Build Green with Green Talk's Personal Favs - a list by greentalk

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I built my house a couple of years ago using alot of green materials and I wanted to reccommend some of my favorite building products. Although there are alot of great green building products out there, I only felt comfortable reccommending products that I personally used. Listed are my top 10 of the products I used. Here goes!

Qualifications:

Used these green products when we built our house.

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Viewing 1-10 of 10 Items

AFM Safecoat New Wallboard Primer HPV

First to recommend

Description

AMF Safecoat product line is geared towards people who suffer from allergies and chemical sensitivities; so, you can imagine the quality of the formulation of these products. I highly recommend their products, and have used many of them. My favorite AMF product has to be their New Wallboard Primer HPV. This primer is for new drywall. The benefits of this primer are as follows: does not contain any formaldehyde, low odor, dries quickly, and solves finishing problems so your top coats of paint go on smoother. In addition, it seals in the off gassing of the drywall and drywall compound. After you are done priming, the wall looks like you painted it with white paint because the coverage is that good. It is very thick, so you can thin it based upon AMF’s instructions.

Updated Aug 9, 2007

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SierraPine - Welcome

First to recommend

Description

I used Medite II for all of my wainscoting and some shelves. It can be painted or veneered. My wainscoting is painted and you would never know that it was not wood. In addition, you can use this product to make cabinets. Medite II is a medium density fiberboard(MDF) which is comprised of post industrial/pre-consumer recycled wood fibers bonded together with a formaldehyde free resin (glue).

I live in the northeast, so wood is susceptible to shrinking or swelling during the year. Since I used this eco-friendly MDF, my wainscoting pieces have not separated from each other like wood does in the winter. It looks as good as it did the day it was painted.

Updated Aug 9, 2007

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Environ Biocomposites - Our Products

First to recommend

Description

The countertop is made by Environ Biocomposites out of recycled newspapers, soy based resin, and color additives. My product name is "sunset." It looks just like granite. I used it for my desk area because I wanted something that was tough like granite but did not want a kitchen look in my desk area. It routes just like wood and was sealed with a sealer. It looks great even after two years. Just as a side note, you can not use this product for a kitchen or bathroom countertop.

Updated Aug 9, 2007

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Bonded Logic - Natural Cotton Fiber Insulation

First to recommend

Description

This insulation is made of 85 percent post industrial recycled natural fibers (natural denim and cotton). It is soft enough to rub against your face. Why did I use this product instead of fiberglass? In my prior house, the insulation was exposed in the attic. Every time I went up there, I could not stop coughing. I am sensitive to this type of insulation.

It is formaldehyde free and there is the "no itch" factor when handling this insulation. It is a great product for any Do it Yourselver.

I used this product to insulate the interior wall for sound proofing but it can easily be used for exterior walls.

Updated Aug 9, 2007

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Icynene Spray Foam Insulation & Air Barrier System

First to recommend

Description

This insulation is a HCFC-free, open celled polyurethane spray foam insulation. I have a geothermal system and swear that my energy bills are so low because of the combination of the two. I run my house at 76 to 78 during the summer (but at 74 at night on the second floor) and am quite comfortable. In the winter I run the house at 68. My air conditioning never runs in the basement and it never feels humid.

Icynene basically provides a barrier to prevent drafts, condensation, and outdoor allergens from penetrating the insulation. It is a Green-Spec listed product.

Updated Aug 9, 2007

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Solarstar: The Solar-Powered Attic Fan the Keeps you Cool

First to recommend

2 people recommended this item

Description

This product is made by Solar Tube. I have solar exhausts in my attic that run continuously without costing me a dime. It helps to ventilate the attic space especially in the summer

Updated Aug 9, 2007

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Pacific Closet Works

First to recommend

Description

Finding a nontoxic closet system a couple of years ago was an endeavor. Most closet systems are made out of particleboard that emits formaldehyde due to the resin used to hold the wood fibers together. I thought we would never find such a system until one day my husband found Stor-X, a company from British Columbia, Canada in an obscure article. At the time, they made eco-closet systems out of Woodstalk (wheatboard) made by Dow. We sent them our architectural drawings and they designed our closets. Their designs were so good that we only had to make minor adjustments. Our carpenter verified Stor-X’s measurements before the closets were made. Once they came, my carpenter mentioned how easy it was to put them up. Again, we used their product in all of our closets and pantry and they have held up beautifully.

Since Dow no longer produces Woodstalk, Stor-X is using other eco friendly products. In addition, they have more dealers in North America since my closest systems were made so the dealer can measure and install them for you.

Updated Aug 9, 2007

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Deck protection from environmentally safe Weather-Bos

First to recommend

Description

I have used this product for a few years. It is a product comprised of natural oils and resins that allows the wood to breathe. According to the website, “DECK BOSS™ does not just adhere to the wood, but actually penetrates and creates a monolithic bond, in a process called ‘molecular compatibility’.”

It was applied to our deck and our winters have been harsh in New Jersey and the deck still looks good. With any deck, maintenance is crucial. Follow the instructions as when to recoat the deck.

In our previous home, our deck was sealed with a conventional sealer. In order to use this product on a previously finished deck, we had to lightly sand the deck before applying Weather Bos.

Updated Aug 9, 2007

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Broan: Indoor Air Quality Broan Fresh Air Systems

First to recommend

Description

My house is extremely tight and I would highly recommend if you are going to make your house energy efficient and/or you are worried about your indoor air quality to purchase the appropriate sized Broan Ventilation system for your home. Check with your HVAC contractor to see if you have adequate ventilation in your house.

I chose this product because it is three products in one: a whole house HEPA, fresh air ventilation system, and heat recovery so cold air was not brought into the house in the winter. The HEPA portion filters the outside air so that pollen and other allergens are not brought into the house.

It is very easy to maintain. All I do is change the filters every six months.

Updated Aug 9, 2007

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Naturally Yours Mold & Mildew Remover

First to recommend

Description

I had to include this product even though my listed is comprised of building products because a nontoxic environment includes the prevention of mold in your home. As many of you know, mold builds up in the shower. This product removes it without any of the harsh chemicals. I have tried a lot of products but this is the best one I have used so far.

Updated Aug 9, 2007

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