How to earn certification, trends in green flooring and more.

From drawing plans to breaking ground, building green has become more than just a trend. At this point, green is practically standard and worth thinking about from the very beginning of any project. Eco-friendly options not only reduce greenhouse gases and conserve resources—they save money.

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Environmental Product Declarations are helping to drive change in green construction.

In recent years, building and design professionals have witnessed a significant shift in what is considered a sustainable construction project.
The more-stringent requirements of the new U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) v4 rating system have raised the bar for project teams with sights set on LEED certification. The same has been true for building product manufacturers. Earlier versions of LEED allowed manufacturers to make sustainable product claims based on one attribute, while the product’s other attributes may not have made the grade. Under LEED v4, however, manufacturers are being asked to provide more detailed information on material content and comprehensive environmental impact before their individual products can be considered for a green product designation.

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What happens when the world’s leading technology company blends high tech with high design?

The market for smart home technology is exploding, and companies of all shapes and sizes are jumping in to reap the rewards.  And while there are plenty of devices that don’t add any real value to homeowners beyond the whiz-bang factor, many innovations are addressing real concerns to improve the resource efficiency, health, and safety of our families.

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Less science, more sustainability go into the 'forever home.'

Bob LaPalme looks like a satisfied sea captain heading home, peering out the second floor window of his tree-hugged Westhampton, Mass., house under construction. Perched in the center of a wide-mouth opening at the top of a winding half-mile road cleared by a buddy's team of oxen is a project he asked a net-zero construction power team to create: a very self-sufficient, resilient home in the LaPalmes' corner of the woods.

In short, a green, dream home.

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When people think of innovation today, enabling smart home technologies generally come to mind. But other building product categories, like flooring, are experiencing similar important advancements.

When it comes to increasing the durability, aesthetics, and sustainability of your projects, selecting the right flooring products can pack a big punch.  There are several trends in green flooring that are worth consideration.

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