Sustainable Materials
Parent
Sustainable Materials
Deep Dives
Get up to speed on complex topics. You can also earn CEUs and download PDF Spotlight Reports.
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Can We Replace Foam Insulation?
Feature
There are a lot of reasons to avoid foam, but its high performance can make it a hard habit to kick, as designers are finding out.
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Engineering a Wood Revolution
Feature
Engineered wood products are challenging concrete and steel in structural applications while proffering a lower environmental footprint.
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Innovative Products and Technology from the Greenbuild Expo
Feature
Our product editors pick some winners from the expo floor at Greenbuild 2013 while raising questions about some materials.
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The PVC Debate: A Fresh Look
Feature
PVC is banned by some green building programs and simply reviled by some groups. How did we get here, and has anything changed since vinyl became the enemy?
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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Building Decarbonization: Learn the Lingo
Explainer
Building decarbonization 101 for architects, engineers, and sustainability consultants cutting emissions from building materials and operations.
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Circular Economy: Better Design from Start to … Start
Explainer
“Circularity” is about more than just recycling. It means building and buying things only when necessary—and without wasting anything.
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Weighing Embodied vs. Operational Carbon Tradeoffs
Explainer
There can be a seesaw dynamic between operational and embodied carbon. Under what circumstances is a tradeoff worth the price
Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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Cold-Cathode CFLs from Litetronics
Product Review
The same technology that backlights laptop computer screens is making its way into decorative and area lighting.
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Reflector LED Lamps from Lighting Science Group
Product Review
A manufacturer has introduced the first full-dimming LED lamp bright enough for general illumination.
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Green E-Board Building Panels
Product Review
With the durability of cement backerboards but with a carbon footprint closer to gypsum, Green E-Board panels are an intriguing new drywall option.
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Hands-Free Parking
Product Review
The AutoMotion Parking System creates an automated parking garage, offering advantages including indoor environmental quality benefits.
In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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PureBond Exempt From CARB Testing Requirements
News Analysis
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Dirty-Dozen List of POPs Expanded
News Analysis
Nine chemicals have been added to the "dirty dozen" list of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), including the pent and octa forms of PBDE flame retardant and the fluoropolymer PFOS.
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Green Standard Registers First Environmental Product Declaration
News Analysis
Nonprofit organization The Green Standard is registering ISO-compliant environmental product declarations, starting with InterflacFLOR's Convert carpet products.
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The Level on BIFMA's Furniture Certification
News Analysis
BIFMA's multi-attribute standard offers a high bar for certifying furniture, but its success depends on its transparency moving forward.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
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Pete’s Puzzle: Mold on Painted Clapboards is Food for Thought
Blog Post
There is mold on the factory-primed, latex top-coated wood clapboards on the south but not the north side of our house
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Pete’s Product Puzzle: VersaDry
Blog Post
Simple folded metal solves a common moisture problem
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An Embarrassment of Riches: Products and Materials at Greenbuild 2017
Blog Post
A new focus on embodied carbon and LEED v4 are driving designers to dive deep into what we choose for our buildings
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Installing Insulation With the X-Floc Ventilated Dry Injection System
Blog Post
X-Floc claims the blowing equipment they use delivers cellulose at a more consistent density, and they were willing to prove it with this demonstration.
Learning Resources
Syllabus supplements and CEU content, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
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Just For Fun
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