Terratex Flooring Fabric

These products are offered by Interface, which specializes in the design, production and sales of environmentally-responsible modular carpet for commercial, institutional, and residential markets.  Interface has been recognized for its environmental policies and practices that include: providing employee seminars and workshops to educate and involve employees in the company's environmental policies and goals; sponsors educational newsletters, education seminars for the general public regarding environmental issues; published policies in production & manufacture, product disposal, installation use and maintenance, and a company social profile; and has a facility recycling waste program in place.  They also have a stated goal of achieving a zero environmental footprint by 2020.  By all appearances this is a really environmentally responsible company that produces attractive, contemporary designs for their stated purpose.

The Terratex flooring fabrics in particular are made from 100% recyclable or renewable material, manufactured using sustainable processes, and are recyclable or compostable at the end of it's life.  There are also LEED Credit-Opportunity Contributions in: Rapidly Renewable Materials, Recycled Content categories. 

This product has been recognized for excellence in the following categories: little or no extraction impact, 50% post-consumer recycled content, 50% post-industrial recycled, no toxic or carcinogenic materials or chemicals used, 100% disclosure of input materials; no greenhouse gas emissions, no ozone-depleting gases used or emitted; no machinery required for maintenance; no off-gassing during installation, use and maintenance; product can be easily disassembled for alternative disposal, product reclamation program in place; 100% of product can be reused, 100% of product can be recycled; exceeds OSHA standards in all facilities; company compiles and publishes an annual Sustainability Report available to the public; no animals or animal by-products used in any product or process; 100% sustainable on-site energy, green energy provider; and company occupies three LEED certified buildings (1 LEED silver,  1 LEED platinum, & 1 LEED gold).

 

 

 

Old Fashioned Milk Paint

Made by The Old Fashioned Milk Paint Co., Inc., these paints are certified USDA Bio-based and offer LEED Credit-Opportunity Contributions in: Regional Materials, Rapidly Renewable Materials, IAQ Performance, Low-Emitting Materials - Paints and Coatings.  It is an all natural, biodegradable paint in powder form containing no preservatives and zero VOC's.  As in originally produced home-made milk paint, they use milk protein, lime, clay, and earth pigments such as ochre, umber, iron oxide, lampblack, etc.  The lime is alkaline but becomes totally inert when mixed with the slightly acid milk.  They use no lead, no chemical preservatives, and no fungicides.  Also, this milk paint contains no hydrocarbons or any other petroleum derivatives.  It is environmentally safe and non-toxic.  There is a slight milky odor when it is applied, but it is completely odorless when dry.  The paint is safe for childrens furniture and toys, and can also be used for interiors of homes of people who are allergic to modern paints. 

This product was a 2009 Green Building Pages award winner while excelling in the following areas: little or no extraction impact, 100% renewable resource content, no toxic or carcinogenic materials or chemicals used; no outputs on Toxic Chemicals Lists; water conservation/no water used; no greenhouse gas emissions, no ozone-depleting gases used or emitted; packaging is less than 5% of purchased product volume, 50% post-industrial content packaging, 100% non-toxic, non-carcinogenic, biodegradable packaging; average distance from supplier to manufacturer is less than 50 miles, average distance from manufacturer to distribution is l01-500 miles; no off-gassing during installation, use and maintenance; life expectancy of product is greater than 50 years or 100% biodegradable after product renewal, no diminution of performance over time; 100% of product can be recycled, 100% of product is non-toxic, biodegradable.

 (image borrowed from: http://www.milkpaint.com/prod_mp.html)

ThermaSteel Panels

These pre-insulated, light guage steel framing panels are 100% recyclable (galvanized steel and expanded polystyrene) and are utilized in foundation, floor, wall, roof and ceiling applications for residential, commercial and industrial projects as well as infill or curtain for high-rise construction.  They are Energy Star certified and provide LEED Credit-Opportunity Contributions for Energy Performance, ControlLability of Systems - Thermal, Thermal Comfort - Design, Recycled Content, and Innovation & Design.  Due to the prefabricated nature of their construction the panels complete four functions at once: framing, insulation, sheathing, and vapor barrier.  Window and door rough openings can be pre-molded as well.  They have higher "R" values due to greater thermal efficiency, are quickly installed, have good wind resistance, and produce very little job site material waste.

This product, manufactured by ThermaSteel Corporation, was deemed a 2009 award winner by Green Building Pages and rated highly in the following areas: no outputs on toxic chemicals lists, no ozone-depleting gases used or emitted, no off-gassing during installation, use and maintenance, no packaging used, no machinery required for installation, no toxic or carcinogenic materials required for installation, life expectancy of product is greater than 50 years or 100% biodegradable after product renewal, no diminution of performance over time, 71% of product can be reused, and 100% of product can be recycled.

It also uses 90% post-consumer recycled content in its production, the average distance from supplier to manufacturer is l01-500 miles, the average distance from manufacturer to distribution is 501-1000 miles, the product can be easily disassembled for alternative disposal, and no animals or animal by-products used in any product or process.

Steel framing can also provide the following benefits over traditional wood framing: warranty call-backs are minimized because steel does not shrink, split, or warp and as a result, there are no nail pops or drywall cracks to fix after the structure is completed.  Consistent quality of material means that scrap is drastically reduced (2% for steel versus 20% for wood).  Steel framing is easier to handle because steel studs weigh 1/3less than wood studs, and can be installed at 24” on center.  Long term maintenance costs are reduced because steel is resistant to rot, mold, termite and insect infestation and provides good indoor air quality because steel does not emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs).  Also, in most residential applications, additional plywood or OSB is added as sheathing. With steel panels sheathing is not required on the exterior walls.  Any exterior cladding can be used which reduces material costs for items that are not needed.  Steel panels also reduce the time it takes to build as it is lighter and you can move the material around easier.  With most stick framing, a builder has to cut the lumber to size, frame, drill holes for wiring, insulate, and sheath.  Steel panels are custom made based on a set of architectural drawings and arrive at the job site cut to the correct heights, framed, have pre-molded wire chases, and are pre-insulated.  Many steps are eliminated lowering the cost of labor and time needed to construct.  Additionally, using EPS (expanded polystyrene) as an insulator reduces air leaks and is recyclable.  Using a steel insulated panel with EPS has its own built in vapor barrier which allows the panel to breathe but also eliminates the cause of molding.  Also, there is no wood for the invitation of termites and other wood-boring insects.

(images borrowed from: http://www.thermasteelcorp.com/scouten1.html)