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Silver City Green Building

Across the nation and throughout the world, homeowners, builders and material manufacturers are realizing the need for healthy, energy-efficient, environmentally friendly building methods and materials. This movement, called “green building,” has a rich history in and around Silver City/Grant County and is regaining momentum among residents.

Historically, people in the Grant County area built with natural materials such as adobe and cob, and with found and repurposed materials. These traditions continue with some contractors specializing in adobe or rammed earth construction, and the Habitat for Humanity ReStore carrying reused building supplies. In addition, straw bale construction is part of New Mexico Building Code, and people are beginning to use other structural materials such as papercrete, aerated autoclaved concrete block, and pumicecrete. Local electrical companies can even design energy-efficient electrical systems including photovoltaic solar components.

In addition to these processes, natural finishing materials and green alternatives to traditional products are an important part of green building. Material Good, a natural home store in downtown Silver City, carries cotton insulation, bamboo and cork flooring, natural paints and plasters, cleaning products, recycled glass dishes, countertop options and many other items for a greener lifestyle. Syzygy Tileworks is a local tile manufacturer that reuses much of its waste materials. They also carry some tiles containing recycled glass.

Our culture is headed in the direction of resource conservation and new technologies to meet our needs, while also revitalizing time-tested traditional building practices. Incorporate these green elements into your next project in Grant County!

Find Green Contractors and Materials at: www.silvercity.org