What is green building? Well there is one easy answer to this widely used concept. Green building is the practice of increasing the efficiency of using natural resources while at the same time reducing the negative impact of construction on human health and the natural environment during lifetime of the building by utilizing better placement of buildings, design ideas, and construction, operation, maintenance, and removal of old materials.

Building materials used in green construction usually include very rapid renewable plant materials such as bamboo and straw.  Also used is lumber from forests that have been certified to be sustainably managed. You will also see recycled stone, recycled metal, and other products that are non-toxic as well as reusable, renewable, and/or recyclable (ex; sheep wool, panels that are made from paper flakes, baked earth, clay, vermiculite, flax linen, cork, wood fiber plates, calcium sand stone. When undertaking green construction building materials should be procured/ gathered and manufactured locally or close to the building site to minimize the energy used in their transportation.

Now let's take a look at some of the green building materials that are out there for use. First we have bamboo flooring. Bamboo flooring is very versatile, very durable, extremely stable, anti-microbial, and water resistant while remaining very elegant for use in any setting. You can purchase bamboo flooring in both nail-down or floating floor style and both come pre-finished with an aluminum oxide 25 year warranted top coat. You will also see bamboo used in plywood and kitchen products such as cutting boards, plates, bowls, and utensils. Bamboo is even slightly less expensive than traditional hardwood flooring.

Another unique product is wool carpeting. Wool carpeting is a healthy, non-toxic alternative to your standard nylon or other synthetic carpets. Wool carpets are odor-free, long lasting, fire-resistant, softer, and biodegradable. They can even purify the air. For those people who love to sit out and enjoy a nice barbecue but still want to remain green there is a low VOC stain sealer for exterior applications that is very effective and has a very low odor. It is a vegetable oil-based sealer that penetrates deep into any wood surface and provides a long lasting finish. So if you're looking for a way to stay green and help your deck stay beautiful year after year this is the way to go.

Next we have a product that definitely helps keep you and your home safe. Dragonboard is a patented and approved water resistant, fire resistant, high-impact construction panels that are great for both exterior and  interior  applications. Considering the fire resistant, mold resistant and also the high impact qualities of Dragonboard it should be utilized anytime there is going to be a high value of equipment and content within the building. It should also be used if there are any safety or health concerns. Dragonboard can be used for many applications including apartment buildings, single-family homes, theaters,  high-rise buildings, museums, hospitals, schools, hotels, restaurants, subway stations,  airports, tunnels, and fire departments.

Going green is the new way of construction and can keep us healthier in the long run.