Green is as much a philosophy as it is a tangible attribute to a building product or technology. While there are many shades of green, committing to this ideology can challenge every aspect of your life.
The key to a truly green product is that it takes the entire lifecycle into account. This includes how and where it was manufactured, transported, installed, used, and ultimately re-used or recycled.
Flooring made from recycled cardboard boxes may sound great, but if it's manufactured halfway across the globe and wears out in three years, it probably won't pass the green test.
When searching for green building materials, look for the following:
* Use of recycled or renewable materials
* Resource conservation in manufacturing and use
* Locally produced
* Healthy for occupants (low or no VOC)
* Very durable and requiring little maintenance
Usually the first question to ask yourself when going green is "Do I really need this?" If you own a rake, do you need to use an electric leaf blower?
Instead of getting a new tool box, can you just clean out and reorganize the one you have (imagine what you might find!)
Toxic paint removers may be easier than elbow grease, but in the green world the easiest choice isn't always the best choice.
For major remodeling and landscaping projects, site selection is also a critical part of a green home. This means if you are expanding the physical footprint of your home, you should consider erosion, water drainage, tree removal, and long-term durability of the new space.
The key to green is to thoughtfully examine every aspect of your construction project and then use means and materials that do the least harm to the environment.
