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Earth-Friendly Building Materials

I've just returned from what I could safely call the biggest shopping spree of my life, window-shopping that is. I was at the International Builders' Show in Orlando, Florida, an annual trade show where building supply companies show off their newest products. I was there selecting materials for the Garden Home Retreat. With over 1.5 million square feet of exhibits it was a one stop shopping experience to the max. I was able to pick out everything from cedar siding to a Kohler faucet for the kitchen sink.

It was heartening to see so many new building materials for those interested in building an energy efficient, earth friendly home. Whether you are building from the ground up, refitting an older home or just brightening a room with a new coat of paint, there are so many fantastic new products to choose from.

• DensArmor Plus Drywall  A growing concern in residential construction in recent years is the spectre of problems associated with mold. Due to the need to build homes that are energy efficient, today's homes are more airtight than homes built in the past. As such, moisture is encapsulated in the home providing a potential source for mold. One way to help prevent the potential for mold development is by choosing mold resistant building materials. While in Orlando, I made a point to speak with Georgia-Pacific about their paperless drywall. Georgia-Pacific has created a new generation drywall called DensArmor Plus. Its facings are made of glass mats, rather than the paper mats found on regular wallboard. That's what makes it so unique. Since paper can serve as a potential food source for mold, using paperless drywall helps to minimize the opportunity for mold to develop. And because gypsum is a recyclable material, DensArmor Plus wallboard is an environmentally friendly product.
• Marvin Windows and Doors  This company was my first choice for supplying the windows and doors for the Garden Home Retreat. Marvin will custom build any window style you can dream up, which is important when designing a historically accurate home. Although the windows will look like they came from the 1880s, they will be modern in all aspects including energy efficiency and mechanics. I also love that Marvin uses energy wisely at their own manufacturing facilities. An example of this is how they use the sawdust that comes from making the windows and doors to heat their plants.