FAQ:

Livibility:
Function and durability
Beauty
Indoor Air Quality
Ease of maintenance

Environmental Impact:
Manufacturer’s environmental-impact practices
Transport distance
Waste&Recyclability
Life-span of material

Local Availibility:
Support of local small business
Transport requirements

How did you get the shingles on the front of the house to look like that?
We used Aglaia Exterior Wood Glaze. Each FSC cedar shingle was primed and glazed prior to installation.

What the heck is a raingarden?
This raingarden moves over 30,000 gallons of water runoff to three specific areas in the yard- the raingardens are planted with grasses and shrubs that are able to thrive in heavy rain/summer drought conditions. It requires minimal maintenance and provides color throughout the year.
“A raingarden is a planted depression that is designed to absorb rainwater runoff from impervious surfaces like roofs, driveways, walkways, and compacted lawn areas. They reduce rain runoff by allowing stormwater to soak into the ground (as opposed to flowing into storm drains and surface waters which causes erosion, water pollution, flooding, and diminished groundwater)”(Wikipedia)

Hmm. How does the landscaping save water?
You may have notice the funny word “Xeriscaping” on the site.This word literally means “dry-landscape” Don’t worry- this yard isn’t dry and desolate; It simply thrives with very little water!
Xeriscaping refers to landscaping in ways that do not require supplemental irrigation. Plants whose natural requirements are appropriate to the local climate are emphasized, and care is taken to avoid losing water to evaporation and run-off. The word xeriscaping was coined by combining xeros (Greek for "dry") with landscape.
(More Info)

Advantages
Lower water bills
More water available for other uses and other people (such as showers, sinks, hoses etc.)
Less time and work needed for maintenance, making gardening more simple and stress-free
Little or no lawnmowing (saves energy)
Xeriscape plants along with proper bed design tends to take full advantage of rainfall
When water restrictions are implemented, xeriscape plants will tend to survive, while more traditional plants may not Increased habitat for native bees, butterflies, and other fauna

What do you mean by “Cool-Roof”?

In simple terms, a cool roof has the ability to reflect sunlight rather than absorb the sun’s heat. In scientific terms, a cool-roof has two important surface properties: a high solar reflectance and a high thermal emittance. Solar reflectance is the percentage of solar energy that is reflected by a surface. Thermal emittance is defined as the percentage of energy a material can radiate away after it is absorbed. Cool roofs reflect heat well across the entire solar spectrum, especially in the infrared and visible wavelengths. The less solar radiation materials absorb, the cooler they are. In addition to absorbing less heat, the coolest roofing materials radiate away any absorbed heat.

What did you use to waterproof the Kerie kitchen counter and bathroom floor?

We used a product from local paint company, Miller Paint. This product is not VOC compliant and is solvent based. This decision was made carefully; this and the interior surface of the claw foot tub are the only products with such characteristics used in this home. Over the years we have tested many “eco-conscious” products- from plant-based or water-based sealers to penetrating oils. Unfortunately, the only durable and lasting waterproofing methods we have found are solvent-based products.

Why did you choose Henry brand adhesives?

Henry is an adhesives manufacturing company with a long-standing commitment to the environment and indoor air quality. They are not a local company, but they offer a superior product free of Microban*, an additive that is unnecessary in the installation of Marmoleum. *Although Microban has become popular in the past few years, we believe that a homeowner should have control over the disinfection practices in their own home!