FREE GREEN Open Source

See below for a list and description green features, identified by Mark Iacocca, for the Country Home

• Small Footprint

  Smaller homes require less raw material to build. They also consume less energy for heating and cooling.

• Metal Roof

  Unlike asphalt roofing shingles which need to be replaced several times over the life of a home, resulting in large amounts of waste to landfills, a metal roof will last over 100 years. Its light color will reflect the sun’s rays resulting in cooler indoor air during summer months decreasing, if not eliminating, the need for air conditioning.

• Open Floor Plan & Wood Burning Stove

  Modern wood burning stoves can be very efficient home heating devices. If used in a home with an open floor plan the benefit of a wood burning stove reaches its full potential. CO2 released from burning wood is the same amount of CO2 absorbed during the life of the tree making wood as a heating fuel “carbon neutral.”

• Exterior Siding over Rain Screen

  Exterior siding properly installed over a well designed rain screen is subjected to far less damage from water infiltration. Exterior wall assemblies properly installed over a well designed rain screen will last longer and prevent mold growth, rot and decay.