227 First Street, Libertyville, Illinois

When the opportunity to “Greenovate” a 1905 frame house in Libertyville arose, River Trail Properties jumped at the chance to establish what true “Greenovation” could do for a home of almost any age.

Although the home had 2 poorly executed additions, the original frame structure was in very good condition.  However, it was only about 900 square feet in size.  We designed an addition and renovation that provided an open first floor plan with both formal and informal spaces, and comfortable private living spaces on the second floor.  Once the “Greenovation” was completed the home was 3000 square feet, had  formal living and dining rooms, a gourmet kitchen that opened to the expansive family room on the first floor, and 4 bedrooms, 3½ baths, laundry, princess suite, elaborate master suite on the second floor.

The portions of the original home that were demolished and all  excess  construction  materials were sent to a recycling center where  95% of the material was reclaimed for recycling (the other 5% went to landfill, but was processed as cap not fill, so it was actually used).  All of the trucks and machinery of our excavation/demolition/waste contractor ran on biodiesel fuel.  Where possible all “green” materials were used in the re-construction (see resources page).

The utilities were all green as well.  The HVAC system was a dual fuel heat pump system with variable speed blower, which only used about as much electricity as a 60 watt bulb.  The compressor was a 16 SEER unit, and the furnace was a 95% efficient unit.  Although the home was dual zoned, it was so efficient that only one heating and cooling unit was needed.  In all, utility bills should average 50-70% less than a traditionally climate controlled home. 

Adding to the efficiency of the home were the following measures: All joints and throughholes were sealed; all windows and doors were energy star compliant Pella windows with low E glass, Argon filled, sealed and had a UV reflective coating; Certainteed fiberglass insulation; R19 walls; R38 roof in the roof;Enviroshake roofing; tankless water heater; Hardiboard fiber cement siding; all interior moldings were MDF low formaldehyde; Benjamin Moore Eco Series paint; all appliances were energy star rated.

Lastly, the finishing touch was a landscape comprised of all native plants, irrigated with reclaimed water.