# Green Home Design for Sustainable Living

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/12/green-home-design-for-sustainable-living/
- Published: 2020-12-29T21:24:56-05:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

## Using the Right Building Materials for Green Home Design and Architecture

Sustainable home design is one of the [most important aspects](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/02/green-home-energy-design-beauty-meets-efficiency/)
of modern home design. Homebuyers want assurances that when their homes were built,
people were using sustainable materials. That will allow the [homeowners](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/05/got-home-energy-questions-renewable-nation-video-diy-qa-to-connect-experts-homeowners/)
to keep their energy costs low while maximizing comfort in their green homes.

Creating green home design and [sustainable](https://greenlivingguy.com/2018/04/7-tips-for-making-your-home-sustainable/)
building products feelings in homes has been one of the fastest-growing industries
for the last five years. More and more home buyers are choosing to retrofit older
homes with sustainable products. They also want to build new homes from the ground
up using sustainable products and smart design. These choices will lower their impact
on the environment and make the homes more efficient.

![Exterior view of a modern home showcasing sustainable siding with large windows
and surrounding greenery](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/
2020/12/image.png?resize=400%2C300&ssl=1 "image - The Green Living Guy")

Modern green home featuring sustainable fiber cement siding and large windows for
natural light

Whether you’re getting ready to renovate an older home and give it a sustainability
makeover or have a green home design built from scratch. Also, you can just be keeping
an eye on sustainable building products for the [future](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/05/meritage-homes-net-zero-leading-sustainable-living/)
here are some of the best sustainable building materials and elements you should
know about:

## Sustainable Siding

[Replacing the vinyl or wood siding](https://homegardenguides.com/siding/replacement-cost/)
on an older home is a great way to give that home a sustainable facelift. And modern
siding made from sustainable materials is really beautiful. One of the most popular
sustainable siding options is fiber cement siding.

![A close up view of a modern building exterior featuring dark sustainable fiber
cement siding and large windows emphasizing a contemporary architectural design](
https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/img_5479.jpg?resize
=300%2C300&quality=52&ssl=1 "img_5479 - The Green Living Guy")

A modern building showcasing sustainable fiber cement siding combining aesthetics
with eco friendly design

_Allura Fiber Cement_

[Fiber cement siding](https://www.allurausa.com/fiber-cement-siding-products) is
sometimes called architectural siding. Allura fiber cement siding is sustainable,
[efficient](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/09/save-money-sustainably-with-your-old-home/),
and LEED-certified. But it looks like real wood siding even though it’s a composite
material. I mean that it is incredibly strong and durable. Yet it also looks as 
attractive as real wood siding. There are many different colors and stains available.
So that homeowners can personalize the look of their homes. Fiber cement siding 
is also affordable. Especially when homeowners consider the low maintenance of this
kind of siding. Another great material option is [calcium carbonate grounded](https://www.carmeuse.com/na-en/products-services/product/ground-calcium-carbonate-building-materials)
which is both durable and sustainable.

## Steel Log Siding

Steel [log siding](https://www.trulogsiding.com/log-siding/) is another sustainable
option for homeowners. For this one is an upgrade to existing homes. The steel log
siding looks like wood logs. However, the logs are actually steel. This type of 
sustainable siding requires no maintenance other than occasionally washing it and
it is strong enough to withstand hurricanes and tornadoes. It makes any house look
like an attractive log cabin.

## **House Wrap**

A house wrap is a fantastic product for homes that will give homeowners a big return
on their investment. House wrap is a modern synthetic version of the asphalt-covered
paper. One that is used as a moisture barrier and as insulation in homes. House 
wrap protects the interior of the home from wind, rain, snow, and the elements. 
The house wrap allows moisture vapor to pass through the barrier. That’s so it leaves
the house but doesn’t let any moisture in.  Consequently, this lets homeowners not
end up with mold or bacteria. You know, growing inside their walls.

Furthermore, a house wrap or barricade building wrap. It also increases a home’s
energy efficiency. When the barricade wrap gets sealed properly by a trained technician
it will result in improved flows of air and energy within the home. Homeowners with
house wrap will use less energy to heat and cool their homes. One that makes a big
difference for the environment and a big difference in the energy cost to keep the
home warm or cool.

## **ICF Homes**

ICF homes, or insulated concrete form homes, are sustainable and strong. That’s 
why so many people who are building their own custom homes choose an ICF house. 
Using concrete is more sustainable than using wood to build the interior of the 
home. And insulated concrete has a lot of additional benefits that wood doesn’t 
have. The pressure-treated concrete is fantastic for interior temperature control
so it’s a very popular choice in climates where the temperatures tend to soar in
the spring and summer. It also helps keep control of humidity in the home because
of the efficient insulation of the home. Bautex energy-efficient insulated concrete
blocks can save homeowners a lot of money in energy costs each year.

## **Thermally Efficient Fireplaces**

Fireplaces are being used as a source of heat and not just as a pretty focal point
in a room by homeowners that are committed to sustainability. In addition, fireplaces,
both gas, and wood can provide a lot of warmth to heat a home in the winter. And
if the home has efficient insulation using the fireplace to heat the home can dramatically
lower energy bills. There’s also an old-fashioned charm to using a fireplace as 
a source of heat instead of just as a design element in a room.

But homeowners may need to give their existing fireplace a makeover. Especially 
to make it look better and function more efficiently. Gas or wood inserts can be
placed in older fireplaces that will help them function more efficiently. The inserts
have a shallow box that helps push the heat from the fire out into the room. And
the design of the insert helps to circulate the heat throughout the room. All so
that the heat doesn’t only make the space directly in front of the fireplace warm.

Homeowners can give their existing fireplace a functional upgrade with an insert
and a cosmetic upgrade with a [stone veneer fireplace](https://www.realstonesystems.com/stone-veneer-fireplace-design-trends/)
façade. Adding real stones in various colors will dress up a plain fireplace and
transform a gaudy one so that it fits the look and feel of the [sustainable green home](https://greenlivingguy.com/2026/07/sustainable-furniture-choices-for-your-home/)
design you’re creating. Real Stone has products that make for stylish fireplace 
surrounds that will fit into any décor style.

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 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green
Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

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