From Guest Blogger Lizzie Weakly: How to Build an Environmentally-Friendly Home Without Sacrificing Quality of Life

In the last two decades, residents of planet Earth have increasingly been nudged to answer the call of conservation and environmental awareness. Owing to age old practices having been exposed as being environmentally detrimental, mankind is forced to take a critical look at natural resources and sustainability. One industry that exhibits the ability to create a sizable impact for the cause is the building industry. As one luxury home builder in Texas has proven, constructing an environmentally-friendly home doesn’t mean one must live in a tree-house or sacrifice amenities that enrich quality of life.

Choosing the Right Builder
The housing construction and sales market is enormously competitive. The cheapest and fastest builder is not necessarily going to be the best investment one can make in their home. Choosing a home builder who demonstrates conscientious attitudes and practices toward the environment is likely to yield the same values regarding the quality of materials and workmanship of the homes they build. A truly environmentally conscious builder will be privy to the latest building materials and techniques available in the green industry and will be employing stringent practices for site conservation and cleanup during all phases of construction.

Long Term Investment Yields
If someone told you to today that one investment could yield a return of 25-30% each year, you would like think long and hard before dreaming of saying no. The scenario for building an environmentally-friendly home isn’t different. In fact, the U.S. Green Building Council reports that certified green buildings average a 25% savings per year over non-green structures. In addition, they report that people living in certified green buildings experience overall better health than those residing in non-green housing. If all that wasn’t enough, the fact that green-certified homes bounced back from sluggish home sales at a faster rate than their non-green counterparts. The benefits leave little doubt as to the soundness of going green.

The Finishing Touches
The finish work of any home is what really makes a statement. New eco-friendly construction materials are designed to be durable, stunning and make use of natural products that have the ability to quickly regenerate. Materials such as bamboo and hemp are fast becoming products of the future for their versatility in manufacturing as well as their ability to be cultivated and harvested rapidly, making them ideal for keeping pace with the speed of housing growth.

Conservation also incorporates the use of building materials that are readily available as well as durable. Natural products that can remain beautiful and maintain their integrity help avoid the need for premature remodeling as trends change. Choosing timeless, quality materials will preserve the look and quality feel of a home for many years without costly improvements, which often result in contributions to local landfills.

Decorating and Landscape
It is amazing to learn how many relatively simple choices can impact the economically-friendly status of a home. From start to finish, green options add up to a world of difference in how we live and how we thrive. Every detail, such as choosing window treatments, can make a difference that preserves, protects and maximized resources. Landscaping outdoors is part of the home building process that if given adequate attention can be designed in such a way to help insulate and protect a home from harsh elements and spikes in heating and cooling expenses.

Thinking environmentally-friendly when planning your next home holds a multitude of advantages. Yes, it may cost a little more in the beginning, but the long range positive effect on budget, health, beauty, durability far outweigh the cost, which will be easily recovered with time. And of course there is the priceless benefit of knowing that every decision made regarding your beautiful abode resulted in no sacrifice in luxury—or the longevity of our beautiful planet.