eco-friendly-materials / Green Building & Sustainable Home Renovation Information & Advice

The pros and  cons of cork flooring Cork is a renewable resource, harvested from trees without killing them. Although it comes from far away (mostly Portugal), its carbon footprint from transportation is quite reasonable given that it is light-weight and can be made very thin - so a lot packs into a shipping container....

All materials will have a history, the pros and cons of which will need to be weighed. Unfortunately there isn’t always an obvious right or wrong answer as to whether or not something is a sustainable material. The design of your home, where you live and your lifestyle are all factors that determine what the most ecolo...

Roof cleaning and treatments: a homeowner's and pro's guide To ensure the long life and peak performance of your home's primary shield, this homeowner's and pro's guide to roof cleaning and treatments outlines the most effective and eco-friendly maintenance strategies. A roof is often overlooked until a problem like a ...

Alternatives to grass lawns - ground covers!  North American backyards have one main point in common – Kentucky blue grass. But here we’re talking about ground covers and alternatives to this grass, not a bunch of fiddle and banjo players jamming in your backyard.  The traditional green grass we use to cover our front ...

Natural building insulation materials In order to combat the climate change impact of the built environment, natural insulation materials such as hemp insulation, cellulose, wood fiber and grass insulation help us meet emission targets because they act as carbon storage. We are living in a time when the embodied energy...

The floors you choose really create the atmosphere in your home and give it its identity. The first considerations should be to choose a durable and non-toxic floor to ensure safe indoor air quality. When you are making choices, find out the estimated lifespan and what maintenance is required to keep it in good conditi...

A comprehensive guide to hemp insulation: a sustainable choice for insulating homes Hemp insulation is quickly becoming one of the most popular materials chosen for sustainable property owners who want to improve efficiency and make their homes green. As the focus on green building materials grows, hemp has emerged as ...

Green kitchen cabinets - why does it matter? To improve the air quality of your home, that's why! “Indoor air quality” refers to the quality of the air in any home environment. The potential impact of indoor air quality on human health nationally is important for many reasons, including: Americans spend on average abo...

Introduction: Why carbon reduction matters in construction As global awareness of climate change grows, the construction industry has traditionally focused on improving the thermal performance of buildings, which involves adding more construction materials to a basic built home. As the construction industry becomes mor...

Safe mold removal from wood framing Finding mold on the wood framing in your home's attic or basement can be a shock, but it's a common problem with straightforward solutions. Properly and safely removing mold is the first step toward creating a healthier indoor environment. This guide will walk you through the non-to...

  Drought-tolerant landscaping: a homeowner's and pro's guide In an era of unpredictable weather patterns and increasing water scarcity, drought-tolerant landscaping is more than just a trend-it’s a necessity. Whether you’re a homeowner looking to lower your water bill and create a resilient garden, or a building profe...