I’ve been reading this book on green and alternative building that tries to do a careful analysis of the production and disposal environmental costs, lifespan and code compliance. The thing is I’m skeptical about the sustainability and lifespan of these new age technologies. Often unproven and subject to premature failures, odd housing methods are unlikely to be repaired but instead the entire building discarded.

I don’t like contemporary buildings made out of vinyl and drywall. I’m all for tongue and grove walls and wooden siding. I much prefer the sustainability of a wood heavy cabin over easily dirtied and stained light colored plastics and dry wall. That said, I can’t argue against the durability and lifespan of vinyl but after a while it quickly looks dingy. And always fake. Maybe it’s just a matter of taste.

But I think far out there building styles that are futuristic don’t have much of a future. It’s best to go conservative and use good quality building materials commonly in use today for maximum sustainability and life of the building. Stay away from carpeting and vinyl flowing but it’s hard to argue against modern energy efficient windows and insulation. Go for the metal roof – it’s conventional and repairable but also recyclable.

If anything when it comes to sustainability, downsizing the building structure greatly cuts material use and energy used to heat, cool and light the building. Even if I heat primarily with wood produced on the land, efficency matters as burning wood still releases carbon dioxide and other toxins in the air. Less waste is better. But you shouldn’t go so unconventional that it’s hard for the whoever owns your house next to put it to good use.