Each Saturday, we post a definition and a product of the week so that you can learn more about going green and what makes particular products green. This week, we’ll define THERMAL BRIDGE and the product of the week is ZOLA FURNISHINGS.  

Definition: THERMAL BRIDGE (in our own words)  

While it sounds like a structure over a body of water, it really is a way that heat can get through from, for instance, inside your house to outside and vice-versa.  This happens, for instance, when a wooden house “leaks” heat through wooden studs and through the drywall on the inside.  Even if you insulate between the studs, heat still leaks because it transfers through the studs.  Some homes are now being built with metal studs to counteract this effect.

Product of the Week: ZOLA FURNISHINGS

Natural latex foam wrapped in wool and then in a cotton/hemp cloth, sustainably managed hardwood frames, fabrics dyed with low-impact dyes…these are some of the qualities of Zola Furnishings.  There is a fine line when determining how green something truly is, but it seems to me that Zola Furnishings does a pretty good job balancing the environment, aesthetics, and price.

For more information about ordering this product or any of the products mentioned on our blog, contact Interior Visions Designs at 847.825.0450.  

Source: Zola Furnishings http://www.zolafurnishings.com/

Green Building Materials
A Guide to Product Selection and Specification
by Ross Spiegel and Dru Meadows

Green Building Materials is a technical book packed with information about how the materials we choose affect the environment and how to select and specify green materials.  It is written for a building professional to use as a reference guide for selecting, specifying, substituting, and presenting green materials.

As a green building professional, I know how hard it is to choose “new” products on the market.  What are all of the options?  Where do I go to learn the pros and cons of using these materials?  Who do I turn to for more information?  As the market for green materials grows, the selection process becomes more difficult as more and more vendors jump on the (now flooded and muddied) green bandwagon.

Parts of this book would be interesting for a lay reader, however, it is really written with a technical bend towards teaching the professionals in the industry about specifying green materials.  Spiegel and Meadows have done a thorough job of presenting this information which includes forms and resources.

Source:
Spiegel, Ross and Meadows, Dru. (2006). Green Building Materials: A Guide to Product Selection and Specification (2nd ed.)  John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ISBN 13: 978-0471-70089-0  ISBN 10: 0-471-70089-4

Energy Independence:
Your Everyday Guide to Reducing Fuel Consumption
by Christine Woodside

Energy Independence Your Everyday Guide to Reducing Fuel Consumption teaches us that “oil still rules” and that natural gas and coal are not that far behind.  The author continues on to demystify solar energy sharing the states that have financial assistance programs if you buy solar alternatives to fossil fuel driven standards.  She also compares wind turbine models to educate you if you want to install one of those at home.

Information is included about other alternative energy sources such as small hydro-electric power options, fuel cells, and geothermal.  Woodside tops off this informative book with information on conserving energy and information on appliance energy usage.

Fuel.  We use it every day.  Learn about the impact your fuel choices have on the future and on the earth right now and the people inhabiting this lovely planet.  Learning is the seed of change in our lives.  Don’t be afraid to be the first person in your neighborhood to be an example with renewable energy.

Energy Independence Your Everyday Guide to Reducing Fuel Consumption is a great book for sharing the basics of learning about renewable energy sources and how to use them.

Source:
Woodside, Christine (2009).  Energy Independence: Your Everyday Guide to Reducing Fuel Consumption.  The Lyons Press.  ISBN 13: 978-1-59921-528-0

Each Saturday, we post a definition and a product of the week so that you can learn more about going green and what makes particular products green. This week, we’ll define UPCYCLING and the product of the week is TERRA FURNISHINGS.  

Definition: UPCYCLING (in our own words)  

You probably know that recycling means collecting and sending a product to be melted down or reused to make something else, but what is upcycling?  Upcycling is when an item is recycled, but it is used to make the same product again!  Glass drink bottles can be recycled and made into glass again.  However, aluminum cans cannot be upcycled because the material on the top of the can is different from the rest of the can.  When it is recycled and mixed together, the new product is not as strong as the old product and has to be downcycled into something else – eventually working its way to the landfill.

Product of the Week: TERRA FURNISHINGS

From the Terra Furnishings website: “Our products include an extensive line of hand carved wood twist stools, end tables, reclaimed wood side tables, spa essentials, wall panels…and accessories utilizing sustainable woods such as monkey pod (acacia), mango and farmed teak.”  Their products, while not made locally, are certainly beautiful, and they use woods specifically grown for the wood carving industry. 

For more information about ordering this product or any of the products mentioned on our blog, contact Interior Visions Designs at 847.825.0450.  

Source: Terra Furnishings Website http://www.terrafurnishings.com/

The Concrete House:
Building Solid, Safe & Efficient with Insulating Concrete Forms
by Pieter A. VanderWerf

The Concrete House is not just about any old concrete, it is about homes made with ICF, or insulating concrete form.  “It is a new product for constructing the exterior walls of a house or another building.”  I personally have seen more and more concrete buildings being used in industrial areas in the Midwestern United States, so I am excited to see where this technology leads us in housing.  That’s what this book is about.

Do you remember the post in which I defined “thermal bridge”?  You don’t have as much thermal bridging with concrete homes thus keeping more heating or cooling indoors.  Don’t worry, your concrete home does not have to look like it jumped off the page of a sci-fi book!  You can still clad your home with siding, shingles, adobe, etc.

VanderWerf stresses the construction process and finding the right contractor.  Because this is a relatively new building method, you want to hire someone with a track record who has experience.  The Concrete House is written analytically, although a lay person can follow it well enough.  It is full of information but does not have as many pictures and graphics as many of the other books I’ve reviewed.  I recommend this book for a contractor or homeowner who seriously wants to learn about this material and the associated construction method.

Source:
VanderWerf, Pieter A. (2007). The Concrete House: Building Solid, Safe & Efficient with Insulating Concrete Forms.  Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. ISBN 13: 978-1-4027-3629-2  ISBN 10: 1-4027-3629-0

Unbuilding:
Salvaging the Architectural Treasures of Unwanted Houses
by Bob Falk and Brad Guy

Unbuilding: Salvaging the Architectural Treasures of Unwanted Houses is all about taking houses apart and reusing the pieces elsewhere!  People in green living circles get really excited about this idea.  I think that ALL buildings should be built with the expectation that they should stand forever and if not be completely disassembled for reuse.  These authors tell us how we can do this right now…today!

Unbuilding is also called deconstruction.  It is “an environmentally friendly alternative to smashing a building and landfilling it.  Falk and Guy share with us how to assess a building for deconstruction, what to consider in terms of safety, and even the best way to organize your site for haul-away.  They convey the types of materials you’ll find and what you can do with them.  Bricks are one material that interests me in particular.  A great brick building in working order was recently demolished in my town, and it made me cringe!  Falk and Guy tell us, “Bricks require a lot of work [to unbuild] but if the quality is high and they are set with lime-based mortar, they may be worth it.”

From just a few pieces to unbuilding an entire house, this book shares with you how to do it.  I really enjoyed this book.  It makes me want to go out there and find my own building to demolish…I mean unbuild!  We have to learn to terminology and new ways of doing things in order to grow more green.

Source:
Falk, Bob and Guy, Brad. (2007). Unbuilding: Salvaging the Architectural Treasures of Unwanted Houses.  The Taunton Press, Inc. ISBN 13: 978-1-56158-825-1  ISBN 10: 1-56158-825-3

Each Saturday, we post a definition and a product of the week so that you can learn more about going green and what makes particular products green. This week, we’ll define GREENHOUSE GAS and the product of the week is MILK PAINT.  

Definition: GREENHOUSE GAS (in our own words)  

Think about a greenhouse.  The concept is that the sun shines through the glass and the heat builds up inside.  In this way, plants can grow when it is still cooler outside because of the heat built-up inside.  In the same way, a greenhouse gas is like that glass but only in our atmosphere.  As greenhouse gasses collect in our atmosphere, they block the heat from escaping into space.  This warms the Earth, and we call it Global Warming.  Some believe that this build-up is due to human activities that emit greenhouse gasses into the air like carbon dioxide that is emitted from vehicle exhausts.

Product of the Week: MILK PAINT

Milk Paint is a brand of paint that is made with milk protein, lime, and natural pigments.  When it is dry, it is non-toxic and safe enough to paint children’s toys, according to the website.  “Milk Paint is now gaining an even wider usage because it contains only ingredients that are all-natural and will not harm the environment. Our authentic real milk paint is truely a “green paint.”"  Because it is such a natural product, it is only available in 20 colors, although you can mix and match them to create your own colors.

For more information about ordering this product or any of the products mentioned on our blog, contact Interior Visions Designs at 847.825.0450.  

Source: Milk Paint Website http://www.milkpaint.com/

by Hilary Sopata, LEED AP

Toward a Zero Energy Home
A Complete Guide to Energy Self-Sufficiency at Home
by David Johnston and Scott Gibson

Toward a Zero Energy Home to the lay person would be all about solar and wind energy, but it is so much more than that!  I learned about a butterfly roof which is a V-shaped roof - the opposite of a peaked roof.  It is a way to hide photo-voltaic panels and solar hot water heater panels from ground-level view and a way to collect water for landscape irrigation.  Butterfly roofs also have a deep overhang to keep the inside of the house cool during summer months.

The authors delve into other issues like home orientation, insulation, passive solar design, and air exchange among other things.  The book is filled with case studies and photos of the discussed practices put to use in real-life scenarios.  You can live in a single family home or in a high-rise to benefit from reading this book, and you don’t have to be over the top green to put the practices to use.  Therefore, I think Toward a Zero Energy Home is a good read for most people.

I enjoy a green book where I can learn new things.  While not trying to be everything to everybody, Toward a Zero Energy Home is more than first glance would imply.  Overall, I think this book is interesting and worth the read.

Source:
Johnston, David and Gibson, Scott. (2010). Toward a Zero Energy Home.  The Taunton Press. ISBN 978-1-60085-143-8

Jill Salisbury

Jill Salisbury interviewed by Hilary Sopata

Today’s post will feature what Jill is doing to become more green in her own life. 

Jill, are you green in your personal life also?  If so in what ways?  What led you to become green?

Once I learned about the benefits of sustainability, my lifestyle has shifted completely.  Every facet of my life has been impacted as I now make educated, conscious decisions to consume healthier options whether it is food, clothing or furnishings.  I am also aware of the power of the almighty dollar and support like-minded businesses.

I continue to educate myself through organizations such as Healthy Child Healthy World [www.healthychild.org] so that my awareness of healthier and more sustainable options may constantly evolve.   This particular path has led me to the opportunity to Co-chair the Healthy Home 2010: Showcase & Tour, benefitting Healthy Child Healthy World and is being used as an educational tool for consumers, contractors and interior designers.  This project has proven to be another pivotal moment in my career which reminded me of the reason I started el: Environmental Language.  As designers, we are in a powerful position to directly impact the well-being of our clients and consumers. 

I have accepted the responsibility of setting a high standard for healthy, sustainable interiors and hopefully I will inspire others to do the same.  Passion is contagious. I witnessed it from my role models and now I want to pay it forward.

For more information about Healthy Home 2010: Showcase and Tour, please visit: www.healthyhome2010.com.

Tell us about how being eco-conscious has changed both your business and personal lives.

I have always enjoyed designing interiors and products, but once I became aware of the concept of eco-chic, my passion was engaged not only in business, but in life itself, because I feel that I have found my purpose. 

 What is the greatest impact that going green has made on your life?

My eco-conscious career path has been a journey which I never could have imagined.  I have been inspired by so many like-minded individuals along the way who are making significant contributions to improving the health of people and the planet.  I am in awe of their vision and determination and find that through my encounters with them, my own mission is rejuvenated.  I feel truly fortunate to be an affiliate of this enlightened community of leaders in the sustainable design movement. 

You are certainly a model for us all, Jill.  To our readers – I have had the opportunity to meet with Jill on several occasions.  She is an inspiration and although humble in her responses, she really has set the bar high for us all.  Please learn more about Jill, about el: Environmental Language, and about Healthy Child Healthy World.

Source: Interview with Jill Salisbury, el: Environmental Language, LLC
425 Park Barrington Drive, Barrington, IL 60010
O: 847-382-9285          F: 847-382-9311          M: 312-287-6587
jill@el-furniture.com          www.el-furniture.com

Each Saturday, we post a definition and a product of the week so that you can learn more about going green and what makes particular products green. This week, we’ll define BIODEGRADABLE and the product of the week is ECO FRIENDLY LIGHTING.  

Definition: BIODEGRADABLE (in our own words)  

If something is biodegradable, that means it will break down naturally and eventually become a part of the Earth’s natural cycles again.  Biodegradable items should not be put in landfills as they are not designed for biodegrading.  In order to biodegrade, the right conditions must exist.  Composting is one way to create the conditions for biodegrading. 

Product of the Week: ECO FRIENDLY LIGHTING

Instead of talking about a particular product, this week I want to educate you on eco friendly lighting.  Lighting can be broken down into the fixture itself and the lamp (the lamp is really what we call the light bulb.)  Choosing a fixture is much like choosing other types of furnishings: is it made from recycled materials, is it recyclable at the end of its life, is it made without harming people or the planet, and is it made locally?  The next consideration is the lamp (light bulb).  The fixture you choose should hold the light bulb you want.  Here are some common light bulb considerations:

Incandescent     This is a “regular” light bulb.  Also called an Edison Bulb after it’s inventor, it gives off a soft warm light, can illuminate in all types of temperatures, and is cost-effective.  This bulb burns out more quickly than other bulbs, and is therefore used mostly for residential use.

Fluorescent        We are becoming more accustomed to seeing this thin tube bulb swirled up in compact form and being used residentially.  It costs a little more than an incandescent version, but it lasts much longer.  The light quality is more yellow, so I don’t recommend it for use in bathrooms where you’ll be seeing yourself in the mirror.  I also don’t recommend it for any room where the lights are turned on and off frequently as this wears out the bulb more quickly.

Halogen               This small, high-class bulb has a great color.  It can turn off and on quickly.  It is very expensive, and care should be used to not touch the bulb with bare hands lest the oils of your skin get on the bulb and make it burn out more quickly.  Other than the cost which can be justified with a long life, this bulb burns hot making it a fire hazard in some cases and when used in large quantities, a stress on air conditioning.

LED                         LED stands for light emitting diode.  The bulb is small and lasts a long time like halogen bulbs.  It is also expensive.  We see this bulb being used more and more for outdoor use as well as for use in mini flashlights.  In fact, I keep one on my key chain.  These bulbs take a long, long time to burn out.  The light quality, while improving, has a definite bluish tint, so it is not a common light fixture for every day indoor use yet.

For more information about ordering this product or any of the products mentioned on our blog, contact Interior Visions Designs at 847.825.0450.