Build It Green Fact Sheets

Advanced framing, or Optimal Value Engineering (OVE), is a systems approach to the design, engineering, and construction of wood-framed structures that reduces lumber use, minimizes wood waste, and maximizes a structure's thermal efficiency. View this fact sheet for details on how to implement various strategies.

An air filter is an important part of a heating and cooling system. A clean filter intercepts particles such as dust and fibers that build up on the blower fan and the heating and cooling coils. Such particle buildup reduces performance, restricts airflow through the system, and shortens operating life. Secondarily, high-quality filters can improve a home's indoor air quality.

This fact sheet discusses: green benefits, how to choose a filter, filter types, installation, maintenance, and cites further resources.

Bamboo is a rapidly renewable resource that can be used to produce a very durable hard surface for flooring. Products can be constructed with solid bamboo of one or more plies or with a single layer of bamboo that is cross-laminated on top of wood.

This fact sheet discusses: environmental considerations such as energy, water, resource, and health impacts; practical considerations such as cost, specification, and maintenance info; and applicability to various Green Building Guidelines and Rating Systems.

Carpet is the most common floor covering in homes today due to low cost, comfort, and availability of multiple colors and patterns. Carpet is made from woven materials, often petroleum-based fibers like nylon or olefin, attached to a synthetic backing with an adhesive. Each of these components has associated environmental implications from resource conservation and indoor air quality. "Green" carpet includes natural fibers such as wool, jute, sisal, sea grass, coir or recycled PET (polyester) plastic.

Hiring a green building professional is similar to hiring any other building professional in that you want a reputable person with a history of providing a quality product on time and within budget. This document outlines key concepts and criteria to help you take the extra steps in choosing the right green building professional for the job.

Combination water and space heating systems use a high efficiency water heater or central boiler to supply heating energy to the space heating system while still meeting the needs for domestic hot water. The space-heating component can be accomplished with either a forced air system or a radiant heat system. A forced air system can either use hot water piped to individual fan coil units in each unit or the hot water can be sent to a central heat exchanger and fan coil unit that then sends hot air to the individual units. Read on to learn more.

C&D waste diversion implements the three R's of reduce, reuse, recycle through all phases of a project. By implementing a successful C&D waster diversion plan, we can divert valuable materials from the landfill and elevate the need for virgin products.

This fact sheet discusses: environmental considerations such as energy, water, resource, and health impacts; practical considerations such as cost, specification, and maintenance info; and applicability to various Green Building Guidelines and Rating Systems.

Cork is the outer bark of the cork oak tree and is typically harvested every nine years from the Mediterranean region. It is a natural, renewable product that can be used anywhere a resilient floor is needed. Cork generally comes in tiles, planks, or sheets of various sizes, is extremely durable, provides acoustical and thermal insulation, cushions underfoot, is resistant to moisture damage and decay, and is easy to clean and maintain.

Cotton insulation comes in batts that are comparable to fiberglass in ease of installation, fire resistance, and energy efficiency. However, it has better sound dampening qualities and avoids some of the potential health problems of fiberglass.

Many people consider the kitchen to be the heart of a home, the place where nourishing food is prepared and guests tend to gather; and perhaps countertops are then the heart of a kitchen. Between preparing food and drinks, cutting bread, and using the surface as a trivet, dish dryer or eating place, topped off by aggressive scrubbing, countertops take a lot of abuse and require high durability in the average kitchen. With myriad options and so many performance demands, how does one choose the greenest surface? Read this fact sheet to help you make the best decision.