Sustainable and Energy-Efficient Mountain Homes in Montana

Riverbend Builders has built sustainable custom homes in the Bozeman area since 2001 and was one of the first sustainable contracting companies in the Gallatin Valley. Every Riverbend home is built around three goals: efficiency, durability and healthiness, delivered through smart design, energy-efficient systems and recycled materials.

What makes a home sustainable in Montana?

Green building is about more than bamboo countertops and Energy Star appliances. In Montana’s climate, a sustainable home is one that uses minimal energy for maximum comfort, is built to last for generations, and supports the health of the people who live in it.

Smart design

A home’s life begins with its design. We start by asking how you live, then let your habits and your site guide decisions such as whether to use a slab-on-grade foundation, how to insulate the walls and roof, which windows and doors to install, how the floor system will work, whether to use radiant heat, and when to add alternative energy.

Energy-efficient systems

The first step to a sustainable home is to conserve the resources a building consumes over its lifetime. The Gakke Yama home, built on a reclaimed lot near Montana State University, is Energy Star certified.

Recycled and reclaimed materials

Reclaimed timbers, doors and flooring find a second life in new homes and add character that new materials cannot. The Fowler Lane home features reclaimed materials, including a fireplace built from petrified wood.

Is a sustainable home more durable?

It should be. Solid framing matters just as much as detailed carpentry, and a home that is built well from the start needs less maintenance and fewer resources over its life. Read more about our process or our story.

Planning a custom home? Call 406.580.0315 or start a conversation.

Frequently asked questions