This unit examines green material choices, retrofit strategies, and maintenance practices for sustainable residential remodeling. Students explore product selection, energy and water efficiency upgrades, waste reduction, and trusted certification tools to design and implement greener renovations.
Learning Objectives
- Analyze and compare common building materials and finishes (e.g., bamboo, cork, linoleum, recycled-content products, earthen plasters, and plywood) using environmental impacts, VOCs, durability, and certification labels to justify material selection in a remodeling plan
- Evaluate and recommend energy- and water-saving retrofit measures (e.g., weatherization of windows and doors, HVAC optimization, solar water heating, high-efficiency fixtures, and conversion from wood to gas fireplaces) by performing basic cost-benefit and performance estimations
- Apply best practices for on-site construction waste management and material reuse by developing a plan to reduce, recycle, and salvage demolition and remodel debris and specifying reclaimed or recycled materials where appropriate
- Demonstrate installation or specification of simple efficiency and health-improving upgrades (e.g., compact fluorescent/LED lighting with occupancy sensors, recycled denim insulation, low-flow toilets, and appropriate carpet/finish choices) and explain required maintenance considerations for long-term green performance
Curriculum
- 1 Section
- 27 Lessons
- 30 hours
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- Unit 4 — Sustainable Materials and Remodeling Practices27
- 1.1One Building Doesn’t Make a Difference to the Environment20 mins
- 1.2Pick the Right Toilet20 mins
- 1.3Earthen-Clay Plaster20 mins
- 1.4Go Green with Your Yard20 mins
- 1.5Picturing the Perfect Green Room20 mins
- 1.6Looking to Trusted Green Certification Programs When Shopping for Materials20 mins
- 1.7Furnishings20 mins
- 1.8Earthships20 mins
- 1.9Nobody Cares Whether a Building Is Green20 mins
- 1.10Heat Your Water with the Sun20 mins
- 1.11Bamboo Flooring20 mins
- 1.12Convert Your Wood-Burning Fireplace to a Gas Fireplace20 mins
- 1.13Exterior Finishes and Trim20 mins
- 1.14Ceramic Earth20 mins
- 1.15Green Buildings Are Just Buildings with Recycled Materials20 mins
- 1.16Recycle Construction Waste20 mins
- 1.17Linoleum Flooring20 mins
- 1.18Weatherize Your Windows and Doors20 mins
- 1.19Remodeling: Bringing Old Materials to Life20 mins
- 1.20Green Buildings Are Fragile and Require More Maintenance20 mins
- 1.21Choose Your Carpet Carefully20 mins
- 1.22Cork Flooring20 mins
- 1.23Make Your Heating and Cooling Work Better20 mins
- 1.24You Can’t Have High-End Design in a Green Building20 mins
- 1.25Watch Your Plywood20 mins
- 1.26Recycled Denim Cotton Insulation20 mins
- 1.27Switch to Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs and Install Occupancy Sensors20 mins
Instructor
Free
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