Alternatives / Guides

...alternatives? Alternative eco-friendly ground covers to grass Alternatives for grass - ground covers! Choosing an alternative to grass as a backyard play area for kids is not reserved for ‘hardcore environmentalists’; there are very sensible ground-cover alternatives that actually save a lot of maintenance, c...

...alternatives to MDF made with natural materials, including hemp rigid board panels and plant-based rigid foam panels. But rice, which ranks second in terms of grain production worldwide, offers a great opportunity to make use of agricultural waste materials that are currently an ecological burden. So, the completion ...

The most common kitchen counters you will find in homes are traditional laminate countertops. And they certainly live up to the adage ‘you get what you pay for’, as most of them still contain a lot of formaldehyde and they aren’t very durable. Maybe the latest generation of laminate countertops for kitchens & bathroom...

Home Energy Generation, which option is best? How the electrical grid is fed near you will be a huge factor in determining the carbon footprint of your home, with or without your own renewable power generation such as having solar panels on your roof . If you live near a windfarm, that's where most of your power com...

Vapor Barrier + Air-Con = Damp Moldy Walls So here's a little known fact that most HVAC installers won't tell a potential new client for central air; Polyethylene vapor barriers in combination with air conditioning in homes can rot walls because of the condensation they may cause. This is why if you have a newer hom...

...alternatives. Baking soda is an effective cleanser for sinks and tubs. Vinegar is a recommended cleansing agent for both wood and ceramic tile floors, and in a spray bottle it does an excellent job on glass and mirrors. Dish soap and laundry detergent are easily found in biodegradable, phosphate-free and unscen...

...alternatives: Glass shower doors Choosing healthy and durable flooring materials Choosing green kitchen countertops Wood or metal siding for exterior cladding Fiberglass window frames Wooden baby toys and chairs There are a lot of toxic materials in homes and they have a cumulative effect on indoor ai...

...alternatives. Building codes and thermal bridges: It is not only sensible to address thermal bridging in construction, it is becoming law. Recent revisions to building codes have increased the thermal requirements of building enclosures in many regions, including requiring a thermal break. Contrary to commo...

...alternatives that might make it into production as an eco-friendly Styrofoam replacement soon. This article is a shout-out to Architect, Professor, Editor, Building Scientist, Environmentalist, Mentor and Friend, Larry Hately. Nobody hates foam like Larry hates foam, so I figure if I can get him on board then we may ...

...alternatives Find more about green home construction in the Ecohome Green Building Guide pages - also, learn more about the benefits of a free Ecohome Network Membership here .

...alternatives For more details on insulating a home see here Why building a green sustainable home is the most affordable option The best resilient design features for new home construction Find more about green home construction and reap the benefits of a free Ecohome Network Membership here . ...