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  • Fairfield County Green Home Building Strategy #3 – Building Envelope & Air Quality

    Country Club Homes, Inc. is an environmentally aware Connecticut custom home builder continuing the family tradition of building high-quality, sustainable homes in Fairfield County, Connecticut for more than 50 years. In our ongoing series of posts on the subject of Fairfield County green home building strategies, we’ve covered the following two topics on the Blog:

    Fairfield County Green Home Building Strategy #1 – Passive Solar
    Fairfield County Green Home Building Strategy #2 – Energy Saving Materials & Systems

    The Green Home Building Strategy we will be discussing on the blog today covers the building envelope and indoor air quality. When we use the term building envelope, what do we mean? The building envelope is made up of the roof, floor and exterior walls that form a barrier between the indoor conditioned space and the outdoor unconditioned environment.

    According to writer Herb Kirchhoff at ehow.com, “A properly designed building envelope can substantially reduce heating costs in the cold seasons and cut cooling costs in hot seasons.” The insulating properties of the wall and window systems determine effectiveness. Low emissivity (Low-E) Argon gas filled windows are very effective insulators commonly used today. A building must also be airtight to be well-insulated. For more information about the building envelope, visit ‘Pushing the Envelope’.

    As new homes have become increasingly more airtight, the need for proper air supply and exhaust, and moisture control has become more significant. The reduction in air flow throughout the home allows for higher humidity, which if not regulated, may lead to mold growth.  The best way to prevent this is to prevent water from entering the conditioned space in the home with an air-tight, and moisture proof envelope system; and top-quality craftsmanship throughout the construction process.

    Interested in learning more about green home building strategies such as passive solar, or energy saving materials and systems? Click one of the links to an earlier post:  

    Fairfield County Green Home Building Strategy #1 – Passive Solar
    Fairfield County Green Home Building Strategy #2 – Energy Saving Materials & Systems

    If you are planning a custom new home or home remodeling work and are seeking green architectural design and construction services in the Fairfield County, Connecticut area, please contact us at 203-762-0550 or through the Country Club Homes, Inc. website. We welcome residential clients who are committed to incorporating these technologies into home design and construction.

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  • The Draw of Beautiful Solid Hardwood Floors

    No other element of a house exudes warmth and traditional style quite like a hardwood floor. Just entering a room with a rich, earth-toned foundation is enough to make you feel at home, isn’t it? But like many elements in home design, the looks are just the beginning. Hardwood floors have become the preferred option…

  • Make the Most of Your Porch This Spring in Fairfield County

    We are so overdue for some pleasant warm weather here in New England, don’t you think? And there’s no better way to enjoy those beautiful days outside than relaxing on your porch… perhaps with a great book and a steamy cup of whatever your heart desires. A front porch can add lots of curb appeal…

  • Have a Seat… in the Bedroom?

    What is it about seating in the bedroom that gives it an air of elegance? Perhaps because benches, chairs, chaises, sofas and love seats are so often seen in common living areas that it automatically becomes a visual interest when seen in a different type of space. Because a dedicated seating area in the bedroom…

  • Add Charm in the Kitchen with a Farmhouse Sink

    Farmhouse sinks, also referred to as apron sinks, are a great choice for kitchen design that’s one part country, but still completely traditional. While some may think that these sinks are outdated and completely old-fashioned, what really determines the look and feel of a farmhouse sink is what’s surrounding it. With the right backsplash, faucet,…