In the home construction industry the want for formaldehyde free sheeting continues to be a big deal, but many are misinformed on what this really means. In the past many Oriented Strand Board (OSB) and plywood producers used formaldehyde based resins and glues, but that has changed dramatically. Very few major producers used formaldehyde based glues and resins today. But what many don’t understand that just because a product may state that it is formaldehyde free does not mean is does not have some formaldehyde in it. This statement in an article from Environmental Design and Construction explains this very well.

” Formaldehyde is a naturally occurring organic material that is omnipresent in nature: plants, trees and even outer space. Any organic material, when subjected to burning, may off-gas formaldehyde. The term Formaldehyde-Free is by an industrial definition: “No formaldehyde is added in making the binder or the product.” The U.S. National Toxicology Program lists formaldehyde as, “Reasonably anticipated to cause cancer.” The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies formaldehyde as a “probable human carcinogen” (Group 2A).”

So if plants and trees have natural occurring formaldehyde how can it really be completely free?

I write this article today, because in a green building training, I heard the instructor state that a particular supplier only stocks formaldehyde free OSB. Now I find this interesting because the most OSB producers do not use formaldehyde resins in their process. So from the statement above most suppliers would be carrying formaldehyde free OSB. I don’t think it is right that trainers select out particular suppliers when they don’t really know all the facts.

I have included a link to the MSDS sheet for OSB so you can see what is really in this product and hear is the main points. http://www.tecotested.com/techtips/pdf/tt_osbmsds

Chronic (Cancer) Information: For typical products tested, MDI off gassing is below the detection limit of 20ppt. See section Hazardous Ingredients.

(3)These products may release very small quantities of formaldehyde in gaseous form. Under
foreseeable conditions of use, these products release less than 0.050 ppm in standard large chamber
test conditions.

Again I want to suggest the need for studying the products and not always listening to the sales pitch on green products.

Go Green With Andersen Windows New 100 Series

Andersen Windows and Doors has been providing quality wood clad windows and doors for many years, now has introduced a product to rival the lower end vinyl market. Everyone recognizes Andersen as a quality, high end window company and never has Andersen ever targeted the competitive vinyl market. But that is now changing and with a very impressive, environmentally friendly and lower cost window.

Andersen’s new 100 series has some very unique features that will make all other window companies wonder how to compete with such a different product. The 100 series window frame is engineered of a special product called Fibrex®. This Fibrex® material construction offers the strength of solid wood and twice the stability of vinyl and is covered in more than 30 U.S. patents. Adding this stable frame with the special corner system and a window is created that is extremely strong, stable and resistant to racking.

If you have heard of Trex, Timber Tech or any other composite decking you will understand what a composite product is manufactured from. Similar to these decking products, Fibrex® is a composite composition that is extruded in a frame similar to a vinyl frame. Fibrex® is a blend of recycled wood and polymers that has received the Scientific Certification System (SCS) of a recycled content of between 18% and 24%, but comes from 40% pre-consumer reclaimed wood fiber. The series 100 also meets the Energy Star qualifications in all climate zones. The finish on the 100 series also meets the SCS Indoor Advantage Gold Program criteria for building materials that will not negatively impact the indoor air quality. Now Andersen has made a statement in the world of green building by introducing a very environmentally friendly product.

Composite products have proven their durability in all weather climates by resisting any amount of water and withstanding major hot climates. Now vinyl products can not say the same, but many vinyl products have improved over the years. But no vinyl window company has perfected a process that can handle dark colors. Now there is an option to this problem without spending more than triple on your windows. The 100 series is available in a cocoa bean which is very close to the old bronze aluminum but blocks thermal heat and cold transfer more than 700 times better than aluminum. This makes the series 100 window great for retro fit applications that have dark aluminum windows.

I think this is one of the most innovative windows introduced in many years and has a lot to offer. Andersen backs this window with a ten year transferable warranty that adds value to any home being sold. The series 100 window also qualifies for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, federal tax credit.

Learn more about this great product at http://www.andersenwindows.com/100series

Original article: Go Green With Andersen Windows New 100 Series – written by Steve Feller on Factoidz

I have created this article to share my best Green Factoidz with you. This is my favorite Green articles as of July 2009 that I have written. I hope you enjoy these Green articles and vote them up if you would like.

Going Green with Tankless Water Heaters

So has all the new water heaters on the market have you confused on which one is the best? Which one is the greenest and most efficient? Well don’t feel alone, there happens to be a lot of options today but the proper application is what needs to be looked at.

http://factoidz.com/going-green-with-tankless-water-heaters/

Building Your Green Home: Does Size Really Matter?

Yes, the size of your home does make a difference when building a green home or a green project and want to be certified. There are many factors play into the square footage and design of your home. Also with the down turn in the economy I think smaller homes will be the new norm.

http://factoidz.com/building-your-green-home-does-size-really-matter/

How “Green Products” can be Misleading

The Going Green phase in home construction has many people confused about what Green really means. Many are struggling to find the balance between renewable, sustainable, recyclable, LEED, NAHB Green Program, Energy Star, energy efficient, net zero, carbon foot print, certified products, low VOC, air quality and a myriad of other green words.

http://factoidz.com/how-green-products-can-be-misleading/

Which grocery bag is really green?

You go to the store several times a week and you are usually asked “paper or plastic” or you may even be the devout green, environmentally conscious person that brings your own, but what is the greenest grocery bag solution? Well depending on who is talking they all are green, but let’s look a little deeper and just see who is the greenest of them all.

http://factoidz.com/which-grocery-bag-is-really-green/

Green Building Should Incorporate Energy Efficiency

Many people don’t totally understand the green building and the purpose it has. The phrase green building misses some of the key points that every home owner should be thinking of. When the word green is used most think of saving trees or natural resources. This is correct but the point many times missed in the saving natural resources.

http://factoidz.com/green-building-should-incorporate-energy-efficiency/

Going Green with Reclaimed Wood

One product that is great for green building and is not new by any means is Reclaimed Wood. Many reclaimed products are showing up in some very prominent new green projects. Reclaimed wood is a form of recycling but with amazing beauty.

http://factoidz.com/going-green-with-reclaimed-wood/

Prefab Homes: the Next Green Building Idea

A movement is taking place in an old methodology. Prefab or modular homes seem to be taking a very popular spot light in the green arena. This is not the old modular homes that most people think of, where the home is a square box split in half and resemble a double wide trailer home. These new breed of modular homes are quite stylish and green friendly.

http://factoidz.com/prefab-homes-the-next-green-building-idea/

What is the difference between “sustainable” and “green?”

“What is the difference in Sustainable and Green?” Too many get caught up in trying to decipher the difference. The main thing to remember is that we should all try and be less wasteful and more conscious of how the products we use affect our environment.

http://factoidz.com/the-difference-in-sustainable-and-green/

Green choices for your hardwood flooring: understanding cork, bamboo, and reclaimed wood

Thinking of building a new home or remodeling? Wanting to find flooring products for your project? The choices are endless and flooring happens to be a product many people decide to go green with. Cork and Bamboo flooring is a great option in the renewable group.

http://factoidz.com/green-choices-for-your-hardwood-flooring-understanding-cork-bamboo-and-reclaimed-wood/

Saving water: You don’t have to “go green” to take part in saving water

The whole green focus was established to help conserve our natural resources, by reducing the use or waste of any natural resource. One natural resource that the whole world needs to help reducing, even if going green is not a consideration, is our water supply.

http://factoidz.com/we-dont-have-to-be-green-to-save-water/

Green Washing: what it is and how to watch for it

Green Building is much more than just following a checklist. Green Building or sustainable building is composed of certain elements like design, energy savings, water savings, health and managing resources used in the home.

http://factoidz.com/what-is-green-washing-and-how-to-watch-for-it/

I hope you enjoyed these articles. I write for this blog called Green Building Ideas. I get my material from working in the home construction industry and my learning on how to incorporate Green into our every day lives. I am a Certified Green Professional (NAHB Green Building Program) and help builders with building green.

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The Green Building process is becoming more talked about everyday, whether new construction or remodeling, home owners want to have a more efficient and environmentally friendly home. But Green Building is much more than just following a checklist. Green Building or sustainable building is composed of certain elements like design, energy savings, water savings, health and managing resources used in the home. The check lists are the guidelines to help determine what areas need to be addressed in the process and what steps have to be taken. But these check lists and the points often fuel the factor of Green Washing.

Green Washing is when a manufacturer, supplier or builder intentionally or unintentionally makes false, misleading or exaggerated claims about their products and the environmental benefits they may have.

A great example of Green Washing is when a builder puts a few energy efficient products in a home and claims it is a green home. Another example may be when a manufacturer uses recycled products and makes a green claim. Check the percentage of recycled material in the product before believing every green claim. Also check to see if a company is truly watching out for the environment in their everyday practices and not harming the environment with some other product they may produce.

A couple easy phrases may just be the tip to help with determining whether a product is green.

First don’t fall for the phrase, “My product is LEED or NAHB Green Certified”, USGBC’s LEED or NAHB Green Build Programs do not certify products, they only provide guidelines on what a product have to achieve to fit within the guidelines.

Also watch for generic phrases like “This product uses the newest Eco-friendly or environmentally save technology”, but has no documentation to back it up.

Beware of the maintenance free claims. Just because a product may be maintenance free does not make it green.

Always asks for documentation to substantiate the green claim. If a company can not provide you proper information you are asking for, it is an immediate red flag that they probably don’t really understand what makes a product green.

Labels and certification documents are always the best way to determine whether a company or a product can back up the Green claim. Energy Star, FSC, SFI or WaterSense are just a few of labels you can look for. These are considered third party certification that has already determined that a product fits within proper criteria. You can find a more extensive list of these third party certifications at Green Building Ideas/resources.

Some products may be very green and may not hold a third party certification. Consider these labels as a filter to help but don’t always disregard a green claim just because it does not have a third party label on it. Do your research and look into the company or product before making a decision.

Finding products and substantiating claims may be the longest and most time consuming process in any project, unless you find a builder that has a strong background in the green building process. Ask your builder if he or she is a NAHB Certified Green Professional or AP LEED certified. Then ask to provide you with examples of a green project they have completed. This will make your, new construction or remodeling, green project a more satisfying experience.

You go to the store several times a week and you are usually asked “paper or plastic” or you may even be the devout green, environmentally conscious person that brings your own, but what is the greenest grocery bag solution? Well depending on who is talking they all are green, but let’s look a little deeper and just see who is the greenest of them all.

First we need to establish that life cycle plays a big role in determining green in any product. Normally the longer the life cycle the greener the product, but not if that life cycle is being counted in the land fill. That life-cycle analysis follows each bag from raw material through production and distribution and to the consumer’s hands. It also takes into account whether it’s reused, recycled or thrown in the garbage.

Let’s first look at the manufacturing of each bag and learn more about this process.

Reusable fabrics are normally made from cotton, to most this is a renewable product, but what are the environmental issue in cotton farming. The farming process uses large quantities of fossil fuels in the machinery. Cotton growers use more than 10 percent of the world’s pesticides and nearly 25 percent of the world’s insecticides. Cotton is normally woven outside the U.S. because of labor rates, so again more fossil fuel in shipping.

Paper also uses significant fossil fuels in their process, from logging, hauling and pulping the trees. The paper industry has come miles in trying to be more environmentally focused. From 1975 to 2006 American Forest and Paper Association members decreased the volume of discharged water by 53 percent. During the same period they reduced their emissions by 62 percent. But many argue that paper is biodegradable and plastic is not, we will get to that in a moment.

Plastic bags are made from ethane gas pulled out of abundant and clean natural gas. Many claim this may be cleaner than paper. The EPA reports that making paper bags generates 70 percent more air pollution and 50 times more water pollution than making plastic bags. Paper also uses more energy and generates more solid waste. Two thousand plastic bags weigh 30 pounds. Two thousand paper bags weigh 280 pounds. Now take the storage space, shipping and handling into account and it looks like plastic has the upper hand.

Now let’s add in the waste and recycle factor. The argument is that plastic never biodegrades and paper does. This is a true statement in some respect but our land fills are not designed to biodegrade. There’s no oxygen and no light which is needed to create the biodegrading process. There’s no degradation of materials in a landfill, it only takes up space. People don’t want the stink from things rotting in land fills; they are designed so that nothing rots.

As far as recycling, according to the American Chemistry Council, it takes 91 percent less energy to recycle a pound of plastic than it does to recycle a pound of paper. But what most people get stuck on is the mount of litter. If a paper bag is thrown by the side of the road it biodegrades fairly quickly compared to the plastic bag that hangs around for a long time. So to many environmentalists it is difficult to think that plastic may be a greener product.

So who is really the winner in this debate?

Well it really comes down to life cycles and the recycle mentality. If every person on this planet would recycle every plastic bag then plastic would be the winner. But we know this is not going to happen. Many agree that the reusable cotton grocery bag is the right way to go, if it’s reused over and over, and not left in the trunk of your car.

But one of the greenest approaches not mentioned very often is to buy in bulk and make fewer trips to the store. Go to Costco and you will not be asked “paper or plastic”, you just get it loaded back into your cart. This may be the greenest approach of all.

But in the debate between the three contenders, most would still agree that the reusable bag is the best for the environment, because of its life cycle. Many options are available in reusable bags, do don’t just settle for the drab eco bag. You can find designer grocery bags from Tucker Bags.

The Park City Area Home Builders Association is leading the way with Green Building, within the State of Utah, with a new group called Build Green Utah.

Build Green Utah is leading the state in building homes for the future. As an active program of a Home Builders Association, Build Green Utah is a member-driven organization comprised of proactive builders, architects, and associates that are investing in an environmentally sound, socially supportive, and economically healthy future through a conscientious building industry.

Build Green Utah :

• Provides a standard, recognized third party certification process for green homes in Utah.
• Communicates the ease of integration and the aesthetic value of green building practices.
• Promotes green building and its benefits through builder and consumer education, as well as through collaboration with local governments.
• Ensures the future welfare of our environment, economy and community through a conscious, ethical approach to building.
• Raises awareness and educates the general public about the advantages of green building.
• Strengthens the green building community as a whole, by building a dynamic network of members working toward common goals.

Many more local home builder associations plan on follow a similar program.

So has all the new water heaters on the market have you confused on which one is the best? Which one is the greenest and most efficient? Well don’t feel alone, there happens to be a lot of options today but the proper application is what needs to be looked at.

There is no doubt that the standard tanked and flue type water heaters are energy wasters. Keeping water hot 24/7 when you don’t need it and the wasted conditioned air that goes out the flue are the two biggest reasons energy is wasted. Also what about the water that stands in the line after you turn the water off. Well that can be wasted energy with any system if the install is not thought about.

Even with a tankless system you can waste energy if you have long distance from the heater and the faucet. That is why it is suggested to keep your hot water needs in one local area or divide your system into to heaters. Now think about that one lone half bath away from everything. It may make more sense to put an electric on demand system under the sink.

Tankless systems have a lot to offer in efficiency. The Department of Energy has estimated that tankless systems can save from 24% to 35% on energy costs. But most of the tankless systems need special installation consideration.

Both gas and electric tankless systems are considered to use less energy but these systems consume more energy while running, but consume less over a long period. To accommodate the surges tankless systems need larger gas lines or more electrical power than a standard heater. Also special outside air intake and exhaust flues need to be installed. So before you decide to take the old system out and put a tankless system in its place talk with a plumber that has experience installing tankless systems.

The Ecohome magazine has a great article about on demand systems.

http://www.ecohomemagazine.com/green-products/on-demand.aspx

Engineering New, Sustainable Solutions

In 1993, Andersen finished development of the revolutionary and highly sustainable Fibrex^® material with its now wholly-owned subsidiary, Aspen Research Corporation. Fibrex material is a patented composite made of reclaimed wood fiber from Andersen manufacturing operations and a special thermoplastic polymer, some of which is also reclaimed.

Fibrex combines the strength and durability of wood with the maintenance ease of vinyl. It is a technology that is leveraged across Andersen Corporation’s product portfolio.

I have seen this window and it fits into the green building category very well. Anderson uses 40% recycled wood and plastic from its window manufacturing plant. I was excited to see this product come into the market. But then I found out it has elevation restrictions and is only available in the south west.

So for the people in the south west here are some of the benefits.

Fibrex and Sustainability

Andersen Corporation became the first and only Green Seal^® Certified window manufacturer in large part due to the environmental benefits of how we make Fibrex. But did you know that the sustainability of Fibrex extends to the home as well?

• Insulation
  Because of its superior thermal insulating properties, Fibrex can help reduce heating and cooling requirements.
• Durability
  The thermoplastic polymer in Fibrex resists rot, decay, and fungal growth, ensuring a longer lifetime and reducing manufacturing demand. Warranted not to flake, blister, peel, pit or corrode.
• VOC Reduction
  Fibrex also helps reduce VOC emissions, since no wood preservative treatment or painting is required.

It is great to see new innovative products come onto the market and I like the green and sustainable approach that Anderson is taking but wished it was available in more areas.

This information came from Anderson Website at Anderson Windows.com

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Thinking of building a new home or remodeling? Wanting to find Green Products for your project? Well flooring is product many people decide to go green with. Cork and Bamboo flooring is a great option in the renewable group.

Nowadays, with ever-increasing concerns over protecting the environment and preserving natural resources, cork is once again back in the spotlight. The main reason for this is because cork is a “green” product. In other words, it’s environmentally friendly. Cork flooring is made from the renewable bark of the cork oak tree. Its supply is virtually endless. In fact, there are trees still reproducing bark that are estimated to be two hundred years old.

Bamboo is an alternative to traditional hardwood flooring that is:
* uniquely attractive
* strong and resilient
* dimensionally stable
* moisture and stain resistant
* environmentally-friendly

It is also less expensive than many hardwoods and can be purchased for nailed down, stapled down, glued down, or floated installation.

Many wonder if buying flooring over the internet is a wise choice but FastFloor has made it easy and reassuring. For the cost of shipping (normally under $3.00) FastFloor will send out samples so you see exactly what you are purchasing. One of the largest suppliers in the nation, FastFloor can get you deeper discounts than anyone and a wider selection. Also less resources used shipping direct to you.

At FastFloors the main goal is to bring manufacturer direct floor covering to your door, at the guaranteed lowest prices in the world. FastFloor has more than 20 years of experience in the floor covering business, and represent some of the largest and most well-respected manufacturers in the world. They also offer a larger selection of flooring than any other web site on the Internet.
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If you are thinking of using green products in your home and you want a very unique look then think old. Reclaimed wood products can add some old age beauty to any home. With products like siding, flooring, timber beams, doors, trim and about any visual wood product you can think of can come from reclaimed wood. Certification programs usually award points for choosing reclaimed wood or recycled-content products. But there is even more, reclaimed wood will always have a story behind the product.

Reclaimed wood is wood that has already been used for another purpose, and has been salvaged for another use. From old barns to bridges and even 1800’s cabins, you can always find a story about where reclaimed wood came from. Almost all reclaimed wood is higher-grade wood than the newly-harvested wood sold today usually with more character, stability,   and density. Older reclaimed wood was originally harvested from  old-growth forests. Generally, less energy is used to create reclaimed wood products than to create new wood products or plastic lumber, concrete, or steel. Even reclaimed wood shipped via boat from other continents still contain less energy compared to domestic manufactured products.

One company that fits the niche of reclaimed wood and does not use the green issues to help promote their products is a company founded in Utah called Trestlewood®. Trestlewood®’s primary objective is to provide its customers with unique, high-quality, competitively-priced wood product options. Trestlewood® was founded and gained its name when a contract was formed to remove the railroad trestle from the Lucin Cutoff in the Great Salt Lake. This is an incredible story of US history and just as incredible salvage project. Read more here trestlewood.com/story.jsp. After the salvage of the railroad trestle, Trestlewood® continued to look for more salvage projects to help diversify and grow their product mix. Wood pickling or whiskey vats, grain silos, barns and even wooden boxes built to grow mushrooms have become reclaimed products in Trestlewood®s inventory.

I have personally worked with some of Trestlewood®’s great products and have seen the different application in many homes. Only Trestlewood® can provide some of these very unique products and their website has a very extensive database of photos. Go to their website to learn more or send me an e-mail and I can help answer any questions.

Feel free to contact me at kyanisunrise@greenbuildingideas.info

http://www.trestlewood.com/