What materials are used in green building?

Being green is contingent on the materials used to produce a building product and where these materials came from. Some products can be made with salvaged, recycled, or agricultural waste content. Some products are developed to conserve natural resources. A number of products save energy or water. And some products simply contribute to a safe, healthy environment. What part do reused or recycled materials play in building green and are there standards to evaluate them? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has standards for evaluating energy efficiency and renewable energy, water efficiency, environmentally preferable building materials and specifications, waste reduction, toxics reduction, indoor air quality, smart growth, and sustainable development. Information can be found at epa.gov/greenbuilding Costs: Are green homes more costly to construct? Often, good green buildings cost approximately the same amount as your standard home. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection ...  more