It?s no secret that homeowners have ?green? on the brain. With energy efficiency rebates and a number of different green products on the market in 2008, homeowners are showing concern for eco-friendly home upgrades.

In fact, according to a 2007 market research survey on U.S. Residential Awning Usage, conducted by Harris Interactive Inc., and commissioned by the Professional Awning Manufacturers Association (PAMA), nine out of ten homeowners are concerned about saving money on energy costs for their home, while three-fourths are concerned about reducing air conditioning costs.

?Money and energy costs were top concerns for homeowners, which goes hand-in-hand when selecting new products for homes,? said Michelle Sahlin, managing director, PAMA. ?However, the study also revealed that while people are concerned about being environmentally friendly, they are complacent and unwilling to allocate funds to projects that help conserve energy.?

For example, the survey found that if homeowners had the money to spend on their backyard, almost one in five would get a new deck, spa or hot tub ? items that don?t promote energy efficiency or sustainability.

?We?re all concerned about our carbon footprints, yet we?re having a hard time spending the money to take positive action,? said Sahlin. ?With energy neutral products, like awnings, homeowners make the initial purchase and can then reap the energy efficient benefits over time.?

Blending function, style and sustainability, awnings keep the home?s interior cool during hot summer weather while reducing electricity usage. Below are some ways awnings achieve neutral, sustainable home living:

? When located above windows and patio doors, awnings can provide benefits to people living without air conditioning by reducing inside temperatures by as much as 8 to 15 degrees.

? Outdoor window and door shade products, such as awnings, reduce direct solar gain through home windows. This is important because solar radiation through glass is responsible for nearly 20 percent of the load on an air conditioner.

? While awnings on individual homes can reduce air conditioning usage and costs, when a neighborhood collectively uses awnings, the entire community benefits. The collective reduction of energy usage reduces the overall demand on the energy infrastructure, subsequently preventing black outs.

PAMA promotes the use of other energy conservation devices such as therma-cool barriers, draft stoppers and low flow shower heads that use no electricity to conserve energy.

For more information about the benefits of awnings and a list of nearby awning manufacturers, please visit http://www.awningstoday.com.

Article written for GetWithGreen.com by the Professional Awning Manufacturers Association (PAMA)

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Updated on 9/28/08 with two additional manufacturers!

Recycled glass tiles are gaining in popularity, and let’s just face it — the unique patterns and colors are beautiful.  We’ve taken some time to compile a list of manufacturers to help you quickly source tiles for your kitchen or bath.  Enjoy! 

Aurora Glass

Aurora Glass Architectural Accents include glass tiles and drawer knobs made from 100% recycled glass. Aurora Glass is a program of St. Vincent de Paul of Lane County, Inc. All profits from sale of Aurora glass support homeless and low-income people through emergency services, housing, jobs, training, and other charitable endeavors in Portland, OR.  Products can be purchased directly on the company’s website. 

Bedrock Industries 

Blazestone® tiles are made by hand from 100% recycled glass, most of which is post-consumer content. They come in all types of shapes an sizes, as well as mosaic pieces. Color varies with the recycled glass materials used, but the company notes that they do not use pigments.  The Bedrock Industries Price List offers pricing details.  Products are shipped in recycled material as well!

Bonfire Glass Tile

This family run business produces artisan glass tiles from using at least 90% recycled glass.  Sizes range from 2″x2″ to 3″x8″ and come in at least 12 colors.  Bonfire also works hard to use eco-friendly practices in the manufacturer of their tiles as well.  Tiles are available for purchase through retailers in the US.     

Oceanside Glasstile Co.

Oceanside produces four styles of tile handcast from up to 86% post-consumer recycled glass.  The company boasts the reuse of more than two million pounds of glass from curbside recycling programs.  All products are produced in Tijuana Mexico.   Products are sold through dealers across the US.  The company offers a location finder for a dealer near you.   Pricing is not available on the company’s website.

Sandhill Industries

Sandhill Industries manufactures wall and floor tile from 100% recycled glass.  Each tile takes less than one-half of the energy to produce than ceramic tile, and less than one-fourth of the energy it takes to produce a cast-glass tile.  Tiles come in a standard variety of square, bar, and triangle sizes, as well as rail pieces and film-mounted mosaic patterns available in 36 colors.  Tiles are manufacturered in Boise, Idaho and the company has been recognized with an EPA Evergreen award for environmental practices as a company.

Ultraglas, Inc. 

UltraGlas® is embossed, molded architectural glass.  A variety of decorative textures, designs, and patterns are available with varying levels of translucency.  Of the manufacturers we discussed here, Ultraglas has the lowest amount of recycled content at 15-30%.  The company has posted an official environmental statement.  Products are available through a national network of UltraGlas dealers. 

Related Articles on GetWithGreen:

- Manufacturer #7: modwalls recycled glass tile
- Manufacturer #8: Stardust Glass recycled glass tile
- An eco-friendly detail you probably forgot about

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GetWithGreen.com  was recently contacted by the eco-friendly online retailer re:modern.  We took a look at their homeowner products, and we found a few greener lighting options designed and made by Jerry Kott. 

These designs are made from recycled glass, and would fit nicely into your remodel project if you are leaning toward a more modern design.  If you are going with a modern look for your remodel, take a look at re:modern.

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