Materials

Reducing Exposure to Toxic Chemicals During Home Renovations

When it comes time to do a home renovation, it’s often easy to get swept up in creating the new design and choosing all the products. After that, it’s a race to the end to see the finished product. But, have you ever thought about what types of dust and contaminants...

Durat Sustainable Surfaces for Countertops, Sinks, Bathtubs, and More

Sleek & Sustainable Durat, as a part of Modern Surfaces, is a unique, sustainable solid surface material made from recycled polyester.     Recycled & Recyclable Durat collects post-industrial plastic waste from Sweden and Finland that would normally...

Sustainable Advantages and Inspirations of Redwood

Guest post by Sarah Billig, Humboldt Redwood Company A decade ago, sustainable home features used to be limited to a privileged choice. While market growth and technology have made sustainability both more affordable and accessible, many builders and homeowners may...

How Your Roof Affects the Environment: Know Before You Buy

According to industry data, roughly 7 million U.S. homeowners replace their roof each year and many are looking for new 'green', energy-saving options. Traditional asphalt shingles are a petroleum product and require replacement every 15-20 years (or sooner),...

USG Sustainable Sheetrock Panels

US Gypsum (USG Corp.), a manufacturer of building products and solutions, has created an environmentally friendly wallboard: Sheetrock Brand EcoSmart Panels. Developed to meet the demand for sustainable building products, the product is built upon USG’s UltraLight...

7 of the Most Popular Green Roofs

We’ve gone green with cars, appliances and technology. Now the movement is on to go green with residential roofing. Environmentally-friendly roofs are gaining in popularity as homeowners recognize the many benefits green roofing brings. With energy bills one of the...

Why Your Copper Sink May Outlive You—and Your Grandchildren

by Guest Contributor from Native Trails, creators of artisan-crafted, sustainable kitchen and bath fixtures The most astounding thing about copper? It’s essentially ageless. In some cases, you can scarcely tell old copper from new copper. So, while stone sinks from...

The World’s Most Sustainable Wallboard

Sheetrock Brand EcoSmart Panels answer architects’ desire for products with reduced environmental impacts and meets the industry’s 2030 Challenge.   USG Corporation, a manufacturer of building products and innovative solutions, has just introduced the next big...

Things like caulk and insulation are certainly not the sexiest things to think about when you’re building or renovating, but it doesn’t make them any less important. Every material you use – from green roof systems to eco friendly foundations – has an impact on the environment and often your health, as well. Plus, despite what you might think, there are some very interesting, wow-worthy eco friendly house building materials to consider these days. Here are some examples:

  • Recycled denim insulation – Better for the environment, better thermal performance, better acoustics control, better for indoor air quality, and easier to install since it’s doesn’t irritate skin or your respiratory system. Why would we let any denim end up in a landfill when it’s such an incredible resource?
  • Solar shingles – These little guys harvest energy just like solar panels, but they’re easier to install. Just like their bulkier big brothers, they’re tax-subsidized, they protect the roof, and they can potentially be profitable (if you capture more energy than you need).
  • Bark siding and shingles – This relatively new material is truly amazing. Traditionally the bark is discarded as debris, burned, or in some cases used to make mulch. Using bark as sustainable building materials rescues it from this fate and provides a highly sustainable alternative to traditional siding and shingling materials. Bark siding can last 75 to 100 years without any painting, sealant, or regular maintenance. (Unbelievable, right?) The absence of paint or stain means there’s never any chemical runoff. Plus, the kiln- drying process sterilizes it against fungus and pests (meaning no pesticides or other harmful chemicals are required). Also, bark that is kiln-dried will never warp or shrink upon installation. Incredible!
Reducing Exposure to Toxic Chemicals During Home Renovations

Reducing Exposure to Toxic Chemicals During Home Renovations

When it comes time to do a home renovation, it’s often easy to get swept up in creating the new design and choosing all the products. But, have you ever thought about what types of dust and contaminants you could be exposed to during demolition? Or, what types of chemicals might be released from the new products?

Durat Sustainable Surfaces for Countertops, Sinks, Bathtubs, and More

Durat Sustainable Surfaces for Countertops, Sinks, Bathtubs, and More

Durat is a unique, sustainable solid surface material which contains recycled post-industrial plastics and is 100% recyclable. It’s available in more than 70 vibrant colors and custom colors can be tinted to order. Durat can be used to create seamless surfaces of any custom project. Click through to learn more!

Sustainable Advantages and Inspirations of Redwood

Sustainable Advantages and Inspirations of Redwood

Redwood lumber is naturally strong and durable, shrinks and swells less than other woods, and is less likely to warp or split. This natural strength, combined with its environmental benefits, makes redwood an ideal choice for any number of landscaping designs.

How Your Roof Affects the Environment: Know Before You Buy

How Your Roof Affects the Environment: Know Before You Buy

Did you know traditional asphalt shingles are a petroleum product and require replacement every 15-20 years (or sooner), resulting in about 20 billion pounds of asphalt shingles ending up in U.S. landfills every year? According to industry data, roughly 7 million U.S. homeowners replace their roof each year and many are looking for new ‘green’, energy-saving options. Here’s what you should know about metal.

USG Sustainable Sheetrock Panels

USG Sustainable Sheetrock Panels

USG Corp., a manufacturer of building products and solutions, has created an environmentally friendly wallboard: Sheetrock Brand EcoSmart Panels. Developed to meet demand for sustainable building products, the product is built upon USG’s UltraLight technology that contractors prefer, now manufactured with a significantly reduced carbon footprint and lower water usage, according to a press release.

7 of the Most Popular Green Roofs

7 of the Most Popular Green Roofs

We’ve gone green with cars, appliances and technology. Now the movement is on to go green with residential roofing. Environmentally-friendly roofs are gaining in popularity as homeowners recognize the many benefits green roofing brings. With energy bills one of the major expenses of owning a home, eco-friendly roofs are becoming an attractive option for homeowners seeking ways to lower their heating and cooling costs. But more than that, certain types of green roofs are eligible for federal and state tax credits, and deliver benefits beyond just monetary.

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