As builders of ICF homes, we at ORC will always be one of the first to praise the benefits of concrete as a primary building material. It’s superior in many ways when compared to its more mainstream counterparts, from its resilience against natural disasters and pests, to its impressive lifespan of 30-100 years. Its highly […]
Continue readingAuthor Archive: Sylvi Vogel
Cold Comforts: A Look At Radiant Heating
First Published in Bison Tracks v.1 Consider the possibility of heating your home and your floor while you design your new dream home. Radiant heating is our favorite heating system here at Open Range, not only because it pairs well with the insulative properties of ICF, but because a radiant heated floor means there’s little […]
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Construction With Mushrooms?
Imagine a home grown from mycelium. Header Photo by Pixabay.
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The Health Benefits of ICF & Energy Efficient Homes
As we’ve discussed in our previous articles and blog posts, when a home is built to be energy efficient, whether that be with ICF, or another superior building method, its carbon footprint is typically less than that of an average home, and it can help to save households on their utility bills because of the […]
Continue readingBuilding Beyond the Home: Human-Centric Environments
If you live in the United States, you’re likely familiar with the following picture: a sprawling suburban development populated by single-family homes and far from any grocery store, let alone a school or gas station. If not this, then likely the four or even eight-lane stretches of highway standing between one store and another, or […]
Continue readingBuilding with Reclaimed Materials
The use of reclaimed materials is a great way to build sustainably. They not only can be used for foundational and exterior construction, but can also be used for trims, finishes, decorations, and even fixtures depending on the material.
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Tips on Building a Sustainable home
There are many components that go into a sustainable home, from the design to the actual build process, and even the materials used to build it and the appliances installed. Here’s an overview of considerations to make throughout the process in order to increase the sustainability of your home.
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Reuse and Repair
By repairing your clothing, belongings, electronics, etc., you can greatly increase their lifespans…the DIY repair of products results in less overall waste.
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Earth Sheltered Homes (A Case for Hobbit Homes)
I’ve been more than a little obsessed with the idea of Hobbit homes, especially after I learned that, yes, people can actually live in their own hole in the ground. The proper term for these types of homes are “earth sheltered homes” and which, as it turns out, ICF’s lend themselves well to.
Continue readingSustainable Building: A Quick Reference to Terms & Certifications
When it comes to building sustainably, there are many different ways to go about it, and even more when considering all of the possible certifications that get tossed around. But what do all these certifications and terms mean? Some may be similar, but they aren’t all interchangeable. Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index: This is […]
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