Green Features Found in Brunning and Stang Homes 

The use of local and regional materials B&S makes extensive use of Southern pine plywood, OSB, [oriented strand board] Wood ‘I’ floor trusses, open webbed trusses and roof trusses. Such products are made with minimal waste, and because Southern pine is grown regionally, it costs less to ship to the jobsite.

The use of sustainable forest products. Southern pine is farmed in high volume throughout South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama. By harvesting trees from tree farms, it is not necessary to cut old growth forests in mountainous areas. This practice greatly reduces the erosion of steep hillsides and helps to protect valuable watersheds.

The use of highly rot resistant materials to assure long building life. Composite window trim and sills, Hardie brand siding and exterior trim products, pressure treated wall sheathing at the bottom four feet of exterior walls and similar products are used exclusively to assure the longest life possible to these very exposed materials. Insulated steel garage doors are used, as they are proven to last longer than the equivalent doors manufactured of wood. Many home are clad in brick, undeniably one of the most easily maintained and durable materials available for home construction.

The extensive use of foam sealers and caulking to greatly reduce or eliminate drafts. Studies show that more heating and cooling is lost though small voids in floor and wall assemblies than by any other means. Carefully sealing exterior wall to the floor and foaming every hole in top and bottom wall plates is an effective way to reduce or eliminate drafts within a wall assembly.

Use of efficient heating and cooling systems. Many HVAC systems installed have higher efficiency ratings than required by State codes. The use of these systems reduces the cost of operation for the homeowner, and these systems reduce exhaust emissions through the use of advanced combustion chambers when gas fired, and more efficient heat pumps then the system is electric. Most systems will have an AFUE rating of 90%, with a SEER of 13. The ductwork of every HVAC system is sealed by mastic to eliminate leakage of conditioned air from the delivery system. All systems in multi-story homes have a zoned system to reduce the cost of conditioning the home. In conjunction with programmable thermostats, these zoned systems use a series of dampers to better regulate the flow of conditioned air within the home. By responding to multiple thermostats, these zoned systems send the right amount of heating or cooling where it’s needed most.

Use of products with reduced VOC [volatile organic compounds] formaldehyde, and other objectionable gasses. Many paints are high in VOCs, which is a source of sometimes irritating or objectionable odors. The reduction of VOCs in paints has benefits at the manufacturing level as well as within the home by reducing the exposure to the compound, particularly to people with sensitive respiratory systems. The insulation used with the home is manufactured without the use of formaldehyde, resulting in the same benefit to homeowners.

The use of recycled materials. Recycled materials are used where practical, such as in carpet padding, carpet backing and at times, the carpet tufting also. The carpet manufacturers used by B&S are leaders in the reuse of consumer plastic in the manufacture of carpet and padding, converting nylon, polypropylene and other materials into high quality products for use in the industry.

The concept of walking communities. Most of our projects can truly be called walking communities, where a homeowner can walk to grocery stores, shops, restaurants and local parks. Most are also along established public transportation lines, allowing for a viable alternative to the use of the private automobile. Developments within established neighborhoods are proven to reduce the travel time of homeowners for pleasure and necessaries, and the reduced environmental impact attendant therein.

Use of rainwater for ancillary purposes B&S has begun the use of rainwater reclamation for use in fountains and water features within some of its projects. It is hoped that in the near future, in conjunction with drought tolerant landscaping, we will be able to use rainwater as the source of all a project’s irrigating needs.

Green building is a concept that is here to stay, and Brunning & Stang is dedicated to the intelligent application of the best methods, systems and products that result from the increased awareness that all of us have an obligation and an ability to play a part in reducing the human impact on the environment.