| This Is How Oregon Eco Friendly Homes Are Built |
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There are three major components to an Oregon eco friendly home. Steel framing, Radiant Barrier, and continuous EPS foam board insulation. Put them all together and it’s almost like magic. Add energy efficient features such as tank less water heaters, energy efficient doors and windows, energy efficient appliances and you have a massively energy efficient, eco friendly and green home. The Benefits and Features Of A Home Framed From Steel While the steel its self does not provide energy efficiency. It does provide a host of other benefits that make it the perfect replacement for stick built homes. • Recycled steel saves energy, forest resources, and cuts CO2 emissions. • A 2,000 sq foot home built using steel recycles about 3.8 junk cars and keeps 3.5 truck loads of timber in the forest. • Steel is 20 times stronger than wood: no shifting, warping or repairs. • Termite free: no wood-no termite, no pest control cost, no repairs over life of home. • Steel framing does not wick moisture: no mold, mildew, or dry rot in framing or insulation. • Steel has stronger fastener retention: means no sheet rock pops. • Earthquake resistance: steel 20 times stronger than wood. • Steel framing is fire proof: family safety is increased during an accident. • Steel pre engineered: easy construction, no measuring or cutting at site. • Steel framing is pre-drilled for assembly: lower cost for sub contractors. • Minimal waste construction: lower cost and less strain on the environment. • Steel is recyclable: can be used over and over again. The Benefits and Features Of Radiant Barrier Radian barrier is the biggest component of the energy efficiency of the home. Radiant barrier has long been used in the roof. But when utilized on exterior walls it creates a massive energy savings. Radiant heat loss accounts for about 65% of the heat lost. The insulation currently used in green construction does little to prevent radiant heat loss and infiltration. Radiant barrier retains and reflects heat. • RBS installed on roof and all four walls: blocks 97% radiant heat from entering the home. • RBS installed on roof and all four walls: blocks 85% radiant heat loss during winter season. • Retains wall and Roof Whole R-Value (R-ww) value throughout life of the home. The Benefits and Features Of Continuous EPS Insulation The final piece of the puzzle is continuous EPS insulation. Continuous EPS insulation is a 4 to 5 inch foam board. Not only does this increase the insulation value of the home. But it helps prevent heat loss from air infiltration as well as the other types of heat loss other than radiation. • EPS ridged insulation: minimal air infiltration cuts energy. • Continuous ridged insulation retains R-value for life of the home no moisture buildup. • Continuous EPS Insulation creates an Envelope: wind resistant, quiet, no air infiltration. • Better control of in home air quality: means healthier living space. Those three things are what really make a home green and energy efficient. Those three things will have the highest impact on the environment, your wallet and your energy consumption. If you are thinking about building an eco friendly green home in Oregon consider this system. |