Erin Shine - Building Renewable

An adobe wall made from brown adobe bricks with lighter brown mortar between the bricks and decorative stones placed into the mortar. Across the top of the image are the words "Adobe Brick Calculator (With Your Own Dimensions)" In the center of the image is a cartoon pocket calculator with red and blue buttons on a red-brown body.

Adobe Brick Calculator (With Your Own Dimensions)

ByErin Shine February 15, 2024August 14, 2024

Are you wondering how many adobe bricks you need to build an adobe wall? Our custom adobe brick calculator will give you the answer in a jiffy.

A man's hands are holding a computer tablet over bright green grass with a green bookmark symbol on the screen. In the top half of the image are various items relating to construction and eco-friendliness, such as an energy-saving lightbulb, a white hard hat, and a house with a green keyring next to it. Across the top of the image are the words "The 15 Best Green Building Resources You’ll Want To Bookmark" in black on a white background.

The 15 Best Green Building Resources You’ll Want To Bookmark

ByErin Shine September 9, 2023October 27, 2024

I’ve gathered my 15 Best Green Building Resources covering sustainable technology, green home building, and everything in between. Check out the rundown of each resource and why I like each one.

Various types of hardwood and bamboo plywood sheets are stacked on each other. On the right of the photograph is an icon of a woman in a white shirt with brown hair, thinking with her finger on her cheek. There are two green question marks above her head. Across the bottom of the image are the words, "Should You Consider Bamboo Plywood Sheets? (Pros & Cons)."

Bamboo Engineered Wood Healthy Buildings Wood

Should You Consider Bamboo Plywood Sheets? (Pros & Cons)

ByErin Shine April 16, 2023October 12, 2024

Bamboo plywood sheets are being recognized as a green alternative material to hardwood. But as people consider the transition from hardwood to bamboo plywood, they wonder what the material’s benefits and drawbacks are. This article explains all.

A photograph of a wall made from reclaimed wood with individual planks running vertically, the colors of which vary from a light sandy brown to very dark brown. The grain is visible in the wood and there are lots of characterful imperfections and knots in the wood. In the bottom right is a man wearing a shirt and tie with glasses on holding a magnifying glass up to his left eye. In the bottom left is a rundown wooden house in the countryside. Across the top of the image are the words, "Reclaimed Wood As A Building Material (And Where To Find It)" written in white letters.

Reclaimed Wood Recycled Wood Sustainable Architecture Wood

Reclaimed Wood As A Building Material (And Where To Find It)

ByErin Shine April 15, 2023October 12, 2024

If you’ve ever considered using reclaimed wood as a building material, this article is for you. We explain what reclaimed wood is, where to find it, and what its pros and cons are.

A white kitchen with brown wood eco countertops in a bright open living space. Across the top of the image are the words, "Should You Consider Eco Countertops For Your Next Project?" There are three black stools at the countertop and flowers on top of it.

Recycled Material Bamboo Recycled Glass Recycled Paper Recycled Wood Wood

Should You Consider Eco Countertops For Your Next Project?

ByErin Shine April 13, 2023June 29, 2024

A stylish kitchen can easily be achieved using sustainable materials. Eco countertops are a good option for this, and in this article we look at the different materials used to make eco countertops, along with their pros and cons.

A paint roller applying blue eco-friendly paint to a white surface. Across the top of the image are the words, "8 Best (And Cost-Effective) Eco-Friendly Paints To Buy Today." In the bottom left is a green icon with the words "Eco Friendly" inside a circle with three stars in the top and two leaves at the bottom.

Paint Certification Schemes Healthy Buildings

8 Best (And Cost-Effective) Eco-Friendly Paints To Buy Today

ByErin Shine April 12, 2023September 29, 2024

Eco-friendly paints are not only good for the environment but are good for your health, too. This article explains all their pros and cons, plus which brands to buy.

An eco-friendly deck in the backyard of a home. There is a money and budget icon in the bottom right corner showing paper money and coins with the words, "budget for success". The words "Building An Eco-Friendly Deck (While Staying Within Budget)" are written across the top of the image in white letters.

Decking Engineered Wood Recycled Plastic Recycled Wood Sustainable Architecture Wood

Building An Eco-Friendly Deck (While Staying Within Budget)

ByErin Shine April 10, 2023October 13, 2024

Building an eco-friendly deck doesn’t need to break the bank. This article explains how to build an eco-friendly deck while staying within budget. Click here to learn more.

A segment of cork insulation sitting atop a full sheet.

Cork Insulation Sustainable Architecture

Your Ultimate Guide To Cork Insulation: All You Need To Know

ByErin Shine March 27, 2023October 13, 2024

Cork is an excellent alternative to bulkier insulation materials such as fiberglass and rock. As it is easily attainable, cork is an eco-friendly option for insulating the modern home. So what do you need to know before using cork insulation to increase your home’s energy efficiency?

A large bamboo roof, viewed from below on the inside of the building. Along the bottom are the words "16 Awesome Examples of Bamboo Architecture (with pictures)"

Bamboo Sustainable Architecture

16 Awesome Examples of Bamboo Architecture (with pictures)

ByErin Shine January 25, 2023October 14, 2024

These 16 examples of bamboo architecture will blow your mind. They are some of the most amazing structures we’ve ever seen. Click here to see them in all their glory.

An image showing a steel frame for a building on the left hand side, and a bamboo frame on the right hand side. Across the top are the words "Bamboo vs. Steel: What to Consider," written in brown letters with a yellow background.

Bamboo Sustainable Architecture

Bamboo vs. Steel: What to Consider With Each When Building

ByErin Shine January 23, 2023October 14, 2024

Whether it is best to use bamboo vs. steel as concrete reinforcement or other building applications that rely on high tensile strength is an interesting debate. In this article, we examine the details, including the arguments for and against.