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Green building has unified as a number of separate disciplines into one rubric which we call green building. LEED has emerged as the standard nationwide. Therefore, products are being developed to satisfy these LEED green building standards.
So you're seeing a whole class of products developed that utilize resources that would otherwise go to waste, like post-consumer paper and a variety of countertop materials that have everything from scrap metal to glass in them.
These are products that are cool in and of themselves. They are different from the other usual suspects like granite, etc. They look good. They are interesting, and they allow you do something design-wise that looks different. They also utilize resources that would otherwise just be wasted. That's what I think about is interesting about this whole class of products.
How do you know if a green building product is good?
You have to go to a local green store like Amicus. You may not have an Aimcus in your city, but find a place where they know what they sell and help you determine whether or not these products are really green or greenwashed. You need good advice. Either you spend a whole lot of time online or your go to a building center that knows its green products.
Generally, you are going to pay a bit more for green materials, but that's fair enough. Stores like that need to make some money to keep the doors open. These products will often also last longer, so you'll save money in the long run.
Don't miss all of Steve's exciting green renovation projects. Tune in to Renovation Nation Fridays at 9PM.
