Green Construction

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Green buildings are making headlines and it’s not for the shade of the paint that’s used on their walls“ they’re being talked about because they’re built using energy-efficient methods and sustainable materials,and because they promote eco-friendly lifestyles. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency,green buildings emit 35 percent less carbon dioxide and use 35 percent less energy than conventional buildings. While you may not be able to achieve these exact statistics when you set out to build your home,there are ways in which you can adopt green measures to make your home more eco-friendly. A few easily followed green construction methods are:
Buy locally: You may not be able to pick and choose eco-friendly options for all your building materials,but you do have the option of buying those that are available locally or at locations near you. This helps save on transportation energy and costs. Also,the materials are available cheaper because they’re not imported or transported from other locations within the country. So you’re not only going green,you’re also saving costs as a bonus.
Use energy efficient devices:Buy appliances that are Energy Star rated and which save electricity and energy. They may cost a little more initially but your recurring expenses are much lower than usual. Invest in refrigerators,washers,driers,ovens and other appliances that consume less energy,CFC bulbs instead of fluorescent tubes,and fans instead of air conditioners. Set the thermostat to normal levels so that your home is not too hot or too cold. Use natural light when you can by building large windows that face east. Also invest in a solar panel for most of your energy needs if it is cost-efficient.
Use recycled/recyclable materials: If you’re going to use wood for your windows and other building needs,choose options that are salvaged or recycled. Similarly,other materials like plastic,glass,aluminium and steel are available in the recycled forms. When you use recycled materials,you’re also able to recycle them again when you improve or remodel your home a few years down the line.
Make your home eco-friendly: Fresh water is fast becoming a scarce commodity,so when you build a home,install a facility to harvest and filter rainwater. Also,set up a system where your shower water is automatically recycled and diverted to your lawn sprinkler and to water your plants.
Maintain what you’ve built:And finally,once you begin to live in your home,adopt eco-friendly measures like recycling your trash,using your garbage disposal correctly,closing faucets tightly and repairing leaky ones immediately,switching off electrical and electronic appliances when not in use instead of leaving them in the standby modes,and keeping your home neat and tidy.
This guest post is contributed by Nicole Adams,she writes on the topic of construction management degree She welcomes your comments at her email id:nicole.adams83@gmail.com

Home Energy Cost

It is clear that home energy cost is increasing as the gasoline price is increasing. What can a homeowner do to cope and survive the energy crises? In our area, the Phoenix Valley, cooling energy is a major expense that all of us like and should reduce. It is easy to incorporate energy saving features in the design of a new home construction. The challenge is what to do and at what cost in an existing home. Here is a short list of an energy saving measures that the homeowner should consider.

1. Add / upgrade the ceiling or roof insulation.

2. Replace single pane glass window with a double insulated and low E windows.

3. Check air ducts and seal any air leakage. Also insulate the air ducts4. Install proper shade or sun screens to all windows that are exposed to sunshine

5. Plan trees along the Sunny side of the house that will provide shade not only to the windows but as importantly to the exterior house wall

6. Consult with "green construction" expert for additional cost saving options.

Note; The picture here is of a certified green building by the City of Scottsdale

Sunroom Addition-Sun City AZ

A new sunroom enclosure provided a new and updated look to an older home in Sun City, Arizona. The new sunroom addition was part of a face lift plan that also included new landscaping work as well as interior remodeling. The homeowner selected a modular sunroom enclosure for the additional living space. The HOA approved the design and the exterior white color which compliment the existing house. Part of the new exterior design was the new patio roof coverts on both sides of the sunroom addition which increases the use of the backyard. The owners, Judith and Noel decorated the new sunroom addition into a warm and inviting living space. This new living space has an insulated roof, insulated walls and insulated windows with low “e” coating. It is cooled by a small air conditioning unit that was installed in the side wall. For more information about sunroom enclosures go to http://www.azenclosuresandsunrooms.com/ or write to akagan1@cox.net or call 602-791-3228

Family Room Addition-Return on Investment

Can cost considerably less per square foot than bathroom, laundry room, and kitchen additions because they don’t typically involve plumbing fixtures, stone or ceramic tiles, or major appliances.
Still, a sizable 16-by-25-foot family room addition costs an average of $15,000 to $30,000, according to industry sources for the Phoenix Valley. Of that, you can expect to recoup around $9,000 to $18,000 (or about 60%) when you sell the house.The highest rate of return on a family room addition is in the Southwest and South central portion of the country. The lowest payback is in the upper Midwest, where the average payback is about 50.5% return.Wherever you live, however, the key to maximizing your return is to avoid over-improving. That means building a family room addition only if neighboring houses of similar style, size, and value tend to have family rooms, says appraiser Bryan Flaherty. If that’s not the case, there are lower-cost ways to achieve a similar transformation of your house: You could knock down interior walls and convert your dining room into a family room, finish the basement to create a family room, or simply use a spare bedroom or above-the-garage bonus room. But all of these options require compromises—such as having your family room far from the kitchen or giving up having a formal dining room—that you don’t have to make when you build a family room addition. And as long as you’re staying put for three to five years to enjoy the new space, you’ll get so much use from your family room addition that recouping every dollar back when you sell shouldn't’t be a prime concern. Our company have an in-house architect and in most cases provide architectural services at no additional cost.

Arizona Sunroom and Room Addition

We converted an existing covered patio into a larger livable sunroom enclosure. The HOA requested that the addition will have the same style and colors as of the existing house. Also, they requested that the new addition roof will have the same roof tiles as of the house roof. We also tried to build this addition with as many “green” construction features within the HOA limitation. The “Green” features in this addition are:We used light gauge steel and DenseGlass exterior sheathingsDoor and windows are insulated with low “E” coating and argon gas.We installed a high efficiency heat pump for heating and cooling.For additional information contact Avi at 602-791-3228 see pictures of sunroom enclosures as well as patio roof covers go to: http://www.azenclosuresandsunrooms.com/

Phoenix, Az Room Addition and patio Enclosure

It becomes very popular today to add a room addition to an existing home. Same can be done with patio enclosure. In most cases utilizing and keeping the existing patio roof. Any such addition including a sunroom addition will add to the overall square feet of the living space and will provide an excellent return on investment. Our company developed a unique approach to building room additions, sunroom addition and patio enclosures. resulting in an amazing cost saving and yet getting the high quality. We have an in-house architectural services, and in most cases at no additional cost.

Residential and Commercial Remodeling in Arizona

Our company is affiliated with Tom Norris Architect and AzTom construction. This affiliation expanded our construction services that we can provide in addition to sunrooms, patio enclosures, room additions and patio roof covers.
This association provide us with in-house architectural services which is required for every commercial construction work and some times is require for residential work. Here is a sample of the type of work we do. Architectural services. Custom homes. Interior and exterior renovation work for residential and commercial projects.