Mark Johnson Custom Homes Blog

Pender County, NC remodeler Mark Johnson Custom Homes would like to share a recent article from the U.S. Green Building Council’s Green Home Guide. The Green Home Guide Staff detailed the environmental benefits and impacts of Green insulation and explained the pros and cons of each type of insulation. Below are their findings on cellulose insulation and to read more on cotton, fiberglass, foam, polyisocyanurate (polyiso), polystyrene and polyurethane, click here!

“Cellulose insulation is made primarily from recycled paper. About 75 percent of the material used to make cellulose insulation is post-consumer waste paper, giving it the highest average recycled content of all insulation types. The manufacture of cellulose insulation involves a fraction of the energy use and pollution required to make mineral wool and fiberglass insulation. Additionally, scrap cellulose generated during installation can be reused, cutting down on waste.

Cellulose insulation has no significant effect on indoor air quality. Offgassing of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) contained in ink on newspaper waste in cellulose insulation is not a health concern, since some ink is removed while recycling paper into pulp and much of the ink used is vegetable based. The amount of boron used as a flame retardant in cellulose is harmful only if ingested.

Cellulose insulation is blown into wall and ceiling cavities as well as onto attic surfaces, though to stick to attic ceilings it must be held in by netting or sprayed on wet with an acrylic binder to prevent settling. Like all sprayed or blown insulations, it can be installed into wall cavities through a series of small holes drilled in the wall, causing minimal disturbance during remodeling. It is not suitable for application below grade (below or at the perimeter of the foundation) or in other locations where it would be exposed to moisture.

Cellulose can absorb moisture, decreasing its R-value over time, and if it is exposed to moisture for long periods it will rot and grow mold. In some instances a vapor barrier should be installed once the insulation has fully dried (typically in two weeks) to prevent moisture from reaching the insulation. Good sources of information on construction practices that minimize moisture problems are the climate-specific Builder’s Guides available from the Energy and Environmental Building Association.

Loose-fill cellulose typically costs 25 percent less than fiberglass, though installation may be more expensive. Proper installation is important to prevent undue settling. Wet-spray or dense-pack installations are typically more expensive than fiberglass installation. However, installing cellulose installation with these methods is extremely airtight, so the nominal (rated) R-values are more commonly achieved than with fiberglass batts.”

Pender County, NC Green home builder Mark Johnson Custom Homes would like to share an article from the U.S. Green Building Council’s Green Home Guide on how to ensure you have an eco-friendly environment for your newborn. Below are the eight elements of a Green baby nursery and for more helpful hints from the USGBC, visit www.GreenHomeGuide.com!

1. “If you are pregnant, do not paint the room yourself. Have someone else—family member, friend, or hired hand—paint with one of the new water-based low-VOC paints.
2. Painting should be done at least a month before the baby is due, and it can be cured by using a room space heater.
3. Stay away from new carpeting. Better to just leave whatever flooring is already there and clean it well. If you have to put down new flooring, consider natural linoleum.
4. Your baby will spend many hours sleeping, and at times will need the room to be dark and peaceful during the day. Consider wooden shutters (with a nontoxic paint or finish) or aluminum mini-blinds that will allow you to adjust the light as needed.
5. The crib is your baby’s “home” and needs to be as pure as possible in every way. Choose real wood, natural finishes, and untreated pure cotton and wool, preferably organically grown.
6. Most toys sold in major toy stores are made from plastics. Plastic is a major contributor to indoor air pollution. There are many natural cloth and wood toys available on the Internet.
7. Be sure to provide good ventilation in the nursery, and at the same time watch out for drafts. Newborns need to be kept warm, but they also need fresh air.
8. Once you have a nontoxic nursery, keep it safe by using only natural and nontoxic cleaning products and pest controls. See The Green Guide’s Buying Guides for product recommendations.”

Pender County, NC new home builder Mark Johnson Custom Homes would like to share a press release posted on HousingZone.com earlier this month. The National Tile Contractors Association has launched Tile-TV, a new tool to enhance the experience of its active tile and stone contractor members and other industry professionals to utilize online. Below is an excerpt of their press release and to read more, click here!

“Non- members can contact the NTCA for a copy of the most recent episode as well as to find out more information on advertising, sponsorship and subscription. Starting in January, Tile-TV will also be emailed to 8,000 NTCA email subscribers.

With each new episode of Tile-TV the NTCA will present a monthly survey of its contractor base to create a dialogue between its staff of highly-trained in-house technical experts and tile and stone installers around the country. Every member is encouraged to visit the site and click on Tile-TV to provide input and feedback on this monthly topic. The results are posted on a two-episode lag and designed to keep all members in the know with regards to the latest news, information, and other industry updates.

“Tile-TV was created to keep our members in the loop,’ said Bart Bettiga, executive director of the NTCA. ‘New technologies, sustainability topics, association news and so much more are covered in each episode. Members can reach out to their employees, other associates and even customers by simply emailing the link to them.’”