Real Estate Investing

I always thought of log homes as one of the least eco-friendly building options around. But one web site actually says they can be eco-friendly too. In fact, log homes are “actually the most natural, organic and environmentally sustainable dwelling in the history of homebuilding,” the web site states. Of course, the web site belongs to PrecisionCraft Log & Timber Homes, not exactly an unbiased source. But Timber Homes is not alone in their approach. There are a lot of log home companies currently stressing the eco-friendliness of the building material, not surprising since eco-friendliness is all the rage.

Regardless, PrecisionCraft has a wealth of ideas on eco-friendly building. These are basic, common sense ideas, not the more expensive ones like tankless hot water heaters and photovoltaic panels.

- Use eaves, porches and awnings. This can not only increase the life of your windows, but can help cool your house by shielding the windows from direct sunlight.

- Placement of your home on the lot. Consider such characteristics of the land like slope, which could impact your building design. Also, when choosing a location, try to shield your home from the hot afternoon sun.

- Keep vaulted ceilings to a minimum. This is a tough one because vaulted ceilings are all the rage and often used as a selling point in home ads. However, not only is it wasted space, but it is also more air to heat or cool.

- Choose your windows carefully. The effects of windows placed in certain locations can be significant. For example, a large, unprotected window on a home’s west side is letting in ample heat from the afternoon sun. This is one reason clerestory windows are so popular. They project natural light from up high, but are too small and narrow to allow much heat to pass through.

- Add a cool pantry or root cellar. This strategy simply increases the shelf life of many products. It could also be useful for the person wanting to get into growing and canning their own vegetables, always an eco-friendly idea.

By the way, kudos to PrecisionCraft Log & Timber Homes for teaming up with Mountain Architects and others to found the annual Green Log Home & Lifestyle Awards. Now there’s something you don’t see a lot of log home companies doing.