Topic: Alexandra Marks

Looking back: The Monitor's coverage of 9/11

A selected archive of The Monitor's coverage of 9/11 and beyond.

Spring's crayola colors

Photos of nature's changing palette at Sheep Dog Hollow.

A home made green and lean

Eco-aware rehabber finds that doing right by the earth is cost-effective, too.

Solar power vs. geothermal: Which works better?

In a 'green' home renovation, choosing a heating system comes down to deciding which is better, geothermal or leased solar panels.

What I didn't know about solar power – but should have

In renovating an old farrmhouse, the owner discovers that solar panels can be leased instead of purchased.

Reconsidering solar power

Is solar power practical for New England? Reconsidering the issue during a home renovation.

Do composting toilets work?

Many advanced options are now available in composting toilets, but they may not be for everyone because of odor and other problems.

Low-flow toilets have improved

Low-flow toilets save water, but they haven't always worked as well as homeowners would like.

The delicate toilet question

For a home renovation, what are the best water-saving options among new toilets?

What to do when the new shake roof buckles?

In a home renovation, the owners decided to install a cedar shake roof, but it buckled in the first serious rain.

The new generation of green builders

Joe Rios typifies a new generation of environmentally conscious workers who are thinking green.

Tankless water heaters: pros and cons

After debating the pros and cons of on-demand or tankless water heaters, a couple concludes that the environment is the deciding factor.

Are tankless water heaters worth the extra cost?

Tankless, or on-demand, water heaters have advantages, but cost isn't one of them.

Water conservation – the why and how for homeowners

In renovating a home, why should homeowners conserve water and how do they go about it?

Water conservation: Is it necessary in the Northeast?

Do homeowners in the Northeast – an area of plentiful water – need to conserve water?

Reclaimed wood flooring wins out in home renovation

In renovating an old house, the flooring decision comes down to new flooring (relatively inexpensive) vs. old wood planks (more expensive but charming and recycled).

Green renovation conundrum: old flooring vs. new

When renovating an old home in Connecticut, owners find that the debate centers on 'green' vs. budget – do they try to reuse the old flooring, buy recycled old floorboards, or go with new?

House renovation: How to cope with cold weather

When snow blows and temperatures fall, tips for coping with the cold and continuing a house renovation over winter.

The unexpected joys (and expenses) of renovating an old house

When renovating a historic house, a homeowner learns to expect the unexpected. There will be a few trials and tribulations as well as joys.

The Rumford fireplace - energy-efficiency rediscovered

In the 1800s, a Rumford fireplace was the latest word in energy efficiency. They're still being built.

Looking for energy-efficient alternatives to fireplaces

Fireplaces have great appeal in a house, but aren't energy-efficient. What are the alternatives?

Advantages and disadvantages of a cedar shake roof

A look at the environmental advantages as well as disadvantages of using cedar shakes for roofing.

More roofing options for an old-house renovation

When renovating an old house in an environmentally friendly way, what are the roofing options?

Trying to decide on an energy-efficient roof

The new roof of a remodeled house needs to be energy-efficient as well as budget-friendly. What's the best choice?

Choosing an energy-efficient front door