Building Green

Why does Kevin Contreras want to build himself a green home? Costs are coming down on green materials, and some are even less expensive than traditional materials, but that's not even the tip of the iceberg!

Whether you're building from the ground up or simply looking to "green up." get to the bottom of things: the foundation.

Santa Barbara is in California, and California is earthquake country. Follow Kevin on his search for the best, most affordable, green way to support and roof his home.

Did you know that straw is highly fire-resistant? Breathable (i.e. mold resistant)? Cost efficient? Those are just a few reasons straw bales will be the building blocks of Kevin's dream house.

Discover why repurposed wood is so cool, how bad traditional ply wood can be for you, and how much fun dumpster diving can be!

You shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but what about houses? Spend time with Kevin as he investigates earthen plasters, pourable limestone, and more green options for the exterior of his straw bale home.

Learn all about the plasters, paints, stains and washes that will bring warmth and elegance to this remarkable house built of steel and straw.

A floor can add warmth and texture to a room. but did you know that your flooring choice can also have an impact on the air quality inside your home?

In this exceptionally enlightening episode, Kevin explores every thing from Solatubes to solar panels...even solar ovens!

Whether you collected it from your rooftop or bought it from the city, watch and learn all about building creative water systems that reduce, reuse, and recycle your water.

Going green sometimes means giving up a bit of green. Learn how to achieve curb appeal without wasting precious water resources or using harmful chemicals on an expansive lawn.

Discover how to find eco-friendly products at the mall, and learn why buying the best isn't always as expensive as you might fear.

Kevin opens his doors to visitors, including Zem Joaquin of Ecofabulous and a natural cleaning product specialist, who drop by to see the results. And of course there's a housewarming party!