Greening an existing home vs. building a green home

[riveree]

Originally Posted by nessatar

It is possible to retrofit a conventional home with straw bales. Or buy something MUCH smaller than you need and build a strawbale addition...

That's a great idea - building the addition using green construction (strawbale if allowed) .

[riveree]

Originally Posted by FLBob

I'm a big proponent of living in town. Being able to walk or bike to work, school, shopping, recreation, doctors, social events...
The need to jump in a car for everything just "doesn't" ring green to me.
I also feel that intelligent renovation of older structures helps preserve our history.
Maintaining the development footprint helps keep the ecological balance, sustaining wildlife habitat.

I like the idea of preserving history too .

Sometimes with an older structure, you get other little perks. For instance, in my older home, I get mail delivered to my front door - no mailbox at the end of the driveway. We have the walking neighborhood mailman, it has a nice old-fashioned feel .

[nessatar]

Originally Posted by riveree

I like the idea of preserving history too .

Sometimes with an older structure, you get other little perks. For instance, in my older home, I get mail delivered to my front door - no mailbox at the end of the driveway. We have the walking neighborhood mailman, it has a nice old-fashioned feel .

Another perk of old houses are the details that come with them. I know someone mentioned the expense of renovation, but when you consider all of that beautiful molding, hardware, wood floors... all included in the price of the house! If those things were to bought new, you're new home would cost a lot more. Bonus!