Green Building

Green Builders in Chicagoland

At Barriere Construction, we understand that green building and  eco home building is far more than just a fleeting trend. Today’s homeowners are truly committed to a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle as evidenced in the surge of electric cars on the road and solar panels on roofs. We consider this to be very important.

To meet this growing demand, Barriere Construction has made it our mission to be the leading authority in high-performance, “green” custom home building. What does green construction really mean, in practical terms? It means your home will hold greater value and require less maintenance, have lower utility bills and cost less to own. It will be environmentally-friendly, and provide improved comfort and better health.

Energy Efficient

Barriere Construction homes are third-party verified and tested to be ENERGY STAR certified. This means our custom homes meet the strict energy performance standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Our homes have HERS (Home Energy Rating System) scores under 60, meaning they are more than 40% more energy efficient than a standard new home. 

A lot goes into building or remodeling an energy-efficient home, including:

  • Regulation of indoor temperature with DOW Styrofoam insulation boards on exterior walls
  • Preventing energy loss and air leaks with elastomeric sealant on exterior stud walls
  • Insulating walls and attic with blown-in cellulose for high-performance insulation and noise reduction
  • Reducing energy loss through the basement with DOW Styrofoam insulation boards
  • 16 SEER air conditioning unit options and high-performance gas furnaces appropriate for the size of the home
  • Preventing air leakage and improving heating and cooling efficiency with sealed ducts, supply, and return
  • Controlling heating and cooling and reducing energy costs with zoned thermostats
  • Saving energy with ENERGY STAR appliances throughout the home and CFL (Compact Fluorescent Lamp) lighting
  • Regulating attic temperature with a roof-mounted ventilation system

Why Choose Barriere Construction?

  • Ensuring Your Vision Becomes Reality
    From the initial demolition and securing the necessary permits to the meticulous construction and remodeling phases, we offer expert guidance every step of the way. Our goal is to provide a seamless, stress-free experience.
  • Locally Owned & Operated

    When you choose us, you're not just getting a contractor; you're getting a team of passionate craftsmen who understand the unique needs and character of our area.

  • 3rd Generation Builder

    With a deep-rooted passion for construction passed down through the family, we approach each project as a unique opportunity to create homes and remodel spaces to reflect our clients' dreams.

  • Complimentary Consultation
    Get started by giving us a call and setting up a free consultation. We'll discuss your goals from functionality to design and give you a ballpark estimate for your project.
From Blueprint to Reality Ready for a new look? Get started today!

Planning to Build a Green Home

True green building goes beyond using sustainable materials and installing energy-efficient appliances. 

The process starts in the planning and designing phase as we look for ways to minimize the environmental impact of construction, which includes:

  • Best use of land so healthy trees and landscape are left intact
  • Plan to reduce the amount of construction waste produced
  • Recycling partnership to sort construction waste
  • Reuse of material when possible, such as with concrete forms
  • Preventing erosion construction with silt fencing

Solar Panels

Solar panels are an excellent way to harness the energy of the sun and drastically reduce energy costs. The savings obtained through using solar panels will benefit you and your home financially for years to come.

 Barriere Construction will:

  • Calculate the energy consumption of the home
  • Help you decide whether you want a stand-alone or grid-connected system
  • Select the appropriate solar system for your needs
Turning Ideas into Extraordinary Places Whether you're ready to build your dream home or upgrade your kitchen to fit your growing family, we're here to help! With our future focused & customer-centric approach, we'll bring luxury and comfort to your home.

Hear From Our Happy customer

Reviews & Testimonials
"Great communication"

Once the project was underway, we felt as if the knowledge and quality of work by all involved was superior---exceeding our expectations; also noteworthy is that they were all such nice guys, easy to work with, trustworthy, and dependable.

- Gerilynn F.

Water Conservation

Barriere Construction is committed to water efficiency both inside and outside every home we build. There is more to building eco-friendly homes than just the home itself. 

This is accomplished by:

  • Selecting native trees and landscaping that require little water
  • ENERGY STAR washing machines and dishwashers that reduce water use
  • Low flow faucets, shower heads and toilets that use less water yet maintain pressure

Indoor Air Quality

Recent studies on air pollution show alarming figures on the quality of indoor air versus outdoor air, even in highly-polluted cities. When people spend as much as 90% of their time indoors, air quality is a critical consideration that doesn’t get the attention it deserves. 

Barriere Construction is committed to improved indoor air quality in all of our homes through:

  • Increased ventilation with perforated soffits
  • Gypsum drywall with formaldehyde-absorbing technology that cleans the air
  • Zero VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) paints and stains
  • Attic ventilation and central humidifier systems regular air flow and humidity
  • Mechanical ventilation system moves stale air out and brings fresh air in
  • Using MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) 8 air filters
  • Waterproofed foundation prevents moisture and mold in basement allowing you to utilize your basement to it's full capabilities. 

Getting Homeowners Involved

A high-performance ENERGY STAR home is just the first part of green building. Educating homeowners about the features of their new eco-home ensures they get the most out of it for generations to come. 

Barriere Construction makes each homeowner a part of the construction or remodeling process from start to finish through:

  • Site visits so homeowners understand the eco-building construction process, materials and techniques
  • Closing walk-through to get familiar with the home’s features and how to use and maintain them
  • Resources available beyond closing

Contact Us Today

At Barriere Construction, we're always ready to take your calls! Give us a call or fill out the form below to contact one of our team members.

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