Table Of ContentI
o
Edited by Alex W ilson and Mark Piepkorn
FOREWORD BY SARAH SUSANKA
G R E E N
B U I L D I N G
P R O D U C T S
3rd Edition
The GreenSpec®G uide to
Residential Building Materials
Alex Wilson and Mark Piepkorn .
EDITORS
Nadav Malin·
CO-EDITOR, GREENSPEC
Angela Battisto .
GREENSPEC MANAGER
Jennifer Atlee .
RESEARCH DIRECTOR
Brent Ehrlich·
PRODUCT EDITOR
Frank Richter· Assoc.
PRODUCT EDITOR
BuildingGreen
Authoritotive Information on Environmentally Responsible Building Design and Construction
Green Building Products 3rd Edition:
The GreenSpec®G uide to Residential Building Materials
Cataloging in Publication Data: A catalog record for this publication is available from the National
Library of Canada.
Paperback ISBN-13: 978-0-86571-600-1
Copyright © 2008 by BuildingGreen, Inc.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any
form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written
permission of the publisher.
GreenSpeC® is a registered trademark of BuildingGreen, Inc.
Cover photo by Randi Baird of a home designed and built by South Mountain Company,
Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. Used by permission.
Product photos were provided by the manufacturers and are used by permission.
Production notes:
Text design by Joy Wallens-Penford. Layout by Julia Jandrisits. Cover design by DC Design.
In keeping with the copublishers' mission to build an ecologically sustainable society through
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Copublished by:
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~ GREEN BUILDING PRODUCTS
FOREWORD by Sarah Susanka .......................................... v FOUNDATIONS, FOOTERS & SLABS
INTRODUCTION ............................................................ vi
Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Blocks ............................... 40
Bentonite Waterproofing .............................................. 40
SITEWORK & LANDSCAPING
Cast-in-Place Concrete ................................................. 41
Aggregate Surfacing ..................................................... 2 Cast-in-Place Concrete Forms ........................................ 41
Brick Pavers ................................................................ 3
Concrete Accessories ................................................... 42
Erosion Protection ........................................................ 3
Concrete Blocks .......................................................... 43
flexibLe Paving ............................................................ 4
Concrete Curing .......................................................... 43
Hydro-MuLching ........................................................... 4 Concrete Form-Release Agents ....................................... 44
Irrigation .................................................................... 6
Concrete Maintenance and Rehabilitation ....................... 46
Landscape Edging ........................................................ 6
Concrete Pigments ...................................................... 46
Landscape Timbers ....................................................... 7 Foundation and Load-Bearing ELements .......................... 47
Native Plants and Seeds ................................................ 9
Foundation and Slab Drainage ....................................... 47
Operation and Maintenance of Plantings ......................... 10
Masonry Mortaring ...................................................... 48
Parking Bumpers (Car Stops) ......................................... ll Moisture-proofi ng ....................................................... 48
Pest Control Devices .................................................... 14 Precast Concrete Panels ............................................... 49
Plastic Fences and Gates .............................................. 14 Sheet Waterproofing .................................................... 49
Porous Pavers, Plastic .................................................. 15 Stay-in-Place Insulating Concrete Forms ......................... 50
Porous Pavers, Precast Concrete ..................................... 16
Water Repellent Coatings ............................................. 55
Precast Concrete Pavers ............................................... 17 Water Repellents ......................................................... 55
Rigid Paving ............................................................... 17
Waterproof Coatings for Concrete and Masonry ................. 57
Sound Barriers ............................................................ 18
Turf and Grasses .......................................................... 18
STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS& COMPONENTS
Adobe BLocks ............................................................. 60
OUTDOOR STRUCTURES
Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Blocks ............................... 60
Exterior Sun Control Devices ......................................... 20
Carpentry Accessories .................................................. 61
Marine Construction and Equipment ............................... 20
Cast Concrete Roof Decks ............................................. 61
Outdoor Seating and Tables, Other ................................. 21
Cementitious Reinforced Panels ..................................... 61
Outdoor Seating and Tables, Plastic ............................... 21
Clay Blocks ................................................................ 62
Outdoor Seating and Tables, Wood ................................. 24
Concrete Blocks .......................................................... 62
Plastic Fences and Gates .............................................. 25
Engineered Lumber Products ......................................... 63
Recycling Equipment ................................................... 26
FSC-Certified Heavy Timber ........................................... 63
FSC-Certified Wood Framing Lumber ............................... 65
DECKING
FSC-Certified Wood Paneling ......................................... 68
FSC-Certified Wood Decking .......................................... 28 Log Construction ......................................................... 69
Plastic Lumber ............................................................ 30 Masonry Accessories .................................................... 69
Preservative-Treated Wood and Treatment Products ........... 30 Masonry Mortaring ...................................................... 70
Preservative-Treated Wood Decking ................................ 31 Metal-Web Wood Joists ................................................ 70
Reclaimed-Wood Decking .............................................. 31 Precast Concrete Panels ............................................... 71
Solid Plastic Decki ng ................................................... 33 Preservative-treated Framing Lumber ............................. 72
Wood-Plastic Composite Lumber .................................... 37 Preservative-Treated Wood and Treatment Products .......... .73
Preservative-treated Wood Sheathing Panels .................... 74
Reclaimed-Wood Framing Lumber ................................... 74
Copyright C BuildingGreen, Inc.
Contents GREEN BUILDING PRODUCTS ~
Reclaimed-Wood Heavy Timber ...................................... 77 Metal Doors and Frames ............................................. 128
Sheathing (including Plywood & OSB) ............................ 82 Operation and Maintenance of Doors and Frames ............ 129
Stay-in-Place Insulating Concrete Forms ......................... 85 Wood Doors .............................................................. 129
Structural Insulated Panels ........................................... 90
WINDOWS
Structural Plastic Lumber ............................................. 93
Composite Windows ................................................... 132
Structural Steel Framing ............................................... 94
Domed Unit Skylights ................................................ 133
Wall Panels ................................................................ 94
General Information, Windows and Doors ...................... 133
Wood Framing Fasteners ............................................... 95
Glazi ng .................................................................... 134
Wood Trusses .............................................................. 95
Metal-Framed Skylights .............................................. 135
SHEATHING
Plastic Windows ........................................................ 135
Air Barriers ................................................................ 98 Roof Windows ........................................................... 137
Fire-resistant Sheathing Board ...................................... 98 Solar-Control Window Film .......................................... 137
Insulating Sheathing ................................................... 99 Tubular Skylights ...................................................... 138
Sheathing (including Plywood & OSB) .......................... 100 Window Shades ......................................................... 139
Window Treatment Hardware ....................................... 140
EXTERIOR FINISH & TRIM
Wood Windows ......................................................... 141
Air, Vapor, and Moisture Barriers .................................. 106
INSULATION
Artificial Stone ......................................................... 106
Acoustic Blanket Insulation ........................................ 144
Composition Siding ................................................... 107
Air, Vapor, and Moisture Barriers .................................. 144
Fiber Cement Siding .................................................. 107
Blanket Insulation .................................................... 145
FSC-Certified Wood Siding ........................................... 108
Board Insulation ....................................................... 146
Insulated Metal Wall Panels ........................................ 109
Foam Joint Sealants .................................................. 148
Masonry Accessories .................................................. 110
Foamed-in-Place Insulation ........................................ 149
Reclaimed-Wood Siding .............................................. 110
HVAC Insulation ........................................................ 150
Vapor-Retarding Coatings ........................................... 114
Insulated Metal Wall Panels ........................................ 150
Wood Shingles and Shakes .......................................... 114
Insulation Baffles ..................................................... 151
Wood-Alternative Trim ............................................... 114
Loose-Fill Insulation .................................................. 151
ROOFING
Preformed Joint Seals ................................................ 155
Clay Roofing Tiles ...................................................... 116 Radiant Barrier Paints ................................................ 156
Fiber-Cement Roofing Shingles .................................... 117 Radiant Barriers ........................................................ 156
Green Roof Components ............................................. 117 Sprayed Acoustic Insulation ........................................ 157
Green Roof Planti ng Media ......................................... 118 Sprayed Insulation .................................................... 158
Green Roof Plants ..................................................... 118 Structural Insulated Panels ......................................... 160
Green Roof Systems ................................................... 119 Thermal Insulation .................................................... 163
Gutters and Downspouts ............................................ 120
FLOORING & FLOORCOVERINGS
Metal Shingles .......................................................... 121
Plastic and Rubber Shingles ........................................ 121 Acoustical Underlayment ............................................ 167
Ridge and Soffit Vents ................................................ 123 Backing Boards and Underlayments .............................. 167
Roof Accessories ....................................................... 123 Bamboo Flooring ....................................................... 168
Roofing Panels .......................................................... 124 Brick Flooring ........................................................... 170
Slate Shingles .......................................................... 124 Carpet Cushion ......................................................... 170
Thermoplastic Membrane Roofing ................................. 126 Carpet Recycling ....................................................... 172
Wood Shingles and Shakes .......................................... 126 Carpet Tile ............................................................... 172
Cementitious Underlayment ........................................ 172
DOORS
Ceramic Tile ............................................................. 173
Composite Doors ....................................................... 128 Concrete Finishing .................................................... 173
General Information, Windows and Doors ...................... 128 Concrete Pigments .................................................... 175
ii Copyright ~ BuHdingGreen, Inc.
~ GREEN BUILDING PRODUCTS Contents
Cork Flooring ............................................................ 175 Foam Joint Sealants .................................................. 227
Flooring Adhesives .................................................... 177 Preformed Joint Seals ................................................ 227
Flooring Underlayment ............................................... 177 Wood, Plastic, and Composite Fastenings ...................... 228
FSC-Certified Wood Flooring ........................................ 178
PAINTS & COATINGS
Natural Fiber Floor Mats ............................................. 182
Plastic Flooring ......................................................... 182 Coatings for Steel ..................................................... 230
Reclaimed-Wood Flooring .......................................... 183 Decorative Finishes ................................................... 230
Recycled-Glass Tile .................................................... 190 Exterior Paints .......................................................... 230
Resilient Sheet Flooring ............................................. 191 Exterior Stains and Finishes ........................................ 232
Resilient Tile Flooring ................................................ 192 Interior Paints .......................................................... 233
Sheet Carpet ............................................................ 192 Interior Stains and Finishes ........................................ 237
Subflooring .............................................................. 193 Mastic Removers ....................................................... 239
Suppressed Wood Flooring .......................................... 195 Moisture-proofing ..................................................... 239
Terrazzo ................................................................... 195 Mold-Resistant Coatings ............................................. 239
Thin-Set Tiling ......................................................... 196 Other Plastering ........................................................ 240
Tiling Adhesive ......................................................... 196 Paint Removers ......................................................... 241
Radiant Barrier Paints ................................................ 241
INTERIOR FINISH & TRIM
Recycled Paints ........................................................ 242
Acoustical Ceilings .................................................... 198 Traffic Coatings ......................................................... 243
Acoustical Wall Finishes ............................................. 198 Vapor-Retarding Coatings ........................................... 243
Agfiber Millwork ........................................................ 198 Water Repellent Coatings ........................................... 243
Ceramic Tile ............................................................. 199 Water Repellents ....................................................... 243
Certified-Wood Stairs and Railings ............................... 199 Waterproof Coatings for Concrete and Masonry ............... 245
Cork Wall Covering .................................................... 200
MECHANICAL SYSTEMS/HVAC
Countertops ............................................................. 200
Fiberboard and Particleboard Panels ............................. 202 Air Conditioning Equipment.. ...................................... 248
Fiberboard Millwork ................................................... 203 Air Outlets and Inlets ................................................ 249
Fiberboard Trim ........................................................ 204 Air-to-Air Energy Recovery Ventilation .......................... 249
FSC-Certified Millwork ................................................ 204 Bathroom Vent Fans .................................................. 251
FSC-Certified Wood Paneling ....................................... 206 Central Cooling Equipment.. ........................................ 252
Gypsum Board .......................................................... 207 Condensing Boilers .................................................... 252
Gypsum Board Accessories .......................................... 208 Convection Heating and Cooling .................................. 253
Gypsum Board Taping and Finishing ............................. 209 Dampers .................................................................. 254
Plastic Paneli ng ........................................................ 209 Duct Mastic .............................................................. 254
Prefinished Paneling .................................................. 211 Evaporative Air-Cooling Equipment .............................. 254
Reclaimed-Wood Millwork ........................................... 213 Furnaces .................................................................. 255
Recycled-Glass Tile .................................................... 217 Heat Pumps ............................................................. 256
Residential Cabi netry ................................................. 218 Heating Boilers ......................................................... 258
Textile Wall Coverings ................................................ 220 Humidity Control Equipment ....................................... 259
Wall Covering ........................................................... 221 HVAC Air Cleaning Devices .......................................... 259
Wall Covering Adhesives ............................................. 222 HVAC Air Handlers ..................................................... 261
Wood Veneer ............................................................ 222 HVAC Ducts and Casings ............................................. 261
Wood-Alternative Trim ............................................... 223 HVAC Fans ................................................................ 261
Wood-Veneer Paneling ............................................... 223 HVAC Insulation ........................................................ 262
Instrumentation and Control for HVAC .......................... 263
CAULKS & ADHESIVES
Masonry Fireplaces .................................................... 264
Caulk Joint Sealants .................................................. 226
Mastic Removers ....................................................... 264
Duct Mastic .............................................................. 226
Packaged Water Chillers ............................................. 264
Copyright C BuildingGreen, Inc.
Contents GREEN BUILDING PRODUCTS ~
Powered Attic Exhaust Fans ........................................ 265 Furniture ................................................................. 317
Space Heaters .......................................................... 266 Natural Fiber Fabrics .................................................. 318
Portable Partitions, Screens, and Panels ........................ 318
PLUMBING Reclaimed-Wood Furniture .......................................... 318
Recycled-Content Furniture ......................................... 320
Composting Toilet Systems ......................................... 268
Residential Cabinetry ................................................. 321
Domestic Water Heat Exchangers ................................. 269
Storage Shelving ....................................................... 322
Domestic Water Heaters ............................................. 269
Tackboards ............................................................... 323
Domestic Water Piping ............................................... 272
Tub and Shower Doors ............................................... 323
Greywater Systems .................................................... 273
Window Shades ......................................................... 323
Irrigation ................................................................. 274
Rainwater Harvesting ................................................. 274
RENEWABLE ENERGY
Residential Faucets, Showerheads, and Controls ............. 275
Residential Lavatories and Sinks .................................. 278 Alternative Energy Balance of Systems Components ........ 326
Residential Toilets ..................................................... 278 Batteries for Alternative Energy Systems ....................... 327
Residential Urinals .................................................... 282 Building Integrated Photovoltaic Roofing ..................... 328
Sanitary Waste and Vent Piping ................................... 282 Masonry Fireplaces .................................................... 328
Swimming Pool Plumbing Systems ............................... 283 Packaged Solar Heating Equipment .............................. 329
Water Filtering .......................................................... 284 Photovoltaic Collectors .............................................. 331
Water Storage Tanks .................................................. 285 Solar Concentrating Collectors ..................................... 333
Solar Flat-Plate Collectors .......................................... 334
ELECTRICAL
Solar Heating Balance of System Components ................ 335
Alternative Energy Balance of Systems Components ........ 288 Solar Vacuum-Tube Collectors ...................................... 337
Batteries for Alternative Energy Systems ....................... 289 Swimming Pool Plumbing Systems ............................... 337
Building Integrated Photovoltaic Roofing ..................... 290 Wind Energy Equipment ............................................. 338
Data Cables .............................................................. 290
Lighting Controls and Building Automation ................... 291 DISTRIBUTORS & RETAILERS
Microturbines ........................................................... 292
Distributors/Retailers, Energy Conservation ................... 342
Photovoltaic Collectors .............................................. 292
Distributors/Retailers, FSC-Certified Wood ..................... 342
Raceway and Boxes for Electrical Systems ..................... 294
Distributors/Retailers, Green Building Materials ............. 344
Wind Energy Equipment ............................................. 294
Distributors/Retailers, Renewable Energy Equipment ....... 347
LIGHTING Distributors/Retailers, Used Building Materials .............. 349
Compact Fluorescent Lamps ........................................ 298
MISCELLAN EOUS
Exterior Lighting ....................................................... 300
Air Quality Monitoring and Assessment ......................... 356
Fluorescent Lamps ..................................................... 301
Communication Wiring ............................................... 356
Induction Lamps ....................................................... 302
Detection and Alarm .................................................. 356
Interior Luminaires ................................................... 302
Electricity Metering ................................................... 358
LED lighting ............................................................. 303
Facility Remediation .................................................. 358
Special Purpose Lighting ............................................ 304
Outdoor Trash and Recycling Receptacles ...................... 359
APPLIANCES Pest Control Devices .................................................. 361
Recycling Equipment ................................................. 362
Residential Dishwashers ............................................. 306
Recycling Programs ................................................... 363
Residential Laundry Appliances ................................... 308
Wood Products Certification and Information ................. 363
Residential Refrigerators and Freezers .......................... 310
FURNITURE & FURNISHINGS INDEX OF PRODUCTS & MANUFACTURERS ....................... 365
ABOUT THE EDITORS .................................................. 375
Bedroom Furnishings ................................................. 316
ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS STATEMENT .......................... 375
FSC-Certified Wood Furniture ....................................... 316
iv ~ Copyright ~ BuHdingGreen, Inc.
~ GREEN BUILDING PRODUCTS
by Sarah Susanka
The book you have in your hands is an important and With a house design that's properLy taiLored to the ac
much-needed tooL in buiLding a house that is green-a tivities of your Life, and with spaces proportioned to fit
house that respects the vaLue of our pLanet's naturaL our human scaLe, it is then time to seLect the products
resources, that protects its occupants, and that rec that support your efforts to make a heaLthy environment
ognizes the impact and Legacy it wiLL Leave for future for your househoLd, without hurting the pLanet in the
generations. process. For many years, this has presented a quandary.
You've known what you WANT to be abLe to do-to make
When I first became an architect, back in the 1980s, I
product seLections that aLign with your vaLues. You've
was a passive soLar "nut," convinced that it was time to
known that you want to do what's best for the Earth and
Loosen our dependence on fossiL fueLs and embrace the
for future generations, and onLy purchase items that are
abundant energy avaiLabLe from the sun. Then I moved
in keeping with the naturaL order of things. But untiL now
to Minnesota and discovered that, though this might
the probLem has been how to find them. SimpLy having
be an excellent strategy for warmer climates and Lower
the vaLues is not enough. You need a guide to heLp find
Latitudes, in Minneapolis in December there just aren't
the companies that share your goaLs and have made the
enough hours of sunLight, even on a really sunny day, to
effort to create sustainabLe products that can fuLfiLL your
make passive soLar strategies work effectiveLy. So I turned
dream for a truLy green home.
into an energy-efficiency nut instead, Learning everything
I couLd about how to minimize heat Loss in the winter This book is that guide. It's written in a way that makes
and heat gain in the summer, while still designing homes it easy to find the information and product advice you
that were comfortabLe as weLL as a deLight to Live in. need, and it's a must for anyone-buiLder, designer, ar
chitect, or homeowner-who wants to know the unbiased
Over the twenty years I practiced residentiaL architecture
and unembeLLished truth about what's really "green." The
and energy-efficient design in the Twin Cities, my coL
editors at BuiLdingGreen, including ALex WiLson and Mark
Leagues and I deveLoped a strategy for buiLding better, not
Piepkorn, are among the most knowLedgeabLe peopLe in
bigger, which came to be known as buiLding Not So Big.
the worLd on sustainabiLity, energy efficiency, and en
My first book, The Not So Big House, pubLished in 1998
vironmentaL characteristics of building products. They
by Taunton Press, speLLed out a recipe for a more sustain
provide an enormous service to aLL of us in document
abLy made house-one that was about a third smaller
ing, in Laypersons' Language, the ins and outs of product
than you thought you needed, with every space used
seLection for a green home.
every day. Such a house is filled with the speciaL detaiLs
of design and construction that make its structure Last Green Building Products provides the most comprehensive
for centuries rather than decades, and with a character and usefuL resource for fuLfiLLing the dreams that so many
that encourages generations of inhabitants to take care of us share for a sustainabLe future for our pLanetary-as
of it, and make it their own, just Like the homes of the weLL as our personaL-home. Together we CAN make a
Arts and Crafts movement did a century ago. difference, and this book points the way, giving us the
tooLs to make the decisions that wiLL ensure a better,
I beLieve that the very first step in buiLding a green home
though not necessariLy bigger, future.
is to build it just the right size for the way you want to
Live-you can read more about how to make this happen
in the Not So Big House series of books, as weLL as my Sarah Susanka is an architect and author of the highly acclaimed
Latest, Home By Design. Not So Big House series of books, published by Taunton Press.
Copyright ~ BuildingGreen, Inc. v
GREEN BUILDING PRODUCTS ~
GREEN HOMES ARE SAFE TO LIVE IN, AFFORDABLE TO Why Choose Green Building Products?
operate, and less damaging to the local, regional, and
There are really three stakeholders to benefit from the
global environments.
use of green building products: the people who work with
Interest in green building has been growing by leaps and the materials (not only on the job site but also in the
bounds in recent years for a number of reasons. Home factories where the products are made); the homeowners
owners are alarmed by news about mold and asthma and who live with those materials; and the local, regional,
about the alphabet soup of toxic chemicals that enters and global environment that is protected through the
our homes through building products, furnishings, and production and use of these materials.
consumer goods. We want the place where we live to be
The direct benefits of green building products to workers
safe. We spend 90% of our time indoors and a significant
and homeowners are the easiest to justify. Manufacturing
chunk of that in our homes; these spaces should not make
facilities and construction companies can save money if
us sick. A green home is a healthy home.
employees don't have to use special protective gear and
Some people are worried that rising energy prices could if they stay healthier, losing less time to sick leave. And
make their homes too expensive to live in. In recent years, the importance of a safe, healthy home goes almost with
we have seen dramatic increases in the price of gasoline, out saying. Since we spend so much of our time indoors,
natural gas, electricity, and heating oil. Evidence that it's imperative that our indoor environments don't make
worldwide oil production may be nearing a peak even us sick. Asthma now affects one in eight children, and
as demand continues to grow leads to the concern that medical experts are increasingly pointing to homes
even higher prices may be just around the corner. (The and the products we put in them-as the culprits that
prices of natural gas and electricity tend to rise and fall cause respiratory illnesses. Further, there are a slew of
with the price of oil.) With more and more people nearing chemicals we introduce to our homes whose health effects
retirement age and facing the prospect of living on a fixed we know almost nothing about, such as the plasticizers
income, many are wisely concerned about the rising costs that make vinyl shower curtains and wallcoverings flex
of operating their homes. This includes energy costs but ible, brominated flame retardants in foam cushions, and
also the costs of maintaining the home. A green home fluoropolymers such as Teflon® used to insulate some
is affordable to operate-its energy use is low, and it is wiring and a component in some finishes. Some of these
made with durable, low-maintenance materials. chemicals are now showing up in the blood of humans
worldwide and are being linked to behavioral and devel
Finally, more and more homeowners are beginning to
opmental problems.
recognize that their actions can make a difference. There
Homeowners benefit directly from many products in the
is growing awareness about our impacts on the environ
operation of their homes: heating, cooling, water use,
ment, and an increasing willingness to do something
maintenance, and repairs. Some green building products
about it. Surveys show that efforts to make their homes
are more energy-efficient or more water-efficient than
more environmentally friendly are high priorities for
conventional products; others are more durable or require
homeowners and potential homebuyers-even if those
less maintenance. These direct benefits will save people
measures increase costs.
money or time over the life of their homes and can easily
Doing the right thing by creating a green home makes
be justified on those grounds.
sense all around. It's good for your family's health, it
Selecting green products solely because they protect the
saves money, and it's good for the environment.
environment can be more difficult to justify-but is no
less important. While most homeowners will be sympa
thetic to concerns about rainforest destruction, ozone
depletion, or toxic chemical releases from manufacturing
vi ~ Copyright ~ BuHdingGreen, Inc.
~ GREEN BUILDING PRODUCTS Introduction
plants, those impacts are far away, and most of them coming years and decades, it may become easier to draw
don't affect us directly. However, growing awareness the connection between our purchasing decisions and a
about global warming is helping people understand the wide range of impacts. If that happens, the environment
fact that actions in one place can have environmental could become a much bigger factor in the way we think,
impacts elsewhere. If, as most scientists believe, global act, and make purchasing decisions.
warming is going to become a lot more apparent over the
When it comes to choosing green building products, both
direct and indirect benefits are important. The relative
priorities of these benefits, though, will vary significantly
Product Selection is Only One Part of
from person to person.
Green Building
While this book focuses on the selection of prod What Makes a Product Green?
ucts for building and remodeling to make a home
This is a very complicated question. Many different fac
more environmentally friendly, it is important
tors come into play in determining the "greenness" of
to point out that green building is about much
products and materials; very often the distinctions are
more than products. Green building is also about
not black-and-white. Much of the complexity in examining
such issues as:
the environmental and health impacts of materials results
• Energy-efficient design and construction from the fact that the impacts can occur at different
where windows are located, how much points in the life cycle of a product, and those impacts
insulation is installed, and how effectively can vary tremendously from product to product.
air leakage is controlled;
The science of examining the environmental and health
• House size-not building a larger home impacts of products is referred to as life-cycle assessment,
than is needed; or LCA. This process examines a product from "cradle
to grave," considering environmental and health issues
• Where the house is built-so that use
involved with all aspects of resource extraction, manu
of automobiles can be minimized and
facture, use, and disposal. Instead of "cradle to grave,"
important natural areas can be protected;
some prefer to think of this cycle as "cradle to cradle,"
• Design and construction detailing to avoid recognizing the idea of taking a product at the end of
moisture problems-the leading cause of its useful life and turning it into the raw material for
indoor air quality problems in houses. something else-recycling.
While the products and materials used in a home A green product is one whose life-cycle impacts are low.
are often the most visible aspects of "green," A floor tile made from recycled glass is considered green
these other issues are at least as important-and because it is made from a waste material-something
often significantly more important. Indeed, it that would otherwise end up in a landfill. A mineral
is possible to build a compact, energy-efficient silicate paint is green because it is highly durable and
home close to alternative transportation that won't require frequent recoating or other treatment
would be considered green by any measure with throughout its life. Metal cabinets can be green if they
very few products and materials that are spe don't emit VOCs (volatile organic compounds) or other
cifically considered "green." Conversely, a house pollutants. A compact fluorescent light bulb is green
could be built from 100% green products yet not because it reduces energy consumption in the home.
be very green at all-because it isn't energy Sometimes, more than one environmental attribute ap
efficient, because it's much bigger than necessary, ply to a product-for example, recycled plastic decki ng
or because building it damaged an ecologically that is made from a waste product, is more durable than
sensitive area. standard wooden decking, and doesn't release copper or
other chemicals that can harm the environment (as can
Selecting green building products is a very impor
conventional pressure-treated wood).
tant aspect of green design, but it's not the whole
story. Be sure to pay attention to the broader A challenge in choosing green products is balancing all
issues. For more information on green building, of these different-and often unrelated-considerations.
visit www.BuildingGreen.com. A product might be made of recycled material but
release harmful levels of VOCs; another might be durable
Copyright ~ BuildingGreen, Inc. ~ vii
