What are the Benefits of Green Roofs?
Green roofs, also known as living roofs, vegetated roofs or eco-roofs, consist of plants established on top of buildings, from small sheds or houses to major installations on commercial buildings.…
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Sustainable Subfloors: Best Options for Supporting Beautiful Earthen Floors
Your earthen floor’s foundation determines its durability, comfort, and efficiency. This excerpt from Earthen Floors, Second Edition explores the best subfloor options.
Interview with Gord Baird, co-author of Essential Composting Toilets
If you’ve ever wondered how composting toilets really work, this one’s for you. In Essential Composting Toilets, Ann and Gord Baird explore practical, sustainable solutions for modern living. Today, co-author…
Rainwater Harvesting 101: An Ancient Practice for Modern Water Security
In today’s blog excerpt from Essential Rainwater Harvesting, Rob and Michelle Avis share simple, evidence-based ways to design, build, and maintain rainwater systems for any home, in any climate.
Rainwater Harvesting for Garden Irrigation
This season has sparked a surge of interest in rainwater harvesting, as more people look for sustainable ways to make the most of heavy rainfall. With climate change bringing both…
The Benefits Of Using Hempcrete in Your Construction Projects
Hempcrete is a promising sustainable building material. It’s a green alternative to composites such as concrete, mortar and plaster. In this excerpt from Essential Hempcrete Construction: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide,…
It’s Time for Cob Building to Come out of the Woods
I am probably the first person in history to have written or co-written three books on cob construction, an ancient method of earthen building that has been enjoying a revival…
Environmental Benefits and Performance of Cob Construction
Essential Cob Construction sets the new standard for cob construction by incorporating rigorous, up-to-date engineering and building science, along with decades of practical lessons learned. Let’s explore the environmental benefits…
Have You Ever Dreamt of Having a Roof Capable of Producing Food?
While we move through our holiday sale, today we’re dreaming of a green roof that isn’t only beautiful and insulating but is also capable of growing food. Places such as…
Natural Plasters and Climate Change: Plastering in a New Paradigm
Tina Therrien, co-author of Essential Natural Plasters, has been working with natural plasters for decades. Today, Tina examines the role of natural plasters in adapting buildings within the context of…
The basics of rainwater harvesting
Rainwater collection can help ease pressure on both local watersheds as well as regional water infrastructure, while also providing some peace of mind to the homeowner – and a lower…
Earth Rammed Construction: Building With Materials Found On Site
Using rammed earth for construction appeals to people for a variety of different reasons. It could be a desire to be sustainable, the appeal of having the natural beauty inside…