In response to a growing interest in green buildings, Ottawa-based Janam Publications launched a sister magazine to three-year-old Sustainable Architecture & Building Magazine (SABMag) last month that deals specifically with residential homes.The newly christened SABHomes, which launched in June at the National Green Building Conference in Montreal, is targeted towards both trade professionals and homeowners. In contrast, the original SABMag focuses on non-residential sustainable architecture for trade professionals.

Currently, 10,000 copies of each bimonthly issue of SABHomes are mailed to builders, renovators and architects, though publisher Don Griffith says the plan is to get the magazine to newsstands as soon as possible.

“There’s more momentum now for information on green home building,” Griffith says. “People are really interested in knowing what a green home is, whether they’re building new or renovating.”

A lot of the content in SABHomes will be based on the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification system, Canada’s new rating system for ensuring buildings are energy efficient. According to the Canada Green Building Council, this involves five key areas: sustainable site development, water efficiency, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

Through articles on new green technologies, products, housing profiles and interviews with the experts, SABHomes aims to show professionals and homeowners how to create a more sustainable home, with a Canadian perspective that keeps our harsh winters in mind. The magazine's stories are visual and concise, so readers can absorb information quickly.

Plans are also in the works to expand the brand through consumer trade shows, such as Toronto’s annual Green Living Show, and on social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter.