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Latest Posts for Sustainable Home Building - Minimalist Interior
New Planning and Infrastructure Bill: Fast-Tracking UK Development

UK government unveils planning and infrastructure bill to fast-track development and boost economic growth

New legislation aims to cut red tape, accelerate housing projects, and enhance sustainable infrastructure across the UK. The UK Government has introduced the much-anticipated Planning and Infrastructure Bill, a groundbreaking legislative initiative designed to transform the country’s planning system. Announced by…

How Waterjet Technology is Shaping Greener Home Construction

How waterjet cutting technology is advancing sustainable home construction

The technique of waterjet cutting is making inroads into the green building community, and offers a non toxic 'green' method of material cutting. The future of residential construction is being shaped by more than just aesthetics or affordability, it's being built around sustainability. As climate concerns mount and…

Housing Shortfall: UK to Miss 1.5M Goal

UK Government expected to miss 1.5 million homes target, confirms Chancellor Reeves

Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirms the UK will fall short of its 1.5 million homes target by 2030, with new forecasts projecting 1.3 million homes. Planning reforms and investment in construction skills aim to boost delivery. UK Government expected to miss 1.5 Million homes target, confirms Chancellor Reeves…

Passive solar design meets practical sustainability in rural ontario home

A sustainable executive home near Toronto GTA built for comfort, efficiency, and future resilience

Passive heating and off-grid ready construction can offer a feeling of security in a future of uncertain climate-related weather challenges. When the current owners of this rural property in Erin, Ontario began looking for an executive-style home within reach of the Greater Toronto Area, they quickly realized there…

How To Do Basic DIY Plumbing Repairs On Clogged Sinks

How to troubleshoot and a fix a clogged sink drain - learn easy DIY plumbing repairs

If your sink is still plugged after trying plungers and drain cleaners, a simple DIY plumbing repair could save you from calling a plumber, save money and bring a sense of strange satisfaction. How to repair a clogged sink drain Has your kitchen drain started to drain slowly, or gotten to the point where it won’t…

Electric Fireplaces: Are They a Good Choice For Green Homes?

Electric fireplaces: are they a good option for green homes?

Can a fake flame ever replace the real thing? I’m not sure yet, but the case for ditching my wood stove is getting harder to ignore. As someone who heats his home partly with firewood, I am aware of the ecological impact, as well as the impact on air quality inside my home and for my downwind neighbours. I live in a…

New Trump Showerhead Rule Reverses Water-Saving Standards

Showerhead saga: Trump repeals efficiency rules again, but at what cost?

The showerhead wars are back - and this time, they're not just about water pressure, but about policy whiplash, climate inaction, and wasted taxpayer dollars. In a now-familiar twist of regulatory déjà vu, the Trump administration - newly returned to the White House - has moved once again to roll back federal water…

The Liberal housing plan, Canada’s construction industry, Image © Revery Sen̓áḵw

A closer look at the Liberal Housing Plan: Opportunities and challenges for Canada’s construction industry

An in-depth look at the Liberal and Conservative housing plans, exploring challenges, industry obstacles, and opportunities to address Canada’s housing crisis and foster growth in the construction sector for affordable housing solutions. The challenges and opportunities in Canada's construction industry Canada’s…

Age in place renovations for seniors to enable them to stay in their homes

Age in place home renovations and modifications for seniors

Tips for home renovations for seniors and universal access. How to create safe comfortable living spaces for those with mobility issues. As the leading edge of the baby boomer generation is now closing in on 80, many are at the point of needing home care in some form, be it retirement communities or planning to age…

Affordable Prefab Homes are the focus of the new Liberal Canadian Housing Plan

Canada’s housing plan - a step toward a smart, sustainable future

Canada's housing crisis and the path forward: how the Carney Liberal Government's push for affordable prefab homes could solve the shortage amidst construction challenges and rising tariffs. Canada has long struggled with a severe housing shortage, and the government has announced plans to address it with a major…

Low-E coatings on windows reflect heat and save energy during summer and winter

The ultimate guide to low-e glass: benefits, drawbacks, and whether it’s right for your home

Low emissivity (low-E) coatings on windows reflect heat in and out of your home that can help to keep it warmer and cooler if they are specified correctly. Read here about why low-E glass can be a good choice for a high performance home. The challenges of specifying glass for windows, what are Low-E coatings? When…

Which heat pump is best in cold climates?

Which heat pumps perform best in cold climates?

Heat pumps are the most efficient way to heat a home no matter the climate, but some heat pumps perform better in low temperatures. Find out here what to look for when shopping for a heat pump. Which cold climate heat pumps are best? Heat pumps that work efficiently in very cold climate conditions are constantly…

Age in place bathroom renovation ideas to provide safe easy access for seniors

Bathroom renovations for aging in place: safety, accessibility, and comfort

Find bathroom renovation tips for universal access to help those with mobility issues, and to help seniors age in place safely. As the largest block of our population ages – the baby boomers – a quickly growing housing trend for home renovations is ‘age in place’ home modifications for seniors and anyone with…

Manitoba heat pump grants for homes with oil heating in Canada

Canada and Manitoba add grants for heat pumps to transition Homes from oil heating

Government funding aims to help Manitobans lower heating costs and reduce carbon emissions with energy-efficient heat pumps. New grants for heat pumps in Manitoba Homeowners in Manitoba have a new opportunity to upgrade their heating systems while saving on energy costs, thanks to a joint investment from the federal…

The embodied carbon of insulation materials & which type of insulation to choose

The embodied carbon of insulation materials, which are the best choices for insulating homes

A comprehensive comparison of the most common insulation materials used for home construction, analyzing their embodied carbon impact, performance & suitability for construction applications & construction types, ranking the best of each insulation type. Introduction: Why carbon reduction matters in construction As…

Restored stone farm house with efficient heating

How to improve the energy efficiency of an old stone house in a cold climate

Stone farm houses from the 1800s are beautiful heritage homes to restore. But how do you insulate a stone house and keep the interior and exterior appearance as they are? Well, that's tricky, but this guide will give plenty of good advice to follow. Should you insulate an old stone house? Those beautiful old stone…

Closed cell spray foam insulation being applied to basement walls

How to choose between open cell and closed cell spray foam and which is best?

Open cell and closed cell spray foam have different characteristics, as well as environmental impacts and health implications, which is best? Is either good? Let us guide you on how to choose between open cell and closed cell spray foam. What is the difference between open-cell and closed-cell spray foam? Both open…

Wildfires, flooding, just some of the problems facing Canadian construction

Canadian Climate Institute releases report on how to build more housing in a changing climate

Explore the growing risks of building homes in flood and wildfire-prone areas in Canada. Learn how climate change is impacting housing development and the importance of sustainable, climate-aware construction practices to avoid future costs and damages. New report warns of rising risks for Canadian homes in…

Net Zero energy houses have low carbon footprints and generate their own power

Comparing Net Zero Energy homes to Passive House solar gain designed homes: a head-to-head analysis

The main principles of Net Zero house and Passive Solar house can be applied to the same house. We've decided to compare them, as a way of getting to the bottom of the issue. The Net Zero Energy home. The concept of the Zero Energy home is appealing in its simplicity: a residence that generates as much renewable…