BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE HOME

Whether building a new home or doing a minor remodel, homeowners need a framework to guide their decisions. These decisions are based on values, and in Building A Sustainable Home, author Melissa Rappaport Schifman posits that there are really only three reasons to go green:

• For Our Health: By building more sustainably, we reduce our exposure to harmful chemicals and toxins.
• For Our Wealth: By building a more durable home and being more efficient with resources like water and electricity, we reduce our monthly utility bills and ongoing maintenance expenses.
• For Our Soul: Collectively doing the right thing for our planet does make a difference, and that is soul-nourishing.

Learn the logistics of choosing windows, insulation, appliances, and lighting. Find out about FSC-certified wood and about using reclaimed materials. Here is everything you need to make your home sustainable.