Green building is no fad but rather, a bonafide trend that is becoming more entrenched in the home building industry every day, according to the latest evidence. Results of a new McGraw-Hill Construction/NAHB survey document a 20% increase in the number of builders producing environmentally responsible homes in 2005. Moreover, the study projected a 30% increase in this trend through 2006. The "Residential Green Building SmartMarket Report" shows that, after several years of slow but steady growth across the country, the practice of green building — applying innovative and environmentally sensitive construction techniques and products to reduce energy and water consumption and improve residential comfort and safety — is fast moving into the mainstream. It estimates that the residential green building marketplace will increase its market share from $7.4 billion and 2% of housing starts last year to somewhere between $19 billion and $38 billion and a 5-10% share of activity by 2010. You can order a copy of the report at www.analyticsstore.construction.com or through http://www.builderbooks.com/. |
