Tiny Green Houses

5 Tiny Houses With Big Green Ideas

by Laura Caseley

As Posted on www.earthtechling.com

It used to be that the sign of living well was a big house, one with lots of rooms, maybe a pool—the kind of house you might envy when you catch a glimpse of it on TV or in a magazine. But that’s changing. Due to environmental and economic pressures, builders and buyers alike are beginning to think smaller and smaller and look to more sustainable technologies and materials for homes.
This movement, known as the “tiny house movement,” is a direct response to the growing concern about environmental impact, carbon footprints, financial challenges and concerns about space and land conservation. There’s also a sense of freedom that many tiny-house dwellers talk about. Many of these houses are modular, and that means they can be packed up, shipped out and then plopped down anywhere the residents desire (within zoning limitations, of course). They can even be placed on rooftops, which means they utilize the otherwise unused space on urban skylines. The houses are also very inexpensive, which means owners seldom have to be concerned with a mortgage. This gallery showcases five little houses with pretty big eco-conscious features. Simply click a photo to learn more. Oh, and did we mention how cute they are?

Buy Green Building Materials For Your Tiny House From World Class Supply

Why You'll Love Thermally Modified Wood 

DesignNY Magazine

January 16

Written by Karen Marley

Thermally modified wood (TMW) is gaining traction in the U.S. as an intelligent new building material. Kevin DeMars of Attica Millworks, Inc., one of only a few U.S. TMW specialists, answers some questions on this ingenious product.   

Q.  What is thermally modified wood?

A. It’s wood that undergoes a precise application of heat and steam that changes the
wood’s cellular structure. No chemicals are involved. Consequently, the wood
becomes more stable and durable. It won’t grow mold.       

Q.  Why was the technology developed?

A.   The process has been in Europe since the Vikings but the 1990’s launched its
development as a science-based commercial technology due to the sauna
industry. Saunas generate heat and humidity. These are disastrous when
combined with wood.   

TMW provides all of wood’s attractive qualities without the problems of rot and
buckling. The thermal process gives wood those coveted dark, rich tones ...  naturally.
No chemical stains are needed.  

Q.  Where does the best TMW come from?

A.   In the U.S. the best TMW comes from wood that’s grown and processed domestically,
then shipped to Europe for the thermal modification. There are several
domestic manufacturers but they lack the European experience. This is critical
because if the process isn’t done correctly, you lose the benefits. However, the U.S. is learning quickly. 

Q.  What species can be thermally modified?

A.   Any species! Actually, some take it better than others. We prefer ash but have mastered others such as red oak, hickory, poplar, maple, spruce, and pine.

Q.  Since TMW looks and acts like tropical woods, is there a benefit to TMW over exotics?

A.  Definitely. Thermally modified ash will look and act like ebony, ipe, or wenge. None
of these exotics are sustainably harvested, despite their marketing. Meanwhile,
the U.S. has the best forest management in the world. 

Q.  Why is TMW a smart building material?

A.   Unlike other hardwoods, TMW will work anywhere – kitchens, basements, decking,
bathrooms – even radiant heated floors. There is no twisting, cupping, or gapping. With over a billion dollars in moisture damage to wood each year, imagine the savings with TMW! Consumers enjoy a 15-25 percent savings over traditional hardwoods so now being responsible to the environment actually saves money. 

Thermally Modified Wood is available at World Class Supply 

Who doesn't love chocolate?.

Archaeological record shows that Native Americans, Greeks, and Koreans, among others, charred the bottoms of wood posts to protect them from rotting — but it wasn't until the 1990s that it was applied on a production-level scale. First developed in Finland, the manufacturing technology for what is called "thermal modification" has since spread globally.

This super wood has the following attributes:

• zero toxicity
• medium to dark brown color (here is where the chocolate comes in)
• soft grey color with uncoated exterior TMW
• dimensional stability
• highly durable
• no warping, very stable
• pleasant odor
• brittle, not good for joists and posts
• holds glue well
• no rotting
• no pests

Contact us for more information:

worldclasssupply.com

When Zero doesn't really mean Zero

The EPA has determined that the off-gassing from architectural coatings is estimated to account for about 9% of the VOC emissions from all consumer and commercial products. It is important to understand that the EPA’s test method for VOC’s, any paint with VOC’s  5 g/l or less can be called zero VOC so even paint labeled zero VOC may not actually be truly zero VOC.

 Now I know that 5 g/l is very low in the big picture and I may be nitpicking but I was always taught that 0=0,  not 0=5 or less