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Lindal Home Certified to Green Standard
A custom home in Seattle is the first in Washington state to be certified under the new National Green Building Standard and the first finished under the Lindal Cedar Homes Green Coast-to-Coast initiative, which will result in at least one home certified to the standard in every state and province in North America.
Lindal has embraced the new standard — which was approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) in January — as the first and only consistent, verifiable third-party consensus rating system for green homes.
Lindal’s Green Coast-to-Coast initiative also shows the flexibility and feasibility of systems-built homes in a variety of building climates. Systems-built homes are partially constructed in a controlled factory environment, allowing them to be built more quickly, with careful oversight of quality and material control.
Lindal Cedar Homes is a member of NAHB’s Building Systems Councils as a panelized manufacturer, specializing in post and beam construction.
“Lindal Cedar Homes’ Green Coast-to-Coast project shines a tremendous spotlight on the systems-built industry,” said Michael H. Weber, 2009 BSC chairman. “They are proving that a systems-built home is easily designed to meet the codes, standards and energy requirements of a wide range of climates throughout the United States. The added points their homes will score under the National Green Building Standard for systems-built techniques confirms the green attributes of building systems’ technologies.”
The home buyer worked closely with Lindal dealer Tom Schuch to design her 2,400-square-foot home, find a contractor with strong credentials in green building and line up the NAHB Research Center-accredited verifier required for the green certification process.
“Lindal has embraced building green for years,” Schuch said. “We take a holistic approach that incorporates green thinking from the site and home design to the selection of building products, finish materials and systems. This gives our clients lots of green options and makes it easy to achieve certification in the areas that matter most to them and add value to their home.”
Builder MC Construction Consultants partnered with Olympia Salvage to tear down, re-use and recycle every component of the old home that occupied the site of the new home.
The house was oriented to take advantage of passive solar and its interior is bathed in natural light from low-emissivity, argon-filled windows. The home was designed, plumbed and wired in anticipation of a future solar hot water system and solar panels on the metal roof.
Because the building materials were manufactured within 500 miles of the home’s location, Lindal was able to score points in the resource efficiency section of the standard for minimizing the environmental impact of shipping.
The home’s insulation is made of cellulose and an in-floor radiant heat system can help improve indoor environmental quality by eliminating dust blowing from ductwork.
Zero-VOC paint was used throughout the interior; the home’s decking and bathroom countertops are made of recycled materials; its dual-flush toilets save water; and all of the home’s appliances and most of its light fixtures are Energy Star-rated for energy efficiency.
“It’s exciting to have a checklist of what truly makes a home green that is approved by ANSI, which sets the standards for the home building industry nationwide,” Schuch said. “Many of the items on the list are simply smart things to do when you build a quality home.”
In January, NAHB Chairman Joe Robson congratulated Lindal in a speech marking company founder Sir Walter Lindal’s 90th birthday. “Even as our industry struggles to get moving again, you already know what your destination will be,” Robson said.
At the birthday celebration, Lindal employees also accepted a challenge to become Certified Green Professionals. By the middle of this month, more than 75 had received the educational designation, according to Lindal.
“Green building has arrived, Lindal Homes is clearly prepared to embrace it and all of you are getting ready to participate in “the next big thing,” said Robson. “You are putting yourselves in the perfect position to capitalize on the return of the home building market.”
 ‘National Green Building Standard’ Available at BuilderBooks.com
“The National Green Building Standard,” available through BuilderBooks.com, provides “green” practices that can be incorporated into multifamily and single-family new home construction, home remodeling and additions and site development.
The standard covers lot design, resource, energy and water efficiency; indoor environment quality; and owner education.
Currently the first and only ANSI-approved green building rating system, the National Green Building Standard is the benchmark for green homes.
To view or purchase this publication online, click here.
 The Future of Residential Construction Is Green
The Certified Green Professional (CGP) designation teaches builders, remodelers and other industry professionals techniques for incorporating green building principles into homes using cost-effective and affordable options.
Earning the CGP demonstrates to clients and peers your commitment to the best and latest in green building practices and techniques. About 3,800 people have earned the CGPdesignation to date.
For more information, visit www.nahb.org/CGPinfo.
 ‘Build Green and Save’ Available at BuilderBooks.com
“Build Green and Save: Protecting the Earth and Your Bottom Line,” available through BuilderBooks.com, is a comprehensive, easy-to-read reference that shows builders how to identify and select green building materials; implement green construction techniques; explain the benefits of green housing and offer affordable green building solutions to consumers; and use resources wisely and reduce water and energy consumption.
To view or purchase this publication online, click here, or call 800-223-2665.
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