• BioBased Systems’ BioBased 501 spray-in insulation (a soy-based polyurethane foam) expands to fill cracks and crevices, creating an airtight seal with high thermal resistance (biobased.net).

• Made almost entirely from postindustrial cotton and denim fibers, Bonded Logic Inc.’s UltraTouch batting contains no chemical irritants (bondedlogic.com).

• CertainTeed’s GreenGuard-certified InsulSafe SP blow-in insulation is odor- and formaldehyde-free (certainteed.com).

• Johns Manville’s Spider fiberglass insulation resists mold and is formaldehyde-free (jm.com).

ROOFING
When it comes to roofing, durable, eco-friendly alternatives such as slate, metal, and composite- or recycled-material tiles deliver looks and performance.

• EcoStar’s Majestic Slate Traditional tiles are a resource-friendly alternative to slate. Made from recycled plastic and rubber, the durable tiles have superior fire- and impact-resistance ratings; available in nine colors (ecostar.carlisle.com).

• Re-New Wood Eco-Shake shingles (made from 100 percent recycled vinyl and cellulose fiber) resist fading, are fire-retardant, and can withstand extreme weather conditions (renewwood.com).

• Made from 98 percent post-consumer recycled metals, Rustic Shingles mimic the look of wood shake shingles, but will never warp, crack, or mold (classicmetalroofingsystems.com).

WINDOWS & DOORS
If you’re in the market for new windows and doors, look for models with a low U-Factor (the measurement of a window’s heat flow). On average, U-Factor values range from 0.25 to 1.25. Even better, save energy and dollars by sealing air leaks around existing windows and doors with caulk.

• Andersen’s 400 Series windows feature dual-pane glass with an argon chamber for added insulation. High-performance low-E4 glass, according to the company, makes the windows up to 41 percent more energy-efficient than standard (andersenwindows.com).

• JELD-WEN’s moisture-resistant AuraLast wood windows and doors are manufactured using a water-based treatment that vastly decreases volatile organic compounds (jeld-wen.com).

• Pella’s Designer Series patio doors and windows have double- or triple-pane glass to cut heating/cooling costs and to keep between-the-glass shades safe and dust-free (pella.com).

CABINETRY
Green up your kitchen or bathroom with eco-friendly cabinetry, available in a variety of styles and finishes.

• Made from plywood that is LEED-certified, Greenway Cabinetry Inc.’s Breathe Easy kitchen and bathroom cabinets are formaldehyde-free, and use only water-based glues and low- to no-VOC finishes (breatheeasycabinetry.com).

• Neil Kelly Cabinets’ Naturals Collection includes clean-lined cabinets made from recycled and Forest Stewardship Council–certified wood; they’re available in low-VOC paint finishes such as Buttermilk, Gingham, Pale Lavender, or in natural oil or wax (neilkellycabinets.com).

For unique and resource-conscious drawer and cabinet pulls, try one of the following:

• Aurora Glass pulls, hand-made from 100 percent recycled glass (auroraglass.org).

• Schaub & Company’s Michigan Naturals knobs, made from Great Lakes stones and 100 percent recycled brass (schaubandcompany.com).

KITCHEN & LAUNDRY APPLIANCES
• Bosch’s 800 Series Evolution dishwasher is equipped with a condensation drying system that eliminates the need for an active drying agent (boschappliances.com).

• For small kitchens, consider space-saving options such as Fisher & Paykel’s Double DishDrawer. You can run one drawer at a time to accommodate smaller loads and minimize energy, water, and detergent usage (fisherpaykel.com).

• Maytag’s Epic high-efficiency front-loading washer is Energy Star–certified and features automatic water-level sensor and temperature control (maytag.com).

• Fisher & Paykel’s top-loading AquaSmart washer and AeroSmart dryer are energy- and water-efficient (fisherpaykel.com).

FIREPLACES
Energy-efficient fireplaces can supply heat to a room without the electrical costs.

• Lennox Hearth Product’s Country Collection stoves (formerly Country Stoves) are EPA Phase II–certified for clean, efficient burning, and are available in wood- and pellet-burning models (lennoxhearthproducts.com).

• Miles Industries’ fireplaces do not require an electrical hook-up to provide energy-efficient radiant heat; remote control and programmable options are also available (milesfireplaces.com).

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Green From the Ground Up