When it comes to building materials, green products are becoming more readily available as homeowners ask for them. Read on to discover some of the options available locally right now. 

WOOD FRAMING

FSC-certified wood is regulated by the Forest Stewardship Council to ensure that the lumber resources are being harvested, transported, stored and replanted responsibly.
Reclaimed lumber, says Doug Pierce of Mokulua Woodworking, is another “slam dunk for sustainability.” In most cases, it comes from deconstructing a house instead of demolishing it.

ROOFING

Pierce uses LP TechShield Radiant Barrier. The material is installed on the roof to create a UV barrier to help block radiant heat in the roof from entering the attic. It’s also ENERGY STAR®-certified and can reduce monthly air-conditioning bills by up to 17 percent. Pierce also likes aluminum roofing, which reflects more UV than a standard shingle. It stands up to the elements well.

INSULATION

There are several insulation products out there made of everything from recycled newspapers to corn-based materials. All are great alternatives to fiberglass or other insulations with harmful chemicals in them. Pierce often uses natural-fiber Ultra Touch insulation. He notes, however, that houses designed to have great airflow with no need for air conditioning require less of a thermal envelope around the lower walls.

WINDOWS

Pierce is a fan of energy-efficient windows, and he takes it a step further by using post-consumer windows. He suggests Andersen’s line of post-consumer windows, which is made of around 90-percent recycled material. The super-green windows are low-E; they reflect UV-rays and are insulated to help improve energy efficiency when cooling your home.

DOORS & TRIM

“Make sure you check to see where the wood comes from for your solid-wood doors. Many times, the wood comes from deforested areas of the world with little replanting,” says Pierce.

Other trim and wood products made from recycled material, such as compacted sawdust, are becoming more widely available every day. Just make sure you ask how the sawdust is bonded together, because some use environmentally unfriendly epoxies or resins.