I came across this comment today in a post over at Tree Hugger. 

"There are (expensive) systems available, but they are rarely used in North America, because residential builders don't pay operating costs, and have no incentive to put in expensive things like thermal breaks that purchasers can't see and don't understand."

This post really made me stand back and think.  I care!  I want to know!  If something is out there that will ultimately save me money (with a higher initial cost), build a better and longer lasting structure and increase my quality of life, I want it!  I could care less about Travertine, granite and stainless steel.  I want a better home! 

So where do you stand? Is it the aesthetic or the quality that matters to you?  Do you want both?  I think that if we spent more time educating the public on construction quality and pulled the focus away from the pottery barn colors, that ultimately people would care and as educated buyers they would buy better things.  Maybe I am wrong and maybe I have a glorified view of the world, but that is where I stand. 

You can read more on the article that set me off by visiting this postover at Treehugger on why there are so few green buildings.  I think it is pretty interesting.  I also find it interesting that the answer is to write more laws and change more code instead of just educating the public on what is good and what is bad.  Why do we need more laws? 

Source:  Treehugger