Eco-Friendly Building Materials

• Copper roofs. Copper and copper alloys (brass and bronze) are showing up on roofs, entryways, facades, gutters, and downspouts. They can be expensive, but are seen good long-term investments because they tolerate inclement weather and can last beyond 100 years compared to a composition roof that typically last only 30 years. Copper elements also can be completely recycled.

• Timber framing. Timber framing requires much less lumber than the traditional “stick-built” house and typically uses superior insulation panels (SIPS), which keep heat and air conditioning from escaping. There’s less waste when large timbers are used, compared with conventional construction that produces sawdust and waste every time a 2”x4” stud is produced. Studs also use energy to power machines and kiln dry wood, while timber framing uses freshly cut wood. Timbers are prefabricated and arrive at the building site ready to be assembled, paring construction waste. Costs vary according to finishes selected.

• Windows that beat the heat. Low-emittance (Low-E) windows, doors, and skylights offer natural light while blocking the sun’s UV rays that heat up the inside of a home, contributing to cooling costs. The UV label on the glass shows what percent of rays are being blocked—most block 70 to 90 percent. If desired, the windows can also contain slight tinting.

• Rainwater holding tanks. Capturing rainwater and storm runoff helps reduce usage of local sewer systems and captures water that can be used in other ways—watering the yard or flushing toilets. Rainwater is collected from the roof and gutters, filtered multiple times, and directed to indoor plumbing, the laundry, and the sprinkler system.

• Chemical-free lighting. LED lighting (Light Emitting Diodes) emits light when an electric current is applied. It contains no hazardous chemicals like other lighting does. Compact fluorescents contain mercury and incandescent bulbs have gasses that hurt the ozone layer. LED lighting uses 80 percent less energy than a traditional incandescent light bulb and can last up to 20 years. LED bulbs also provide quality crisp light that shows colors in a natural palette. They are expensive, however. A typical 40-watt LED light will run about $39.

• Green toilets. New “green” toilets conserve water in several ways: low-flow units use about 20-percent less water per flush, dual-flush toilets have two buttons to flush with either a half or full tank, and pressure-assist toilets reduce water usage by half.

• Solar orientation. Face a home or an addition in the right direction and build it with the right materials, and you’ll reduce the amount of heat and cold that enter from the outside. Making use of prevailing wind direction and adding a porch and trees for shade can also help.

• Induction cooktops. Unlike traditional cooktops that heat up the cooking surface, the coils of an induction cooktop release their energy directly to the pot and its contents. Less energy is diffused in the cooking processes, and the surface remains cool to the touch. They are more expensive than comparable quality electric and gas appliances, though home owners should see energy bills eventually drop. Pots and pans with a ferrous metal base must be used.

• Geothermal heating and cooling. Unlike a traditional furnace that heats or cools air and emits carbon monoxide, geothermal pumps are filled with a water/glycol mix and rely on the earth as a heat exchanger—warm air in winter and cool air in summer. The initial cost is double traditional heating and cooling, but pays off five years down the road when you start reaping the benefits of much lower heating and cooling costs

• Attic heat blocker. Poorly insulated roofing lets radiant heat rise which requires the owners to turn on the air conditioner. A material called TechShield Roofing Panels blocks up to 97 percent of radiant heat, reduces the attic temperature 30 degrees, and cuts energy consumption and carbon gases as a result. The panels are made of a thin layer of aluminum foil laminated to oriented strand board roof sheathing—made from fast-growing trees, and installed in the attic of new construction. The panels are used in conjunction with insulation.

• Reclaimed wood countertops. Fast-growing plants like bamboo, and already-cut woods that aren’t being used, find new life as gorgeous countertops thanks to entrepreneurs like Ken Williamson, founder of Atlanta-based The Craft-Art Co. The wood he uses is readily available and comes in many variations of color and texture, from antique heart pine found in shuttered Southern mills and old dilapidated farmhouses, to red oak and Douglas fir just waiting to be recycled from the bottom of pickle vats. To keep the countertops looking their best, Williamson uses a clear, organic tongue-oil varnish.

• Nontoxic paint. To keep indoor air clean and cut down on landfill pollutants, many consumers are using paints that don’t contain toxic Volatile Organic Components, or VOCs. These paints come in a variety of colors and finishes, and are offered by mainstream paint companies, from Sherwin Williams to Benjamin Moore. But for a more unique look, check out Italian-made Oikos paints, which come in 26 unusual finishes such as Venetian Stucco, Velvet, and Pearl.

• Formaldehyde-free insulation. Traditional building products such as insulation can emit traces of chemicals. Some manufacturers are now offering formaldehyde-free building insulation and duct board for a cleaner work and home environment.

• Smart irrigation systems. To concerve water, WeatherTRAK controllers automatically adjust watering schedules based on the needs of your landscape and local weather conditions. The system receives satellite data on local weather conditions. Plus a  moisture sensor shuts down the system if it starts to rain. The  basic model starts at $500 but can go to $5,000, based on the size.

• Green furniture. When old barns, factories, and farmhouses are torn down, their wood can be salvaged for artistic furniture. Eric Mann, owner of New England Country Custom Interiors in Clinton, Mass., sells furniture made from materials that would most likely end up in a landfill. Mann also works “green,” using solar heat to power machinery to craft his early American furniture reproductions. He also finishes pieces with biodegradable milk paints rather than oil or latex choices. A farm table with a barn-board top measuring 5 feet by 8 feet runs between $500 and $1,500.

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