So would this generation share its home buying and product selecting just as freely as they would with retail decisions? You bet. According to the NAHB, Millennials are buying homes earlier than previous generations. They are also buying before getting married and are willing to buy higher density/smaller homes. And they’re checking out homes online and reaching out for opinions to boot.

There are already a few software tools dedicated to helping consumers either buy or rehab an existing home. Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore and Behr all have iPhone-capable applications for color selection. Colorjive, Colorcharts.org and Smart Draw (links below) are great tools for creating, but not necessarily for sharing. You’ll have to manually share your creations – none of them have an instant “share” button like the Diesel Jeans kiosk.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see home product marketing take this turn in the not-so-distant future. After all, it seems as though the missing piece is simply a share button.

Check out a review of the Diesel process here: http://www.convinceandconvert.com/facebook/do-you-like-how-i-look-in-these-jeans/.

Colorjive
Colorjive is a fun tool. Users have to create an account, and then you can upload a photo of your house, play around with the selection tools, and then save up to three different versions for free (paid version is much, much more dynamic). It’s not a precise tool (so you won’t generate color codes needed to hop on over to your nearest big box) but you can an idea of what your house will look like in only minutes.

Colorcharts.org
The CBN Color Selector on Colorcharts.org is a complex and powerful software program that lets you visualize the appearance of thousands of colors. Like the color? You can instantly generate the precise CBN code so you can order the color mix from the big box or a dealer right away. The really cool part is that you can test out colors on different surfaces as well – colors will look different on stucco than they will on wood, after all! 30-day trial is offered for free.

Smart Draw
Smart Draw is another deep, powerful program that also keeps its eye out for those of us who might not be a structural engineer. SD has quick-load templates, dozens of house/room/floorplan designs and ready-made renderings of furniture, appliances, fixtures, wiring, plumbing, HVAC, landscaping, and more. Best of all, if you need help, they have free tech support.

Big Builders Collect Big Checks

In this age of populist rage at Wall Street bigwigs for awarding themselves extravagant (frankly, we would call it blasphemous) top-level bonuses, some big-name home building executives made quite a pretty penny even as their companies struggled and gasped through an awful 2009. Where do you weigh in on executive pay? Read the article from Reuters here: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6452KQ20100506

Turning the Ho-Hum Home into a Dream Home

According to a report by the National Association of Home Builders, 2009 was a “banner year for the remodeling industry.”  No doubt this was because some people who were in the volatile home buying market decided to stay put. But is that the only reason people are remodeling? Read the “Learn How to Turn Your Starter Home into a Dream Home” and see if the DailyComet.com story mirrors any trends you’ve seen in your markets. http://www.dailycomet.com/article/20100505/ARTICLES/100509629/1008?Title=Learn-how-to-turn-your-starter-home-into-your-dream-home

Homebuilding, eh?

The Canadian home building market has seen a rather dramatic surge in new homes built and permits pulled. The Montreal Gazette reports home building activity in March rose 12.2 percent from February. Now, obviously there is a little lag time in the numbers, but from what it seems, our neighbors to the North may be seeing some very bright days in the near future. Get all the statistics here: http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/homes+making+comeback/2994142/story.html

Numbers released last week by research firm the Freedonia Group say consumer demand for siding in the U.S. is expected to climb a healthy 6.5% per year through 2014. The Cleveland-based market research firm attributed the gains to a rebound in housing completions from the depressed levels from 2007 to 2009.

Among material types, the survey says fiber cement and stucco products will see the most rapid advances through 2014. Matt Zielenski, research analyst for The Freedonia Group, says fiber cement is growing in popularity due to its durability and design versatility whereas wood options have taken a slight dip in sales due to maintenance issues.

NAHB Research Center’s Annual Consumer Practices Survey (CPS), conducted in 2009 of about 40,000 U.S. households. The study says the siding and exterior finishes market continued to see an erosion vinyl siding market share. However, that’s not to say vinyl products should be counted out – the survey also says the category is still the most popular material for re-siding, which saw a 45 percent share in 2009.

Nichiha Sierra Premium Shake

“Of course you’ll get differing opinions within different industries and depending on who you ask, but our personal experience is that requests for fiber cement siding are way up over the past three to five years in New England then prior to that time period,” says Peter Martino, owner of United Home Experts & United Painting Co.  Martino says an increasing amount of homeowners are aware of fiber cement products such as Nichiha or James Hardie’s Hardieplank (or at least have heard of them).

According to Remodeling magazine’s annual “Cost vs. Value” survey, the only upscale projects that cracked the survey’s “Top 10” were the home maintenance projects of fiber-cement siding replacement and vinyl window replacement. The average cost of fiber-cement siding is more than $13,000, but its return on investment reached 83.6 percent, placing it squarely in second place in the survey.

Worldwide, according to Freedonia’s August 2009 global outlook, the use of fiber cement siding is expected to increase in a number of countries, including China and India.

Not many of us think about our backs or joint pain when selecting pieces for our home’s décor. Color, style, aesthetic appeal and price typically consume our thought process during those kind of purchases. But take a moment to consider how seemingly insignificant ways you decorate your home can contribute to physical pains and stresses.

Arnold J. Weil, MD, a specialist in non-surgical orthopedics, says choosing a suitable reclining chair or mattress is a health choice, just like taking daily vitamins and stretching before a run.

“Back pain oftentimes stems from little things that can add to a big problem,” said Dr. Weil. “It’s definitely worth it to adjust items in your home so they’re conducive to your health. The consequences of poor back and lumbar support in the home could include significant aching and soreness, thus leading to hassle, time and money spent on relief.”

Hardwood floors, bar stools and non-supportive mattresses could strain your back muscles, resulting in considerable pain and treatment. Hardwood floors aren’t suitable shock absorbers like carpets and rugs are, thus contributing to back pain. Bar stools affect your core muscles and back in another way because when your feet aren’t planted on the ground, the rest of your body works harder to keep stabilized. This puts extra strain on your back.

Another way to prevent injuries and strains is to store heavier household items at arm level, so you’re not reaching or bending excessively.

Dr. Weil says the most important piece of furniture in your home to consider is the bed.

“Though many of us don’t get as much sleep as we should, ideally the bed is a place where you spend a significant amount of time,” he said. “It should be a place that is comfortable and supportive. It affects not only your mentality, but your body when you don’t get proper sleep, and proper sleep depends largely in part on an appropriate mattress.”

So before purchasing a fancy, high-end couch, chair or bed, consider that it may look great with the rest of your home’s décor, but unless it’s supportive of your body, it’s really not worth it.

Contact Dr. Weil on Twitter @NonSurgicalMD with back pain questions and other tips for living a healthy, pain-free life.

Gale Steves, author of the recently-published book “Right Sizing Your Home,” sat down with K&A to discuss how home builders have been marketing their homes toward women and what they need to do to improve their practices.

“Most people aren’t living fully, or even well, in their homes,” says Steves. “There are areas of the home that are seldom used.”

She says the current cookie-cutter homes being built by the large builders stem from trends that began in the1990s. “We wanted stunning star-quality kitchens, huge ceilings, and communication centers and so on. And do you know what? It was all about ego. We got out of touch with how families work.” Families, particularly women, are asking for more realism. They need a house that suits the way they actually live.

Steves identifies three C’s when it comes to homes: comfort, convenience and carefree maintenance. “People are hunkering down. They want to be comfortable in the space that they’re in. Don’t forget that the home they’re in now might not be the space they wanted to be in at this point!” The new reality, she says, is frugality.

The changing demographics at home are also driving change. There are tons of multi-generational fluxes happening – the bonus room above the garage becomes an apartment or the basement becomes work space for people who are now working at home. “The home is going through the spin cycle right now. People are starting to re-think their spaces. The next five years will see a much more efficient home in terms of both energy and space,” says Steves.

Steves says she hopes the builders catch on to this message which kitchen designers have already. “The best house plans I’ve seen have a ton of flexibility. “Everyone looks at a house in different ways because we all have different needs. Down with cookie-cutter homes!”

Steves also identified some key questions home owners, builders and designers should ask themselves:

Is the dining room a dinosaur?
Do you have to have a dining room? What sort of lifestyle do you have? Most people I know only use that dining room for dining specifically maybe three times a year. Otherwise it’s my office.

Are you forcing your homeowners to buy furniture they don’t need?
You don’t need to furnish an entire room that you never use. I saw one builder call the front entrance room his ‘chat rooms.’ It’s clever, but it’s not convenient.

Think about the front entrance.
Steves says most people come through the mud room or the garage. “The only people that come to the front door are the FedEx guys or someone selling me something.”

Less crazy in the kitchen.
Steves says designers don’t have stop specifying high-end products. Homeowners might not want to give up the giant-sized range, but, Steves says, “Most of us don’t need eight burners. Most of us don’t need a restaurant-sized refrigerator either!”

How will they talk to each other?
“Once you’re in, how do you communicate? You can’t put all the fancy new gear in the kitchen and clutter it up. Where do you talk and catch up? Do you watch TV together or are the kids upstairs on their computers?”

Steves heads Open House Productions, a home industries consulting company. She has more than 30 years of experience working with manufacturers, retailers and consumers, and she is an expert on lifestyle market forecasting.

I look forward to the annual Kitchen and Bath Industry Show every year, anxious to see which trends and products will prevail. As homeowners continue to remodel and upgrade, they’ll focus on the two most-used rooms of the home: the kitchen and the bathroom. Because of this, we should see some big splashes in product innovation at the show.

In an earlier post, I wrote about NKBA’s top 10 trends for the year. I think they’re pretty spot on, but want to share a few specific companies and products that I think will shine at K/BIS in a few weeks.

In no particular order…

• Native Trails – We met the Native Trails team at Greenbuild last year, and were so impressed with the craftsmanship and simple elegance of their bath and sink accessories. The company uses reclaimed wood and hand-hammered copper to create beautiful kitchen and bath elements. (K/BIS Booth S3844)
• Enkeboll Designs – The superior craftsmanship is what makes Enkeboll’s products worth a look at K/BIS. The company manufactures architectural accents that will complement virtually any home’s style. From moldings to panels and columns… Enkeboll’s attention to detail is seen in everything they produce. (K/BIS Booth S344)

• Gerber Plumbing Fixtures – Gerber is well-known for its high-efficiency toilets and will be revealing two new ones at K/BIS. But the company also manufactures bathroom fixtures – in fact, three new faucet lines will debut at the show. Gerber is a partner in the U.S. EPA WaterSense Program and takes water savings seriously with its professional-grade products. (K/BIS Booth S2244)
• Kropp Woodworking – This is custom-made at its finest. Paul Kropp and his team not only produce beautiful cabinets and countertops, but they’re made from local wood and with safe, eco-friendly materials. I hear the company is launching a new product at the show sure to impress! (K/BIS Booth S114)
• Danver Stainless Steel Cabinetry – The stainless steel cabinetry company offers contemporary and sleek products that look great in the kitchen or out. Expected to be on display at the show are the company’s cabinetry, pizza ovens, grills and shelving for outdoor living. They’ll even help you design your custom outdoor kitchen complete with a fire pit. (K/BIS Booth S663)
• Cosentino – Another great company we met with at Greenbuild, Cosentino is showing off its new line of countertops made with 75% recycled raw material. The company is recognized in many ways for its sustainable practices and products which look as great as they are safe for the environment. (K/BIS Booth S623)
• Warmly Yours – Radiant floor heating could make all the difference when it comes to creating a warm and welcoming home. Warmly Yours’ heating products can be installed under tile, carpet, laminate, stone or hardwood and give off comfortable heat in the kitchen, bath or any other room in the house. (K/BIS Booth S233)
• KraftMaid Cabinetry – The company’s cabinets were featured prominently in House Beautiful’s Kitchen of the Year in 2009. At the Kitchen & Bath Show, they’ll likely prove why these cabinets were chosen for the project. KraftMaid offers hundreds of solutions for customizing your cabinet’s color, finish and function. (K/BIS Booth S1210)

The kitchen and bathroom are the two most-used rooms in your home, so shouldn’t they be first in line for a face lift? A common misconception is that these remodels have to cost a fortune.  However, many kitchens and baths already have great elements and can be updated instead of completely redesigned.  The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) recently shared its top 2010 kitchen and bath trends, and we agree!

1. Shaker style kitchen design
2. Maple and alder cabinetry finishes
3. Quartz countertops
4. Pull-down/pull-out kitchen faucets
5. Polished chrome finishes
6. Under-counter refrigerator drawers
7. Dishwasher drawers for small loads
8. Marble vanity tops
9. Integrated sink tops, drop-in sinks, vessel sinks and pedestal sinks
10. Bronze and stainless steel finishes

What we (at K&A) are looking forward to this year and at K/BIS 2010…

The push to turn convenience into a luxury is very exciting. This can be seen with the under-counter refrigerated drawers and the dishwasher drawers for small loads. According to the NKBA, nearly a third of designers are incorporating this new trend into kitchens.

We are also excited about the pull-down/pull-out faucet, which is utilized by 85 percent of kitchen designers. This fixture has a retractable spray hose hidden inside the traditional fixed spigot. Sleek arms contain a hose, faucet, spray, and hot and cold controls all in one place. It’s convenient, compact and functional.

If you’re tired of running the dishwasher when it’s only half-full, consider installing a dishwasher drawer. Because it’s independently operated, you can wash small loads as economically as large ones. Plus, the extra flexibility to run cycles simultaneously with your traditional dishwasher makes clean-up quicker and easier, explaining why nearly a third of designers are incorporating this new trend into kitchens as well.

Granite and chrome will be stealing the show in 2010. According to the NKBA, granite is the dominant material chosen for vanities in current remodels – used by seven of every eight designers. However, granite will have some stiff competition as alternative natural materials, like marble, continue to gain momentum.

Chrome – which was the standard for faucets in the 1930s – is also making a comeback in a big way. Although it has remained one of the most popular looks, it is positioned to be one of the top trends in 2010. This finish reaches further than just the kitchen, and can found everywhere from bathrooms to garages. It’s one of the best little ways to make a big improvement.

What trends will be most popular?

I predict the trends listed above will prevail at the annual Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (being held in Chicago April 16-18). It’s one of the industry’s biggest and best shows, and as always, we’ll be there to be your eyes and ears if you can’t make it.

The K&A Team will scour the tradeshow floor to see what this year’s hottest trends are, and what new products the marketplace has to offer. Stay tuned to my Twitter and YouTube channel as we update live from the show.