BAMBOO FLOORING
Bamboo is a fast-growing plant that can be sustainably harvested every
three years. It is heated and cured to make a durable, 100-year hardwood
floor.
FORTY-YEAR ASPHALT SHINGLES
The shingles should last for 40 years – twice as long as typical
shingles. This will save the homeowners money because the roof won’t
need to be replaced for 40 years. Some cities currently have asphalt shingle
recycling facilities. Hopefully, Denver will have one within 40 years so
none of the shingles will end up landfilled.
CELLULOSE INSULATION
The flat attic is blown with R-38 cellulose insulation. Cellulose insulation
is made out of recycled newspaper treated with fire retardants. |
PRESSURE TREATED LUMBER
The lumber used to build the window well is pressure-treated with ACQ (Alkaline
Copper Quat) instead of CCA (Chromated Copper Arsenate), which contains
arsenic and is therefore highly toxic to surrounding soils. The central
ingredients in ACQ are 100% recycled copper, and quat, a fungicide typically
used in pools and shampoos.
LOW-E ARGON WINDOWS
These windows have a low-E coating and argon gas fill between the panes
of glass. Low-E and argon reduce the heat lost through the windows and
improve comfort in the house. For example, on a 0 Fahrenheit degree day,
the interior window surface temperature will be about 5 degrees warmer
than with a standard double-glazed window. |
MINIMIZED DUCT DESIGN
Heating registers can be more centralized than in a typical design where
registers are placed below windows. This is because we have a well-insulated
building and efficient windows.
P.E.T. CARPET
The carpeting is made from recycled plastic soda bottles. Using products
with recycled content makes recycling programs more economically feasible.
LOW- AND NO-V.O.C. PAINTS
AND ADHESIVES
Many finishes and construction adhesives contain V.O.C.'s, or Volatile
Organic Compounds, which tend to "off-gas" throughout the life
of the product and can be hazardous to the health of building |
