Sorensen Fine Homes has an abiding respect for nature and assumes a responsibility for the protection of the environment that is in keeping with its goal of developing properties that balance pragmatic requirements within the context of natural beauty. We encourage our clients to adopt a green and sustainable approach to the design, construction, and maintenance of their Sorensen home.
Sorensen Fine Homes' Green Building Program is designed to apply best practices in energy efficiency and environmental sustainability to residential building, not only in design and construction, but throughout the life of your home. We will encourage you to consider a number of technologies, processes and products that will create a true legacy of respect and responsibility.
From our initial planning, through to site preparation and installation, we work diligently to protect, enhance, and where necessary, to restore the environment surrounding our developments. This environmental paradigm is important in very practical terms. The root systems of trees serve as slope stabilizers. Further, the various groupings of trees support each other in numerous ways, including mutual protection against wind throw. This, in turn, minimizes risk for the homeowner, and ensures privacy for each property. We try, also, not to upset the natural drainage patterns of the land we acquire; rainwater follows its natural course out to sea. We are committed to being stewards of our land.
Building Technologies
Sorensen uses resource efficient construction methods and materials that are low in embodied energy, and are, wherever possible, regional, renewable, recycled, or recyclable. These include:
- engineered structural wood products and framing, sheathing, floor, and roof systems;
- insulated concrete forming systems;
- value engineering framing systems;
- insulated doors and high-performance windows with ultraviolet protection;
- sustainable harvested wood sources;
- rainscreen technology combined with insulation;
- recycled wood material sources;
- recycled content roofing material; and
- non-toxic insulation, vapour barriers, and sealants.
Systems and Air Quality
Sorensen incorporates passive and active heating, ventilating and air conditioning and electrical systems that produce and store energy in conjunction with systems that reduce energy consumption, such as:
- passive and active solar collection and storage;
- tankless hot water systems and low-flow toilets;
- high efficacy lighting and occupant sensor controls;
- abundant natural light and fresh air ventilation;
- emergy systems:
- bio-power systems use woody biomass fuels (woodchips, pellets, and scraps, nutshells, etc.) residues to generate both electrical and thermal power during blackouts;
- trickle charge battery storage systems; and
- off-grid heating sources (wood stoves);
- EnerGuide rated and Energy Star labeled appliances;
- abundant natural light and ventilation; and
- heat recovery ventilators.
Interior Finishing
Sorensen incorporates passive and active heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and electrical systems that produce and store energy in conjunction with systems that reduce energy consumption, such as:
- water-based and non-toxic paints and finishes;
- low VOC content in finishes, carpets, flooring, and adhesives;
- recycled or sustainable harvest wood material sources;
- engineered hardwood flooring systems; and
- low and zero formaldehyde substrates.
Construction and Maintenance
Sorensen incorporates best building practices on-site during construction:
- recycling program during the building phase and after occupancy;
- prefabricated building elements;
- protection of trees and natural vegetation during building phase;
- composting;
- low maintenance gardening; and
- grey water recycling systems.
This is a non-exhaustive list and will continue to grow and be revised. Sorensen Fine Homes would be pleased to provide our clients with more information in any of these areas or on specific products.
