Greencastle, Inc. practices green building practices to deliver a high quality green home to their clients.
From their website...
Greencastle, Inc. is a Southwest Florida custom home builder focusing on hurricane-resistant, super energy efficient, Green building practices. We strongly encourage the use of Energy Star appliances, impact resistant glass, sustainable construction methods, recyclable products, and especially I.C.F. (Insulating Concrete Forms) exterior wall construction. The end result - A house that uses a fraction of the energy of a conventionally built house, offers unsurpassed security, and comfort that speaks for itself, quietly.
Our vision is based upon building houses which are green, high efficiency, sustainable, storm, fire, termite and mold resistant, quiet, comfortable, and with greater indoor air quality. That sure sounds like a tall order, but we assure you that it is achievable and affordable!Some builders make their money by dealing in volume and selling upgrades. They want to build as many houses as possible to the minimum level of acceptability, while we focus on building homes of quality that you will enjoy for years to come.
Greencastle, Inc. was established in 2004 by Shawn and Natalia Harvey after starting and operating a successful remodeling company in Northern Virginia for seven years. Tired of snow and ice, they relocated to sunny Cape Coral, Florida.Greencastle, Inc. is a small company with big ideas.
Sponsor: Garage Door Florida
Many homeowners overlook their garage door when remodeling their green home. Wooden garage doors require extra maintenance, painting and are damaged by weather and termites. Garage Door Florida has the new generation of green garage doors. Made of composite materials they have the look and style of wooden doors without the maintenance. Each Garage Door Florida Garage door is custom made for your home. Your Garage Door Florida door is more insulated and energy efficient that typical wooden garage doors.For more information please visit www.garagedoorflorida.com
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Green Homes Need Green Garages
By Libby Huffman
Of all the steps you take to get green around the house, have you thought about the impact your garage has on the environment? Besides parking an electric/gas hybrid in the space, there are other things you could be doing to reduce your carbon footprint. Here are a few tips for remaining eco-minded in that junk filled room you call a garage:
Clean is Green
It’s important to clear the entire garage out in order to begin to put the pieces of the puzzle back together. Clean out old boxes, drawers, tools and equipment you’ve got lying around. Next, get rid of all of your harmful chemicals. When dealing with household cleaners, most of them can simply be thrown away whereas items like paint and oil have a special mode of disposal. For paint, you can drop it off your local hardware store and they will use an environmentally friendly method of disposal. For used oil, it's as simple as dropping it off at your mechanics to get rid of it. Then, you'll want to purchase eco-friendly, all natural cleaners that are non-toxic to you and the Earth.Note: Never pour any type of chemicals down the drain. When in doubt, consult the label for instructions on proper disposal.
Blog Sponsor: Garage Door Florida
Garage Door Florida is a new website that features the next generation of Garage Doors For Florida homeowners. Your garage door is one of the major architectural features of your house. Selecting the right garage door in Florida is important not only for curb appeal but also because our weather can cause wooden garage doors to rot, warp or need constant repainting and maintenance. Garage Door Florida features a line-up of beautifully crafted composite eco-friendly garage doors from Eden Coast LLC. They are each custom built to homeowners needs and manufactured with to reduce your impact on the environment. For more information or to locate a dealer in Tampa please visit GarageDoorFlorida.com
Get Eco-Organized
It’s not enough to simply clean out the garage if you just throw all your junk right back in it. You’ll need to purchase or reuse some economical and ecological tools to put your things in order. Old glass jars are great for keeping small things like nails and thumb tacks neatly tucked away. You might even consider building your own containers and boxes out of recycled materials. The ideal organizers will be durable and keep things close at hand. Using bamboo to build your containers will help to reduce carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere and it’s incredibly durable and flexible.
Stay Away From the Rake
Sounds like a dream come true right? Unfortunately, this isn’t your excuse for not doing yard work. This simply means that the tools you’ve been using are probably not safe for the environment. It’s actually not the garden tools themselves but their manufacturers that are doing their part to destroy our planet. Each factory using PVC materials emits harmful toxins into the air when producing these tools and even more when destroying them. Slow the production down by refusing to purchase their products. To be safe, use steel or metal tools.
Many other manufacturers use materials that are not safe for the environment as well. Even something as seemingly benign as garage cabinets can emit harmful chemicals like formaldehyde. Some companies are better than others in their emissions standards so be sure to shop around for an eco-conscious corporation before installing those cabinets.
Reduce Your Waste
Working in the garage can be a dirty job. While it’s tempting to use paper towels or other disposable cleaning materials, it’s just not ideal. More trash means less renewable resources and overflowing landfills; both are huge problems. Try to use micro fiber towels for your messes or other cloth towels that can be washed rather than thrown away.
As the green movement gains momentum, it’s important to stay abreast of the issues. Learning ways to become eco in every facet of life is each of our responsibilities. With a little diligence we can all make sure we’re doing our best to keep up with the demands of our planet. After all, every part of our lives makes an impact including the garage.
© 2009 Libby Huffman
Read more at Suite101: Greening Your Garage: How to Make the Garage More Environmentally Friendly http://greenliving.suite101.com/article.cfm/greening_your_garage#ixzz0vNXL7lts
Of all the steps you take to get green around the house, have you thought about the impact your garage has on the environment? Besides parking an electric/gas hybrid in the space, there are other things you could be doing to reduce your carbon footprint. Here are a few tips for remaining eco-minded in that junk filled room you call a garage:
Clean is Green
It’s important to clear the entire garage out in order to begin to put the pieces of the puzzle back together. Clean out old boxes, drawers, tools and equipment you’ve got lying around. Next, get rid of all of your harmful chemicals. When dealing with household cleaners, most of them can simply be thrown away whereas items like paint and oil have a special mode of disposal. For paint, you can drop it off your local hardware store and they will use an environmentally friendly method of disposal. For used oil, it's as simple as dropping it off at your mechanics to get rid of it. Then, you'll want to purchase eco-friendly, all natural cleaners that are non-toxic to you and the Earth.Note: Never pour any type of chemicals down the drain. When in doubt, consult the label for instructions on proper disposal.
Blog Sponsor: Garage Door Florida
Garage Door Florida is a new website that features the next generation of Garage Doors For Florida homeowners. Your garage door is one of the major architectural features of your house. Selecting the right garage door in Florida is important not only for curb appeal but also because our weather can cause wooden garage doors to rot, warp or need constant repainting and maintenance. Garage Door Florida features a line-up of beautifully crafted composite eco-friendly garage doors from Eden Coast LLC. They are each custom built to homeowners needs and manufactured with to reduce your impact on the environment. For more information or to locate a dealer in Tampa please visit GarageDoorFlorida.com
Get Eco-Organized
It’s not enough to simply clean out the garage if you just throw all your junk right back in it. You’ll need to purchase or reuse some economical and ecological tools to put your things in order. Old glass jars are great for keeping small things like nails and thumb tacks neatly tucked away. You might even consider building your own containers and boxes out of recycled materials. The ideal organizers will be durable and keep things close at hand. Using bamboo to build your containers will help to reduce carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere and it’s incredibly durable and flexible.
Stay Away From the Rake
Sounds like a dream come true right? Unfortunately, this isn’t your excuse for not doing yard work. This simply means that the tools you’ve been using are probably not safe for the environment. It’s actually not the garden tools themselves but their manufacturers that are doing their part to destroy our planet. Each factory using PVC materials emits harmful toxins into the air when producing these tools and even more when destroying them. Slow the production down by refusing to purchase their products. To be safe, use steel or metal tools.
Many other manufacturers use materials that are not safe for the environment as well. Even something as seemingly benign as garage cabinets can emit harmful chemicals like formaldehyde. Some companies are better than others in their emissions standards so be sure to shop around for an eco-conscious corporation before installing those cabinets.
Reduce Your Waste
Working in the garage can be a dirty job. While it’s tempting to use paper towels or other disposable cleaning materials, it’s just not ideal. More trash means less renewable resources and overflowing landfills; both are huge problems. Try to use micro fiber towels for your messes or other cloth towels that can be washed rather than thrown away.
As the green movement gains momentum, it’s important to stay abreast of the issues. Learning ways to become eco in every facet of life is each of our responsibilities. With a little diligence we can all make sure we’re doing our best to keep up with the demands of our planet. After all, every part of our lives makes an impact including the garage.
© 2009 Libby Huffman
Read more at Suite101: Greening Your Garage: How to Make the Garage More Environmentally Friendly http://greenliving.suite101.com/article.cfm/greening_your_garage#ixzz0vNXL7lts
Florida Garage Doors Are Now Green
By Jessica Simpson
Amidst the hoopla of the BP oil drilling incident, eyes are starting to open wider in terms of what activists and organizations have long protested in an effort to clean up the environment and live a greener lifestyle for the sake of the earth and our future.
From simple household recycling to hybrid vehicles, it seems as if more global companies are joining the cause, and in this case, garage door manufacturers are now doing their part by offering homeowners eco-friendly garage doors. Green garage doors are becoming more in-demand as homeowners and manufacturers alike are looking for new ways to contribute their efforts in sustaining a preserving lifestyle.
I'm the furthest thing from being a hippie and I don't spend my free time hugging trees, but in this day and age, I'm simply interested in the quality of life. Would I have ever have thought that I'd be interested in the benefits of a green garage door? Absolutely not! But rather than looking at this from a "save the world" perspective, let me take a look at it from a "save some money" perspective.
Did you know that composite polymer doors are more energy efficient than real wood doors? In other words, you could be saving yourself a couple of hundred dollars a year on your electric bill. Did you also know that the construction materials used on eco-friendly doors is UV and moisture resistant? Therefore the door won't rot or crack, thus saving you the cost of refurbishing or replacing it.
Blog Sponsor: Garage Door Florida
Garage Door Florida is a new website that features the next generation of Garage Doors For Florida homeowners. Your garage door is one of the major architectural features of your house. Selecting the right garage door in Florida is important not only for curb appeal but also because our weather can cause wooden garage doors to rot, warp or need constant repainting and maintenance. Garage Door Florida features a line-up of beautifully crafted composite eco-friendly garage doors from Eden Coast LLC. They are each custom built to homeowners needs and manufactured with to reduce your impact on the environment. For more information or to locate a dealer in Tampa please visit GarageDoorFlorida.com
Most people don't get involved using the overly common excuse, "I don't know how". With this comprehensive list, everyone can join in in doing their part in making a greener environment, and best of all, it starts in the comfort of your own home. Other than joining a crusade in saving the world, you can still selfishly claim that you are more interested in saving money and future aggravation caused by repairs. Whatever your reason is, the information is worth a look. And your involvement helps make the movement stronger!
Jessica "Jess" Simpson is a proud product of the Chi-Town Windy City. Never to be mistaken for the celebrity Jessica Simpson, Jess actually brushes her teeth and the furthest thing from an air-head. A graduate from Colombia University, currently working as a brand manager for Precision Door of Chicago, with aspiration of starting her own online marketing company.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jessica_P_Simpson
Amidst the hoopla of the BP oil drilling incident, eyes are starting to open wider in terms of what activists and organizations have long protested in an effort to clean up the environment and live a greener lifestyle for the sake of the earth and our future.
From simple household recycling to hybrid vehicles, it seems as if more global companies are joining the cause, and in this case, garage door manufacturers are now doing their part by offering homeowners eco-friendly garage doors. Green garage doors are becoming more in-demand as homeowners and manufacturers alike are looking for new ways to contribute their efforts in sustaining a preserving lifestyle.
I'm the furthest thing from being a hippie and I don't spend my free time hugging trees, but in this day and age, I'm simply interested in the quality of life. Would I have ever have thought that I'd be interested in the benefits of a green garage door? Absolutely not! But rather than looking at this from a "save the world" perspective, let me take a look at it from a "save some money" perspective.
Did you know that composite polymer doors are more energy efficient than real wood doors? In other words, you could be saving yourself a couple of hundred dollars a year on your electric bill. Did you also know that the construction materials used on eco-friendly doors is UV and moisture resistant? Therefore the door won't rot or crack, thus saving you the cost of refurbishing or replacing it.
Blog Sponsor: Garage Door Florida
Garage Door Florida is a new website that features the next generation of Garage Doors For Florida homeowners. Your garage door is one of the major architectural features of your house. Selecting the right garage door in Florida is important not only for curb appeal but also because our weather can cause wooden garage doors to rot, warp or need constant repainting and maintenance. Garage Door Florida features a line-up of beautifully crafted composite eco-friendly garage doors from Eden Coast LLC. They are each custom built to homeowners needs and manufactured with to reduce your impact on the environment. For more information or to locate a dealer in Tampa please visit GarageDoorFlorida.com
Most people don't get involved using the overly common excuse, "I don't know how". With this comprehensive list, everyone can join in in doing their part in making a greener environment, and best of all, it starts in the comfort of your own home. Other than joining a crusade in saving the world, you can still selfishly claim that you are more interested in saving money and future aggravation caused by repairs. Whatever your reason is, the information is worth a look. And your involvement helps make the movement stronger!
Jessica "Jess" Simpson is a proud product of the Chi-Town Windy City. Never to be mistaken for the celebrity Jessica Simpson, Jess actually brushes her teeth and the furthest thing from an air-head. A graduate from Colombia University, currently working as a brand manager for Precision Door of Chicago, with aspiration of starting her own online marketing company.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jessica_P_Simpson
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Housewatch: Building Green Without Losing Greenbacks
washingtonpost.com
By Katherine Salant
Although home builders have the opportunity to make a huge impact on reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that are causing global warming, very few mention it in their sales pitches.
To make a difference, home builders do not have to reinvent the house; they simply have to build ones that use less energy. Their challenges are minor compared with those faced by automakers shifting to plug-in hybrids, electric, and hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered cars. Builders can achieve significantly higher rates of energy efficiency with only a few minor changes: plugging air leaks in the building envelope so that the owner will not be heating or cooling the great outdoors; sealing the ducts that deliver heating and air conditioning with mastic glue instead of tape, which can disintegrate; installing better windows with a low-emissivity coating; and adding more insulation to basements, crawl spaces, walls and attics.
Other changes will help, such as increasing roof overhangs to shade windows in summer; building houses to minimize western exposures to the hot summer sun; and planting fast-growing shade trees after houses are built.
How much would such modest changes add to the cost of a house? During the recent boom years, they might have added as much as 4 percent. In today's market, the added cost probably would be closer to 1 percent because a builder can get good work from subcontractors at very competitive prices, said Ron Jones, president of GreenBuilder Media and a builder for more than 30 years.
This added cost might discourage some builders. But the main reason that most are not pushing energy efficiency is their desire to avoid debate about a subject that they sense the buying public rejects -- and one that could affect their sales, said Jones, who is also a director of the National Association of Home Builders and is in frequent contact with builders all over the country. He was instrumental in establishing NAHB's green building certification program.
"Home builders tend to be stubborn and absorb change slowly, but above all," Jones emphasized, "home builders are business people who want to sell houses, and they approach most things pragmatically.
"They are not going to focus on global warming because they have observed the public's skepticism, and they don't want to scare off potential customers," he said. "Instead, builders are promoting energy savings as a way to save money. They'll wait for the client to talk about improved energy savings and climate change."
Kevin Morrow, NAHB's green building senior program manager, said most builders think the best way to sell energy efficiency to "today's value-conscious consumers" is to show the money saved on utility bills. But, he said, "the end point is still the same." Energy-efficient houses reduce the emissions that are causing climate change.
Sam Rashkin, program manager for the federal government's Energy Star for Homes program, said he also takes a neutral, "bipartisan approach" in offering reasons to save energy. "If I bring up climate change, I will offend 50 percent of my audience -- I will see a body language change," Rashkin said. His solution has been to tailor the message to the audience.
For builders, Rashkin promotes energy savings as a way to compete against foreclosed houses. For homeowners, he emphasizes energy savings as a way to lower utility bills. With both groups, Rashkin shows that home energy efficiency benefits everyone, homeowner or not, because it reduces the overall dependence on foreign sources for oil and natural gas used at home.
For rest of article please visit www.washingtonpost.com
© 2010 The Washington Post Company
By Katherine Salant
Although home builders have the opportunity to make a huge impact on reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that are causing global warming, very few mention it in their sales pitches.
To make a difference, home builders do not have to reinvent the house; they simply have to build ones that use less energy. Their challenges are minor compared with those faced by automakers shifting to plug-in hybrids, electric, and hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered cars. Builders can achieve significantly higher rates of energy efficiency with only a few minor changes: plugging air leaks in the building envelope so that the owner will not be heating or cooling the great outdoors; sealing the ducts that deliver heating and air conditioning with mastic glue instead of tape, which can disintegrate; installing better windows with a low-emissivity coating; and adding more insulation to basements, crawl spaces, walls and attics.
Other changes will help, such as increasing roof overhangs to shade windows in summer; building houses to minimize western exposures to the hot summer sun; and planting fast-growing shade trees after houses are built.
How much would such modest changes add to the cost of a house? During the recent boom years, they might have added as much as 4 percent. In today's market, the added cost probably would be closer to 1 percent because a builder can get good work from subcontractors at very competitive prices, said Ron Jones, president of GreenBuilder Media and a builder for more than 30 years.
This added cost might discourage some builders. But the main reason that most are not pushing energy efficiency is their desire to avoid debate about a subject that they sense the buying public rejects -- and one that could affect their sales, said Jones, who is also a director of the National Association of Home Builders and is in frequent contact with builders all over the country. He was instrumental in establishing NAHB's green building certification program.
"Home builders tend to be stubborn and absorb change slowly, but above all," Jones emphasized, "home builders are business people who want to sell houses, and they approach most things pragmatically.
"They are not going to focus on global warming because they have observed the public's skepticism, and they don't want to scare off potential customers," he said. "Instead, builders are promoting energy savings as a way to save money. They'll wait for the client to talk about improved energy savings and climate change."
Kevin Morrow, NAHB's green building senior program manager, said most builders think the best way to sell energy efficiency to "today's value-conscious consumers" is to show the money saved on utility bills. But, he said, "the end point is still the same." Energy-efficient houses reduce the emissions that are causing climate change.
Sam Rashkin, program manager for the federal government's Energy Star for Homes program, said he also takes a neutral, "bipartisan approach" in offering reasons to save energy. "If I bring up climate change, I will offend 50 percent of my audience -- I will see a body language change," Rashkin said. His solution has been to tailor the message to the audience.
For builders, Rashkin promotes energy savings as a way to compete against foreclosed houses. For homeowners, he emphasizes energy savings as a way to lower utility bills. With both groups, Rashkin shows that home energy efficiency benefits everyone, homeowner or not, because it reduces the overall dependence on foreign sources for oil and natural gas used at home.
For rest of article please visit www.washingtonpost.com
© 2010 The Washington Post Company
Florida Green Homes, LLC. specializes in the construction of Certified Green and Hurricane Resistant, Energy and Water Efficient, Eco-Friendly Homes.There is really no way to place a value on your family’s health. A Certified “Green Home” built by Florida Green homes provides a safe and healthy environment for you and your family that can drastically reduce trips to the Doctor and even life threatening illnesses by keeping out dust, allergens, pollutants, black mold spores, and insects.
We use only Zero VOC paint, Certified Green Cabinetry and Carpet and Rug Institute Certified Green Carpet.
Our homes are built without products containing formaldehyde, chlorofluorocarbon, asbestos, and fiberglass which can cause serious illness and long term effects that can put a strain on your family’s budget financially.
The price for your family’s health… It’s immeasurable!
That’s why we build our homes the way we do!
Build Green and stay healthy. It’s our Standard!
It is our standard to make the world a better place by providing a healthy environment in and outside of your home, by reducing waste, conserving natural resources, improving both air and water quality, and protecting ecosystems.
An average 2,000 sf home built with ICF construction saves up to 47 trees and creates no ozone depletion.
Eugene Pan, Systems Administrator for NY Post IT Department:
I have been always very considerate of an environment and have been a member of a “Green Party” for many years. Our world promptly becomes soiled, resources are exhausted. Unfortunately, construction process can lead to environment and ecosystem destruction.
It is known that the modern person spends at the house more than 85 % of time. There is a question: whether it is possible to create such house in which residing conditions would be approached to the ideal as much as possible? It appears to be possible. These houses are called "Green". Green homes have such doubtless advantages as harmony with an environment, economy of energy, water, materials and resources, quality of water and pure air.
There is an opinion that green construction – is a whim of wealthy people. New technologies are more expensive than the traditional methods used by decades, but calculations show that in 8-10 years the choice of a "green" house pays off and also an ownership of such a house starts to make a profit. Florida Green Homes proved that construction of a green house doesn’t cost me more than the construction of traditionally built one. I am very happy with my choice of a green house which keeps my family in good health and is environment friendly. Also it is really important to me that my house is hurricane resistant and is very quite.
Construction of green houses remains the main world tendency of our time. "Green houses" are houses being in harmony with environment and people living in them.
Jeff Vasilevskiy - President
“After the tragedy in New Orleans, in which hurricane Katrina devastated so many lives, my concern was to create a hurricane-resistant home that will not only be safe and energy efficient but affordable as well. In the past three years we have developed one of the best products in the green construction industry. Now I’m proud to say, “Florida Green Homes are one of the safest structures in the world.” Together, with our team of professionals we are eager to show you how an affordable, highly energy efficient, healthy, environmentally friendly and certified green home can save you money and change your life.
We use only Zero VOC paint, Certified Green Cabinetry and Carpet and Rug Institute Certified Green Carpet.
Our homes are built without products containing formaldehyde, chlorofluorocarbon, asbestos, and fiberglass which can cause serious illness and long term effects that can put a strain on your family’s budget financially.
The price for your family’s health… It’s immeasurable!
That’s why we build our homes the way we do!
Build Green and stay healthy. It’s our Standard!
It is our standard to make the world a better place by providing a healthy environment in and outside of your home, by reducing waste, conserving natural resources, improving both air and water quality, and protecting ecosystems.
An average 2,000 sf home built with ICF construction saves up to 47 trees and creates no ozone depletion.
Eugene Pan, Systems Administrator for NY Post IT Department:
I have been always very considerate of an environment and have been a member of a “Green Party” for many years. Our world promptly becomes soiled, resources are exhausted. Unfortunately, construction process can lead to environment and ecosystem destruction.
It is known that the modern person spends at the house more than 85 % of time. There is a question: whether it is possible to create such house in which residing conditions would be approached to the ideal as much as possible? It appears to be possible. These houses are called "Green". Green homes have such doubtless advantages as harmony with an environment, economy of energy, water, materials and resources, quality of water and pure air.
There is an opinion that green construction – is a whim of wealthy people. New technologies are more expensive than the traditional methods used by decades, but calculations show that in 8-10 years the choice of a "green" house pays off and also an ownership of such a house starts to make a profit. Florida Green Homes proved that construction of a green house doesn’t cost me more than the construction of traditionally built one. I am very happy with my choice of a green house which keeps my family in good health and is environment friendly. Also it is really important to me that my house is hurricane resistant and is very quite.
Construction of green houses remains the main world tendency of our time. "Green houses" are houses being in harmony with environment and people living in them.
Jeff Vasilevskiy - President
“After the tragedy in New Orleans, in which hurricane Katrina devastated so many lives, my concern was to create a hurricane-resistant home that will not only be safe and energy efficient but affordable as well. In the past three years we have developed one of the best products in the green construction industry. Now I’m proud to say, “Florida Green Homes are one of the safest structures in the world.” Together, with our team of professionals we are eager to show you how an affordable, highly energy efficient, healthy, environmentally friendly and certified green home can save you money and change your life.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Garage Door Maintenance Can be Reduced with Green Garage Doors
Though they look relatively simple in construction, garage doors actually have many components, especially if they’re hooked up to an electric opener.Because of this level of complexity—and the fact that a garage door must stand up against harsh weather—a garage door may suffer from any of several problems.
The most common problem is that the door becomes difficult to lift and lower. This may be something that can be resolved with a few simple adjustments and basic maintenance, or it may be more serious. If the door is connected to an electric opener, the first clue is to disconnect opener mechanism from the door by pulling the release cord or lever. If the door works fine manually, the problem is with the electric opener; in this case, consult your owner’s manual or call a garage door opener repair pro.
Wooden Garage Doors Require More Maintenance
If you have a wood door, be sure to keep it properly painted or stained, both outside and inside. If you finish only the outside of a garage door, the door may warp and the moisture will subvert the paint, causing it to peel. Manufacturers of wood doors recommend you initially paint both the inside and outside and repaint the exterior surface every year or two.
A door that seems unusually heavy to lift may have a problem with spring tension. Garage door springs are under extreme tension because of the loads they must lift, and this makes them dangerous to adjust. If your door’s springs are out of adjustment, do not attempt to work on them yourself. Call a qualified garage door company.
Blog Sponsor: Garage Door Florida
Garage Door Florida is an educational website for homeowners and consumers who are considering purchasing a new garage door. The Garage Door Florida website provides information on Eden Coast Custom Garage Doors which are crafted from composite materials and color matched to your home.There are many advantages to a Garage Door in Florida that looks great and will not need nearly the amount of maintenance a wooden garage door would need. For more information on how your home can have an Eden Coast Garage Door please visit the website Garage Door Florida.
The most common problem is that the door becomes difficult to lift and lower. This may be something that can be resolved with a few simple adjustments and basic maintenance, or it may be more serious. If the door is connected to an electric opener, the first clue is to disconnect opener mechanism from the door by pulling the release cord or lever. If the door works fine manually, the problem is with the electric opener; in this case, consult your owner’s manual or call a garage door opener repair pro.
Wooden Garage Doors Require More Maintenance
If you have a wood door, be sure to keep it properly painted or stained, both outside and inside. If you finish only the outside of a garage door, the door may warp and the moisture will subvert the paint, causing it to peel. Manufacturers of wood doors recommend you initially paint both the inside and outside and repaint the exterior surface every year or two.
A door that seems unusually heavy to lift may have a problem with spring tension. Garage door springs are under extreme tension because of the loads they must lift, and this makes them dangerous to adjust. If your door’s springs are out of adjustment, do not attempt to work on them yourself. Call a qualified garage door company.
Blog Sponsor: Garage Door Florida
Garage Door Florida is an educational website for homeowners and consumers who are considering purchasing a new garage door. The Garage Door Florida website provides information on Eden Coast Custom Garage Doors which are crafted from composite materials and color matched to your home.There are many advantages to a Garage Door in Florida that looks great and will not need nearly the amount of maintenance a wooden garage door would need. For more information on how your home can have an Eden Coast Garage Door please visit the website Garage Door Florida.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
USA Today - Home Energy Funding Around Corner?
The Senate will likley vote within the next 10 days on an energy bill that includes rebates worth up to $8,000 for homeowners who do energy efficient retrofits.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., included the Home Star program -- also called "cash for caulkers" -- in scaled-back energy legislation unveiled this week. His bill also aims to boost oil spill liability and natural gas-powered vehicles but does not cap industrial greenhouse gas emissions.
* Follow Green House on Twitter
"The senator stressed he'd like to get this done before the August recent," slated to begin Aug. 9, says Larry Laseter, who represented companies backing the program at a press conference today with Sen. Reid. The Home Star Coalition includes trade groups and major companies such as Lowe's, Home Depot and Sears.
President Obama has promoted the Home Star program, which gives homeowners rebates for energy efficient retrofits. Here, he spoke in December at a Home Depot in Alexandria, Va., about the value of such upgrades.
By Susan Walsh, AP
The Home Star Energy Retrofit Act, which President Obama has touted, has moved quickly through Congress. In May, the House of Representatives passed the two-year program with bi-partisan support.
"It's just a good, common-sense bill," says Laseter, president of WellHome, a home-retrofit company, adding it will create 170,00 jobs, save homeowners' money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The program would give rebates for adding insulation, sealing ducts and installing efficient water heaters, heating units, windows and doors. The rebates would be worth $1,500 per measure, capped at 50% of project costs or $3,000, whichever is less. They could reach $8,000 for a whole-house retrofit that can prove, via a thorough audit, that it has halved energy use.
"The impact is immediate," says Laseter, noting that plenty of contractors are ready to go.
The program could help lower the construction industry's 24% unemployment rate, says Bracken Hendricks, senior fellow of the Center for American Progress, a self-described "progressive" research group.
"It's very much a made-in-America strategy," Bracken tells Green House, adding that efficiency upgrades aren't outsourced to foreign countries.
Congress has taken other steps to promote home efficiency. It's funded federal tax credits for certain Energy Star products and efficiency upgrades, $300 million for the "cash for appliance" program, which states rolled out this year, and $5 billion in three-year stimulus funding to weatherize homes.
The House approved $6 billion for Home Star, while Reid's bill calls for $5 billion.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., included the Home Star program -- also called "cash for caulkers" -- in scaled-back energy legislation unveiled this week. His bill also aims to boost oil spill liability and natural gas-powered vehicles but does not cap industrial greenhouse gas emissions.
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"The senator stressed he'd like to get this done before the August recent," slated to begin Aug. 9, says Larry Laseter, who represented companies backing the program at a press conference today with Sen. Reid. The Home Star Coalition includes trade groups and major companies such as Lowe's, Home Depot and Sears.
President Obama has promoted the Home Star program, which gives homeowners rebates for energy efficient retrofits. Here, he spoke in December at a Home Depot in Alexandria, Va., about the value of such upgrades.
By Susan Walsh, AP
The Home Star Energy Retrofit Act, which President Obama has touted, has moved quickly through Congress. In May, the House of Representatives passed the two-year program with bi-partisan support.
"It's just a good, common-sense bill," says Laseter, president of WellHome, a home-retrofit company, adding it will create 170,00 jobs, save homeowners' money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The program would give rebates for adding insulation, sealing ducts and installing efficient water heaters, heating units, windows and doors. The rebates would be worth $1,500 per measure, capped at 50% of project costs or $3,000, whichever is less. They could reach $8,000 for a whole-house retrofit that can prove, via a thorough audit, that it has halved energy use.
"The impact is immediate," says Laseter, noting that plenty of contractors are ready to go.
The program could help lower the construction industry's 24% unemployment rate, says Bracken Hendricks, senior fellow of the Center for American Progress, a self-described "progressive" research group.
"It's very much a made-in-America strategy," Bracken tells Green House, adding that efficiency upgrades aren't outsourced to foreign countries.
Congress has taken other steps to promote home efficiency. It's funded federal tax credits for certain Energy Star products and efficiency upgrades, $300 million for the "cash for appliance" program, which states rolled out this year, and $5 billion in three-year stimulus funding to weatherize homes.
The House approved $6 billion for Home Star, while Reid's bill calls for $5 billion.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Storm proof house in Tampa
“With the huge houses, we didn’t feel like the market was going in that direction forever,” he says. “My partner and I and the people in our office wanted to move toward green building.”
To attract clients looking for high-performance smaller dwellings, he founded Alvarez New Concepts, a spinoff company to his custom building business. In December, he completed his first sustainable project, a 2,500-square-foot home in the city’s walkable Hyde Park historic district certified to NGBS-Gold and Florida Green Building Coalition-Platinum.
But in his quest to set his new company apart, Alvarez didn’t stop with sustainability. Knowing that his customers are concerned about coastal storm safety, he also designed the home to be ultra hurricane resistant under the Institute for Business & Home Safety’s Fortified for Safer Living (FSL) designation.
The program’s rigorous requirements go beyond state and local building codes to increase a home’s resistance to natural perils. For example, the Alvarez house had to be able to withstand 140-mph winds, 20 mph stronger than code requires.
SEALED TIGHT
Alvarez and engineer Paul Kidwell found that high-performance home building utilizes many of the same products, principles, and technologies that ultra-weatherproofing does. For example, FSL’s mandate for an ultra-strong outer envelope meant the house would be built to super-tight and energy-efficient standards, starting with its concrete foundation and walls.
The two-story concrete block walls were poured with 4,000-psi concrete and reinforced with steel every 2 feet, Alvarez says. PolyMaster R-501 foam was injected around the concrete block for an R-value of 4.6 per inch.
“The first thing we planned for was to start out with a very tightly sealed house,” Alvarez says. “The house has lots of layers of insulation.”
Walls were insulated to R-19 with ¾-inch Owens Corning Foamular 250 rigid foam, followed by M-Shield paperless reflective insulation from Fi-Foil applied on ¾-inch furring strips.
An acrylic sealer from Porter PPG was used to protect the exterior of the concrete block. Workers then applied James Hardie’s Hardiewrap weather barrier followed by pressure-treated 2x4s, required by the FSL program for extra strength. The exterior was finished with 5/8-inch-thick Artisan Lap siding, also from James Hardie.
No area of the home was left uninsulated, Alvarez says. The attic and the ceiling between the floors were sprayed with Icynene LD-R 50, a renewable water-blown foam insulation and air barrier made from castor oil. Hilti spray foam was used to fill gaps around pipes, vents, ducts, outlets, and windows.
For extreme water and wind protection under the high-wind-rated Galvalume roof, Alvarez and his crew relied on the Huber Zip structural panel sheathing system and a secondary water barrier, peel-and-stick Polystick TU Plus, a rubberized asphalt waterproofing membrane.
High design pressure- and impact-rated windows and doors from Pella meet FSL criteria to resist wind-driven rain and to protect against windborne debris. In addition, pre-engineered wood roof and floor trusses were designed, installed, and anchored to resist the higher-design wind speed.
STRONG AND GREEN
Besides its super-sealed, ultra-insulated shell, the home also boasts an array of other green features, including a rainwater collection system; Energy Star-rated appliances; LED recessed lights; two tankless water heaters; a Rainbird Smart Control irrigation system; and eco-friendly floors, countertops, and cabinets.
Built as a concept home for about $700,000 and now occupied by Alvarez’s son, the project has generated new customers interested in both its sustainable and stormproof features, Alvarez says.
“They like everything about it, they can’t believe how many things we took into account when building it,” he comments. “They’re overwhelmed with all the details.”
Although the market in his area is still slow, Alvarez believes that clients who tour the home will remember his company when they’re ready to buy, and he says he plans to build more high-performance homes in the near future.
DISASTER-PROOF
The 10-year-old FSL program has designated about 250 homes across the country for their strength against perils such as hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, hail, and earthquakes, says media relations manager Joe King. In some jurisdictions, including 18 coastal counties in North Carolina, owners of FSL homes can receive a discount on their insurance premiums.
Because a significant percentage of Americans live within 50 miles of a coast or within wildfire-prone areas, incorporating durable building techniques into green projects makes sense, King says.
“Resilient construction goes hand in hand with green construction,” he notes. “And one of our houses is going to last, because the owners are not going to have to replace it after a disaster when everyone else has to come back in and rebuild.”
Jennifer Goodman is Senior Editor, Online for EcoHome.
http://www.ecohomemagazine.com/news/2010/07-july/case-study-tampa-house-built-to-sustainable-and-storm-resistant-standards.aspx
Friday, July 2, 2010
Garage Door Florida Website Launched
When you think of green products for your home you probably don't think of your garage door. It is the largest moving part of your home and helps insulate your home from outside temperatures. Typical wooden doors need frequent maintenance, re-painting and needs to be replaced every 5-7 years. A new website, Garage Door Florida provides Florida homeowners with information on composite garage doors that are great for homes on the Florida coastal areas.
The Garage Door Florida website was launched by Eden Coast LLC, an Atlanta based manufacturer of high quality eco-friendly garage doors. The quality of the doors must be seen to be believed. The stain and painting options are matched to the colors of your home and each Eden Coast Garage Door is custom made in their Atlanta manufacturing plant. For more information please visit their Garage Door Florida Website.
The Garage Door Florida website was launched by Eden Coast LLC, an Atlanta based manufacturer of high quality eco-friendly garage doors. The quality of the doors must be seen to be believed. The stain and painting options are matched to the colors of your home and each Eden Coast Garage Door is custom made in their Atlanta manufacturing plant. For more information please visit their Garage Door Florida Website.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
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