GREEN MATERIALS: 3 Key Guidelines of Green Building Materials

GetWithGreen.com would like to welcome CalFinder as a guest writer to our site.  The CalFinder team dropped in to provide you with some background on green building materials.  Please read on…

Back to the Basics, The 3 Key Guidelines of Green Building Materials
By Renee Rutledge, CalFinder - The Source for Certified Remodeling Contractors

A lot has been said of green building materials. Indeed, an entire book can be written on pop bottle carpets alone. As with most subjects that have an abundance of information sources, the most critical element to awareness and practical use is a firm grasp on the basics. This article provides a refreshing overview on green building materials, identifying what makes them green, how they benefit the average homeowner, and how to incorporate them.

What are green building materials?

A green building product or material is specifically composed of renewable resources. It must also meet several criteria in relation to resource efficiency, indoor air quality, energy efficiency, water conservation, and affordability. In summary, materials must be:

• Recycled and recyclable at the end of their useable life.
• Harvested from sustainably managed, regional sources and manufactured in a resource-efficient manner.
• Be low in toxicity and emit minimal VOCs.
• Utilize materials and systems that reduce energy and water consumption.
• Be cost-effective via productive life-cycle performance.

How do green building materials benefit you?

If the materials you are using for a building last a long time because they are green, you will save money. Though some costs are extra up front, such as purchasing a water-saving, front-loading washer, savings in water heating costs will also save money in the long run. You will also save energy utilizing different technologies or alternate systems to heat a home, cook food, or dry clothes. You can take advantage of greater flexibility in design, choosing products such as engineered wood that won’t rot the way a Redwood product might. And, ultimately, when unhealthy chemicals or irritants are removed from your environment, you will feel well and function better.

What are some examples of green building material?

Now that you know how to identify green building materials and why you should select them, here are some tried and proven alternatives you can use to replace what’s currently in your home. Once you’ve decided on these or other selections, contact a certified home remodeler to help you install your material of choice.

• Want an alternative to wood? Try recycled plastic decks, picnic tables, backyard play equipment, and furniture made from former milk and water jugs.
• Instead of flooring options that must be disposed of, filling landfill space when they’re no longer in use, consider recycled rubber flooring for a practical option that doesn’t endanger ecosystems.
• Engineered wood has a long-term life cycle and requires substantially less energy to produce.
• Several metal and rubber roofing materials make use of 100% recycled materials

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