Approved by Subject Editors on May 27, 2005

Reviewed by Lydia Corser

This company is dedicated to using FSC certified sustainably harvested woods. Better than that, the products are absolutely beautiful and heirloom quality, which is the greenest thing of all - long-term appreciation and reverence for what nature has made, and artisans have carefully crafted into something useful that will be appreciated for generations to come.

Approved by Subject Editors on August 04, 2004

Reviewed by Marian Keeler

Endura Wood Products, based in Oregon, have a strong commitment to certified wood ideals. Their website contains a comprehensive review of certification goals and explains the FSC's 10 Principles of Sustainability. www.endurawood.com/about.html. Being local to the west coast, transportation costs and energy are significantly lower than more distant sources. Some of their flooring producst are exotics, though still FSC certified. Endura supplies both products and services.

The most important consideration in terms of sustanable criterion for wood is that it be harvested from a certified well-managed forest or be salvaged/reclaimed from a previous use. The criteria set by Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) are the gold standard for these environmental concerns. Other certifying, accrediting bodies are NOT third party entities, in fact, are associated with the wood and paper industry, which is like a fox guarding the hen-house. FSC certification procedures ensure minimal waste, selectively harvested trees and social responsibility to local communities.

In terms of LCA, energy is expended for logging, milling and transportation of wood and production of adhesives. Hardwoods are more energy intensive than softwoods to harvest and produce.

Wood is a naturally hard material, but may require occasional refinishing, with the frequency depending on quality of sealer and traffic.

Durability is a major component of sustainability concerns. Professional installation or guidance is recommended.

Approved by Subject Editors on August 02, 2006

Reviewed by Lydia Corser

What makes this product green? Everything. The company uses FSC woods, non-toxic, no-VOC paint, no adhesives (only mechanical fasteners - screws). Children are like canaries in a coal mine. They are small and sensitive to chemicals and toxins, and deserve to be protected, because they are our future. When we show we care for their health, they carry that forward into future generations. That's how the world becomes a better place.

The pieces are one-of-a-kind, heirloom quality, and that's as green as it gets. They will be passed down proudly for generations and appreciated by many.

In a world over-full of cheap, production, toxic children's furniture, this is a refreshing option.

Approved by Subject Editors on August 11, 2004

Reviewed by Cassandra Adams

These glass tiles are manufactured in a similar manner to conventional products except that energy consumption for the processing of raw materials has been eliminated because they contain 100% recycled glass. However, energy consumption is still greater than some other products. Extraction impacts are also reduced greatly.

Glass tiles, whether conventional or green, release no emissions into the indoor environment, and their hard surfaces allow them to be thoroughly cleaned with ease. Glass tiles are durable, exceeded only by concrete, ceramic tile, stone, and terrazzo. However, abrasions and wear are more apparent on shiny surfaces.

Approved by Subject Editors on September 02, 2005

The Subject Editor review of this product is in process. Please check back.

Approved by Subject Editors on September 12, 2004

Reviewed by Marian Keeler

The most important consideration in terms of sustanable criterion for wood is that it be harvested from a certified well-managed forest or be salvaged/reclaimed from a previous use. The criteria set by Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) are the gold standard for these environmental concerns. Other certifying, accrediting bodies are NOT third party entities, in fact, are associated with the wood and paper industry, which is like a fox guarding the hen-house. FSC certification procedures ensure minimal waste, selectively harvested trees and social responsibility to local communities. EcoTimber's Classics are locally sourced species, as opposed to imported exotics, which are preferred from a transportation energy standpoint.

In terms of LCA, energy is expended for logging, milling and transportation of wood and production of adhesives. Hardwoods are more energy intensive than softwoods to harvest and produce.

Wood is a naturally hard material, but may require occasional refinishing, with the frequency depending on quality of sealer and traffic. Classics are an engineered floor, and as the website for EcoTimber describes: "a surface layer of high-quality hardwood is bonded to two wood sub-layers." This type of "cross-ply construction" means that engineered flooring is more stable than solid wood. EcoTimber's "wear layers" are thick, about .14", meaning that the floor can be sanded and refinished more times than a typical engineered floor. Durability is a major component of sustainability concerns. Professional installation or guidance is recommended.

Another positive aspect of engineered floors is that they don't have to be sanded, finished or sealed on site, thus minimizing IAQ emissions. The engineered floors have a UV-cured aluminum oxide finish.

Approved by Subject Editors on September 19, 2005

Reviewed by Cassandra Adams

This is one of a number of over-stuffed chair styles made by this company (check their website). All of their products are made with organic cotton fabrics (with no sizing or chemical finishes) over non-synthetic padding (containing no foam, vinyl, or formaldehyde) on a hardwood (maple) frame fabricated with formaldehyde-free low VOC glues. They also have a process called Safewash that they utilize to detoxify "typical" upholstery fabrics, in case you want to specify something different from what they carry.

They claim that their furniture can be tolerated by chemically sensitive people, but for those who are truly chemically sensitive it might be a good idea to ask for sample materials to verify that you can tolerate them.

Approved by Subject Editors on April 01, 2005

Reviewed by Debra Lynn Dadd

Reclaimed wood is wood that has already been used for another purpose, and has been salvaged for another use. Almost all reclaimed wood is higher-grade wood than the newly-harvested wood sold today--with more beauty, stability, clarity, and density--as it was originally harvested from old-growth forests. Using reclaimed wood leaves forests standing, protecting trees, the watershed, and habitat for wildlife and understory plants. Generally, less embodied energy is used to create reclaimed wood products than to create new wood products or plastic lumber, concrete, or steel. Even reclaimed wood shipped via boat from other continents still contain less embodied energy compared to domestic manufactured products, as sea freight is very energy efficient. TerraMai also does everything they can to keep the financial benefits of reclaiming wood close to community where the wood came from. Wood is an ideal choice for indoor air quality when a nontoxic or natural finish is applied. It's easy to clean and keep dust-free.

Approved by Subject Editors on October 19, 2005

Reviewed by Mary Cordaro

The Keim Mineral Systems paint line is one of the most sustainable, durable, protective, vapor permeable, and long lasting of all the natural paints on the market today. The product components of Keim paints are primarily a potassium silicate binder system with pure geologic mineral pigments. They are designed to penetrate and actually consolidate with substrates. (Only one of their many products contains a small amount of acrylic for better adhesion to exterior surfaces in highly humid areas.) The Keim products are also non-combustible, odorless and non allergenic, so they are great for the chemically sensitive, and an excellent, healthier option overall. Their impact to the environment from manufacturing is very low.

Because the Keim system was invented in 1878, there is actual proof that Keim paints last over 100 years, as seen on many building exteriors in extreme weather conditions in Europe. Designed for interior and exterior masonry surfaces, such as plaster, concrete, stucco, stone and other mineral substrates, they can also be applied to painted and unpainted paper covered drywall (with special prep, primer and application procedures). The colors are light reflective and colorfast, and the finishes create an attractive, flat, stone-like appearance. The finishes are 99% vapor permeable, even after a build-up of many coats, and including when used for exterior applications, yet their crystalline structure blocks wind driven rain, and protects against acid rain. The combination of water-resistance and vapor permeability also makes Keim an excellent paint for bathrooms and kitchens. (Excellent vapor permeability in finishes is highly desirable, so that moisture can easily and quickly move through and dry to either side of a wall, rather than becoming trapped and potentially causing finish failures and/or mold.) Because they are made with inorganic ingredients, the products are also mold resistant. Due to the absence of electrostatic charges from the painted surfaces, a benefit of natural finishes in general, the surfaces attract less dust, so they tend to stay cleaner. However, Keim paints are washable/scrubbable and easily cleaned.

The disadvantages of Keim paints are that they are not widely distributed, they are not appropriate for wood, metal or any flexible surfaces, and preparing existing painted surfaces, particularly on the exterior, may be extensive and expensive. In general, Keim paints are not ideally suited for surfaces that are already painted with multiple layers of other types of paints, whether water-based or oil-based. They should not be applied over finishes that act as vapor barriers, such as elastomeric, epoxy modified, or other paints designed to block or retard vapor transmission or chemical outgassing. Keim paints are much more expensive than conventional paints (about two and a half times the cost). However, since a Keim painted surface many only need a refresher coat every 20-30 years, for the right project, these paints are highly economical and sustainable over the long run.

Keim paints are most appropriate for new construction and/or previously unpainted interior or exterior substrates. For new interior drywall, the Keim company recommends first applying Ecosil Eco Dilution, which eliminates new drywall chalkiness, and then 2 coats of EcoSil finish coats. If painting over existing interior water-based paints, first apply EcoSil Grund (or base), then EcoSil finish coats. For previously painted oil-based surfaces, sanding to create a 'tooth' prior to priming is required. In either case, if there are already too many existing coats of paint, Keim may not be the right product, and the Keim technical expert can help make this determination over the phone. For exterior applications, it may be necessary to reduce layers of existing paint first, either by sanding, power washing or other means, to increase vapor permeability of the lower layers. (Before sanding any painted surface, always check first for lead-based paint. Do not disturb older layers of lead based paint, unless a trained professional implements proper lead-based paint abatement procedures.) The technical expert at Keim strongly recommends that the contractor or homeowner (whomever is actually performing the application) calls for detailed instructions, to first make sure that all particular considerations of the project are taken into account.

Keim paints are available in hundreds of colors. The company will also provide custom tinting. There are many types of products, each 'tweaked' for special situations and conditions. The Keim technical expert works closely with architects on specifications, as well as contractors, but will also work with the do-it-yourself homeowner to answer questions, and provide correct product recommendations and application procedures particular to the project.

Approved by Subject Editors on August 12, 2004

Reviewed by Eric Freed

Endura Certified Wood comes from FSC certified wood sources in Oregon. Endura is deeply committed to our environment. Wood is all natural and renewable.

If left unfinished, it can be protected with mineral oil (as with butcherblock cabinets). To finish wood, use a water based, VOC free sealer. Wood will wear and age with use, which adds to its character. It can be sanded and finished and last a long time if properly maintained. However, it will stain, etch and scratch. In addition, standing water will stain and warp the surface.