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Monday, March 18, 2024
March 18, 2024

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Old Pittsburgh home gets green new livelihood

The Columbian
Published:
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This home in Pittsburgh's Garfield neighborhood is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold certified by the Green Building Alliance of Pittsurgh.
This home in Pittsburgh's Garfield neighborhood is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold certified by the Green Building Alliance of Pittsurgh. (Bob Donaldson/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette/MCT) Photo Gallery

PITTSBURGH — The house for sale at 5505 Margaretta St. like many in the Garfield neighborhood, had fallen into disrepair as larger homes were split into apartments. But it has gotten a new lease on life as a “green” renovation, and the surrounding neighborhood is looking up.

The three-bedroom, 2½-bath house was built in 1892 and has been rehabbed by Michael Merck of West Penn Energy Solutions in partnership with East Liberty Development Inc. It is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold certified by the Green Building Alliance of Pittsburgh.

“They have certified that it is the highest-rated single-family LEED house in the region,” Merck said.

Although the brick house’s exterior is traditional, the interior is open, bright and mostly modern, with the original main staircase, an exposed brick wall and pocket doors. In the living room, a decorative fireplace has a period wood mantel but a new quartz surround. Sustainable bamboo floors and LED lighting are found throughout the home.

A set of pocket doors leads to the dining room, which also has a decorative fireplace and dual openings to the kitchen. The kitchen features white Akurum cabinets by IKEA, some with glass fronts. An island separates the cooking and eating areas. All of the counter tops are smoky quartz and are locally sourced.

A powder room is neatly tucked away in the hall.

The second floor has been reconfigured for a master suite. A door leads to a very large walk-in closet with plenty of storage on both sides. A large set of pocket doors opens to a master bath with ceramic tile floors, a double vanity from IKEA, a walk-in shower and a soaking tub.

The third floor features two matching bedrooms that are serviced by a third bathroom with a large fiberglass tub/shower insert.

“My objective is to make these houses as energy-efficient as possible,” Merck said. “It is 40 to 50 percent more energy-efficient per square foot than a brand new code-built home.”

The high-efficiency heating and central air-conditioning systems have two zones — one for the first floor and another for the two top floors. All of the toilets are dual-flush to conserve water and all of the water fixtures are low-flow. Even the recessed lighting is LED. The entire home has been painted with no-VOC paint, and the trim is 80 percent recycled wood.

A bit of history: The neighborhood of Garfield was named after President James A. Garfield. On the day he was buried, the first lot was sold, and the buyer named it to honor the late president.

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