What Makes Us Different?

“We’re promoting energy efficiency and environmental responsiblity.
It takes everyone doing whatever they can to help.
The environment is our greater home, and we need to be responsible to it.”
Gary Silverstein, President of Silverstein Construction Corporation
(As quoted by Meredith Barkley, staff writer for the Greensboro News and Record in its April 4, 1999 article titled, “The Natural Look.”)

A more recent article in the Greensboro News & Record, June 15, 2008 cites Silverstein Construction in “What It Means to Build Green” (click to read article)

So how does a builder construct attractive, quality homes, and still remain “good stewards of the environment?” By using proven energy-saving practices, and paying attention to details. Silverstein Construction uses Green Building practices in the construction of the homes in Sanford's Creek. All of the homes are also built to the specifications of the EPA’s Energy Star Home Program.

Less Landfill Waste: The homes in Sanford's Creek are constructed with as few trees removed as possible. Small tress that are removed are chipped and used as mulch in planting beds. Larger trees are sent to lumber mills. Only stumps are sent to landfills, reducing the amount of traditional lot-clearing landfill waste by about 60%. Additionally, all building site trash is collected and recycled by WCA.

Increased Comfort and Improved Indoor Air Quality: The air quality and comfort level of a Sanford's Creek home exceeds that of homes not built to Energy Star specifications. Because of the tight construction which eliminates drafts, homeowners can easily maintain the optimum temperature throughout the house, while enjoying reduced outside noise. The tight construction and sealed ductwork with exterior insulation also provide improved ventilation while blocking the entry of airborne pollutants, reducing the homeowners’ exposure to respiratory irritants.

Energy Efficiency: Every home in the Sanford's Creek subdivision will be tested for the EPA’s Energy Star Home Rating. An Energy Star Rating certifies that the home’s heating, cooling, and water heater systems are at least 30% more energy efficient than comparable built-to-code homes. Silverstein Construction uses several practices to achieve this energy efficient rating.  Preservation of mature shade trees reduces summertime cooling costs. Low “E” windows reduce heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer. Sanford’s Creek is a natural gas heating community. All heat pumps are 13-seer Puron pumps which are very efficient, and do not use ozone-depleting freon as a coolant. All exterior bottom plates as well as penetrations to the attic and crawl spaces are caulked. All ductwork has exterior insulation, and duct tests are performed to check for energy-wasting leaks.  Fluorescent and halogen light bulbs are used wherever possible because they require less energy than incandescent bulbs.


Recycling: Trex decking materials used for all the decks in Sanford's Creek are made of recycled materials, and will not weather, splinter, rot, or be damaged by termites. The insulation is made from recycled newspaper mixed with a flame retardant. Recycling centers are incorporated into most house designs to make household recycling easier. Silverstein Construction also recycles as much site material as possible including scrap metal and cardboard, and workers’ drink bottles and cans.

A Sense of Community:  Gary Silverstein has a deep commitment not only to the environment, but to the community as well. To enhance this sense of community in the Sanford's Creek area, the homes are encompassed by a wooded walking trail.

These are not common building practices at this time. Gary Silverstein hopes that as consumers become aware of the energy-efficient, environmentally responsible possibilities for home building, that more homeowners will seek out these attributes. That would prompt builders to embrace similar practices and have a tremendous long-term positive impact on our fragile environment.

“What we’re trying to do is be good stewards of the environment, trying to be a responsible builder.  Anytime you’re building a house you have a negative impact on the environment. By improving standards, maybe we can have a positive impact on the neighborhood.”
Gary Silverstein, President of Silverstein Construction Corporation
(As quoted by Meredith Barkley, staff writer for the Greensboro News and Record in its January 7, 2001 article titled, “Energy Efficient.”)

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