5 Ways to Green Your Construction Project

As I mentioned in a recent post, trends show that more and more people are demanding green options in their landscape construction projects. Here are a few simple, low cost ways to help make your construction project more environmentally friendly.

1. Use recycled materials- Use reclaimed bricks or blocks to help cut down and waste. You may even get a discount for saving on costs of materials.

2. Think Permeable- Use permeable pavers or concrete when hardscaping to prevent runoff and erosion.

3. Use Native Plants- If you are incorporating plants into your construction project use native plants to cut back on watering and fertilizer needs.

4. Use Lighter Colors- Using colors that have a high SRI (solar reflectance index) will help reduce the heat island effect which can affect our climate. To do this choose lighter colors when installing hardscaping and roofs.

5. Replace Tree- If your project requires the removal of trees, consider replacing the trees with native one planted at a safe distance from your house and other hard structures.

If you need other tips don't hesitate to set up a consultation with us by calling 301-603-1080 or emailing info@greenfutureus.com

How to make your Yard "Green" for Spring

There are many ways you can improve your yard for spring, and incorporating a little "green" into your landscape is a great place to start.  Here are some tips and ideas on how to make your yard more eco-friendly: Fix Drainage- If you have flooding or erosion install a drainage system. Helping to disperse water prevents run-off and erosion which can damage ecosystems.  Mulch- Mulching also helps prevent run-off and erosion. In addition, it is a great natural way to help nourish and protect your trees and shrubs.  Buy in Bulk- Why waste all that packaging when bulk mulch and gravel is usually cheaper anyway. We now sell bulk items at our store in Laurel, MD.  Think Permeable- Permeable pavers and concrete are great options for hardscaping that are more environmentally friendly because they help to filter water naturally, preventing erosion and run-off.  Go Native- Use native plants, which are better adapted to your environment and thus require less maintenance, water and chemical fertilizer. If you try any of these or other tips for having a "greener" yard please let us know how it works for you!

All About Pavers

One of the products we most commonly recommend for hardscaping is pavers. While pavers are a little more expensive than concrete or asphalt, they are often a better investment. Here's why: concrete and asphalt are poured in large slabs so they tend to crack more easily. Changes in the weather, ice and water accumulation cause small cracks in these materials that can become larger over time. In addition, changes in the earth also cause movement and cracks to the large slabs. Pavers are considered a moveable pavement and they are smaller so they tend to adapt to changes in the earth.

Pavers also tend to come with a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer. Asphalt and concrete are not warrantied. The labor on pavers can also be warrantied longer because the product tends to last longer.

In addition to their durability, pavers have a more luxurious aesthetic. Since outdoor features have one of the highest re-sale values, you can bet that an investment in pavers will get you a larger return on your investment when/if you decide to resell your home.

If you have sustainability on your mind, permeable pavers also offer a green option that can be used to earn LEED credits. While there is also the option of permeable concrete, asphalt does not have a "green" option available.

For all these reasons, we think pavers are one of the best options out there for hardscaping. Although they are slightly more expensive than concrete or asphalt they are cheaper than natural stone or flagstone and their benefits far outweigh the cost difference.

If you are considering installing a hardscape call us at 301-603-1080 to explore all of your options and to weigh the pros and cons of each.

Green Moms

You may have noticed I haven't posted in a while, I have taking a brief hiatus from blogging with the pregnancy and birth of my first son but I am back now with a little less sleep but a little more inspiration. Being a mom has made me see the world and sustainability with new eyes.

Back when I was growing up, I did a lot of babysitting. While watching different kids I noticed a trend in the way mid-upper class families were raising their kids. There was a new focus on organic food, natural cleaning products, high efficiency products and sustainability in general. I jokingly referred to the parents of these children as "Soy moms," because their refrigerators always seemed to be stocked with a plethora of soy products: tofu "ice cream" sandwiches, tempeh, soy milk, etc. This almost became a joke between me and my sister who would try to raid the refrigerators after the kids had gone to sleep but were too turned off by the sound of "tofu cookies" to even take a bite.

Now that I am a mom, I get it. We want to do anything that will give our children a better chance at life. That includes offering them the nutrition of organic soy as well as protecting the environment that they will one day grow up into.

The new reality is that by the time our kids grow up we may have used up our oil sources, Global warming may create huge natural disasters and that's a scary thought. We don't just want our kids to grow up like we did, with clean air and water and gas prices that don't break the bank every time you fuel up. We want them to have better. Our lifestyle of using cars to go somewhere 2 blocks away, turning on the air conditioning as soon as the weather goes above 70 degrees F, and eating unsustainable produce and meat has contributed to the declining health and obesity epidemic of our nation. For the first time in years, kids may have shorter life expectancies than their parents.

As moms we want to step in to protect our kids and protect their future. As spring approaches, and people are looking to do more projects on their house and yard, I would encourage you to try to make sustainable decisions as you move forward with these projects. Try to water your grass less, use organic fertilizer or install a drainage system that helps prevent run off and erosion. Choose FSC wood for construction projects and look into permeable pavers and concrete for hardscaping. The more we all try to change, the better future we leave for the next generation.