Vintage Timberworks provides beams, planking and decking, flooring, mantels and other gorgeous wood products, all reclaimed wood from antique structures.  In some cases, the wood comes from structures 200 years old!  This makes it not only green, but truly classic, adding character to any home.

Of course, all their lumber is FSC-certified as 100% recycled wood, and comes from North America.  They even help in deconstruction--to help wood from old structures get reclaimed as much as possible.

Check out their site and tell us what you think.

All of these factors make Columbia Forest Hardwood Plywood LEED and CARB compliant!

The best part, of course, is that it’s beautiful.  There are different styles, textures and veneers to choose from, so it’s elegant in the home as well.

Columbia Forest comes highly recommended.

One of the world's oldest building techniques, rammed earth has quickly gained favor with the advent of greener lifestyles and economy. The technique consists of compacting a mixture of clay and sand (sometimes with the addition of a stabilizer) within wooden forms to create the walls of a structure. The process has been used on longstanding structures like the Great Wall of China. Once cured, rammed earth walls are nearly as strong as solid rock.

Rammed earth provides great sound reduction and has adequate thermal mass, much like that of concrete. Subsequently, rammed earth is most often used in arid or semi-arid climates where temperatures do not dip too low. Nowadays, most rammed earth homes are built on concrete foundations, especially in wet climates, where water could cause erosion of the walls. However, rammed earth has been used everywhere, from the wet climates of England to the most arid regions of Africa, so it is a viable building material. Also, insulation can be added for those looking to employ the technique in colder climates.

Where is Rammed Earth Used?

In the US, regulations can be restrictive of rammed earth dwellings. Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado are the most building code-friendly states, so the material is commonly used in these four. California has a fair share of rammed earth buildings, but permitting is more difficult. With the evolution toward green living, there are attempts to write the material into ASTM standards, which would allow for more widespread use. 

Material Specifics

Rammed earth usually consists of a thick wall  of at least 12", much like that of a cob house.  The mixture, usually about 30% clay and 70% sand, is then added and compacted to half of its original height.The process is repeated until the wall is of desired height. Modern methods of mechanical compaction are favored, but human-driven methods do still work. You can use concrete as a stabilizer if you wish, but concrete manufacturing typically accounts for 10% of man-made carbon emissions, which dampens its green audience.Lime is a great alternative for stabilization.

The Soy-Crete line is an advanced concrete stainer comprised of recycled and low-VOC materials. It also has double the spread rate of comparable products (400-600 square feet per gallon). Soy-Crete is ideal for any porous surface (interior or exterior), including adobe, stucco, cement, rammed earth and fiber cement. Soy-Crete comes in a variety of pre-mixed tints. A tint base is also available for use with job-site pre-measured color packets. Soy-Crete colors are vivid and range from bright primary colors to more neutral tones. Soy-Crete does not produce paint-like solid colors, as it is a stain and material color will affect the shade of the applied product.

Soy-Crete Product Features

·         Low-VOC, green building-compliant

·         Interior or exterior applications

·         Spread rate of 400-600 square feet per gallon. Nearly double that of comparable products.

·         Wide variety of uses, from art and decoration to walkways and concrete floors

·         Pre-Measured Color Packets for on-site customizable tinting

·         Pre-tinted products

·         Sample sizes available for testing

·         Environmentally friendly manufacturing, including recycled content

Though not ideal for furnace use, RAIS stoves provide excellent additional heating for a room between 800 to 1400 square feet, depending on the model.  Stoves are available with or without soapstone inserts.  Soapstone can hold heat for 4-6 hours once a fire has gone out, helping to stave off the chill of the morning.  RAIS stoves come in one color, but also with an extra can of paint to repair any dings incurred along the way. 5-year warranties are also included.

RAIS Woodstoves Product Features:

·         Can be installed on a metal hearth plate rather than tile or stone

·         Modern and smart design.  Some stoves feature a wood box beneath them.

·         Stay Cool Handle vectors cold air to prevent contact burns

·         Excellent craftsmanship and materials

·         Efficient heating and burning saves wood and time stoking a fire

·         5-year warranty

·         US EPA Approved

Marmoleum is only for interior use and should have a flat subfloor beneath it.  It's also great for countertops because it's naturally antibacterial.  Plus, marmoleum is easy to care for.  Unlike vinyl, it is anti-static and does not attract dirt.  When it comes to choices for colors, you'll have a ball.  From natural tones to wild, bright primaries, marmoleum has what you're looking for.

Forbo Marmoleum Product Features:

·         Long-lasting

·         Easy maintenance

·         Made of all-natural materials

·         No VOCS, outgassing or toxic chemicals

·         Naturally antibacterial, great for countertops as well as floors

·         Professional installation recommended 

Eco-friendly flooring

SolarStar Attic Exhaust Fan Product Features:

• One-time cost, no operational expenses
• 5-year warranty on motor and solar panel, 10-year warranty on all other parts
• Easy to install, no additional hookups
• Variety of exterior styles (protrusion onto the roof), including low-profile, high-profile and pitched.  Wall-mounted fans also available.
• Four design styles make this product valuable in any climate
• Quiet operation