Green Building and Remodeling for Dummies »

Eric Corey Freed teaches sustainable design at the Academy of Art University and the University of Claifornia, Berkeley. He sits on the board of numerous environmentally focused nonprofits and museums.

Want to build responsibly, reduce waste, and help preserve the environment? Green Building & Remodeling For Dummies is your friendly, step-by-step guide to every facet of this Earth-friendly method of construction. Building a home—even a green home—uses plenty of resources and energy. This practical, hands-on book shows you how to build or remodel conscientiously, whether your dream home is a simple remodel or a brand-new multimillion-dollar mansion.

You’ll start by identifying green materials and sizing up potential systems and construction sites. You’ll weigh the pros and cons of popular green building methods and identify opportunities for saving money in the long run. Need to find some green professionals to assist you in your venture? We’ll help you do that, too. This book will also help you discover how to:

• Understand the lifecycle of building materials
• Choose the right system for your green building project
• Put together a green team
• Work within your budget
• Use green building methods and sustainable systems
• Speed construction and reduce energy use and waste
• Refinish old fixtures and materials
• Beware of asbestos and lead-paint hazards
• Avoid costly mistakes

Complete with lists of ten green things to do on every project and ten things you can do right now in your home in order to go green, Green Building & Remodeling For Dummies is your one-stop guide to planning and building the home you’ve always wanted.

Introduction.

Part I: The Need for Green.

Chapter 1: Going Green.

Chapter 2: Green Building in an Organically Grown Nutshell.

Chapter 3: Remodeling with a Green Eye.

Chapter 4: Working with Building Professionals.

Part II: Paying Attention to Material Matters.

Chapter 5: Looking at a Material’s Life Cycle: From Cradle to Grave.

Chapter 6: Material Opportunities: From Cradle to Cradle.

Chapter 7: Green Finish and Construction Materials.

Part III: Green Building Methods.

Chapter 8: Framing Things Up.

Chapter 9: Natural Building Methods.

Chapter 10: Manufactured Building Methods.

Part IV: Green Building Systems and Site Planning.

Chapter 11: Energy Systems.

Chapter 12: Heating and Cooling Systems.

Chapter 13: Water and Waste Systems.

Chapter 14: Landscaping and Site Planning: Going Green in the Great Outdoors.

Part V: The Part of Tens.

Chapter 15: Ten Common Myths about Green Building and Remodeling.

Chapter 16: Ten Green Things to Do on Every New-Home Project.

Chapter 17: Ten Green Materials You Can’t Live Without.

Chapter 18: Ten Green Things You Can Do in Your Home Right Now.

Appendix: Resources.

Index.