Define Green

Before we get too far into the “green” building process, I would like get us on the same “green” page so to speak. The word “green” needs some definition because it is really misunderstood. There really isn’t a building product on the planet that is 100% green. For example, a lot of people are excited about bamboo floors because of its ability to grow fast and replenish itself. However, shipping bamboo across the planet uses a lot of energy for shipping. It may use chemicals (VOC’s - volatile organic compounds— more on that later) that are toxic too. Some bamboo has a tendency to buckle and needs to be glued to the sub-floor too. The point is, every product has “green” attributes but none are 100% “green.” The same is true of a “green” home or remodeling project.