Connecting you to ideas, advice and green home professionals
Making your home a greener place is a commitment to yourself, your family, your community, and the world. But more than that, it is a learning process. As exciting new technologies, products, and scientific breakthroughs constantly emerge, staying educated on the hows—as well as the whys—of maintaining a green home is the best way to ensure your efforts are as effective and beneficial as possible. More…
Having a home that contributes to a healthy environment is important, but a home is only as green as the people who live in it. In and out of the home, there is a lot you can do to help protect the world’s air, water, land, wildlife, and climate. More…
Clear finishes protect wood from wear, moisture, and aging, but they can degrade the environment—in your home and elsewhere. When selecting a clear wood finish, we recommend considering the environmental impact of its manufacture and disposal, its effect on indoor air quality, and its durability. More…
Like all building materials, stone and tile products have both beneficial and negative environmental aspects. With respect to indoor air quality, people with serious allergies or other chronic respiratory ailments better tolerate stone and tile products because they release few, if any, emissions. More…
The most important aspect of green design for a newborn’s environment is to reduce exposure to toxic chemicals as much as possible. A nontoxic nursery is especially important because newborns spend most of their life in the nursery—an average of 16 to 17 hours a day. More…
This guide helps you choose the best stains for beautifying and protecting wood surfaces while minimizing environmental and health impacts. More…
You can avoid exposure to toxic dust and fumes by using a good dust mask that filters out particulates and a respirator that filters out chemical emissions. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommends using a NIOSH-approved half-mask respirator. More…
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air is often more than 10 times (and sometimes more than 100 times) more polluted than outdoor air. Indoor air pollutants contribute to asthma as well as other respiratory conditions and diseases. More…
This buyer’s guide summarizes the environmental pros and cons and durability of the three major categories of wood stains: natural oil, acrylic or urethane, and water-based. Use it to find the best stain for your specific project. More…
This buyer's guide will help you compare the environmental attributes of stone and tile materials. Use this summary chart to choose the best stone or tile material for your specific project. Links to green product directories and additional resources are provided below the chart. More…
This buyer’s guide compares and contrasts clear finishes on their environmental and health qualities, and includes selection tips. Use it to find the best clear coating for your specific project. More…
Low- or no-VOC is synonymous with green paints and coatings. According to the EPA, VOCs can cause respiratory, skin, and eye irritation; headaches; nausea; muscle weakness; and more serious ailments and diseases. But what exactly are VOCs, and how can you reduce their impact on your project? More…
A new coat of paint can make a room feel fresh again, but it often has the opposite effect on the air quality in your home. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), paints, stains, and other architectural coatings produce about 9 percent of the volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from consumer and commercial products, making them the second-largest source of VOC emissions after automobiles. More…
Leonardo Trasande, MD, MPP, is assistant director of the Mount Sinai Center for Children’s Health and the Environment, the nation’s first academic research and policy center to examine the links between exposure to toxic pollutants and childhood illness. More…
The emerging medical science of pediatric environmental health is finding that children are more susceptible to environmental hazards than adults. You can reduce the risks your children face with careful attention to their nursery’s design, materials, and maintenance. More…
Enter a city/state or zip to find professionals in your area.
Welcome! The newest members of our pro directory.