Green. It’s the buzzword in the building industry as the world turns its focus to protecting the environment.

The point of building green is to minimize the overall environmental impact of construction. Products that help to do that might be considered green for one or more of their qualities. Perhaps they reuse materials instead of manufacturing with raw materials, or maybe they conserve natural resources.

Glass tile might be green, for example, if it’s made of recycled bottles. A low-flush toilet is green because it conserves water. Wood furnishings might be green if they’re built from a well-managed forest or reclaimed from a structure that’s being demolished.

As green building becomes more popular, more products are showing up in the marketplace to meet the demands of eco-conscious builders and homeowners. Here’s a look at some of the choices on the market:

Green light. You say you want to be kind to the environment, but you don’t want to give up style? Check out the line of kitchen lighting fixtures by American Fluorescent. New Energy Star-compliant fixtures — pendants, island lights, chandeliers and flush mounts — are an energy-efficient alternative to conventional incandescent lights.

The Vietra pendant, for example, is a fashionable choice to hang over a sink or kitchen island. The fixture’s fluted glass diffuser directs light downward, so there is no glare. It’s available in white or amber with satin nickel, and blue or red with black chrome. It costs about $99.

Details: americanfluorescent.com; 847-249-5970.

Organic looks. Hartmann & Forbes, a company that makes handcrafted window treatments, is committed to offering environmentally friendly products, from Roman shades to hand-woven draperies. Materials and textures range from earthy reeds and classic bamboo to luxurious silk and crisp linen. The company offers more than 50 weave choices, with custom trim options.

For this Minkwood weave, raw bamboo is harvested and the inside peel is hand-splintered into fine oval reeds. Then, it’s hand-stained to a warm, lustrous finish. The company uses only organic materials grown and harvested from well-managed eco-systems. Prices vary.

Details: hfshades.com; 503-692-9313.

Sunny side up. Harnessing the sun’s energy to heat a home or the water used in that home is an environmentally sound way to reduce utility bills. A solar thermal system by Dawn Solar System absorbs heat generated by the sun and stores it in a concealed thermal collector for later use. The system is hidden under the roof or walls so it is protected from the elements,and it won’t detract from your home’s curb appeal.

If you want to go a step further, the solar thermal hot water technology will work in conjunction with a photovoltaic system to capture energy from the sun and turn it into electricity. Prices vary with system size and complexity, but a typical hot water system will cost $8,000 to $9,000 installed.

Details: dawnsolar.com; 1-866-338-2018.

High performance. Accelerated Building Technologies has developed what it calls a cost-effective, energy-efficient and structurally sound building system. The 3E Wall Panel system combines the strength and performance of steel framing and the improved insulation properties of expanded polystyrene.

The 3E panel consolidates wall framing, sheathing, insulation and house wrap into one building component, which simplifies the process and reduces installation time. Panels are pre-cut at the factory so there is no job-site waste. Plus, they are made of inorganic materials that don’t provide a food source for mold, and they are recyclable.

Details: accbt.com; 412-490-5037.

Chic walls. Nontoxic paint is always a suitable eco-friendly choice for walls, but there’s another option that will add warmth and texture: a mold-resistant plaster mix by American Clay Enterprises. It’s a blend of ground clay and natural, nontoxic pigments that can be tinted your favorite color. The company says homeowners can apply the product themselves. The plaster is available in three finishes and can be applied over wallpaper or drywall. The plaster can be troweled or sprayed on. The price averages about $1 per square foot of wall space.

Details: Americanclay.com; 1-866-404-1634.

Seal of approval. If it’s good enough for demonstration homes such as The New American Home 2007 built in Orlando, it’s probably good enough for your house. Icynene is a soft foam insulation and air-barrier system that creates a tighter, more energy-efficient structure. It is sprayed into walls, ceilings and attics and expands up to 100 times its initial volume, without emitting harmful gases.

Plus, Icynene’s protective air-seal can minimize the intrusion of outdoor pollutants and help protect against moisture-related problems such as mold and mildew. All that is important because your energy bills will be lower and your indoor air quality won’t be compromised.

Details: icynene.com; 1-800-758-7325.

Pushing your buttons. Appliance manufacturer Bosch, which offers a line of appliances that is Energy Star-qualified, is rolling out designs this year with new “green” features. The Ecowash program on its Nexxt washing machines has a green “e” button that helps you optimize heating cycles, while the dryers have an eco-Sensor feature that adjusts the temperature based on the moisture level in the drum. Bosch’s energy-efficient washing machines use up to 76 percent less water and 72 percent less energy than conventional machines. Products will be available in June. Prices range from $799 to $1,299 for the washers and $699 to $1,099 for the dryers.

Details: boschappliances.com; 1-800-921-9622.

See related articles, H1 & H10.

source : www.orlandosentinel.com