Best House Floor Plans

If you’re planning to have your home architected using green building processes, the proceeding questions and answers illustrate the basics for green building and provide a few detail about building a new house plan.  

What is LEED?

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Green Building Rating System used to be a commercial construction option.  Growing in popularity among homeowners, the green building construction process requires certification to meet various green building benchmarks.

Which organization has oversight over Leadership in Energy an Environmental Design?

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) oversees and helps set the  standards for building homes and buildings in accordance  LEED® building. The USGBC developed benchmarks, which are nationally accepted. LEED® ratings evaluate green building based on three rudimentary criteria: design, construction and the reduction of carbon emission via high-performance environmentally sound buildings.

Which types of home energy construction potentially qualify for LEED® construction?

Geothermal energy and solar energy projects are generally applicable for LEED. Both work to decrease fossil fuels consumption. Since, geothermal energy is a derivative of the earth, it is practically unlimited, requiring minimal energy.

On the other hand, solar energy is quite versatile. With numerous mounting options, roof, shingles, walls, ceilings, and windows, the multi-purposed systems heat water, warm and cool the home.

Are there specific grading systems for LEED?

Yes, the USGBC developed a Green Building Rating System for LEED®, which includes the following rating levels: Platinum, Gold, Silver and Certified. Rating levels are determined by certified contractors.

Aside from building a home that is better for the environment, what are the benefits of green building?

The other advantages and incentives for LEED green building  include the following:

• Architect a healthier place to live
• Conserve on water and energy
• Minimize carbon emissions, which are detrimental to the planet’s eco-system
• Take advantage of various zoning allowances and tax credits
• Lower operational costs, which increase the property’s asset value
• Decrease the amount of waste, which ends up in landfills

Click on LEED Green Building to read about putting your constructing your new house plan into action.

Finding the right house plan is a balancing act, finding the perfect design while also staying within your budget.  Making sure that your search for the perfect home plan fits within your budget is made easier with a home plan cost estimator, as well as software such as HDA residential estimating software.

These tools also allow you to insert your zip code to find out more about the cost of building your ideal house plan in your area.

The Rundown

Nowadays, it is becoming necessary to build your living room around your television and fireplace, as Allison E. Beatty discusses in the Chicago Tribune.

Columbia, Missouri, designer Kerry Bramon is profiled in the Columbia Business News.  He has turned his engineering background into innovative design.

The Lead Design Consultant at Furniture.com claims 2008 strikes a return to glamour and retro home designs.

The Imperial Valley News shows how movable walls make your living space more versatile.

The Oklahoman reports on the brightness and contemporary nature of the Wendover house plan.

A new book shows you how exemplify the abilities of a general contractor and do-it-yourself handyman, as the Los Angeles Times book review explains.

Spain is leading the way for environmentally-friendly homes, hoping to pass a law that would give grants for building green homes, reports Reuters.

The Bradenton Herald discusses ways to make your home senior-friendly.

If you have bamboo flooring, figuring out what to do with your walls can be an arduous, yet doable task.  Mi-Ling Stone Poole explains at NewsOK.com.