Construction is inherently one of the most destructive of all industries to the environment, and admittedly our projects are a small part of this problem. Because of this, many times the most "green" way to build is to not build at all, or to minimize what you do plan to do. In some cases though home improvements can help the environment outside and inside your home. Here are a few of the ways we can help:
-Recycling: Recycling is very important to Hahn Construction. Our goal is to recycle any building material possible created from a project. This can include anything from metal to cardboard to used appliances. Many of our recyclable products are donated to Urban Ore in Berkeley. All green waste (wood scrap, sheetrock, etc) is hauled to a composting dump. Any remaining building debris is hauled to a dump and piled with other construction debris.
-Building Materials: There are many, many green building products on the market. Some are a big help to the environment over standard building products and some just make you feel all warm and green inside but really aren't much different from standard products. We are happy to help guide you through these products and decisions in planning your project.
-Building Methods: Hahn Construction uses many green building techniques as it's standard procedures. Advanced framing is an example of one of them. Advanced framing (rather than standard framing) means using a set of techniques to minimize the amount of lumber used in any framing of a wall, ceiling, floor, etc. This decreases the cost of the project, as well as decreasing the number of trees used for your project. It also increases the space in these wall, ceiling or floor cavities that can be insulated with insulation (rather than solid lumber which is a much worse insulating material.)
-Air Sealing/Insulating: Until very recently (especially in California) contractors and building codes have paid little attention, if any, to properly air sealing and insulating the homes. This leaves most of us with large gaping holes in the walls, floors and ceilings of our homes. Because of these gaps regulating the temperatures in our homes can sometimes be an impossible task. Many of these gaps can be addressed easily, and other air sealing and insulation upgrades can be fairly easily incorporated with other projects.
-Consultation: Andy Hahn has been trained by Build It Green as a green building professional. Please ask if you would like suggestions for how to make your project more environmentally friendly.
-Recycling: Recycling is very important to Hahn Construction. Our goal is to recycle any building material possible created from a project. This can include anything from metal to cardboard to used appliances. Many of our recyclable products are donated to Urban Ore in Berkeley. All green waste (wood scrap, sheetrock, etc) is hauled to a composting dump. Any remaining building debris is hauled to a dump and piled with other construction debris.
-Building Materials: There are many, many green building products on the market. Some are a big help to the environment over standard building products and some just make you feel all warm and green inside but really aren't much different from standard products. We are happy to help guide you through these products and decisions in planning your project.
-Building Methods: Hahn Construction uses many green building techniques as it's standard procedures. Advanced framing is an example of one of them. Advanced framing (rather than standard framing) means using a set of techniques to minimize the amount of lumber used in any framing of a wall, ceiling, floor, etc. This decreases the cost of the project, as well as decreasing the number of trees used for your project. It also increases the space in these wall, ceiling or floor cavities that can be insulated with insulation (rather than solid lumber which is a much worse insulating material.)
-Air Sealing/Insulating: Until very recently (especially in California) contractors and building codes have paid little attention, if any, to properly air sealing and insulating the homes. This leaves most of us with large gaping holes in the walls, floors and ceilings of our homes. Because of these gaps regulating the temperatures in our homes can sometimes be an impossible task. Many of these gaps can be addressed easily, and other air sealing and insulation upgrades can be fairly easily incorporated with other projects.
-Consultation: Andy Hahn has been trained by Build It Green as a green building professional. Please ask if you would like suggestions for how to make your project more environmentally friendly.