Going Green simply means making environmentally responsible decisions. In home building, it involves considering the impact made by all of the building materials, energy sources, and waste disposal methods and then endeavoring to make choices that benefit both the environment and ourselves.

There are four basic ways to reduce environmental impact, sometimes called the 4 Rs.
 
Reduce. By reducing the amount of building materials to a more efficient level, resources and energy needed to build a home can be conserved and waste can be reduced.
Reuse. Often residual building materials are still structurally sound and can be recovered and reused thereby keeping them out of landfills.
Recycle. Many materials can be recycled into the same or another usable form. In addition, many components of a home can be planned for recycleability by selecting appropriate materials.
Renew. Emphasis is placed on selecting building materials made from renewable resources and choosing natural sources of energy both for building and powering the home.
 
Building components in the home that can be considered Green should meet one or more of the following qualifications:

Made from salvaged, recycled or waste materials
Avoids toxic emissions
Conserves natural resources, energy or water
Contributes to a safe and healthy enviroment

Planning a home building project with these factors in mind will enable you and your builder to make choices that can both save energy and lower utility bills. Recycled materials and products made from sustainable materials can help reduce the depletion of our natural resources. Natural and renewable materials can even affect the health and well being of your family, by reducing the amount of chemicals in your home. So there are many good reasons to build green.

For more information and to view a catalog of Green products, download the Green Options Catalog at the top of this page.