The Greener Grass: Bamboo

Are you wondering why bamboo is becoming a preferred choice for flooring? It’s true that it does have some green characteristics, like: it’s a rapidly renewable resource, is good-looking, and makes a long-lasting, durable flooring material. Some species are 100% harder than red oak! Keep in mind that it does have [...]

Green or “Greenwashed” Furnishings?

A growing number of retailers, large and small, are offering green home furnishings, but until there is a regulatory body to set standards that would eliminate “greenwashing”, consumers can rely on labeled products that are certified by Greenguard, the Sustainable Furniture Council, and the Forest Stewardship Council. These, and other, non-profit organizations provide guidelines [...]

Even Garage Doors Can Be Green

Nowadays there is a more sustainable alternative to almost everything we purchase. And your dollars can go a long way in creating a larger demand for those sustainable products.
If you need to replace your old garage doors, Jeld-Wen and Amarr Garage Doors have teamed up to offer attractive composite doors in 3 styles in [...]

Green Dream Home

I read an interesting post this morning at Plenty Magazine about one couple’s eco-friendly dream home in Minneapolis.  Pictured here, you can see the fantastic mod design.  They had participated in a pilot LEED-for-Homes program which is ready for it’s debut this week at GreenBuild Chicago.

Chicago Merchandise Mart to Receive LEED Certification

Tomorrow’s a big day for the 4.2 million square foot Mart as it will receive its official LEED Certification, making it the largest commercial building in the world to do so. Its many green attributes are expected to attract and retain tenants. Lower operating costs, due to savings on water, gas and electricity, [...]

More ‘Green’ Stores in The Works

Add Kohl’s Corp. to the list of retailers (Starbucks, Target and Best Buy) who are incorporating green building practices into new store construction. With nearly 500 new stores planned in the next five years, Kohl’s will take measure to reduce energy consumption and use more sustainable materials in its buildings. I think it’s [...]

GreenBuild Conference & Expo in Chicago

The ever-popular annual green building conference and expo will be held November 7-9 at the new LEED-awarded West Building at McCormick Place. More than 18,000 building and design professionals will learn about the benefits of green building. Many events, seminars, workshops, green building tours and a film festival are scheduled. The U.S. [...]

Recycled Porcelain Terrazzo Countertops

Think that old sink, tub or toilet has had it’s day?  These bathroom fixtures have been given new life in “EnvironMode”, a new line of recycled porcelain products by EnviroGLAS Products.  The combination of recycled porcelain and epoxy resins makes gorgeous countertops and flooring that are heat, stain and scratch resistant, as well [...]

We’re Moving Backwards With Coal

A staple during the industrial revolution, coal had been used to generate electricity, and fuel steam engines and gas lamps. Now, despite the fact that we are fully aware of the environmental and human hazards of coal, there is a resurgence of its use worldwide, mainly for electricity generation–because its cheap, but the price [...]

Can a Subdivision Be Green?

When one thinks of a typical subdivision, green is not something most people would associate with housing developments, but all that is changing as homeowners around the country are becoming enlightened as to the many benefits of high performance homes.  The first-ever green subdivision in Maine is underway in Freeport and will consist of 15 [...]

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