Wedgworth Green
What makes our homes Wedgworth Green?
Sustainable & Recyclable Materials: Sustainable homebuilding does not use up resources faster than they can be naturally replenished. Recycled materials (like the salvaged pine floors and logs from the original Sterne Log Cabin) reduce demands for harvesting new materials. Both are important to us in designing a Wedgworth home.
Land & Tree Conservation, Landscaping: We do not mass grade but we designate a portion of our communities to remain undisturbed and include a "tree save" plan in our covenants. We landscape with drought tolerant plants and offer options for "Rainwater Harvest Systems." We also use pavers on patios for permeability.Smart Framing Systems: We engineer our lumber to minimize waste and use Radiant Barrier Sheathing for all roof decking, which blocks up to 97% of radiant heat from entering your attic. Any siding on a Wedgworth home is HardiePlank - a fiber-cement material that is one of the most fire resistant available and with a 50-year warranty.
Effective Insulation: We use Greenguard certified CertainTeed fiberglass insulation for superior indoor air quality. We also wrap and seal ductwork, caulk and foam all potential leak paths including the bottom plate, around windows and doors and behind fireplaces. This reduces air leaks by 25%, saving substantially on energy bills.
Windows & Doors: We use Low E insulated windows with simulated divided lites and a U factor less than .65. These ENERGY STAR qualified windows keep homes warmer in the winter by reflecting radiant heat indoors and cooler in the summer by blocking 70% of solar heat gain. Our windows also reduce fading to window treatments, furniture and flooring from harmful UV rays. All exterior doors are insulated and constructed of fiberglass with a lifetime warranty; garage doors are also insulated.
Brick: We use Boral Bricks on many of our homes. Boral is an industry leader in sustainable manufacturing and the green building movement. The brick we use is made locally in Bessemer from all natural materials. Brick construction provides an extremely tightbuilding envelope which requires less energy to heat and cool the home. Brick is also great for sound mitigation, requires very little maintenance over time and has the longest lifecycle of all exterior cladding material
Gypsum: Our Drywall uses recycled paper backing. Any waste gypsum board goes back into the system and paper rolls are sent to the company's plants for recycling.
Roofing: Asphalt shingles with fiberglass/organic-fiber mats have a 30-year warranty.
Heating, Cooling & Appliances: we use ENERGY STAR rated appliances, including energy-efficient natural gas for heating, water heating and cooking. Natural gas reduces a home's carbon footprint by more than 50%, since 90% of the gas produced for a home is directly used by the appliance (compared to 30% of electricity generated, with 70% being lost in transmission). We use a 80% efficient Trane furnace and 14 SEER air conditioner sized through computer analysis. We tightly seal and insulate all ductwork to improve efficiency and air quality.
Plumbing: We use 1.6-gallon flush toilets, water saving faucets and tankless natural gas water heaters to save water and energy.
Lighting: A Wedgworth Home comes equipped with ENERGY STAR light fixtures, compact fluorescent bulbs and ventilation fans. Recessed fixtures in unconditioned attic space are airtight rated and sealed with gaskets, caulk or foam.
Indoor Air Quality: Improved through vapor barriers, gravel beds, ventilation, options for outside air intakes and filters, low VOC paints and formaldehyde-free MDF trim.
Wedgworth Green Checklist (PDF)
Wedgworth Green Benefits (PDF)