What is Green Building?
Green buildings are sited, designed, constructed and operated to enhance the comfort of its occupants and to support a healthy community and natural environment. Green building is a whole systems approach to building that expands and complements the classical building design concerns of economy, utility, durability and comfort.

Engineered lumber uses less wood than solid lumber and can offer structural advantages

Green Building Principles
The principles of green building are:

·         Livable communities

·         Energy efficiency

·         Indoor air quality

·         Resource conservation

·         Water conservation

Green building practices preserve our environment for the future by conserving natural resources and protecting air and water quality. They provide benefits today by increasing well-being and helping to maintain healthy air quality. Green building practices also reduce maintenance and replacement requirements, reducing utility bills and lowering the cost of home ownership, and increasing property and resale values.

Green Building Strategies
Strategies to improve building performance include:

·   Designing for livable communities

·   Building quality, durable structures

·   Incorporating durable, salvaged, recycled and sustainably harvested materials

·   Using sun and site to the building?s advantage for natural heating, cooling and daylighting

·   Insulating well and ventilating appropriately

·   Landscaping with native, drought-resistant plants and water-efficient practices

·   Using healthy products and building practices

·   Using energy-efficient and water-saving appliances, fixtures and technologies

·   Reducing and recycling construction and demolition waste

Efficient gas fireplace provides clean-burning heat and eliminates heat loss common in wood-burning fireplaces