Sustainable building from the ground up - the pros and cons of the
latest green and natural materials and technologies
From foundation to finish, a wealth of information is available on
sustainable construction methods-entire volumes have been published on
individual green and natural building techniques. But with so many
different ideas to choose from, there is no single resource that allows
an owner or builder to quickly and objectively compare the merits of
each system for their particular project.
Making Better Buildings cuts through the hype and provides the
unvarnished facts about the upsides and downsides of the most widely
discussed materials and technologies. Drawing on the real-world
experiences of designer/builders, this comparative guide systematically
and comprehensively examines each approach in terms of:
- Cost, sourcing, labor intensity, and ease of construction
- Energy efficiency, embodied energy, and environmental impacts
- Availability/accessibility
- Viable applications and future potential.
Each chapter is rounded out by a chart which summarizes the material in
a quick and accessible manner.
Whether you are an owner preparing to build a green or natural home, or
a conventional contractor determined to integrate sustainable
alternatives into your existing construction practices, this up-to-the
minute resource will help you make the best decisions for your project,
while meeting your energy, efficiency, budgetary, and site-specific
needs.
