Education Center / Green Remodeling
Castle Awarded First Certified Home In Minnesota GreenStar Pilot Program
About Minnesota GreenStar-Certified Green Homes and Remodeling
Minnesota GreenStar-Certified Green Homes and Remodeling has developed a regionally appropriate green building standard that embraces our unique climate concerns, building codes and material, energy, and natural resources. Fundamental to the program is the objective, third-party verification system that assures consumers that the new home or remodeling project performs as promised. The standard will be supported by a mandatory education program for builders and remodelers, as well as general education and promotion to consumers. With this robust standard as our vehicle, it is our aim to bring homebuyers and homeowners a verified standard that will allow them the opportunity to choose more efficient, healthy, and environmentally-sensitive design and construction practices for their new or remodeled home.
Our Minnesota GreenStar Certified Project
This project involved a great deal of planning, preparation, and creative design. The scope of the project called for opening up a load-bearing wall, removing the front hallway, and creating a larger gathering space for the entire family to enjoy. A steel beam was used in place of the removed load-bearing wall, opening up the kitchen into the new casual dining room.
The final design included space that would serve for informal dining at the raised island & dining table, an organization/desk area, a small boot bench/mud area, and provisions for the future installation of a laundry on the main floor.
The next step was the careful selection of earth-friendly and health-conscious products. Using green building guidelines and the resources of trade partners, the homeowners were able to build "green" and to fill their home with both healthy alternatives and a stylish kitchen. Some of the green design features include the following:
A blower door test to confirm that the home is tight and allows less than .35 air exchanges per hour. Also ensured that the house is not too tight and that the mechanicals back draft.
- Gasketing and weather-stripping of existing doors.
- Reclaimed lumber was used for interior wall framing.
- All millwork and doors were salvaged for reinstallation.
- The laundry chute was saved and re-installed in a new location.
- A new low-flow toilet was installed in the 1/2 bath.
- The walls were insulated with formaldehyde-free insulation.
- Recycled paper-content sheetrock was installed on the walls and ceiling.
- New Cambria (low-petroleum) and reclaimed birch butcher-block countertops were installed.
- Compact fluorescent light bulbs were installed in the home.
- Where compact fluorescents were not installed, dimmer switches were installed to allow for reduced consumption.
- Energy Star appliances were used.
- A high-efficiency hot water heater was installed and power-vented.
- Low-flow aerators were added to all existing faucets.
- Pex water supply lines were used.
- A handmade tile backsplash was installed.
- Recycled content bathroom floor tile was used.
- A double wall oven and separate cooktop will be used.
- A recycling center was installed for the homeowners' use.
- Hardwood floors were saved and toothed-in to avoid filling landfills.
- Water-based stain, which is less toxic, was used on the floors.
- Low-VOC paint was used on the walls and ceiling.
- Segregated clean-up site and recycling center was on site.
- Sponsor of Roseville Home Show
With the use of “green” building practices and design, the project has become a dream come true for these urban homeowners.
Castle's Commitment to Green Remodeling
Castle Building & Remodeling, Inc. believes strongly in sustainability and green remodeling. Many of the practices that Castle has employed for years, such as salvaging doors and millwork, investing in the best insulation and windows, using a refuse removal service that sorts debris, and encouraging the use of materials and products that do not deplete the natural resources of the Earth have made the transition to remodeling green a minor change for Castle.
Castle tries to incorporate the green movement into all of our daily activities by doing little things like using compact fluorescent bulbs, having company vehicles that burn E85 (ethanol fuel), concentrating our jobs geographically (close in to the city) to avoid long commutes, and recycling everything possible.
