Built Green in the Kootenays

This Cranbrook construction company is committed to sustainable practices

Gord Warkentin from StoneBrook Construction in Cranbrook — photo courtesy Gord Warkentin

Cranbrook-based StoneBrook Developments prides itself on its green commitment—promoting, among other things, energy and water efficiency, comfortable ventilation and design, and healthy air quality, while reducing global environmental impacts. Gord Warkentin, StoneBrook Developments’ manager in charge of client care, described his company’s philosophy on green thinking.

“We think it adds value to our home construction,” said Warkentin. “By using resource-efficient, environmentally friendly construction practices, it is promoting our unique brand and our goal to continue a positive, sustainable approach to construction, rather than being the last one to come on board and be behind the times.”

Warkentin said that StoneBrook Developments' goal is to continue to be an industry leader and to stay ahead of the curve.

It is hardly surprising, then, that StoneBrook Developments has now become a BuiltGreen Certified Builder. The BuiltGreen program is voluntary and members must be trained in BuiltGreen practices. Warkentin said now that the company is certified, it has to keep up with ongoing requirements and training.

“BuiltGreen has a program criteria in which there are four achievement levels: bronze, silver and gold, with an extra rigorous platinum level,” said Warkentin, adding that owners can choose whichever achievement level they would like to work toward when building their homes.

“Secondly, there is an energy efficiency requirement using the EnerGuide for new houses initiative, and the goal there is to assign an EnerGuide rating for every house that is built,” said Warkentin.

The EnerGuide rating system is an official Canadian system that helps people rate energy efficiency in their new home.

Warkentin said StoneBrook Developments incorporates a number of sustainable practices within the BuiltGreen program—practices like using high-efficiency windows, air exchangers and heat-recovery ventilators, spray foam insulation and reducing thermal transfer and waste. He said people are more than welcome to come and talk to the staff at StoneBrook about these options.

“Energy efficiency helps people in their cost of living,” said Warkentin. “It has a direct result on people's budgets as well on the overall global trend towards environmental protection.”

Warkentin said that StoneBrook Developments has five projects on the go right now, one of which is working towards a BuiltGreen certification.