Our goal was to turn our newly acquired and somewhat run down bungalow into a beautiful and comfortable home that was as energy efficient and eco-friendly as possible. We wanted to do this in a way that created modern conveniences and utilized modern technologies, while preserving the craftsman aesthetic of our 1918 home. Our project is a certified Silver, Type III project, which included adding two dormers to create a master suite on the second floor, remodeling the kitchen, and generally sprucing it up. The key energy efficiency features of our home include: closed cell foam insulation in all available applications, redesign of the HVAC system, high efficiency furnace, tankless hot water, energy efficient lighting and appliances, and high performance windows and doors for all new applications. We insulated the sash pockets and reglazed the existing windows to improve the efficiency of the existing windows. Many of the materials used were salvaged and environmentally-friendly, including flooring remilled from an old barn, a kitchen countertop made of 100% paper, and salvaged or FSC-certified lumber and millwork. Throughout the project, we made every effort to reuse materials and minimize waste. The home’s proximity to a light rail station and urban amenities cuts car trips, which further reduces our carbon footprint.

By Carolyn Brouillard, Homeowner

For more information on this project visit www.metropolismn.com.

This St. Louis Park couple came to Castle Building & Remodeling needing to expand their attic space in anticipation of a new arrival. They knew they wanted to use sustainable and locally sourced materials, convert the household mechanicals to energy efficient systems, and conserve or recycling materials wherever possible. Castle Building & Remodeling designed a unique shed dormer that gave these homeowners nearly 800 sq. ft. of newly finished space, including two bedrooms, a full bathroom and an office/nursery area.

Some of the key elements of this project that qualified it for green certification were:

• High efficiency heating and cooling systems
• A tanklesswater heating system
• Energy Star rated lighting fixtures
• Low flow plumbing fixtures
• Advanced framing techniques that conserved on lumber usage
• Engineered headers and beams to maximize the use of forest products
• High efficiency windows
• Advanced insulation techniques to increase R-values and eliminate air leakage
• No recessed fixtures penetrating unconditioned attic space
• Lifetime warrantied steel shingles
• Bituminous roofing over entire low pitch roof areas
• Fiber cement siding & wood composite exterior trim materials
• Low VOC paints and finishes
• Recycled framing and roofing materials salvaged for the existing house
• A Waste Management Plan to deal with all refuse
• Rain barrels to collect water runoff from the roof and to be used to water the yard

For more information on this project visit www.castlebri.com.