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Green construction is becoming increasingly important in both new and existing homes for both environmental and financial reasons.
This week, the Ann Arbor (Michigan) Business Review spoke with a local developer, Jack Campbell, who attended the recent International Builders Show in Las Vegas.
"The green building practice is going to become the norm. I don't think it's just a trend," Campbell told the publication, adding that there are many things green builders can do "without a lot of added cost."
With green buildings still a relatively new concept, Campbell noted that the industry is still educating itself and learning about new products and methods, particularly in light of phony "greenwashing" claims that some unscrupulous builders can make.
Green building is also not suffering particularly much in the current economy. A recent report by the U.S. Green Buildings Council says that 70 percent of homeowners surveyed are more likely to seek out green and LEED-certified homes even in a down housing market, while 83 percent of builders surveyed reported that they would be likely to seek LEED-certification for their building projects in the coming three years.
It doesn't take a new building to achieve energy efficiency and environmentally friendly standards either. Green renovations to existing homes have been growing in popularity as well, particularly with many consumers unable to unwilling to buy new homes in the current market.