| "> | | | | fashion for years and years to come. |
| Talk is cheap. Builders and manufacturers claim to | | | | Other Green Building Goals |
| be green but are they? And, do you know how | | | | In addition to this, when you want to build green, |
| to determine if they are? Understanding what | | | | you should get some additional information from |
| goes into making a building product "green" is the | | | | your builders and home designers. |
| first step to ensuring that you get what you're | | | | - What energy efficient products (such as |
| asking for. | | | | appliances & heating and air conditioning |
| Question: What does Green Building mean? | | | | systems) do they use? |
| Answer: | | | | - What energy saving building methods (such as |
| I could be funny and say that nobody really | | | | wall systems and insulation) do they employ? |
| knows. Actually, that would be pretty close to | | | | - Are they specifying and using non-toxic, |
| accurate! You see, there are various descriptions | | | | health-supporting products? |
| of green building and a lot of controversy | | | | - Do the product manufacturers use non-polluting |
| surrounding it. | | | | processes to create them? |
| Sustainability is an Overriding Factor | | | | - How is waste dealt with during product |
| The word "sustainable" is kicked around a lot | | | | production and home construction? |
| when we talk about green building. This word is | | | | Conclusion |
| helpful in understanding green. So, let's talk about | | | | Green building is really about the products, their |
| sustainability first. When the term is used in | | | | design, and their efficiencies. It's not as much |
| regards to building, it means that we're looking at | | | | about the labor or the act of building a home. Yet, |
| ways to build and develop that don't harm the | | | | that being said, it is important to find laborers that |
| environment and that utilize resources that can be | | | | are experienced with the various "green products" |
| easily replenished. | | | | and know how and where to utilize them. |
| When resources can be easily replenished it | | | | Now you know what to demand in your home |
| doesn't diminish our ability to continue in the same | | | | building project. |