Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Is there eco-friendly drywall?

This is actually a really good question that we've been trying to figure out.  We have some answers but the biggest problem is that eco-friendly drywall is still very much developing.  Drywall manufacturing is one of the top three producers of greenhouse gas pollution when it comes to building materials.  If you think about it drywall is everywhere in our homes and buildings, it makes up almost 80% of the material with in our structures.  Having an eco-friendly drywall option is vital if we are to succeed at green building.   The few options currently available for eco-friendly drywall consist of an Austrailan product called Durra Panels created by Ortech Industries and an American product call EcoRock which may or may not still be available (we're still awaiting a reply from the manufacturer Serious Materials or Serious Energy).

Durra Panels are manufactured with agricultural waste by-product from wheat and rice straw, very similar to strawboard.  The contents of Durra panels are usually disposed of after a harvest through a burning process that releases additional carbon emissions. During the manufacturing of Durra Panels the bio-waste materials are heated and pressed to form a hard panel core. The natural polymer in the straw is processed and works as an organic binding agent.  To complete the drywall a non-toxic PVA glue with a water base covers the panel core with recycled Kraft liner paper.  Durra Panels can be recycled, turned into mulch, or safely disposed in landfills.   Based on our research Durra Panels are not available in the U.S., the pricing and cost effectiveness of this product is unclear.  EcoRock is a green alternative to traditional gypsum drywall. It is made of 80% recycled content from cement and steel manufacturing plants. The overall manufacturing procedure is less energy intensive since it’s naturally cured and dried without the use of heat or other harsh chemicals.   The manufacturer of EcoRock is Serious Materials or now known as Serious Energy, Inc has had difficulty over the last few years and may not be currently producing EcoRock.   We'll up-date this post if they reply to our e-mail in the future.

It's clear eco-friendly drywall seemingly has a long way to go.  Standard gypsum drywall is a very affordable building material, adding a significant amount of cost to go eco-friendly will be difficult for home owners and builders.  But clearly we have to do something and we expect and hope that more eco-pioneers join the effort to create an eco-friendly drywall alternative!






Friday, February 20, 2015

Composite decking that's eco-friendly!

Composite building materials were first seen on the market in the 90's.   Composite usually means a combination of wood and plastic materials combined with a binding agent.   Composite building materials aren't typically considered eco-friendly because they are often made with raw wood and plastics and sometimes toxic glues.  Over the last twenty years the use of composite building materials has continued to increase because of the cost and the material's ability to survive in the outdoor elements.   Composite decking has been especially growing in popularity and now it's become  eco-friendly with products like BamDeck® Composite and GreenClaimed® Infinity™.

BamDeck® Composite is made from 60% reclaimed bamboo fibers and 40% recycled HDPE plastics and its three times stronger than most composites.   BamDeck is low-maintenance and available in a number of styles and colors.  GreenClaimed® Infinity™ is manufacured in the U.S. and it's made from 100% post consumer recycled materials which includes a 50/50 mixture of reclaimed oak and maple hardwoods from the furniture industry combined with recycled HDPE plastics such as milk jugs and detergent bottles.   Both products are easy to install with a hidden fastening system and come with a 25 year warranty.    If you are considering composite decking for your outdoor deck please check out an eco-friendly product like BamDeck® Composite or GreenClaimed® Infinity™




Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Walk walk walking on recycled glass!

Please excuse the cheesy headline but it's true, recycled glass as a building material has made its way to flooring.  Joining the fellow eco-friendly flooring types of bamboo, cork, and reclaimed wood.  Recycled glass is a completely eco-friendly material because it's 100% recycled.  It's often used to manufacture beautiful countertops, glass tile mosaics, accents and now it comes in the form of large tiles or pieces intended for flooring. A recycled glass flooring product currently available on the market is called GlassPLANK,  it's manufactured by Glass Recycled Surfaces of Dallas, TX.

Glass Recycled Surfaces uses recycled glass bottles and discarded porcelain fixtures to manufacture flooring, countertops, and even a mulch for landscaping.  They claim that their recycled glass flooring is as durable and will last as long as standard tile flooring.  Their unique recycled glass mulch is both environmentally friendly and visually appealing.   Pricing for recycled glass flooring is a little on the higher side but hopefully the market will expand and the cost will go down.   For more information about Glass Recycled Surfaces and recycled glass flooring please visit glassrecycled.com




Monday, February 16, 2015

Off the Grid with Wind Power for the Home

You've probably been driving down the expressway and come across a large field of huge wind turbines.  These are called wind farms and because they generate emission free power they are continually being built in the U.S. and across the world.  Did you know that the country of Denmark generates over 1/3 of it's electricity from wind power.  We've been using wind power ever since the first person put a sail on a boat.   This form of power generation is the least destructive to the environment but it does have a few down sides.  Primarily the noise generated from the turbines can impact neighborhoods and of course the wind isn't always blowing so power generation can be variable.  Nevertheless, wind power has become a legitimate method of power generation for utility companies.  And now, with the use of small wind systems or turbines, individual homes, farms, and small businesses can take advantage of wind power.

Small Wind Turbines are electric generators that use the energy of the wind to produce clean, emissions-free power for individual homes, farms, and small businesses. This is a simple and increasingly popular technology that allows home and business owners to generate their own power off the grid.  Unlike utility-scale turbines, small turbines can be suitable for use on properties as small as one acre of land in most areas of the country.  These small wind turbines aren't necessarily small, normally at least 80 feet in height and can be as tall as 140 feet.   On average a small wind turbine with a 5 kilowatt generating capacity will cost around $30,000.  It can take between 6 to 20 years to recoup the investment of a small wind system but tax incentives in the future may speed that up.  Your local zoning codes and wind factors will determine whether or not your property would be suited to have a small wind turbine installed.   Generally, a minimum of 12 mph winds must be the average for the area.  For more information on small wind systems an wind power please visit www.awea.org





Saturday, February 14, 2015

The EPA's Advice on creating an Eco-Friendly Landscape

The Environmental Protection Agency has some great advice on how we can make our landscaping eco-friendly.  Standard landscaping and landscape maintenance can often be harmful to our environment.  Normal landscapes require use of mechanical equipment and consumption of vital resources like water and fossil fuels.  In addition, the use of fertilizers and pesticides can pollute our ground water supplies.  Not to mention our landfills are being consumed by yard waste and biodiversity has introduced invasive exotic landscape plants to our ecosystems.
Interesting Facts from the EPA:
  • Gasoline-powered landscape equipment (mowers, trimmers, blowers, chainsaws) account for over 5% of our urban air pollution.
  • Residential application of pesticides is typically at a rate 20 times that of farmers per acre; it results in many unintended results.
  • Yard wastes (mostly grass clippings) comprise 20% of municipal solid waste collected and most still ends up in landfills.
  • A lawn has less than 10% of the water absorption capacity of a natural woodland - a reason for suburban flooding.
There is no way we can continue our current landscaping practices long term and still expect a clean attractive community.  The EPA says we must learn to balance our needs with the needs of the environment.  According to the EPA the best way to make our landscapes eco-friendly is by using beneficial landscaping or native landscaping practices.  This method of landscaping can save considerable time and money because of reduced maintenance requirements.  Beneficial landscaping contains a number of principles that revolve around balancing our needs with the needs of our environment.  The principles are as follows:
Protect existing natural areas to the greatest extent possible (woodlands and wetlands, stream corridors and meadows).
Select regionally native plants to form the backbone of the landscape. Select appropriate plants for each particular site (each plant has its unique requirements and most sites have a variety of conditions). While there's not usually a problem with occasional use of exotic plants, native plants have evolved to local conditions over millions of years and form an integral part in the life cycles of the local wildlife; they also give an area its unique sense of place.
Reduce use of turf. Instead, install woodland, meadow or other natural plantings. Where lawns are needed (such as play areas), follow best management practices available from your county's cooperative extension agent to reduce harmful impacts and use composting mowers.
Reduce use of pesticides, practice integrated pest management. Again, cooperative extension agents can help with natural alternatives to pesticides.
Compost and mulch on site to eliminate solid waste. Generate a free mulch - a soil additive that can replace the need for most fertilizers.
Practice soil and water conservation. Stabilize slopes with natural plantings, mulch around plants, and install drought- tolerant species.
Reduce use of power landscape equipment. Shrinking the size of the lawn and planting appropriate native species in less formal arrangements will reduce the need for extensive use of power equipment.
Use plantings to reduce heating/cooling needs. Deciduous trees planted appropriately along the south sides of buildings can reduce air conditioning costs by up to 20%; in winter they allow the sun's rays to warm buildings. Coniferous trees planted to block prevailing NW winter winds can reduce heating costs. Trees planted to shade paved areas reduce the summer heat-island effect that makes parking lots so inhospitable.
Avoid use of invasive exotics which outcompete native plants and result in declines in biodiversity. Examples include: Norway maples, kudzu, purple loosestrife, Japanese honeysuckle and multiflora rose.
Create additional wildlife habitat to partially compensate for land lost to urban/suburban sprawl. This is especially important along streams where the vegetation can filter runoff, aid in flood control, and provide wildlife corridors.
Beneficial landscaping conserves water and resources, creates a cleaner and safer environment, reduces costs and the strain on our waster systems.  For more information about Beneficial Landscaping from the EPA please visitwww.epa.gov/greenkit/landscap.htm



Friday, February 13, 2015

Recycled Rubber and Plastic Make for an Eco-Friendly Roof!

The recycled building materials available now a days cover every aspect of the home, including the  essential roof over our head.  EcoStar, LLC began developing eco-friendly shingles or tiles back in the 70's and first offered a recycled material composite tile in 1996.  Today, the company offers a few different versions of the shingle in numerous attractive colors.  The product is manufactured from a synthetic material that is comprised of 80 recycled rubber and plastic.  EcoStar's base formula of recycled rubber and plastic became the foundation for the injection-molded slate and shake roofing tiles that have become the leader in the synthetic roofing industry.

EcoStar's shingles are meant to mimic the stylish look of cedar shake shingles or slate tile shingles.   These eco-friendly shingles provide an appealing lower-cost alternative to expensive real slate and wood and can last well over 50 years.  EcoStar's shingles are approved for use in Dade County and carry a 100 mph wind warranty.   EcoStar's simulated slate and shake roofing tiles provide supreme protection against fire, hail, wind and rain, offering enhanced durability and long-term performance.  For more information about EcoStar's shingle tiles please visit www.ecostarllc.com




America's Reclaimed Wood Species Reviewed

In the United States, wood once functioned as the primary building material because of it's cost and availability.  Today, much of this reclaimed wood is available in mass quantities recovered from old barns, factories, warehouses, boxcars, and many other places.  There are numerous wood species on the market but the pricing and availability will depend on region.  Below we have listed most of the reclaimed wood species available in this country including a brief description.  Of course, reclaimed wood is completely eco-friendly as it's a 100% recycled building material.

Ash  -  Ash wood has a blonde to light brown color and it has a similar density and texture as oak.  Reclaimed Ash can be found in wider boards because of the size of the trees.   Generally, it's a lower priced reclaimed wood.
Cherry  -  Cherry wood can be some of the most difficult to find reclaimed lumber.  Reclaimed cherry has a distinct color that continues to darken over time.  Typically, the cost of reclaimed cherry is high because it's not a readily available reclaimed wood.
Chestnut  -  Chestnut is usually only available in the Eastern part of the U.S.  Chestnut trees were significant in size and produced large beams and wide boards.  Pricing for reclaimed chestnut can be high because of it's availability.
Cypress  -  Cypress is a softwood that is light blonde to yellow in color.  Cypress trees were large in growth and produced wide boards.  Cypress is commonly available in the south U.S. and is priced in the mid range of reclaimed wood species.
Douglas Fir  -  Douglas Fir is a common softwood reclaimed wood species that is found throughout the U.S. Reclaimed Douglas Fir can be found in large boards and beems due to the size of the Douglas Fir trees.  Generally, reclaimed Douglas Fir is priced on the lower end of reclaimed wood species.
Elm  -  Elm has a very distinct grain and is very durable.  Elm is a lighter white to brown color that can be quiteunique.  Typically the pricing of Elm is low to mid range for reclaimed wood species.
Heart Pine  -  Heart Pine Trees were very large yielding and produced high volumes to large beams and boards.  The pine heart is often darker, more dense and stable than normal Pine.  This type of Pine is insect resisand is reasonably priced for a reclaimed wood species.
Hickory  - Hickory is medium brown to light yellow is color and is extremely dense.  Hickory trees don't provide big yields so large boards can be hard to come by.  The pricing of reclaimed Hickory is can vary greatly depending on the finish of the product.
Maple -  Reclaimed Maple is divided into two catagories, Hard Maple and Soft Maple.   Hard Maple is oftened used because of it's density and strength.  Soft Maple is mostly lighter in color than Hard Maple but is not as desired in the reclaimed wood market.  Hard maple is generally moderately priced and is often available in the Mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes regions.
Oak  -  Oak is one of the more common reclaimed wood species available through the country.  Widely used because of it's durability, reclaimed Oak can be found in Red Oak and White Oak and is often available in a variety of grain patterns.  Oak is typically a reasonably priced reclaimed wood species.
Pine  -  There are numerous types of reclaimed pine, each with it's unique characteristics.  There are soft pines and hard pines available but are mostly commonly found in the southern U.S.  Reclaimed pine is generally priced on the lower to moderate end of reclaimed wood species.
Poplar  -  Poplar is widely available and has an excellent strength and resistance to decay and insects.  A large portion of the reclaimed Poplar can be found in the midwestern region of the country.  Generally, reclaimed polar is a mid range priced reclaimed wood species.
Red Oak  -  Red Oak is the the most requested hardwood in the U.S. because of it's hard, strong, and often priced reasonably because of it's availability.  There are several species of Red Oak that include Black Oak, Pin Oak, Shumard Oak, Southern Red Oak, Water Oak, and Willow Oak.
Redwood  -  The redwood tree is also frequently know as Sequoia or California Redwood.  Redwood lumber is soft and lightweight and also resistant to insects and decay.   Reclaimed redwood is sought after and generally a higher priced reclaimed wood species.
Walnut  -  Walnut is often classified as a premium hardwood that is stable and decay resistant.  Walnut can veary in color from a pale brown to a darker chocolate brown color.  Heavily sought after, reclaimed Walnut can be found at a moderate price for reclaimed wood because of it's availability.
White Oak  -  There are several species of White Oak, including Bur, Chestnut, Overcup, Post, and Swamp.  Reclaimed White Oak is relatively abundant and priced in the low to mid range of reclaimed wood species.



Tuesday, February 10, 2015

GREENGUARD Certifcation and Indoor Air Quality

GREENGUARD Certification confirms that a product has met some of the most rigorous and comprehensive standards measuring for low emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into indoor air.  Indoor air quality (IAQ) can be closely tied to a person's health, and is obviously an important concern in homes, schools, healthcare environments and commercial spaces. Volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from building materials or furnishings can be a major source of indoor air pollution. GREENGUARD Certification has been widely adopted as a trusted standard for low-emitting products and building materials. More than 400 green building codes, standards, guidelines, procurements policies, and rating systems give credit for GREENGUARD Certified products.

Indoor air quality can actually be a few times more polluted than that of the outdoors.   It's believed that most of our exposure to pollutants comes while we're breathing indoor air.  These pollutants can come from activities, products and building materials that we use each day.  Some of the major contributors to poor indoor air quality can be chemicals, mold, particulates, and poor ventilation.   The US Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the average person receives 72 percent of their chemical exposure while at home.  Understanding what factors play a role in bad indoor air quality and using GREENGUARD certified products can help you dramatically improve the situation.  For more information from about GREENGUARD Certification and indoor air quality please visitgreenguard.org



Monday, February 9, 2015

Eco-friendly crown moulding options explored...

Our eco friendly crown moulding options have definitely increased over the last few years.  Now a days, more mills are turning reclaimed wood and bamboo into crown moulding.  In addition,  MDF manufacturers have created a more eco-friendly crown moulding product by using recycled materials and formaldehyde-free glues.   We're hoping as the green building materials movement continues to grow eco-friendly manufacturers will create other crown moulding options that don't harm our planet.

Crown moulding is an easy and affordable way to dramatically change the look of any room in your home.  Whether your remodeling your kitchen, living area, or a bedroom the use of crown moulding can heighten the room and give it a sense of structural appeal and definition.  



Saturday, February 7, 2015

What's up with BioDiesel?

Biodiesel refers to a vegetable oil or animal fat-based diesel fuel consisting of long-chain alkyl (methyl, ethyl. or propyl) esters.   Biodiesel is typically made by chemically reacting lipids (e.g., vegetable oil, animal fat) with an alcohol producing fatty-acid esters.  Biodiesel is meant to be used in standard diesel engines and making it distinct from the vegetable and waste oils used to fuel converted diesel engines.  Biodiesel can be used alone, or blended with petrodiesel in any proportions.

Viesel Fuel, LLC provides Biodiesel to South Florida that has been specially manufactured at their facility in Stuart, FL.   Viesel Fuel collaborated with Novozymes and Tactical Fabrication to develop and implement a biodiesel production process that uses an enzyme to produce at a rate of 7 million gallons annually.  The process is easily scalable to larger capacities.   Being able to recover and reuse of the enzymes to catalyze several batches makes the entire process economically feasible.   Additionally, this process requires a lower capital investment, works at a production cost per gallon that is comparable to that of traditional biodiesel, and most importantly, allows the use of less expensive, more varied feed stocks with free fatty acid content as high as 100%.

Biodiesel is certainly a green alternative to regular diesel or unleaded fuels.  Companies like Viesel Fuel are using innovative processes to make Biodiesel more available on a mass scale.  For more information about Viesel Fuel please visit www.vieselfuel.com


Thursday, February 5, 2015

EPA's advice on choosing eco-friendly building materials..

The Environmental Protection Agency provides some valuable insight on how we can best choose green building materials or products.   According to the EPA, the opportunities to reduce the environmental and health impacts of our homes span from big decisions, such as location, to smaller decisions, like paint and light bulbs.  The EPA says the products we use to clean, light, furnish, renovate, and build our homes should be a part of the greening process. Reducing our environmental impacts requires thinking and learning about not just how we use products, but where they came from and where they're going. The EPA would like people to consider factors like:
  • Energy used to manufacture, ship, and consume a product
  • The product's components and the sources of its raw materials
  • Emissions during manufacturing the product and the level and type of toxins in the final product
  • The product's durability (lifespan) and recyclability
These are just some of the impacts a product has on the environment from beginning to end during its "lifecycle." According to the EPA, the five main stages in the lifecycle of a material or product are: raw material acquisition, manufacturing, distribution, use, and end-of-life management.   For more information from the EPA please visit www.epa.gov/greenhomes.


Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Going Green with Solar Power is Booming!

Did you know having solar power can actually save you money?   You can even have solar panels installed on your home without putting any money down.   Converting your home to solar power is much different today than say five or ten years ago.   Technology in the components has improved solar function, big banks are now financing the effort, and the IRS is even granting tax credits for going solar.  These new factors have resulted in a solar boom in the United States and solar power installations are rising at an unprecedented rate.   There is now over 17,500 megawatts of cumulative solar electric capacity operating in the U.S., enough to power more than 3.5 million average American homes.

Even more exciting is what's to come in Solar Energy, researchers have identified a new polymer -- a type of large molecule that forms plastics and other familiar materials -- which increased the efficiency of solar cells.    The polymer allowed electrical charges to move more easily throughout the cell, boosting the production of electricity by 100 times.    In 2014, 36% of the new power added to our grid came from solar power and that number is surely to rise.  With the continuation of solar financing, tax credits, and improved technology it appears the future of solar power is very bright (pun intended)  Special thanks to those researchers making this incredible eco-friendly discovery!




Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Reclaimed Wood Furniture

Reclaimed wood is a completely eco-friendly material that is being used today in many ways, including  interior wall coverings, kitchen backsplashes, crown moulding, and even furniture.   The use of reclaimed wood in the construction of mass produced furniture has become increasingly popular over the last few years.   Manufacturers like MOTI Furniture, Wyoming Reclaimed Wood, and EcoChic Lifestyles are using reclaimed wood to mass produce furniture pieces like bedroom sets, chairs, benches, tables, and much more.

These manufacturers and many others can be found all over the internet on wayfair.com, etsy.com, amazon.com.  We think it's great these manufacturers have chosen to make a recycled material the main component of their furniture.  However, before buying reclaimed wood furniture it's important to do a little research and make sure the manufacturer's are really using reclaimed wood.  Some manufacturers have been accused of passing off new lumber as reclaimed but a quick internet search on the manufacturer should let you know if there is an issue.




Monday, February 2, 2015

Recycled Glass isn't just for Countertops!

Recycled glass has become one of today's most widely used eco-friendly building materials.   Often used during the manufacturing of countertops, recycled glass can be bonded into any shape using resin or concrete.  Recycled glass isn't just being used for countetops, it is also being used to manufacture eco-friendly backsplash mosaic tile or bathroom wall covering mosaic tile.

Spanish manufacturer Vidrepur has been manufacturing glass mosaics for over twenty years.  Fully committed to the green effort, Vidrepur uses 99% recycled glass in the manufacturing of  their glass tile backsplash and wall covering products.  Vidrepur's glass mosaic products are not only eco-friendly but incredibly stylish.  For more information on Vidrepur please visit http://www.vidrepur.us.