Sustainable Materials and Systems

This unit examines green materials, wall and insulation systems, water-management strategies, and renewable-energy options used in green remodeling projects. Students learn to select certified products, apply advanced framing and insulation techniques, and plan water- and energy-conserving systems while considering cost, schedule, incentives, and certification pathways to prepare for project implementation in subsequent units.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze environmental, performance, and life-cycle cost trade-offs of green building materials and finishes (including recycled-content drywall, recycled-glass tiles/terrazzo, and alternative wall systems) using product certifications and labeling to justify material selection for a remodel.
• Apply advanced framing, insulated wall-system strategies (ICFs, blown/packed insulation, rammed earth considerations), and appropriate insulation specifications to produce construction details or specifications that improve thermal performance and material efficiency.
• Evaluate water-management and energy solutions — including graywater reuse, rainwater harvesting, water-saving fixtures, and residential renewable-energy systems — and identify applicable rebates, incentives, and certification implications for a given project scenario.
• Demonstrate project planning and communication practices for green remodeling by preparing a project brief or checklist that integrates material choices, by-product management, schedule impacts, cost implications, and routes to certification (e.g., LEED) or product certification compliance.