Runoff from construction sites is notoriously toxic stuff, and many of the chemicals leeched into the environment come from the chemicals, like formaldehyde and arsenic, in processed lumber. Add to that some seriously unsustainable clearing practices, and you've got a lot of people looking around for greener ways to make homes or modify their existing structures to suit their needs. Pure Wood Solutions, out of San Francisco, just built a cheap and green home for $50,000 in 6 days: it's prefabricated, made from sustainably grown wood, and next time, won't be shipped over from Europe if they have anything to say about it. If prefab isn't your thing, you've got options. As a recent Treehugger article explains, you can select lumber that doesn't have deadly chemicals involved with the pressure-treating process but features natural binders derived from sugar cane. I'll take the sugar cane over the arsenic, thanks very much.
Another thing to consider with lumber choice is of source, of course. Organizations like the Forest Stewardship Council have created a certification system to recognize lumber producers that are going about it the right way. Beware of imitators, like certifying agencies formed by PR Firms. FSC-certified lumber can be trickier to find than conventionally milled wood, but with services like Woodfinder and the Sustainable Woods Network, you can find just the right eco-friendly cherry for your banisters from a small farm. With any luck, they're even local.
Now that you've got your lumber, it's time to build! One more great place that's worth checking out for green building essentials is Green Building Pages, a practical and easy-to-read guide on proper green design start to finish, with case studies on individual projects. Build it green, and build it smart!
Runoff from construction sites is notoriously toxic stuff, and many of the chemicals leeched into the environment come from the chemicals, like formaldehyde and arsenic, in processed lumber. Add to that some seriously unsustainable clearing practices, and you've got a lot of people looking around for greener ways to make homes or modify their existing structures to suit their needs. Pure Wood Solutions, out of San Francisco, just built a cheap and green home for $50,000 in 6 days: it's prefabricated, made from sustainably grown wood, and next time, won't be shipped over from Europe if they have anything to say about it. If prefab isn't your thing, you've got options. As a recent Treehugger article explains, you can select lumber that doesn't have deadly chemicals involved with the pressure-treating process but features natural binders derived from sugar cane. I'll take the sugar cane over the arsenic, thanks very much.
Another thing to consider with lumber choice is of source, of course. Organizations like the Forest Stewardship Council have created a certification system to recognize lumber producers that are going about it the right way. Beware of imitators, like certifying agencies formed by PR Firms. FSC-certified lumber can be trickier to find than conventionally milled wood, but with services like Woodfinder and the Sustainable Woods Network, you can find just the right eco-friendly cherry for your banisters from a small farm. With any luck, they're even local.
Now that you've got your lumber, it's time to build! One more great place that's worth checking out for green building essentials is Green Building Pages, a practical and easy-to-read guide on proper green design start to finish, with case studies on individual projects. Build it green, and build it smart!