Green Building Products: The Greenspec Guide to Residential Building Materials

Interest in sustainable, green building practices is greater than ever. Whether concerned about allergies, energy costs, old-growth forests, or durability and long-term value, homeowners and builders are looking for ways to be sure that their homes are healthy, safe, beautiful, and efficient.

In these pages you'll find descriptions and manufacturer contact information for more than 1,400 evvironmentally preferable products and materials from ag-fiber panels to zero-VOC paints. All phases of residential contruction, from sitework to flooring to renewable energy, are covered. Products are grouped by function, and each chapter begins with a discussion of key environmental considerations and what to look for in a green product.

Interest in sustainable, green building practices is greater than ever. Whether concerned about allergies, energy costs, old-growth forests, or durability and long-term value, homeowners and builders are looking for ways to ensure that their homes are healthy, safe, beautiful, and efficient.

In these pages you'll find descriptions and manufacturer contact information for more than 1,400 environmentally preferable products and materials from ag-fiber panels to zero-VOC paints. All phases of residential construction, from sitework to flooring to renewable energy, are covered. Products are grouped by function, and each chapter begins with a discussion of key environmental considerations, and what to look for in a green product. Categories of products include:

Sitework and landscaping

Outdoor structures

Decking

Foundations, footers and slabs

Structural systems and components

Sheathing

Exterior finish and trim

Roofing

Doors and windows

Insulation

Flooring and floor coverings

Caulks and adhesives

Paints and coatings

Mechanical systems/HVAC

Plumbing, electrical and lighting

Appliances

Furniture and furnishings

Renewable energy

Distributors and retailers A miscellaneous section also lists products for hazardous materials testing and remediation, insect control, recycling, and wood products certification. An index of products and manufacturers makes for easy navigation. There is no more comprehensive resource for both the engaged homeowner, as well as all those who design and build homes.

Editor Alex Wilsonhas been researching and writing on energy-efficiency and sustainable design for over 25 years, and co-editor Mark Piepkornhas extensive experience with natural and traditional building methods. Alex is President of Building-Green, an authoritative source for information on environmentally responsible design and construction, which also publishes the GreenSpec Directoryof green building products for architects and designers, and the leading sustainable building newsletter, Environmental Building News.

Alex Wilson is president of BuildingGreen, Inc. and serves as executive editor of Environmental Building News, a monthly newsletter on environmentally responsible building design and construction, and as coeditor of the GreenSpec® product directory.