Green building is a necessary part of fighting global warming. For the homeowner interested in safe and sustainable living, home improvement is not as simple as wandering into the closest chain store and purchasing an item off the shelf. Only materials that have been carefully tested, selectively approved and dependably certified should be used. After all, it’s about health, beauty and environmental protection.
For the latest and best in green building products, this is the place to be. Up-to-the-minute reviews, tested-and-proven items and green-certified products are showcased on the Green Home Improvement Products page. From flooring to flashing, we have it all.
This is also a place where you can contribute your recommended items and favorite green building products. If you've found an effective product for enhancing the sustainability of your home, we want to hear about it. Share your story with other like-minded individuals.
Each of the products listed below have been certified as a green building product. You can rest assured that as you browse the products and select what is best for your home, you are considering products that have received the stamp of approval by reputable and federally approved organizations.
Want really “green”, that is, recycled wood? Want a floor/deck/ceiling with beauty and class? For larger projects like decks and floors,... Continue Reading »
We don’t think about plywood flooring as particularly “green”, because in many cases its adhesives have formaldehyde and other harmful chemicals... Continue Reading »
Ecoprocote was founded with the mission to adhere to green building standards. The company has grown to become a leading manufacturer... Continue Reading »
Handcrafted in Denmark, RAIS woodstoves feature attractively modern design. They also burn with incredible efficiency and produce... Continue Reading »
Forbo marmoleum flooring is made from linseed oils, pigments, pine flour and pine rosin on top of a jute backing, much like it was 150... Continue Reading »
Quiet and economical, SolarStar attic exhaust fans are designed keep your attic cool and dry. In general, attic fans are great... Continue Reading »
Locally-Sourced Lime PuttyAmerican Clay just announced the launch of their new lime putty, to be added to any of their line of wall plasters,... Continue Reading »
"No Trees Ever Cut Down" Natural Cork, part of the US Floors product line, offers a wide variety of sustainable flooring products made... Continue Reading »
Rubio's Monocoat comes from the collaboration of experienced laboratory teams in the hardwood industry. By closely working together, the... Continue Reading »
We can tend to get cooped up inside in the winter, and sometimes this means higher exposure to poor indoor air quality. There are... Continue Reading »
Imagine a building material that's quick to assemble, applicable in most environments, energy-saving, earthquake safe, and clean on the... Continue Reading »
A couple months ago, I wrote about rainwater harvesting as a great way to save water at home, making use of water that would like... Continue Reading »
This beautiful flooring is suitable for kitchens and large halls, as well as for non-residential buildings. EnviroTRAZ, takes Terazzo... Continue Reading »
The Draincore2 system is a replacement for antiquated french drain systems and is ideal for green roof and advanced subsurface applications.... Continue Reading »
Helping the Environment One Coating at a Time The Workhorse Interior line comes in four options: flat, eggshell, semi-gloss and... Continue Reading »
In 2002, Rust-Oleum acquired Sierra Performance, which produced low-VOC, water-based epoxies that were ideal for industrial applications... Continue Reading »
Arco Pure is an acrylic latex, zero-VOC paint that also contains antimicrobial protection for mold and mildew resistance. The Arco Pure... Continue Reading »
Aggressive but safe. Low odor. Phosphate, Butyl, Ethylene and Gycol-free. Caustic-free. Non-corrosive per dot and... Continue Reading »
Permeable pavers, now known to be a great alternative to concrete for driveways, patios, and paths, are eco-friendly, too! They reduce... Continue Reading »
There's already been a review of composite decking here, so I won't go into the pros and cons too much. But there is one con that... Continue Reading »
3M DI-NOC Architectural Finishes are vinyl films that simulate a variety of natural and synthetic finishes, including wood, granite, marble,... Continue Reading »
The more windows there are in your home, the greater the benefits of installing 3M Sun Control Window Films. These films do much more than... Continue Reading »
There's no better, more effective way to brighten up a home than with skylights: They flood the interior with natural light, and make even... Continue Reading »
Here's a new take on insulation-- fiberglass using recycled glass! Certainteed makes fiberglass insulation which... Continue Reading »
As fall phases into winter and we're all thinking about staying warm, it can be tempting keep the heat blasting. But is it really... Continue Reading »
There's no question that the kitchen is the focus of tons of remodeling projects--and it's the place where a lot of us spend our time, so... Continue Reading »
I talked about solar water heaters before, as I've seen first hand how practical they are, especially when you're living in a sunny place.... Continue Reading »
I definitely feel daunted by the idea of installing a set of massive, heavy solar panels on my roof, even though I know it's a great investment... Continue Reading »
Endurawood--wooden countertopsThere are so many great entries here about eco-friendly countertops, but what if you want the beautiful classic... Continue Reading »
Advanced Long Life Air FilterAir filters are particularly important for all those with chemical sensitivity, allergies, athsma, and those... Continue Reading »
Earth-friendly rugs for all rooms in the house! Carpets are often inconspicuous culprits in poor indoor air quality--with synthetic... Continue Reading »
The Dual-Flush Retrofit Kit transforms existing two-piece, 1.6-gallon toilets into dual flush toilets. Depending on the activity the toilet... Continue Reading »
Earth 1.25 GPM Niagara Low Flow Massage ShowerheadNeed more ideas on how to save water and energy, without huge time or money investments?... Continue Reading »
You would be surprised how much energy is lost through windows. As beautiful as they can be, and as necessary as they are, windows are... Continue Reading »
“Finally, I Found It” One of the first things to be overlooked in the design phase of a kitchen remodel is one of the most important—the... Continue Reading »
...What's a Geothermal Heat Pump System, you say? I wondered, too, when I first learned of them. What is this thing that can... Continue Reading »
If you're like me, you probably love the idea of energy saving lightbulbs and lighting throughout the house. CFL (Compact Fluorescent... Continue Reading »
An Incredible Product. A Greener Planet.Akeena Solar is a company whose commitment to the environment is unquestionable. By taking... Continue Reading »
Capitol Pavers and Retaining Walls Inc. offers a wide variety of products to suit any homeowner's needs. The pavers exceed the industry... Continue Reading »
Bring the softer side of eco-friendly building materials to your patio, walkway or landscape with DINOFLEX CushionWalk pavers. As the... Continue Reading »
Maybe caulking and sealants are not the sexiest part of green building, but as my green architect friend pointed out, good, efficient glazes... Continue Reading »
Did you know that flushing is the single biggest water user in the home? And there are so many ways to reduce it. After getting... Continue Reading »
Shopping for interior flooring can be mind-boggling. There are so many different types of materials to choose from, including wood,... Continue Reading »
Ready to replace your old floors? Linoleum is a great material for high-traffic areas like kitchens, bathrooms, recreation rooms, family... Continue Reading »
Just when you think you’ve seen the absolute best eco-floor available to mankind, something else comes along and tips the charts. That’s the... Continue Reading »
Yes, you read that right - wheat straw. Koch cabinets are made similarly to plywood, but with pressed wheat straw rather than wood particulate.... Continue Reading »
Neil Kelly has been in the green cabinet business since 1966, but through a partnership with Koch, their green products are now reaching... Continue Reading »
The days of bland drywall and boring finishes are over. While many home designers and interior experts are still trying to get creative... Continue Reading »
Algoma Hardwoods has fully embraced their niche of the green building movement. Based in Algoma, Wisconsin, the company offers a full... Continue Reading »
Think of the environmental impact you could make with one small change, not to mention the total kitchen makeover that new countertops... Continue Reading »
Most carpet is not biodegradable. Each year, millions of old bolts of carpet are ripped up from the floors of American homes and sent to... Continue Reading »
Like it or not, most lumber companies are desecrating our world’s forests. Rather than supporting companies that violate forest ecosystems,... Continue Reading »
Traditional synthetic area rugs are manufactured with harmful chemicals that emit toxins into your breathing air – a good reason to ... Continue Reading »
Proper insulation saves money on heating and cooling bills – and that’s a beautiful thing for you and the environment. The type of... Continue Reading »
Every once in a while, you’ll find an eco-friendly countertop that sings to you. One such product can be found in the Alkemi collection... Continue Reading »
With so many countertop materials on the market, it’s hard to decide which is best for your kitchen or bath. But if you’re looking... Continue Reading »
Innovative DaylightingWith over two decades of experience pioneering Tubular Daylighting Devices (TDD), Solatube has vastly improved its... Continue Reading »
Your home should be both beautiful and safe to live in. Low-emission materials, minimal environmental disturbance and effective global... Continue Reading »
It’s difficult to find a perfect anything these days. Rarely do you find a perfect house. Never can you find the perfect outfit to wear.... Continue Reading »
Brightening your walls with paint is one of the few home improvements that can be done quickly and inexpensively. But the hazards of... Continue Reading »
Dubbed “the healthiest way to heat a home” and garnering a “four out of four” rating by Degree Of Green™, Fire Crystals® tempered... Continue Reading »
Vida Cork products consist of two types of flooring: planks and tiles. Both are made from eco-friendly renewable cork, a warm and quiet... Continue Reading »
With UltraTouch insulation, the "Fabric of our Lives" is transformed into the fabric of our walls. Natural fiber cotton insulation contains... Continue Reading »
Asphalt is a problem. Every day, we drive on it, ride the bus or park our cars on it. And while we're looking ahead or racing to work,... Continue Reading »
Throughout history, we've wasted a lot of heating and cooling energy. And now the cost of energy to run HVAC has caught up with us,... Continue Reading »
Old Growth Riverwood offers eco-friendly wood products for your home or business. Flooring Countertops Mantles Custom Trims Furniture... Continue Reading »
Marmoleum click is a floating floor with a natural linoleum surface. Made with natural raw materials, Marmoleum click is... Continue Reading »
Whether you are a business or a residential customer, Four Leaf Energy, Inc. has revolutionary products to save you money on your electric... Continue Reading »
I have to admit, when I hear the expression ‘milk paint,’ it conjures up kitchen concoctions for the kids to use for artwork (or eating... Continue Reading »
Well, it’s official: the construction industry has gone to poop. Well, cow dung, to be more exact. Students at the Prasetiya Mulya Business... Continue Reading »
Americans, collectively, replace about 5 billion pounds of carpeting every year. That’s a lot of rug! Carpet manufacturers are doing... Continue Reading »
Landscape pavers are generally thought of as being made from concrete, stone, or clay -- but there’s an alternative now, made from up... Continue Reading »
Interlock roofing can be applied over the top of most existing roofing, which saves you the cost of tear-off and disposal. So landfills... Continue Reading »