Low Construction Impact Building,

almost by definition, is initially a destructive act. Land usually has to be at least minimally cleared and reshaped, holes need to be dug, and material resources refashioned to serve the building. A ‘green’ building minimizes its impact on the building site and the environment at large through careful, conscious design and by utilizing replenishable materials that create a minimum of ecological destruction through their use.

 Resource-Efficient

The impact of a building’s construction is only part of the story. Once a building is built, people move in and use it. This human use requires environmental resources for such things as heating, cooling, water, and electricity. A ‘green’ building provides these human needs efficiently, conserving resources.

Long-Lasting

Natural resources in the form of building materials, tools, and fuels, as well as human energy and ingenuity, come together to create a building. The longer that building lasts, the longer the time before the environment is asked to give up those resources again to replace the building. Therefore, the longer a building lasts, the ‘greener’ it is.

Nontoxic

To sustain healthy lives, we need to sustain a healthy indoor and outdoor environment. A ‘green’ building, then, needs to provide a healthy indoor environment while doing nothing to harm the outdoor environment.

 Beautiful

One of the biggest sources of our environmental woes is the constant and polluting movement of humans about the planet. To create a sustainable lifestyle, we need to stay put more of the time and derive more of our social, physical, and spiritual sustenance from our own backyards. For example, it takes a long time to build healthy soil to grow good food; to build a network of friends and compatriots that will be the basis for community; to nurture the trees and other plants that will be part of a house’s cooling strategy. These things simply won’t happen if you aren’t sufficiently lured by your home to stay there for the many years it will take to turn it into a real place that nurtures both its inhabitants and the environment. A ‘green’ house, then, needs to be beautiful. Green building guidelines offer recommended measures for conserving natural resources, using water and energy wisely, improving indoor air quality, and planning for livable and vibrant communities. Building with these measures helps to create healthy, durable buildings that reduce environmental impacts and cost less to operate and maintain.

Finally, consider these statistics:

Buildings account for: 39 percent of total energy use 12 percent of the total water consumption 68 percent of total electricity consumption 38 percent of the carbon dioxide emissions

The post “Build Green” by Atlas Homes appeared first on Atlas Homes TX. Custom Homebuilder / Major Remodeling.

Whether you’re looking to cut back on water use in the garden because of drought (hello, California!), or simply because you’d like to spend more time enjoying your yard and less time watering it, making the most of this precious resource starts with the right design and the right plants. Here are 10 yards with creative solutions to the quandary of how to use less water.

 

 

1. Shade some gravel with trees. For a highly usable, water-wise and budget-conscious backyard design, you can’t get much better than gravel. But since a large expanse of gravel can look dry (and feel hot), punctuate your yard with trees that will grow tall enough to provide shade and greenery, and that will do well in your climate.

 

 

 

 

 

2. Grow native species. Just because you want to be water wise doesn’t mean you need to forgo flowers; look to species native to your area for plants that will thrive with little assistance on your part. In this charming California farmhouse side yard, mixed water-wise flowers (including lots of California poppies) are colorful and easy to care for.Plants: variegated iris, California poppy, French lavender, creeping morning glory 

 

 

3. Use artful planters. If you fill much of your yard with a material like gravel, add color with a few carefully selected planters. A beautiful planter, like the weathered copper one shown here, can be as much a focal point as the plants growing in it. Just one or two special planters can bring life to a cement patio or gravel yard — use native grasses in a tall planter for privacy, plant a small tree in an oversize pot or grow edibles right outside your kitchen door.

 

 

 

4. Plant a lawn alternative.Traditional lawns are like water-sucking sponges — but you can choose a type of grass that requires less water (and zero mowing) for a lush, meadow-like look. Just be aware that grasses of this type can be a bit lumpier to walk and play sports on, so they are better used in outdoor areas that get less traffic.Grass: Carex pansa7 Low-Maintenance Lawn Alternatives

 

 

 

5. Add rivers of color. Succulents and grasses come in a rainbow of hues — why not work with the spectrum and put in your drought-friendly plants by color for a unique look? These homeowners replaced the front lawn with ribbons of colorful, low-maintenance Echeveria and fescue.Plants: purple plant is Echeveria ‘Afterglow’; blue bunch grass is Elijah Blue fescue; greener plant is blue moor grass

 

 

 

6. Mass a single type of water-wise plant. Mixed perennial beds are beautiful, but they can be tricky to care for, especially if there are plants with different water needs in the same bed. Keep things easy by choosing one variety of low-water plant, and use it to fill an entire bed or side yard for a simple but striking look.Plant: Aeonium

 

 

 

7. Build your design around outdoor rooms. Carving out destinations in your backyard is a smart design move that will enhance your yard’s usefulness and let you reduce the footprint (and water needs) of planting beds. Try a dining area or an outdoor kitchen near the house, and a lounge or fire pit area at the end of a curving path, and plant tall grasses behind seating areas for coolness and privacy.Grass: Miscanthus sinensis; gravel: decomposed granite in Palm Springs Gold

 

 

 

8. Make open space inviting with decks. If you want to add more living space and cut back on grass but find gravel and cement unappealing, consider a deck. Decks are natural gathering spots for people — and when surrounded by drought-tolerant plants, such as the lavenderand Jerusalem sage shown here, the yard can feel lush and inviting without requiring much water.Plants: lavender and Jerusalem sage; trees: yucca

 

 

 

9. Downsize planting areas. Reducing the footprint of the planting beds in your yard is one way to cut back on water use. In this San Luis Obispo, California, garden, smaller islands filled with drought-tolerant plants punctuate a mostly gravel yard, adding color and lushness without requiring too much precious California water.Plants: Senecio mandraliscae, Aeonium ‘Zwartkop’ and ‘Mint Saucer’, Anigozanthos ‘Bush Pearl’ and sedum

 

 

10. Use small plants where you can see them up close. Even the tiniest touch of green can make a big impact when used in the right spot. Consider using an outdoor coffee or dining table to showcase your favorite small specimens of succulents or a miniature fairy garden — it’s sure to be a conversation starter.

The post 10 Ideas for a Creative, Water-Conscious Yard appeared first on Atlas Homes TX. Custom Homebuilder / Major Remodeling.

Let us take a look at 7 of the most popular kitchen countertop materials being used today:

Granite
A natural stone, granite is a popular choice for it’s classic beauty and durability. Granite is the hardest and densest of the natural stones. It can create a kitchen countertop that is extremely scratch resistant and can keep its luster longer than most materials. granite slabs are the most expensive of all kitchen countertop surfaces, although it is still considered a very practical material in that it is virtually indestructible.

Marble
Another natural stone, marble is considered to be the height of elegance and will last longer than most kitchens. It is however, is very expensive and requires some care: acidic foods such as orange juice will etch the finished surface of a marble kitchen countertop.

Slate
Because of it richness and beauty slate is usually used in interior applications such as kitchen countertops, bathroom sinks or fireplace surrounds. It can be used in either modern or traditional kitchens as well as in combination with marble. Slate is durable, strong, and can withstand hard use. It is less expensive than marble.

Concrete
This is one of the biggest trends in kitchen countertops today. It is a good look for clean, industrial and contemporary kitchen designs. Available in pre formed sections or poured and formed on-site. Concrete is a good material for unusually shaped counters. Concrete kitchen countertops are expensive, require a sealant and must be treated with care. The countertop can crack if the concrete should contract. Concrete can be stained any color. The most popular color is a natural gray tone. The top layer can be finished as desired.

Corian
A solid surface material that first became popular in the 1990’s It is highly recommended by kitchen countertop experts. It is a totally manmade product and is not porous. As a solid surface it can easily be repaired if scratched or burned.

Stainless Steel
Advantages include very hygienic, easy to clean, has ability to stand up to exteme wear and heat. Stainless steel can provide a great look for an ultra modern kitchen. Some disadvantages with stainless is that it can be noisy and that scratches can develop.

Tile
Tile surfaces can be tough, hard-wearing, takes hot pans, heat and stain resistant as well as beautiful. There are many types of tiles including ceramic, porcelain, quarry, glass, natural stone and mosiac. Available in many colors, sizes and textures. It has good design flexibility. Tile can often be used for trim or backsplashes. The downside of tile is that the grouts can be easily stained. Also the tiles can become chipped or cracked.

Author Bio
James Mahoney is the owner of Kitchen Designers Idea.com. Learn about today’s kitchen design ideas by visiting his site at Kitchen Designers Ideas.com. If you liked this article and would want to subscribe to his information packed newletter visit: Kitchen Designers Ideas.com

The post 7 Materials For Creating The Perfect Kitchen Countertop -Hill Country appeared first on Atlas Homes TX. Custom Homebuilder / Major Remodeling.