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• Green Tips from Ian Heckman
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Green Tips from Ian Heckman of Pennsylvania

Green Tip #1: Borrow an idea from your local supermarket.

“Here's a simple environmentally friendly way to shop at the local supply house for small loads. I often find myself at the local supply house picking up a bunch of little things that came up on the job or were unforeseen in the material list.

We do our best to make comprehensive lists for bulk deliveries, but the reality is there is always something that slips. We are always concerned with the embodied energy of every aspect of each job, so one way to cut that total was to stop using the plastic bags at the supply house. After encountering reusable bags at the grocery store, I realized it was a great idea for work.

So now we keep a couple reusable canvas bags in our trucks to pick up materials. We use the bags for picking up lunch. We are also going to be ordering bags with our name to give to customers as a reminder of the company's commitment to the environment. Using the bags diverts waste from the landfill or recycling process and advertises for us too.”

Green Tip #2: Save time and scrap with OVE.

“Our company uses Optimal Value Engineered (OVE) framing both on 24 inch and 19.2 inch depending on the application. However, the first project we did with OVE framing took about 20% more time than conventional framing projects.

From the start we realized we were eating a good amount of time due to the use of a single top plate and cutting every stud to length, which was coming off the bottom line. We started using finger-jointed studs and engineered headers and beams. The finger-jointed studs are made at the supplier's mill where they make the studs out of scraps from precut material.

It became obvious to us that we needed to add the second top plate back into the equation and purchase precut finger-jointed studs for the size wall we are building. Our suppliers did not want to cut a new size stud and I assume most suppliers would not at this point, due to efficiency.

But by purchasing 92 5/8-inch studs (for 8-foot walls) and using a double top plate we can now use OVE framing and finish a job as fast if not faster than with conventional framing. The bonus is less scrap on site. The supplier also uses longer lengths to create the precut studs so they end up with a big enough cut off to finger joint into yet another stud.”

Ian Heckman
Heckman Restoration Inc.
Sinking Spring, PA

www.heckmanrestoration.com

Ian C. Heckman is the founder, owner, and operator of Heckman Restoration Inc. HRI is a home remodeling, building construction and home improvement company as well as a "hands on" general contractor. Mr. Heckman has both residential and commercial Green Advantage® certification.

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