Kevin Contreras's blog

Hey Fellow Greenies,

I just wanted let you know about a terrific new e-book that just came out. It's written by a friend of mine, a self-taught expert on affordable home remodeling. I contributed an article to it on "10 Ways to Remodel Green." I have read the book and found it very informative. In these day of financial uncertainty we need to get the biggest bang for our buck, and Laura will show you how. Check it out and tell me what you think:

http://bggoods.llmarti.hop.clickbank.net/

Greenest Regards,

Kevin

I attended West Coast Green this weekend, in San Jose, CA. The usual suspects of brilliant green architects, builders, and all things green related were there. The presentations were great and getting to experience the products in the trade show is always so helpful.

I was happy to see Greg Thorsen, of Environmental Lights. He is so knowledgeable and able to speak in layman’s terms to anyone who wants to know more about LED technology that is now ready for full deployment in our homes. A new day is dawning.

Kevin

Robert B. wrote in with this question:

I was planning to build a steel barn/workshop (abt 2000 sq ft) to live in while I built my real home on my property. But your show gave me the idea that I might be able to build a straw bail barn/temporary home more cheaply and "greener." Is there any reason I could not do that?

If not, where might I find some plans and other materials on how to get started?

Here's a question from Kim B.: 

Saw your program for the first time on straw and blue jean insulation.  I
will be a regular viewer now.  Is anyone doing anything with wool as insulation?

Thank you.

This question comes from Beth in Hawaii: 

My boyfriend and I happened to catch your show last night and think everything you're doing to make these green building techniques and tools accessible to people is terrific.

What we're looking for at the moment is your assessment of the best paint to use on concrete. My boyfriend is a builder and also artist who is planning to rip out the tiles in his newly acquired studio and paint the concrete underneath. What paint do you recommend we use? I should add that he has emphysema so it's especially important that we find a nontoxic paint.

Thanks. We'll be tuning in for the rest of the series.

This good question comes from Sandra B.: 

Strawbale building: I bought a lake house on a slab & pier and beam. Is it possible to build strawbale on pier and beam. If yes then what supports the bales?

 We've got four questions here form Kevin B.:

I have been watching your show since it first starting airing here in the Kansas City area.  Great information, and very educational/entertaining.

My questions for you are:

1: Is it possible to apply a stone/brick veneer over the outside/inside of the structure?  

2: My nephew in law lives in the Denver area and works for a contractor who is using a recycled block made from shredded railroad ties and some sort of polymer for foundations.  Have you heard about this product, and if so, how do you think it would work above grade?  

3: You said that straw bale construction is not advisable in high
humidity areas, could you elaborate on this, a bit?  Today my humidity
here is at 67%, and 100% is not unusual in the summer.  

4:  Which type of solar hot water heater is the best?  I am thinking of building an earth contact greenhouse and using solar heated hot water radiant heating, with a wood pellet fired boiler as a backup/supplemental heat source.
    

Thanks for your time and consideration.

Here's a question from Brett M.:

When will, or is, the BASF Smartboard Micronal wallboard available in the US?

Bill wrote in with this straw bale question:

We are looking at both log home kits and straw bale construction for our
retirement home in east Texas.

I like the look of logs, my wife and I like the "adobe" look of straw bale.
My concern is the humidity factor with straw bale. Is it enough to use wide
roof overhangs? Is the humidity in the air enough to be concerned with?

Becca wrote in with this question:

We are planning to build a "cord-wood" home and was wondering what you thought the pro's and con's to be. Certainly many of these homes have lasted hundreds of years but I don't want to live in a cave-like atmosphere! (It probably wouldn't bother my husband.) Thank you for your time.