The students were demanding in their material selections, and recycled, recyclable, or reclaimed materials were selected when possible. As many products as possible were sourced within a 500-mile radius of the site in an effort to decrease the energy consumed during shipping.
The roof is 100% recyclable Thermoplastic Olefin (TPO) membrane. The self-sealing roof has a 30-year life span and was installed with water-based, low VOC glue. Its light color has an 87% reflectivity to reduce the home’s cooling load.
The Patcraft Designweave carpet on the second floor is made of 100% recycled polymers. The first floor is concrete with a water-based stain for a durable, easy-to-maintain surface that also provides thermal mass for passive heat gain in winter.
The combination of Icynene spray-foam insulation in the walls and roof and caulking the wall studs limits air infiltration for improved energy efficiency. The wood siding is LP Smart Side, and has recycled content, a long life, and is volunteer-friendly—something important to Habitat. The students designed and built the kitchen cabinets from reclaimed wood. The stair rails are also constructed of a recycled steel.
