November 26th, 2007

Top 10 Residential Products from GreenBuild

Posted by Shayna Prunier

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The search for new green products can be both overwhelming and often frustrating. Swimming through the sea of green claims to find the shining pearls can be overwhelming. Here are our 10 favorite green residential products that exhibited at the recent GreenBuild 2007 National Expo. We feel that each of these products offers real environmental value. You be the judge and pick your favorite!

1. Green Screen– Headquartered in Los Angeles, CA.
Want a green wall or fence? Try the Green Screen panelized system to create a grid for plants to grow in, around, and through. The panels constructed from recycled steel and can be either free standing elements or attached to walls. Customizable sizing allows them to curve, bend, or stack. Then you plant your climbing plants (flowering, evergreen, or deciduous– you choose) and watch the wall become a green wonderland. (See image above.) Explore beyond lumber with your new alternative to a conventional fence at www.greenscreen.com.

2. Agriboard Industries – Headquartered in Wichita, KS.
Agriboard Industries chose to redefine the Structural Insulated Panel (SIP), and has introduced an all natural alternative. The unique Agriboard panel compresses wheat straw as the core between plywood panels. The wheat straw is a rapidly renewable agricultural bi-product and the plywood is oriented strand board, OSB, which is typically made from recycled wood chips. The insulative value is equal to competitive products, but the structural capacity of this product rises above the competitors.  You can check it out at www.agriboard.com.

3. Canopy – Headquartered in Portland, OR.
Canopy boards are your answer to eco-friendly cabinetry, furniture, case-goods, and wall panels. The boards are made from rapidly renewable agricultural by-products or sustainably grown and harvested wood. Options include Dakota Burl Fusion, made from sunflower seed hulls, and and Wahkeena board which is made from formaldehyde free, FSC certified wood chips and strands from 25 species of wood.  www.canopylifestyle.com.

4. EcoDomo– Headquartered in Rockville, MD.
Who says leather can’t be green? We’re not just talking about the dye! EcoDomo LLC is recycling all the scraps from the leather industry and making some fabulous flooring tiles. The product is made from 65% recycled leather, 20% natural rubber and 15% Acacia Tree Bark compressed together into a variety of textural molds such as Crocodile or Buffalo skin. The tiles will gain a natural patina over time which can be easily maintained with beeswax. Vegans beware. www.ecodomo.com.

5. GreenGrid – Headquartered in Vernon Hills, IL.
Get all the benefits of a green roof in a modular system. Green Grid roof tiles allow anyone to install a green roof without any difficult or costly preparation. The 2ft x 2ft modules come in a recycled plastic casing and install on any roof that has enough of a slope for drainage. The benefits include providing insulation, offsetting the heat island effect, and turning a normal roof into a garden of opportunity for any homeowner.  www.greengridroofs.com.

6.  Durapalm– Smith & Fong, headquartered in San Fransisco, CA.
Durapalm is the newest introduction from Smith & Fong and they are changing the way we look at coconuts. The palmwood comes from plantation grown non-producing coconut palms removed from the forest after 80 years of production. The mature multiple layers from these trees create stable and durable flooring, plywood, and woven wall panel products with great beauty. Crack open the potential at www.durapalm.com.

7.  CoveringsETC – Headquartered in Miami,FL.
You can’t find a better variety of recycled surfaces than at CoveringsETC. Their latest introduction, Eco-Cem (pictured at right), is a cement panel with recycled fibers used for floors and walls. They also have Bio Glass, recycled fused glass countertops, and Eco-Terr terrazzo tiles with recycled content. Put the pieces together at www.coveringsetc.com.

8. DuraGreen by Ankmar – Headquartered in Kansas City, KS.
These garage doors are a great alternative to traditional wood doors.  DuraGreen garage doors are SCS certified for recycled content made of composite wood fibers.  The Gallantry Series is for those who appreciate the richness of traditional wood doors, but care about economics and the environment.  Find your new door at www.ankmar.com.

9.  EcoStar by Carlisle –Headquartered in Carlisle, PA
Make an environmental statement in your neighborhood with EcoStar roofing tiles.  You can achieve the look of standard slate or asphalt shingles, but be eco-friendly with recycled polymer composites that come in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors to match your personal style.  Cover your house at www.premiumroofs.com/products.html.

10. Warmboard –Headquartered in Aptos, CA
Don’t neglect your feet!  Make sure they are always warm and toasty with the Warmboard radiant flooring panels.  Warmboard combines a structural subfloor and radiant heating panel into one flooring system.  You can install virtually any flooring product on top of Warmboard for a fabulous and energy efficient heating system for the whole house. Toast your toes at www.warmboard.com.

Thanks for tuning in for our Top 10 of Greenbuild 2007!  Have fun exploring your new green home options and check back for our TOP 10 Low Impact Living consumer products from 2007.

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