The original version of this post ran in 2016.
One of the best ways to lower your project’s environmental footprint is to use green building materials.
Whether it’s a simple kitchen remodel or a new, multi-unit office building, if you want to reduce your impact on our environment, there are five key questions to ask when choosing materials:
1. Is it sustainable?
Sustainable materials come from plentiful or renewable resources.
An example is bamboo flooring. It’s made from a grass that grows much faster than most hardwood and is harvested in a way that doesn’t hurt the plant’s root system or the soil. It usually requires little or no pesticides. Look for products that don’t use environmentally unfriendly urea-formaldehyde laminates during manufacturing.
2. Is it recycled/recyclable?
Reusing materials reduces waste. Fixtures, flooring, wood and other materials that have been removed from a building project can often be reused. Local recycling organizations have lists of companies that provide recycled building materials – and they often cost less than their new counterparts!
3. How far does it have to come?
Moving materials from one place to another is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. Many building materials that are otherwise environmentally friendly have to be shipped from Asia. When possible, look for locally sourced and manufactured materials.
4. What are the direct effects on the environment?
Materials that use toxins that leach into our soil or off-gas into the air can both harm the environment and affect our health. Look for materials with no (or low) levels of known carcinogens and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde and acetone. Also consider how materials are installed and cleaned; do they require the use of VOC-producing compounds?
5. Are they energy-efficient? Water-conserving?
Energy Star®-compliant appliances, energy-efficient LED and CFL light bulbs, low-flow toilets and showerheads can be found in any home-improvement store. But other things can affect the overall energy efficiency of your home or office, too. Proper insulation and energy-efficient roofing materials can cut down on your need to use heating and cooling systems. And maximizing natural light at the design stage can help keep those LED and CFL bulbs turned off when the sun is out.
Certifications
How do you know if the material you’re thinking about using is eco-friendly?
One thing you can look for is “green” certification. There are a variety of government and private organizations that certify building products, including:
- Energy Star (energy efficiency)
- WaterSense (water-use efficiency)
- Forest Stewardship Council (wood suppliers)
- Cradle to Cradle (building materials)
- Green Seal (building materials)
- Green Circle (building materials; offers a database of certified companies)
Green Building Resources
See our Resources Page for a regularly updated list of green design, building and materials resources in and around the Bay Area.
Talking to your architect in the planning stages of your project is crucial to ensure you’re on the same page about green materials. He or she can help you balance environmental concerns with costs and design considerations so that your project is beautiful, affordable and environmentally friendly.