5 Ways to Build Green and Promote Sustainable Living

Posted on November 19, 2008 by Joyce Benson
Tag(s): Green Building, Greening the Home

This post was contributed by guest writer Kelly Kilpatrick, who writes a blog called Organicasm which covers everything green from hybrid cars to eco-friendly living.

The green movement is one that has been growing over the last several years, but has begun to receive widespread attention in recent months. People all over the United States and the rest of the world are beginning to look for ways to make their lives greener—from the ground up, quite literally. Green building technologies are being improved upon constantly, and here are a few ways you can build green without breaking the bank.

Roofing

There are many ways your roof can qualify as “green.” From recycled materials to new composites made from sustainable materials, green roofs are becoming more affordable for builders, especially since many of these products last far longer than their industry-standard counterparts.

True green roofs are small, living ecosystems, installed by putting down a barrier, then filling the roof with soil and allowing various kinds of vegetation to grow and flourish. This kind of roof provides excellent insulation and helps to purify the air surrounding the building. It is especially helpful in large cities as it also reduces the ‘heat island effect’. (a homeowner in British Columbia, Canada displays his own interpretation of a green roof pictured here).

Flooring

Flooring has come a long way, and many builders and contractors are looking for ways to use sustainable goods when flooring a new building. Bamboo and untreated wood are great sources of sustainable materials used for flooring that haven’t been chemically produced. Installation is easy and these floors last as long as traditional flooring.

Paint

Paint products have come a long way, and many companies have found that making paint sustainable is easier than they thought. Using natural dyes and pigments, sustainable paint is becoming easier to produce in mass quantities. Non-toxic, organic paints are even available from a few select companies. Other alternatives to paint include staining, using teas or other natural materials to create a natural color scheme.

Insulation

Recycled insulation is a phenomenon that is relatively new, but one that is catching on fairly quickly with the public. For roughly the same price, you can purchase insulation made of recycled cotton, which is usually denim that has been shredded for use in insulation applications. Another type of eco-friendly insulation is cellulose which is made from recycled newspapers and phone books.

Untreated Materials

Finding untreated materials is far easier than it used to be, now that sustainable living is on many consumers’ minds. Many compressed wood products are treated with formaldehyde that releases harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. Building your home or other buildings without these kinds of products will contribute to good indoor air quality.

Kelly Kilpatrick writes her blog at OrganicCoupons.org. She invites your feedback at kellykilpatrick24 at gmail dot com.

photo courtesy of Pacific Northwest Regional Architecture