FAQS

Green Design & Build

What is a green home?

Any structure that is designed and built with consideration for the materials used, the energy consumed, the health of its inhabitants, and the impact it has on the environment qualifies as a "green home". Native Structures follows the sustainable building guidelines established by the U.S. Green Building Council to ensure our projects meet the highest green standards.

What are the benefits of green building?

Environmental benefits: enhance and protect biodiversity and ecosystems; improve air and water quality; reduce waste streams; and conserve and restore natural resources. Economic benefits: reduce operating costs; create, expand, and shape markets for green products and services; improve occupant productivity and optimize life-cycle economic performance. Social benefits: enhance occupant comfort and health; heighten aesthetic qualities; minimize strain on local infrastructure; and improve overall quality of life.

Are green homes more expensive to build?

There is no reason that building a green home has to cost more money than building a conventional home. Native Structures can help you determine what shade of green best fits your budget and eco-commitment. One of the biggest ways we cut down on extra expenses is by ensuring that all the key parties are in on the conversation from the beginning. This helps us avoid costly mistakes caused from miscommunication, which is often a big roadblock for many traditional building projects.

What materials do you use in your green homes?

Native Structures uses sustainable, earth-friendly materials on every green building project—from FSC-certified wood, to products with a high recycled content, to high-performance insulation. Once we've worked with you to determine the shade of green you want to go, we'll suggest the best materials to help fulfill your eco-commitment.

How does Native Structures support green building?

At Native Structures, our mission is to:

Create beautiful, sustainable structures
Consider our impact on the environment
Share a commitment to community
Work with eco-friendly materials
Use reclaimed and FSC-certified woods
Source our labor and materials locally
Partner with leading green professionals
Design houses with superior insulation
Make our clients dreams come true

Green Renovations & Retrofit

What kinds of renovation projects do you do?

Our renovation projects run the gamut—from bath and kitchen remodels to installing high-performance insulation. If you have an idea, we can help you make it a greener reality.

Why is it better to go green with my renovation?

Green homes are healthier places to live, are better for the environment, and save money on energy costs. They have better air quality than non-green homes, cost less to operate, and significantly decrease the negative impact of the home on the environment.

Is it true that green renovations cost more?

The idea that green renovations cost more is a big myth. If you work with a builder who knows green inside and out, there is no reason that the costs have to be higher. Native Structures will help you find the right shade of green that works with your budget.

What materials do you use in your green renovations?

What is REGREEN?

Developed through a partnership between the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Foundation and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), REGREEN is the nation's first set of green guidelines for residential renovations. The guidelines cover everything from remodeling a bath to overhauling a home's interior. Native Structures follows REGREEN guidelines on every green renovation project.

What are some low-cost green retrofits that I can do to my home?

Switch to compact florescent light bulbs
Program your thermostat
Plug air leaks
Tune up your heating and cooling system
Choose ENERGY STAR® appliances
Reduce water use
Switch to green power
Explore solar
Use low-VOC products
Plant trees to provide shade and wind protection
Use native plantings

Ask us for details on these low-cost retrofits or visit greenhomeguide.org for more info.

LEED

What is LEED?

Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a national third-party certification system that recognizes leadership in green building. The LEED rating system measures a home's performance based on seven categories: site selection, water efficiency, materials and resources, energy and atmosphere, indoor environmental quality, location and linkages, and innovation. Within each of these areas, a project earns points toward one of four LEED certification level: Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum.

Why is a LEED rating so important?

The LEED certification process creates standards for green building. The rating allows builders and homeowners to quantify the shade of green of a particular home. With a LEED-certified home, you can lower energy costs, reduce waste, conserve water, improve indoor air quality, and reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions. Not to mention the fact that a LEED rating lets the world and the neighborhood know that you're committed to building responsibly.

Does Native Structures build LEED homes?

Absolutely! We incorporate the sustainability standards established by LEED and the U.S. Green Building Council in every one of our projects, regardless of whether the homeowner is interested in pursuing LEED certification. We do this because we believe strongly that LEED has set the universal standard for building responsibly and giving back to the planet.

How do I get my home LEED certified?

Native Structures will walk you through every step of the process. We'll help you register the project with the U.S. Green Building Council and follow-through on all the necessary approvals. One of the big questions to consider is: What level of LEED certification do you want to achieve? Your answer will guide the entire building and materials selection process.

Can I get LEED certification on a remodel?

At this time LEED certification applies only to new homes. However, Native Structures follows REGREEN guidelines on every green renovation project. Developed by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Foundation and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), REGREEN is the nation's first set of green guidelines for residential renovations. The guidelines cover everything from remodeling a bath to overhauling a home's interior.

Structurally Insulated Panels

What are the benefits of building with SIPs?

Built stronger and straighter, our SIPs create a tight envelope of insulation, blanketing the home with a superior, energy-efficient seal. This means fewer drafts, low sound transmission, lower energy costs, and fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

Why are SIPs considered "green"?

Native Structures SIPs are 100% recyclable, provide 40 to 60% in energy cost savings, and use 50% less lumber than fiberglass insulation used in traditional stick-frame homes.

What is Smart Shell?

Smart Shell by Native Structures is a high-performance insulation package that includes roof, ceiling, and exterior wall panels, energy-efficient windows, and exterior doors. The structural insulated panels used in our Smart Shell system are 100% recyclable, provide 40 to 60% in energy cost savings, and use 50% less lumber than fiberglass insulation used in traditional stick-frame homes.

What is an R-value and what does it measure?

An R-Value indicates the ability of insulation to resist heat flow. The higher the number, the better the panel is at insulating the house. Native Structures SIPs are designed to achieve the highest R-value.

How do SIPs create better indoor air quality?

A home built with SIPs is extremely airtight and requires mechanical ventilation to bring fresh air in and take stale air out. This ventilation system allows for incoming air to be dehumidified and filtered for allergens, which improves the indoor air quality.

Timber Frame

Why are timber frame homes considered "green"?

At Native Structures, we encourage our clients to choose reclaimed and FSC-certified wood. We incorporate plenty of natural light and passive solar energy into the design, which is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to build a low-energy home. We also pair our timber frames with our Smart Shell insulation system to create a tight, energy-efficient envelope. Our Smart Shell system includes eco-friendly structural insulated roof, ceiling, and wall panels, energy-efficient windows, and exterior doors.

What species of wood do you use?

Native Structures recommends using FSC-certified or reclaimed wood in our timber frame homes. We work with Douglas Fir, Hemlock, Eastern Pine, Western Red Cedar, Port Orford Cedar, Red Oak, White Oak, and Redwood to name a few.

Do you use reclaimed wood?

Absolutely. We recommend using reclaimed and FSC-certified wood for all of our timber frame homes, green homes, and green renovations.

How much does a timber frame home cost?

A Native Structures timber frame home costs about as much a standard, stick-frame construction. Built to last, our timber frame homes are designed to be as earth-friendly as possible without breaking the bank.

How long will it take to complete a timber frame home?

Depending on how complex the drawings are and the number of changes made along the way, the design process can take anywhere from one to six months. If a client already has plans from an independent architect, we'll work with the existing plans to create timber frame drawings that will be used in the cutting process. Once the drawings are completed and the frames are cut, the frame-raising process takes about ten days, depending on the size and complexity of the home as well as the site conditions.