Material Selection
Materials really do matter to the health of occupants and the environment, but finding out what is in a product—and why—is not easy.
Products also have to perform as intended, so there are often tradeoffs between performance and the most sustainable materials.
Here you will find articles on:
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the least hazardous, most environmentally sustainable materials used in products
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environmental product declarations that can reveal the life-cycle impacts of materials
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standards and third-party certifications that provide important VOC criteria and other health and performance metrics
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chemicals of concern in building materials
You’ll also learn how what makes a product green can differ from product category to product category, and why multi-attribute vetting is critical no matter what product or material you’re selecting or specifying.
Material Selection
Deep Dives
Get up to speed on complex topics. You can also earn CEUs and download PDF Spotlight Reports.
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Choosing Windows: Looking Through the Options
Feature Article
We ask a lot from windows: energy efficiency, aesthetics, durability, affordability, and more. Which window frame materials and low-e glazing options balance these choices best? This article explores all the options and decodes the performance labels we see when buying windows.
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What's New in Multi-Attribute Environmental Certifications
Feature Article
The industry is increasingly recognizing the need for a more comprehensive review of green products. We don't have perfect programs yet, but we scrutinize the most prominent programs out there and highlight how they're useful.
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Chemistry for Designers: Understanding Hazards in Building Products
Feature Article
What's in our building materials? Are there chemicals we should be afraid of? Trying to get answers to these questions can be frustrating, but there are a number of good tools available.
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Making Carpet Environmentally Friendly
Feature Article
Carpets are the most popular floorcovering in the U.S., but they have also been associated with environmental problems including indoor air emissions and intensive resource use. However, manufacturers have worked to curb their environmental footprints by recycling carpet, examining their life-cycle impacts, and pursuing broad-based certification.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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Triton Logging Recovers Underwater Forests
Product Review
Triton Logging, Inc., of British Columbia has brought to market environmentally-friendly lumber from forests flooded by reservoirs; standing trees are recovered using the company's unique Sawfish submarine harvester.
In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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Greenwash Getting Easier to Spot, But Still Confusing
News Brief
A survey shows consumers generally find value in third-party product certifications but can be confused by less credible claims if not provided enough context.
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Twenty-Year Payback for Embodied Carbon of Triple-Glazed Windows
News Brief
It takes almost 20 years for triple-glazed windows to save enough energy to overcome their additional embodied carbon, according to a new study.
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Product Watchdogs Pledge Standardized Ingredient Reporting Platform
News Brief
A promised database funded by Google.org and USGBC aims to end marketplace confusion and lower the cost of ingredient disclosure.
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Researchers Link Miscarriage Risk to BPA Exposure
News Brief
A new study adds evidence that bisphenol-A may affect human reproduction.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
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Learning Resources
A wide range of education options, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
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Toxic Chemicals in Buildings: How to Find & Avoid the Worst Offenders
Webcast
As a building professional, your clients look to you to help them make solid, science-based decisions about even more complex products and materials. Decisions about a school, a multifamily building, or a commercial office space can affect a lot of people. Do you have enough information to answer the questions of concerned clients? There are no easy answers to any of these questions, but we do know how to identify and eliminate some of the worst hazards from our buildings. In the webcast, we'll take a look at some successful strategies.
Just For Fun
Something weird happens every April at BuildingGreen...
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