WNC Green Building Forums

Homes completely water self-sufficient

2008-04-30T10:06:06-05:00

Are there any homes out there that are using only rainwater for all of their water needs?

There is a lot of interest in this as wells dry up and water resource become more scarce.

Let us know what you are doing.

Searching for a Surveyor

2008-08-04T22:43:59-05:00

I’m looking for a certified land surveyor to do a survey on the property that I’m buying. It is located in Rector Branch Rd in Marshall, NC. If you are a surveyor and can travel to this area, please contact me. If you happen to know a certified surveyor, please let me know.

Thanks in advance.

Builders FirstSource is going Greener

2008-08-06T14:30:02-05:00

Dallas-based Builders FirstSourcejust announced that it is bringing allof its retail distribution centers into theCertified Green Dealer Program. Fromits base in Texas and in 12 southeasternstates, Builders FirstSource generated$1.6 billion in sales in 2007. In additionto retail distribution centers, the companyoperates millwork shops, wall panelplants, truss plants, window plants andsynthetic millwork shops.As required by the Certified GreenDealer Program, the sales personnel fromeach Builders FirstSource location will takethe Program’s green training over the web.After the staff passes the required testing,each location will earn “Certified GreenDealer” status, which is proving to be apowerful marketing tool among the hundredsof yards in the Program today.“We’re thrilled to be in this program,”said Matt Liska, vice president of sales atBuilders FirstSource, who will oversee theprogram’s implementation. “Green productsand building practices is a sector that is rapidly growing in our markets. Weare excited to be one of the first companiesin our industry to train our entiresales force in the basics of greenproducts and practices.“Our builder customers look to usfor more than just products andprices; they look to us for value-addedsolutions. Builders FirstSource iscommitted to having the most knowledgeablesales force in the industry.This program will allow us to provideour customers cutting-edge green buildingsolutions and will further differentiateus from others in our industry.”The Certified Green Dealer Programis a web-based “distance learning” program.Through online training andprinted materials, the Program certifiesthe nation’s lumberyards and buildingmaterial dealer locations as sources ofinformation about green building andgreen products.Lumber dealers are a primary sourceof information about products and “bestpractices” for builders and remodelers,and with this Program, dealers canbrand themselves as certified sources ofinformation about good green buildingtechniques and green products.

Green Building sales statistics needed

2008-04-30T10:03:25-05:00

The WNCGBC is looking for someone to do research on the local sales of green homes.
If you are interested please call 828-254-1995 or email info at wncgbc dot org

Installing a off grid water pump

2008-07-22T12:06:58-05:00

I am getting ready to build a underground root cellar with summer kitchen on top which will be above ground. I would like to access the seeping water (spring head?) next to the root cellar, and would like to build a cistern or resevoir where I could pump the water to the summer kitchen to be used for canning.
does anyone know how to do this or anyone who wold be willing to come to my house and take a look?

Lots of questions from a newbie

2008-06-23T11:01:33-05:00

My wife and I retired this year and wish to move from Arizona to WNC. We recently started watching the new PlanetGreen channel and became intrigued. At first, we were just going to buy an existing house somewhere near Brevard (or Hendersonville or Maggie Valley or Asheville...) but now, perhaps, we might explore building a green home.

The questions arise, however: how is WNC for things like solar or wind? Arizona has been great for solar, not so much for wind in the Phoenix area, but up on the rim country it is.

What issues are peculiar to WNC that need to be addressed? I imagine mold, radon, and moisture are issues of importance: what else?

What are the best green building materials for WNC? I admit to being ignorant - just beginning my exploration of this concept. I would imagine that a home built with N/S exposure, lots of windows appropriately placed, a full basement, etc. would be energy efficient. The compromise between saving energy for heating and cooling and using materials like trees (wood) should be balanced, should it not?

Finally, is anyone even building this way yet or is the concept too new? The very fact that there is a WNC Green Building web site is encouraging. But new things often cost much more. Trying to get solar energy installed in Arizona is expensive, even though we have sunshine 300+ days of the year!

I will be curious to follow this forum over the next few months. It may influence our decision when we move to WNC.

locally milled kd 4/4 oak lumber new price

2008-07-17T13:57:40-05:00

I have 15,000 board feet of Buncombe County oak for green homes. Can be used for paneling, flooring, trim. All kiln dried. 8’ 10’ 12’ 14’16’ lengths, 4” 6” 8”. 10” 4/4 Red Oak @ $1.00 BF 500 BF minimum. 4/4 White Oak @ $1.10 BF - 500 BF minimum. Call Stan Caton @ cell 828-231-4055.

on-site mulching for new construction?

2008-07-12T20:54:32-05:00

We’re ready to start building our home on a up-sloping, wooded, 2 acre lot (~ 25% slope). Are there any alternatives for clearing the trees from the 300’ long winding driveway and home site besides having them bulldozed and hauled off to a dump? (In which case I then have to turn around and purchase mulch for erosion control.)

We’re looking for some type of on-site mulching option. The slope will prevent large grinders from being located anywhere but at the street level, in which case logs would have to be hauled down to the grinder and then mulch hauled back up the hill. Is that do-able? Was hoping to use the woods that we have to take down for something, even if it’s just mulch.

Experienced painter wanted for position with Earthpaint

2008-07-10T10:56:43-05:00

Experienced painter wanted for sales, office work, tinting paint, making samples, etc. Applicants must be hard-working, professional, positive, and reliable. Earthpaint is a local manufacturer of nontoxic, sustainable paint. Call(828)258-2580 or email orders at earthpaint dot net

Job Announcement

2008-07-08T12:59:41-05:00

Local Fireplace and Insulation Company seeking qualified outside sales representative(s). Experience preferred. We offer Health Insurance, Paid Vacation and IRA.

Please e-mail your resume to the attention of Greg Forrest: gfrpro at aol dot com