Sustainability

“To dwell, also means to become friends with a natural place.”
                                                                            - Christian Norberg-Schulz

Why do we need a sustainable home?

We spend a lot of time at home. It’s where we sleep, share meals, unwind, and spend time with family. It’s also where we can begin to make the planet a better place. Research indicates that the building sector has the largest potential for significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions compared to other major emitting sectors.

That’s where Design with Frank comes in. Designed with durable nature friendly materials, Frank’s eco-friendly homes last longer and generate significant long-term savings. They reduce negative impacts on the environment by using less energy and natural resources. By using fewer synthetic materials and promoting better ventilation and air quality, Frank homes are also better for your body.

Frank's design is DIY friendly, or build it with your local builders!

How does the sun keep your home energy-efficient?

One of the most important steps in building an eco-friendly home is thinking about its position in relation to the sun’s path. The sun is a vital source of heat and light that your home can take advantage of, and the right orientation can help your home harness the sun’s energy during the day and heat itself.

Our designs feature large, south-facing windows that are tucked behind a covered outdoor deck. The deck acts as a buffer between the hot sun and the inside of your home. In the summer, this reduces brightness and keeps the indoors cool. In the winter, the sun rays sit lower in the sky, and shine into the house through the deck to keep the house warm. You can rely on our guides to help you determine the right orientation to help your home leverage passive heating and cooling.

What does insulation do to your home?

Like a thermos that keeps hot soup hot or cold drinks cold for hours, proper insulation in your home reduces the exchange of heat through a surface. This means that less cool air or warm air escapes the walls and roof. By self-insulating, there’s less energy needed for heating or cooling.

Many homes have thermal breaks, or gaps in the structure that isn’t covered by insulation. This creates vulnerable areas where air can escape. At Frank, we use double-layer insulation for your home -- almost like putting on another jacket. That means less draftiness and cheaper energy bills for you

How does natural ventilation affect your home?

Similar to how our bodies breathe in and out, natural ventilation cycles fresh air in and out of your home. In the warmer months, this flow of air can naturally cool your home without the use of mechanical systems. Proper ventilation also improves indoor air quality, cycling out any air contaminants.

Frank designs feature a double air circulation channel in the roof that ventilates the attic, while the placement of the windows create a horizontal air passage that lets air flow in and out of the home. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the spring breeze.

What types of materials are found in green homes?

Bamboo, cork, and reclaimed woods and metals are just some of the common materials used in eco-conscious homes. Organic insulation -- such as hemp, cellulose, or wool -- is also popular, as it performs better with humidity and prevents mold and mildew.

Frank thoughtfully considers your home’s relationship with the surrounding environment and cares about helping you build an heirloom-quality house. Whether you’re looking to build with natural materials or update the materials in your existing home, our packages offer a series of sustainable, widely-available options.

What are the benefits of using local resources?

To us, building a home means investing in the local economy. We want to empower homeowners to locally source labor and materials and create more wealth and job opportunities in their area.

Our comprehensive material list makes it easy for you to buy local. Most of the building materials -- if not all -- can be purchased from nearby lumber yards and stores, and Frank designs can be easily built by any builder or contractor. Most importantly, local materials eliminate the energy consumption and hefty costs that come with shipping and transportation.