McStain is committed to developing and building in a sustainable partnership with the natural environment. The company treats each site and home with the knowledge that land and natural materials are irreplaceable. All homes in every McStain community, in addition to the interior streets, parks, and transportation corridors, are planned and landscaped to respect the views and natural landform, and preserve and enhance the natural features of the site. Through projects such as the newly-constructed Discovery House, the company is constantly researching cutting-edge building techniques and materials to ensure superior energy efficiency, indoor air quality, resource efficiency and amenities that only get better with time.

A few ways McStain homes are “Built Green”:

• Energy efficiency – All McStain homes are built in compliance with Energy Star and Colorado’s Built Green program guidelines.  McStain homes feature energy efficient features such as sealed combustion furnaces and water heaters, wet-blown cellulose insulation, low-e windows and more. 
• Indoor air quality – McStain homes are built to improve air quality for residents.  This is accomplished through the use of items such as sealed combustion appliances, low VOC paints and finishes, carpet tacks (versus glue), and OSB sub-floor material.
• Efficient use of material resources – In order to help conserve natural materials, McStain makes extensive use of engineered components and recycled materials in all homes.
• Construction waste management – McStain uses recycling bins throughout its construction sites to help facilitate the recycling of construction waste such as wood, drywall and plastic. 
• Water conservation – McStain actively promotes the use of water efficient appliances, faucets, shower heads and toilets in all homes and uses water-wise landscaping strategies throughout each neighborhood.

McStain is a builder partner of the United States Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star® Program and a founding member of the Denver Metro Home Builders Association Built Green Program.

Some of McStain’s recent Green Building accolades include:

• 2003 Green Project of the Year Award from the NAHB Research Center
• 2001 Professional Builder Magazine’s Achievement Award for Green Building
• 2001 EPA Energy Star Program Most Energy Efficient Homes of the New Millennium