Green Building Products

Green building products seek to lessen the environmental impact of building and remodeling. Combined with a green home builder for larger projects, green building materials can significantly reduce the environmental impact of your next home improvement project.

Green building products can reduce the impact of building on the environment in one or more ways. While some categories of environmentally sensitive items are regulated, such as Energy Star appliances, there is no overriding rating system devoted to green products. Instead, consumers should be vigilant and be sure that the product that they are buying helps the environment in one of these ways.

Some products help conserve energy or water through greater efficiency. Products such as Energy Star appliances, which conserve electricity, or low flow toilets which conserve water, are part of this group of products.

A product can be considered environmentally friendly if it helps preserve building air quality. A product can do this by reducing VOC's or other toxins that can leach into the air. It can also discourage growth of harmful agents such as mold and mildew. Appliances that help maintain good air quality and identify pollutants also qualify under this category.

Many green construction products have some recycled content including recycled wood flooring. It is important, however, to make sure that the recycled or reused material makes up a substantial amount of the overall product. Building materials that contain only a fraction of recycled materials may be trying to capitalize on the trend towards more sustainable design and offer very few concrete benefits.

Products made from materials that are available close to the building site are often considered green. These products help conserve the energy that is often expended when shipping products over long distances.

Some materials can be considered green if they are a renewable resource. In order to ensure that these products are truly renewable, it is best to make sure that they are regulated by a third party. The most common example of this type of green product is certified lumber.

Some traditional products are manufactured carefully to reduce the amount of waste and energy used when creating the product. This category includes manufacturers that reduce product packaging, greenhouse gases produced, or even the amount of scrap that must be reused.

While many green building materials may be good for the environment, some products also increase the quality of life of the people who use them in some unique ways.

Unlike fiberglass insulation, cotton insulation can be installed without gloves or a face mask. While fiberglass insulation is considered a carcinogen, cotton insulation is often made of recycled fabric scraps that are harmless. This makes it an excellent material for DIY projects that involve insulation, such as finishing an attic or garage.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, VOC's can cause a wide array of health concerns, ranging from eye irritation to liver and kidney damage. Low or no VOC paint eliminates or greatly reduces the off gassing of these toxic compounds. While no VOC paint can be expensive, low VOC paint is comparable in price to traditional paints.

Cork is both renewable and biodegradable, but more and more homeowners are installing it because of its ability to absorb impact. This makes it an excellent surface in areas where the occupants might often stand, such as in a kitchen. The soft surface, which does not reduce its durability, helps promote better joint health for the people who walk on the flooring.

While green building products may be popular for homeowners seeking to remodel, often the most environmentally sensitive approach is to use what is already present in your home. Consider carefully if items and spaces can be repurposed, rather than replaced for a truly green mindset. If you do determine that an item must be replaced, be sure to dispose of your outdated materials in a way that ensures that they will be reused or recycled.

• Ways to Prevent Global Warming
• 50 Specific Actions of Green Living
• Examples of Sustainable Development

• United States Recycling Statistics
• Types of Pollution
• Air Pollution Statistics
• Effects of Water Pollution
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Biofuels

• Energy Efficient House Plans
• Environmental Issues of Current Concern
• Environmentally Friendly Homes
• Category:Low-Impact Living
• 2008 Greenbuild Tradeshow Boston