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Whether you’re building new, remodeling, or simply replacing your kitchen floor, thinking green is getting easier—and the results are always worth the effort. Here is a list of resources to help you get started.
www.thegreenguide.com
Green Guide has a useful product guide that outlines the environmental issues connected to products along with environmentally friendly solutions (including links to product manufacturers).
www.sustainableproducts.com
The Sustainable Products site is list of links to a variety of sustainability ratings sites for more products than you can imagine.
www.nbm.org/Exhibits/greenHouse2/greenHouse.htm
Visit the National Building Museum’s website and check out their materials on green building—particularly the Green Resource Guide.
www.aiacbcgreen.org/
This site is being developed by the Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the American Institute of Architects in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Green Building Institute.
Also, try:
www.homeguide.org
www.greenbuildingsupply.com
Some local suppliers:
Miko Wheeler Fine Countertops, Edgewater, www.mikowheelerfinecountertops.com
Design Solutions, Annapolis, dsikitchens.com
The Green Heron Flooring Company, Chestertown, www.greenheronflooring.com
Emory Knoll Farms (green roof plants), Street, www.greenroofplants.com
Maryland is not flush with green builders yet, but those going green include:
Steven Kahle, www.skastudio.com, Annapolis-based home builder/contractor
Roy A. Mears, www.ramears.com, Chestertown-based home builder/contractor
Furbish Company, www.furbishco.com, Baltimore-based sustainable builder (strawbales, living roofs)
More: Your Green Home: Choosing Sustainable Materials
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Questions to Ask
Vendors and suppliers say that homeowners are learning the green lingo, but don’t worry if you haven’t. The good ones take the time to learn about the ingredients, the manufacturing process, and life and disposal of the product so they can explain them to you.
Here are a few questions to ask:
• Where was the wood harvested?
• Was it processed in a way that has not damaged the environment?
• Do the countertop, flooring, or construction materials contain a high percentage of recycled materials or repurposed waste materials (such as straw, sawdust, glass or cardboard)?
• Is the paint made with little or no chemicals that pollute the air?
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