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Home Improvement
Increase the insulation in your attic
Applegate Cellulose insulation
Applegate Insulation is sprayed or blown into walls, attics and floors and can be applied over preexisting fiberglass insulation.BioBased Spray Foam Insulation
This soy-based polyurethane spray-in-place foam insulation has the added benefit of containing no harmful particulates.Bonded Logic Natural Cotton Fiber Insulation
Natural Cotton Fiber Insulation is made from denim waste products and is safe for both you and your environment.Excel Fibers Warmcel 100 DIY loft insulation
Warmcel 100 DIY loft insulation is composed of 100 percent recycled waste newspaper and is applied pneumatically, maximizing insulation efficiency.Icynene spray foam
Icynene spray foam insulation is applied pneumatically to maximize insulation efficiency.Owens Corning PINK® Means Green
With the Pink Panther as its masot, this fiber glass insulation is certified by ENERGY STAR.
Choose a window film
3M Scotchtint Sun Control Films
Scotchtint film blocks up to 99 percent of the ultraviolet rays that can fade drapes and furniture, and reduces up to 78 percent of the sun's heat.CPFilms Inc. LLumar Window Film
LLumar's manufacturing process applies metal alloys to a base film. Several products are available. Some can block 99 precent of ultraviolet radiation and up to 76 percent of solar heat gain. Professional installation is required.Gila Window Film
Gila offers two window films: Platinum and Light. The Platinum window film blocks up to 70 percent of summer heat and the Light blocks up to 55 percent. Both have low-e ratings to help retain winter heat. Available for self-installation at most Lowe's and Home Depot stores.Vista Window Film
This product is available for residential, commercial and archival uses and needs to be installed by professionals.
Salvage a pre-owned door
Architectural Salvage Inc. (Exeter, NH)
A company started by an artifact collector.Architectural Salvage Warehouse (Burlington, VT)
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A New England supplier of salvaged building materials.Historic Albany Foundation (Albany, NY)
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A nonprofit selling only historic building materials.Historic Houseparts (Rochester, NY)
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Search for all kinds of salvaged building materials online!Olde Good Things (multiple locations)
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An architectural salvage company that rescues turn-of-the century building supplies.ReNew Building Materials and Salvage (Brattleboro, VT)
This is a nonprofit building materials recycling store that also offers demolition services.Whole House Building Supply & Salvage (Palo Alto, CA)
A home renovation salvage store in Palo Alto.
Whole Log Lumber Company (Zirconia, NC)
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Carrying a variety of antique wood products, including doors.
Buy low- or no-VOC latex paint
AFM Safecoat paints and primers
All Safecoat paints have very low VOC content. The VOCs that are present are considered to be neither toxic nor hazardous.Benjamin Moore Aura paint
Aura paint is low-VOC (although EcoSpec paint offgases fewer VOCs than Aura). EcoSpec paints have limited colors, whereas Aura offers the full spectrum of Benjamin Moore colors. Aura paint is thicker than standard latex paint, but costs nearly twice as much.Benjamin Moore Eco-Spec
Benjamin Moore, a well-known and favorite paint manufacturer, now provides paint that meets the most stringent national standards. Eco-spec paint is odorless and does not harm the environment.HealthyHomes Baby HealthyHues
Ideal for baby rooms. Low odor when wet and odorless when dry. It also does not contain any toxic chemicals or harmful solvents that are usually found in regular household paints.Olympic paint and stain
Olympic carries a range of zero-VOC formula paints that are odor-free. With the Green Seal stamp of approval, you're sure to be getting a thoroughly tested product.Sherwin-Williams Harmony Interior Latex
This low odor, no-VOC formula can be applied in occupied rooms without causing a disruption. It comes in Eg-Shel, Flat, and Semi-Gloss finishes and can even be used in baby's room.YOLO Colorhouse
With both interior and exterior Green Seal Certified paint and locations in both Canada and the US, this environmentally friendly paint company supports local communities and promotes environmental and social values.
Assess your heating system
Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings by Alex Wilson and John Morrill
This comprehensive, easy-to-read guide covers everything from light bulbs to furnaces, air conditioners to washing machines. It's a must-have reference for all green—and budget-conscious—consumers.
Choose durable roofing materials
Classic Metal Roofing Systems Rustic Shingle
With a rugged, wood shake appearance, these metal shingles are both durable and beautiful. The’re made using 98 percent post-consumer recycled metals and come in a variety of colors. They’re also backed by a limited lifetime warranty.Enviroshake
This maintenance-free roofing is durable (you can walk on it, and it’s hail resistant), is made from 95 percent recycled material (including post-industrial plastics, fiber, and crumb rubber from tires), and comes with a 50-year warranty. Its cedar roof appearance comes in a variety of different profiles and is mold, mildew, and insect resistant, too.Met-Tile Steel shingles
These Spanish-styled "tile" shingles (available in steel and aluminum) have earned the ENERGY STAR rating because of their cool roof attributes. They’re lightweight, as well as fire, pest, and rot resistant.North Country Slate Unfading Green roofing
A classically-colored roofing material, this option can be used to created a mono-colored roof, or in combination with other slates options for a multicolored appearance. Random sizes make this product especially unique. Can last more than 100 years.Residential Exterior Design Corp Perfection aluminum shake shingles
Guaranteed not to leak or chip due to hail damage, these ultra-durable aluminum shingles are also fire and pest resistant. Suitable for climates with frequent freeze-thaw cycles, these shingles come with a 50-year limited warranty.The Tileman Vintage clay tiles
Specializing in recycled vintage clay tiles, which can be matched to your existing clay tile for roof repairs. The company also does new roof installs with shingles in a variety of shapes and colors.Triple Pine Roofing Asphalt Shingles
Available both for new roofs or re-roofing jobs, these durable asphalt shingles are affordable and come in a selection of colors. Roofing comes with warranties from 30 to 50 years.Zappone Aluminum shingles
Claiming to be made from 100 percent recycled metal, these super strong shingles are rated to withstand 110 mph winds. They’re lightweight so do not require any roof reinforcement.
Choose ENERGY STAR light bulbs and fixtures
American Fluorescent ENERGY STAR Outdoor Ceiling Fixture
This mission style outdoor light fixture has tinted glass diffuser panels and optional photo sensor, which would save you even more energy. Should be used where the starting temperature is at least 0 degrees F.Brownlee Lighting wall sconce
Give your home a modern look with this sleek wall sconce. It's made of steel and come with either a painted or brushed nickel finish and is finished with a white diffuser. Uses a CFL bulb.Globe 15-Watt R30 Indoor/Outdoor Compact Fluorescent Flood Reflector Bulb
Equivalent to a 50W incandescent bulb, these ENERGY STAR qualified bulbs are great for large surface areas, both inside and out. They’re set to shine for 8,000-10,000 hours, eight to 10 times longer than similar incandescents.Globe 23-Watt Mini Compact Fluorescent Spiral Bulb, Soft White
Want a replacement for your dimmable light bulbs? Look no further. These CFLs fit most standard medium base bulb fixtures, replace your energy-wasting 100W bulbs, are ENERGY STAR qualified, and warranted for 5 years.MaxLite G30 Globe 60-Watt bulb
This globe-shaped bulb looks like a regular incandescent, but is actually a CFL in disguise. It will give you about 8,000 of illumination without appearing like a spiral bulb of old.n:vision 14-Watt R-30 Soft White CFL
Great for flood lights, these bulbs use 75 percent less energy than 65W incandescents, saving $82 per bulb. Its color is warm and it lasts four times as long as standard bulbs. All n:vision bulbs are ENERGY STAR qualified.
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