Green Remodeling
At Foster Remodeling Solutions, we look for ways to use sensible green building technology. We strive to design and build the best quality and value into all our projects.
We embrace the concept of “building green” when it makes sense. However, just like when the microwave or the VCR first came out, the cost of some of the “green” products out there make them prohibitive. At what price does it make sense to use a “cutting edge” product? Is there any history on the product to show it’s worth the additional costs?
Our goals when building is to inform and educate our clients on building products and design practices that make sense. As with all our projects, we help steer our clients to make decisions that will benefit the quality of life now and in the future. The “Return on Investment” is the cornerstone to how we approach “green” building. However, for some, using green technology is more about saving the environment than saving money. We understand, appreciate and share that commitment to our planet.
We help with practical solutions to saving energy and money. Does spending $25,000 on a solar panel system to save $25 per month make sense? To some, yes. But, a less costly way to save that amount of money may be to simply replace the light bulbs in your house with compact fluorescent bulbs or LED bulbs. Some of the most cost effective ways to save on energy costs are replacing your windows with Low-E, argon gas filled double pane windows. Adding insulation to your attic will allow for perhaps the quickest return on investment we know. Our experience will help guide you through the maze of opportunity that “building green” has to offer. So, don’t worry, from low VOC paints and carpets to high efficiency water heaters, we’ve got you covered.
However, using “green” products is only part of our approach. When designing, we look at ways to save energy cost by considering passive solar design and solar orientation and the effects it can have on the new as well as the existing structure. By designing around how the sun affects the interior temperature and lighting of the house, we can save energy. We will “design green” by simply locating windows in a way to limit the amount of direct sunlight while still bringing in the natural light to the spaces. 
We have put together some links to websites that we have found helpful and listed them below. Also, our wonderful vendors have a myriad of “green products”. You’ll find them under the “Vendors” tab on our Home Page. There are many ways we all can help cut back on energy cost and environmental hazards. But, by going “sensibly green”, we feel we have our client’s and our planet’s best interest at heart.
Professional Green Certification programs
• Metro DC Chapter of the National Association of Remodeling Industry (NARI)
- Homeowner’s resource for finding quality remodeling professionals
- Third Party certification program specifically for remodelers.
www.narimetrodc.org
• National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
- Third Party certification program specifically for home builders.
- Home certification/grading scale
www.nahbgreen.org
• U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
- Third Party certification programs.
- Building certification/grading scale (LEED)
www.usgbc.org
www.greenhomeguide.org
Recycle, reuse, and reduce construction debris
• Deconstruction:
- The selectively dismantling process of a building and/or it’s
components for re-use and recycling (i.e. framing members,
appliances, windows, etc.).
www.deconstructioninstitute.com
• Deconstruction Services, LLC
- Company based out of Fairfax, VA
- Specialized in residential and commercial deconstruction
www.deconstructionservices.com
- Materials will be taken to The ReBuild Warehouse
www.rebuildwarehouse.org
• Habitat For Humanity
- Northern Virginia based
- Donate items for reuse (appliances, cabinetry, etc.)
www.restorenova.org
Third party rating systems for building products
• Energy Star
- US Department of Energy guidelines for the energy-efficiency of appliances, heating and cooling systems, windows, doors, and roofing products.
- Defines consumer tax credits based upon Energy Star ratings.
www.energystar.gov
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index
• Water Sense
- US Environmental Protection Agency guidelines for water saving
plumbing fixtures
www.epa.gov/watersense
• Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP)
- Helps the federal government “buy green”
- Calculate the costs and benefits of purchasing choices
www.epa.gov/oppt/epp/
• Scientific Certification Systems (SCS)
- Certification for building products ranging from forestry to agriculture
www.scscertified.com
• Greenguard Environmental Institute
- Product certification program for low emitting interior building
materials, furnishings, and finish systems
- Measure indoor air quality
www.greenguard.org
• Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI)
- Product certification program for low emitting interior carpeting
- Measure indoor air quality
www.carpet-rug.org
• Master Painters Institute (MPI)
- Product certification program for low emitting VOC paints
- Measure indoor air quality (paints, primers, stains, etc.)
www.mpi.net
• Green Home Guide
- Informative website designs to assist homeowners and design
professionals in choosing the correct building product for their
application.
www.greenhomeguide.com
Products we use
• Trex Decking
- Exterior decking board and railing products
- Constructed using recycled plastic grocery bags and reclaimed
wood products
www.trex.com
• Windsor ONE
- Factory primed quality controlled wooden interior and exterior trim
products
- Use of low VOC primers are a benefit to installers (cutting and
sanding) as well as the end users.
www.windsorone.com
• James Hardie
- Fiber Cement products (siding, exterior trim, etc.)
- Long lasting products which resist water, heat, and UV radiation.
- Water shielding/shedding materials versus absorbing (brick).
- Use of low VOC paints and primers on prefinished materials is a
benefit to installers (cutting and sanding) as well as the end users.
www.jameshardie.com
• Icynene
- Open Cell spray foam insulation
- Controls air leakage, interior and exterior, as well as moisture.
www.icynene.com
• Andersen Windows
- Energy Star rated
- Sound insulator, durability, low VOC due to the prefinished product
and reclaimed wood (no wood preservatives added).
www.andersenwindows.com
• Earthwise Windows
- Energy Star rated
- Vinyl replacement and new construction window
www.earthwisewindows.com
• Icestone
- Countertop material made from 100% recycled glass with base.
www.icestone.biz
• ECO
- Countertop material made from 75% recycled materials (mirrors,
glass bottles, china, etc.).
www.ecobycosentino.com
• Paper Stone
- Countertop material made from 100% recycled paper.
www.paperstoneproducts.com
• Toto
- Water Sense products (faucets, toilets, etc.)
www.totousa.com
• Carrier
- Heating and cooling systems for residential
www.residential.carrier.com
• Benjamin Moore
- Interior and exterior paints
- Natura, Zero VOC paints and primers
www.benjaminmoore.com
• Rinnai
- Tankless hot water heaters
www.rinnai.us/tankless-water-heaters
• Tyvek
- Dupont product used to reduced air and water intrusion.
www.dupont.com/Tyvek/en_US/index.html
• T.W. Perry Building Supplier
- Local building supplier in the DC Metro area
www.green.twperry.com/consumer
• Rainwater Management Solutions
- Products for storing and collecting rainwater
- Watering lawns or purifying for internal use
www.rainwatermanagement.com