The Habitat for Humanity Earth Smart home in Portland has vinyl siding, for
the same reasons you listed. Also has vinyl gutters and window frames, but
no vinyl flooring.
We considered Hardiplank siding. It is relatively expensive and needs
painting, but it carries a 50 year warranty, is bug- and rot-proof and is
fire resistant. Hardipanels were deemed not to fit the nouveau-bungalow
style of this house--Habitat staff wanted something that looked like lap
siding, to blend in with the neighboring houses. I have seen starter houses
with Hardiplank siding on the front, and panels on the sides and back, that
looked OK to me--better than T1-11, anyway!
Our Earth Smart program recommends alternatives to solid wood
siding--especially cedar and redwood--because those woods must be cut from
mature trees that are nearly gone (our cedar comes from British Columbia).
There are some composite sidings, but people here a bit leery of
them--Habitat had some composite siding that had to be removed because it
buckled, and there was the scandal over Louisiana-Pacific's siding that
grew mushrooms. However, you may have a sound composite available in DC.
Mike
>I now need your expertise on another issue: Habitat for Humanity
>is planning to build a model green home in the DC area. They
>intend to use vinyl for siding material. However, as you know, vinyl
>contains highly toxic PVC. The main reasons they want to use vinyl is:
> 1. the industry is willing to donate the material;
> 2. it does not require paint (which will save
> money for the low-income residents);
> 3. the material is easy for the Habitat volunteers to install.
>
>We want to offer Habitat a safer and healthier alternative that is also
>cost-effective and practical (so volunteers can work with it). They have
>determined brick is too expensive (and you need masons for installation),
>and aluminum is too difficult for volunteers.
>
>Any suggestions/ideas? Thanks...
>
>Nicole Capretz, Essential Information
>Essential Information | Internet: ncapretz@essential.org
>
>__________________________________________________________________
>This greenbuilding dialogue is sponsored by Oikos (www.oikos.com)
>and Environmental Building News (www.ebuild.com). For instructions
>send e-mail to greenbuilding-request@crest.org.
>__________________________________________________________________
O'Brien & Associates
Environmental Building Consultants
Portland General Electric Earth Smart program
obrien@hevanet.com
__________________________________________________________________
This greenbuilding dialogue is sponsored by Oikos (www.oikos.com)
and Environmental Building News (www.ebuild.com). For instructions
send e-mail to greenbuilding-request@crest.org.
__________________________________________________________________