Valued Clients,
We find that many Austin home buyers today would like to have more green features in their homes. They want to do the right thing – for the environment and for themselves. Often these green choices result in new design trends. Here are some design choices that are grounded in the green movement.
1) Smaller Homes – The trend toward less space in homes has grown out of the green movement, with a boost from the economic slowdown. Smaller homes, clean lines, and less clutter resonate with today’s buyers. Media rooms, formal living rooms, and dining rooms that are unconnected to other core areas tend to not be used. Buyers are opting out of these spaces. The open floorplan is a green choice. It optimizes energy spent for heating and cooling, and works with passive solar design.
2) Walkability - People want to walk to parks, shops, and restaurants. They prefer not to be dependent on cars. This has grown out of concern about unstable gasoline costs, environmental damage, and negative effects on personal heath. Developers are re-thinking how neighborhoods are planned. In some urban neighborhoods, garages are being replaced by carports or open parking. Home offices are growing in number. Live-work spaces have moved into traditional homes.
3) Hard Surface Floors - Carpets hold dust, germs, mites and allergens. The smell of new carpet is known to be off-gassing from chemicals used to make the glues, fibers, pesticides, and fire retardants in the material. Hard surface floors are a feature that has grown out of the green movement. Concrete, stone, natural linoleum, cork, bamboo, and wood are favored material. Bamboo, which grows a foot per day, is a sustainable choice.
4) Health Conscious Materials – Today there is a generalized concern about asbestos fibers, high VOC paint, adhesives, pressboard glues, and off-gassing from carpet. Homebuyers today prefer locally made materials and recycled products. Insulation made from recycled blue jeans is a good fit.
5) Fireplaces Move Outdoors – Old fashioned fireplaces have a net heat loss. They are not energy efficient. Many have been converted to gas log systems. An alternative is the “direct vent” fireplace, which functions as a gas heating appliance. Outdoor fireplaces and fire pits are becoming more popular, for occasional use.
6) On Site Energy - Energy that can be produced on site is gaining ground. As alternative energy sources become more cost effective they will be more widely used. Neighborhood associations are now facing questions about solar panels and wind turbines on roofs. The “net-zero energy” home is now possible. We will move in that direction as fast as technology allows. The solar tube, an alternative to the skylight, is used to gather solar energy and reflect the light down a tube into the room.
7) Reduced Utility Bills - Today’s home owners want to reduce save on utility bills. They want energy efficient homes. Low E Glass, R 38 insulation, energy rated appliances, high efficiency AC, passive solar, tankless water heaters, solar panels, and LED lighting are some of the basics that buyers expect to find, or are willing to upgrade to.
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