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Buying and Building Green |
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Written by admin (Cranston, Rhode Island)
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 'Green' is a buzzword in the construction industry nowadays, with a number of build and remodeling firms touting their initiatives to demonstrate their friendliness to the environment and to leave a smaller footprint on the communities that provide their resources.
Some manufacturers and suppliers outperform others in the race to
be green, and the construction industry's youngest players have an
obvious advantage as they develop their new methods of sourcing,
manufacturing methods, and logistics from scratch. In this how-to,
we'll look at ways that you can incorporate environmentally sound
practices in your material buying habits, and even save some money in
the process.
1: Buy local
It's tempting when
oodles of mail order catalogs and web offers come your way, promising
exactly what you need, prefabricated, easy to assemble, and for exactly
the right price.
But where is it coming from? A long trek via freight will greatly increase the carbon footprint for getting the materials to your door, and can become expensive as well if the source is on the other end of the country. Lumber supplies are notorious for this.
In terms of period restorations, buying locally also translates into authenticity: using woods and hardware that distinguish abodes in the region from other parts of the country. That in itself adds value to your investment.
2: Buy used
While buying locally, also consider buying used or antique materials. While they're more difficult to restore and shape into your project, antique woods and vintage hardware have stood the test of time, and often outlast the fresher varieties just shipped into your area box store.
Materials from barns, granges, and other structures often become available after demolition, and certain preservationists have made careers in salvaging and reusing them for new projects. In some cases, you can even find free timber, porcelain, tile or extras available through classifieds sites such as Craiglist .
3. Buy smart
Many supply companies have been established on the principle of being 'green', even so far as to incorporate that fact in their names, logos, and marketing material. None of these things replaces the need to visit the supplier and to see for yourself how materials are fabricated, managed, or, shipped. In the absence of making a trip, ask local environmental organizations if they can refer you to suppliers that are verifyably green.
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