Building green is all the buzz. Experts predict that the next status symbol will be a house with a zero carbon footprint. And Windermere on the Lake, a 74-acre “eco-village” development in North Stamford, is one step ahead of the game. Designed by Roger Bartels, Windermere’s Cumbria model home was recently awarded LEED certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (one of only a few large, luxury homes in the country to receive this distinction). The house uses 50 percent less energy than a standard home of its size and it’s significantly more sustainable. If you’re renovating or building and want to go green, here are a few lessons from your LEED-certified neighbors.
Windermere houses are sited with sun exposure in mind, to maximize natural light. Special argon-filled casement windows from Marvin reflect UV rays, so that fabrics and floors inside don’t get bleached by the sun. The siding and roofing are Red Cedar Perfection Shingles, installed using a split-lathe system for good ventilation. Each house is insulated using lcynene, a material that doesn’t emit ozone-depleting gases adn helps to reduce heatng and cooling costs.
left: Tread lightly with carpets that are low- or no-VOC. If you’re putting in new flooring, you can request planks like these, which come from a provider certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. The wood floors are sealed and stained using water-based products from Minwax. right: All paints and finishes in the home are low-VOC formulas. On the dining room walls: Benjamin Moore Aura paint in 522.
Sources for Living + Building Green
Building Green LLC
802-257-7300
buildinggreen.com
Energy Star
888-782-7937
energystar.gov
Green Demolitions
888-887-5221
greendemolitions.org
Green Depot
800-238-5008
greendepot.com
Greenstreet Construction, Inc.
212-234-1027
greenstreetinc.com
U.S. Green Building Council
800-795-1747
usgbc.org
Windermere on the Lake
203-322-0055
windermereonthelake.com