ecological building techniques
Natural Paints
Clay paints, lime washes, lime paint, potassium silicate mineral paints are all types of natural and non toxic paint finish options. The conventional paint industry contributes to toxins and pollutants not only in the manufacturing of the products but also in our homes while we live in them. Choosing a natural paint finish is an easy and affordable green option for our built environments. It can be applied over drywall, sheet materials, strawbale walls, lath & plaster, earthen walls and any other surface that is typically ready to receive paint.
Strawbale Wall Systems
Strawbale wall systems will greatly increase the amount of insulation in your walls without compromising your health. And Strawbale Homes can actually sequester carbon from the atmosphere, keeping a waste product out of the waste stream. You are not only putting a natural, non toxic building material into your space but also one that can save you hundreds of dollars on your energy bills each year. Strawbales will not rot and can handle humidity if properly installed, do not go up in flames because of the lack of oxygen in a compressed bale and animals actually have a hard time get through them.
Wood
Here in Northern California, we mostly work with Redwood, Cedar, Doug Fir and Pine. Healthy Home Artisans work with local millers to provide lumber for our projects. We are in a heavily forested area, therefore using trees for lumber is quite ecological. We specialize in systems that incorporate wood with exterior plasters and stucco to provide a fire resistant exterior finish while still successfully giving the client a beautiful natural wood siding.
Natural Plasters
Natural plasters include binders; clay, lime and gypsum. They can be mixed together is some circumstances or left as the only binder in the plaster. Plasters include a binder, aggregate and sometimes a fibrous material. The method of lath and plaster has been around for 100s of years and is still present on older buildings as it is extremely durable. The art of natural plaster provides a non toxic, durable, soft, natural and beautiful finish that promotes a healthy home environment. Plasters bring thermal mass which can help regulate humidity, indoor air quality and is said to help block EMFs.
Natural Infill Systems
There are a variety of more “natural” insulation and wall infill systems within the alternative building movement. Similar to strawbale, straw-clay or slip straw is another option that can legally meet energy codes in California. Other more natural options to consider: rice hulls, wood chip and hemp. Some sustainable options much better than fiberglass insulation are: wool, rockwool, Faswall Blocks, cellulose, and even recycled denim. Insulation is crucial important component and should not be underestimated. It can save you in energy costs, indoor air quality and environmental quality.
Earthen Floors
Earthen floors provide warmth, softness and comfort in any space. A beautiful, natural and non toxic flooring option that also can act as a thermal battery to passive solar gain. These floors have been around for a long time and now we can create them with certain finished to make them adapt to the modern day home. When installed properly they are not dusty and can withstand moderate traffic and use. We often use stone or tile in heavier traffic areas which looks beautiful up against the earthen floor.
Reclaimed Materials
Reclaiming materials to re-purpose is not only empowering, it is saving perfectly good materials from filling our landfills.
Most wood species from older structures are from old growth trees that often have superior qualities than the newer lumber which comes from much younger trees often from planted forests. Our team is experienced in using old barn and second hand materials and appliances and merging them with the new modern day construction. We bring new opportunity to something that still has life in it. A great way to be more sustainable. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
Earthen Wall Systems
Earthen wall systems are compromised mostly of cob, rammed earth, and adobe. These materials are thermal mass materials - meaning they behave like a thermal battery that can be charged. Imagine having a thermal mass wall behind your wood burning stove, in the winter while the fire in burning the wall is absorbing the heat. When the temperatures drop in the evening the wall will radiate heat back into the room to equalize the temperature. This will also contribute to better indoor environmental quality and lower the cost of spacial heating and cooling. We love incorporating thermal mass interior walls into our work.
PASSIVE SOLAR DESIGN
Passive Solar Design should be a part of every construction design. It utilizes natural energies to minimize our need for mechanical heating and cooling, artificial lighting, mechanical ventilation and other costly energy loads. If your structure is designed and built utilizing the correct orientation for solar gain paired with shade features and proper ventilation, you will be impressed with your indoor living environment. Good design up front can save a lot of time and money down the road.
let’s build like we give a damn.
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