Advancements in building materials, design, and installations have given rise to more sustainable homes, both new and remodeled, with builders in Lamorinda leading the way.
Jeff Stone, an owner of Diamond Construction, a second-generation construction development company that specializes in building custom homes and estates in the Bay Area, takes great pride in his company’s approach to sustainability. Nowhere is that pride on better display than in his company’s development of Lucas Ranch, a spectacular 87-acre property that includes eight pristine view parcels.
“Diamond approaches sustainability in a completely integrated way,” said Stone. “We reduce carbon footprint by using high quality manufactured wood products, insulating well beyond energy efficiency requirements, recycling waste and incorporating technology and other innovative features in our homes that allow the homeowner to create a healthier environment while saving on the costs of running and maintaining the home.”
A walk-through of 11 Lucas Ranch Court, the first home to be completed at Lucas Ranch and currently for sale (hyperlink), reveals Stone’s extraordinary vision of sustainability. Outside, the estate is clad with durable and sustainable Boral TruExterior siding, highly resistant to fire, moisture, and movement and is manufactured using fly ash, a recycled product. Other energy-efficient exterior features include custom aluminum clad doors, thick composition shingled roofs, and custom venting. Inside, smart home technology allows voice commands to control lighting, shades, heating and cooling and appliances. Recirculating water pumps provide instant hot water without waste. The result is a state-of-the-art home that is efficient, cool and comfortable even on warm summer days, without undue consumption of power.
Fortunately, one need not build a brand-new home to achieve sustainability. There are many ways to retrofit your own home in order to make a contribution to the environment, create a healthier living space for you and your family, and lower the cost of running your home by saving on energy, water, and maintenance of systems and appliances. Here are a few ideas:
- Buy energy-efficient appliances
- Use environmentally friendly interior paints
- Replace your old roof with a cool roof that reflects the sun’s heat
- Draft-proof your doors and windows
- Install curtains or blinds
- Improve your home’s insulation
- Install solar panels and battery walls
- Replace fluorescent light bulbs with LED or CFL bulbs
- Install a drip irrigation system
- Create a compost bin
- Buy recycled products
Implementing these and other environmentally-friendly steps will you help optimize energy and water use and create less waste, making your home a friend of the environment and more sustainable for years to come!