Take It From Me: Green Remodeling Advice

Enlarge Image Image Gallery Architect Rick Harlan Schneider, owner of Inscape Studio, and his wife, Julie, did a green renovation on their Washington, D.C., townhome—built in 1929—that included enclosing the back porch and making it into a sunroom. They used the U.S. Green Building Council’s national standards for energy use, materials, and water as guidelines. Photo by Dan Redmond

Remodeling your home may be one of the most satisfying things you ever do—and one of the most challenging. If you add the “green” element to the project, both the joys and frustrations can be intensified. Fortunately, you can learn from those who’ve gone before, minimizing your trials and maximizing the pleasures.

Why should I consider eco-remodeling in the first place?

“We wanted to honor the roots of our traditional 1909 house while integrating it with the lifestyle and technology of today—in the greenest way that’s affordable. We spent half our home-purchase budget on the renovation because it was a mess and nobody had lived in it for years. However, we found remodeling easier than new construction because we weren’t working with a blank slate. We could look beyond the bad paneling, crummy carpet, and cheap fixtures, and see that the basic bones of the house were pretty good.”

—homeowner Charles Kingsley, Portland, Oregon

How is eco-remodeling different?

“Ecological remodeling requires forethought. Sourcing most green materials takes longer than just going down to the local building-supply store.

You need to be really clear about what your goals are. If you clarify your priorities at the outset, it will be easier to make good decisions in a timely manner.”

—architect Kelly Lerner (see “From Ugly Duckling to Sustainable Swan")

Where should I begin?

“The difference between a green remodel and a conventional remodel starts from the get-go. It’s crucial to look at the energy picture of the entire house, not just an addition or some new finish materials. When I was a builder, we always preferred to improve the energy efficiency of the existing home, not just whatever addition we were building. We were usually able to add to a house without having to increase the size of the heating and cooling equipment. The cost of energy-efficiency upgrades was usually covered by not having to buy a new furnace or air conditioner.”

—David Johnston, green building educator and author of Green Remodeling: Changing the World One Room at a Time (New Society, 2004)

Does it matter whom I hire to do the work?

“As early as possible, bring a designer and a contractor into your project who are experienced with green building. If you have to drag your designer or your builder through an unfamiliar process, you’ve got guaranteed problems. A builder who doesn’t take your environmental goals seriously is likely to do the same old things in familiar ways. Furthermore, a resistant contractor is more likely to inflate the bid to cover unknowns.”

—Mike O’Brien, green building specialist for the Office of Sustainable Development, Portland, Oregon