Sustainable Materials and Retrofit Practices

This unit builds on foundational concepts from earlier units and prepares learners to plan and implement sustainable residential remodels. Students focus on selecting low‑impact materials and fixtures, verifying certifications, applying retrofit and weatherization techniques, and managing waste to improve energy, water, and indoor environmental performance.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the environmental life‑cycle impacts and tradeoffs of common building materials and finishes (e.g., bamboo, cork, linoleum, recycled denim insulation, earthen plaster, plywood alternatives) and compare options using quantitative and qualitative criteria.
• Evaluate green product certifications and labeling programs and apply those criteria to select appropriate fixtures and furnishings (e.g., toilets, lighting, carpet, adhesives, exterior trim) for a residential remodeling project to meet specified sustainability goals.
• Apply weatherization, insulation, HVAC optimization, water‑heating, and lighting retrofit techniques (e.g., window/door sealing, occupancy sensors, solar water heaters, fireplace conversion) to develop a step‑by‑step upgrade plan that estimates expected energy and water savings.
• Demonstrate material recovery and construction waste‑reduction practices by developing and documenting a debris management plan that incorporates reuse, recycling, and responsible disposal and projects landfill diversion rates.