3form
The company that made resin cool has done it again. 3-form has now introduced V3, a design-integrated photovoltaic that allows the company’s resin panels to provide solar power. Applications containing V3 can be curved and will come available in many of the 3form XT standard color offerings, the company says. V3 technology will be available at the end of 2010. www.3-form.com.

Cool Products Come Out to Play at AIA Convention

Fewer attend annual gathering in Miami, but products displayed offered inspiration and solutions for residential and commercial projects alike.

Latest Product News

Flooring Manufacturers Recognized for Green Strides

July 29--DALTON GA.
Smart Meters Alone Not Enough to Reduce Homeowners' Energy Use

Study shows that smart metering has the greatest impact when combined with systems that display real-time information to the home.
Boise Teens Construct Nation's First Student-Built LEED Home

James Cupps, first year Construction Trades Instructor at Boise School District's Dennis Technical Education Center, received a state grant to develop construction training programs in new energy infrastructures.

All articles in Latest Product News

Searching for Truth Behind Green-Product Claims

A guide to deciphering product specs, avoiding greenwashing, and navigating certification programs.

New Products

Recycled-Content Cabinets From Kraftmaid
Kraftmaid. Products from this ISO 14001, ESP-certified company use at least 95% recycled-content, EPP-certified particleboard and MDF with 100% recovered or recycled wood fibers. The kitchen shown here features the Putnam door style in willow with cinnamon trim. 888.562.7744. www.kraftmaid.com.
Power Flush, WaterSense-Certified Toilet From Niagara Conservation
Niagara Conservation. With full-time 0.8 gpf, the Stealth toilet uses 37% less water than standard high-efficiency toilets. According to the firm, the WaterSense-certified unit's hydraulic technology--a combination of water and air pressure--creates a larger water spot and produces a flush powerful...
Stainless Steel Compost Container From Blanco
Blanco. The Solon compost system allows homeowners to more easily store organic waste for composting. The stainless steel container installs into the countertop and includes a sealed lid to contain odors; the unit lifts out for emptying and washing. The product comes in a drop-in design or a flush...

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New Products

Cellulose Insulation From Greenfiber
Greenfiber. Premium Grade Retrofit cellulose blown-in wall and attic insulation features an all-borate, fire-resistant formula. The new formulation also provides a higher level of dust suppressant, the firm says, and is easy to install over any existing insulation. It provides an installed R-value...
Recycled-Content Spray-Foam Insulation From Gaco Western
Gaco Western. HFC-blown WallFoam 184 BIO spray-foam insulation is derived from naturally renewable oils, post-consumer recycled plastics, and pre-consumer recycled materials. The Class I fire-rated foam offers an average R-value of 6.2 per inch, the firm says, and can reduce a home’s carbon...

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New Products

Renewable Bamboo Decking From Cali Bamboo
Cali Bamboo. BamDeck Fossilized Strand bamboo deck boards offer density, strength, and durability comparable to Brazilian ipe, the firm says, but with the rapid renewability of bamboo. The decking is made with no-urea-formaldehyde glues, tests below E1 emissions standards, and has passed California...
Permeable Pavers From Hanover
Hanover. The company’s 4x9 permeable pavers allow water to penetrate into the soil, reducing stormwater runoff. The pavers, which are ADA-compliant for minimal openings, measure 4?5/8 inches by 9?1/14 inches by 3 inches thick, feature a 1/16-inch bevel and hidden spacers, and can support heavy...
Slip-Resistant Roof Underlayment From Propex
Propex. The surface of Opus Roof Blanket synthetic steep-slope roofing underlayment is more slip-resistant than traditional synthetic and felt products, the firm says, and the product is durable enough to be walked on, stays cool in the summer, is lightweight, and can be marked with a chalk line or...

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New Products

Solar Water Heater With Savings Calculator From EnerWorks
EnerWorks. Designed for climates where temperatures remain above 27 degrees F, the Focus Pre-Heat Appliance pipes potable water through roof-, rack-, or wall-mounted collectors to the home’s storage tank. The system includes an Energy Station that automatically calculates the amount of heating oil...
Quartz Tube Tankless Water Heater From American Hometec
American Hometec. The C10 electric tankless water heater features coil-less technology, which heats water indirectly with quartz tubes; because electric components are not in direct contact with the water, lime-scale buildup is eliminated, says the company, increasing durability and helping to...
Ground-Mount Solar Water Kit From EarthNet Energy
EarthNet Energy. Because not all rooftops are suitable for solar collector placement, the company offers a Ground Mount Pedestal mounting system adaptable to most types of flat-panel and evacuated-tube solar collectors. The heavy duty, powder-coated-steel pedestals are available in 5-foot-tall...

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New Products

Reclaimed Aluminum-Content Tiles From CoveringsETC
CoveringsETC. Bio-Luminum tiles are crafted from 100% post-consumer recycled aluminum from reclaimed aircraft parts; the material is melted into a block and then sliced into tiles. The tiles, for which the company is seeking Cradle to Cradle certification, feature a bevel on one side and a straight...
Zero-VOC, Biodegradable Paint From The Old Fashioned Milk Paint Co.
The Old Fashioned Milk Paint Co. SafePaint has the properties of the companys original milk paint, but is suitable for non-porous surfaces and offers a more uniform look over large areas. Made with milk protein, lime, clay, and earth pigments, the interior wall paint is solvent-free, contains zero...
LED Downlight From Cree
Cree. Designed for the residential market, the CR6 LED downlight features TrueWhite technology, which the company says provides for warm light and beautiful color rendering. The 12-watt lamp delivers 48 lumens per watt, replacing a 65-watt incandescent. It boasts a color rendering index of 90 and a...

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New Products

Energy Performance Window Package From Andersen
Andersen. The EcoExcel energy performance package includes all windows that qualify for the federal energy tax credit and an online service to verify compliance with the tax credit and save the manufacturer’s certification statement. Andersen also sponsors “Windows in Sustainable Design: Design...
High-Performance-Window Resources From AMSCO
AMSCO. The company provides performance data for all of its window products online and offers a section to help educate consumers about high-performance windows, including a glossary of window terminology. Demonstration kits for its dealer network show the difference between clear glass and the...
Insulated Vinyl Windows From Mikron
Mikron. Featuring tri-extruded frames and an air-cell insulating core, EnergyCore vinyl replacement windows offer nearly 15% improved full-window U-factors over hollow vinyl, the company says, while blocking thermal conductivity six times better than fiberglass, four times better than rigid PVC...

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Appliances

Energy-Efficient Washer and Dryer From Asko
Asko. The W6903FI series full-size washer uses only 9.5 gallons of water per load or about 3,200 gallons a year. The unit achieves an MEF of 2.4 and a WF of 4.2 (33% and 78.5% better than 2009 thresholds, respectively). An internal heater produces optimal temperatures throughout the wash cycle...
SteamCare Washer and Dryer From Kenmore
Kenmore. The 4.2-cubic-foot-capacity SteamCare washer features Smart Motion technology, a direct-drive motor that creates a customized combination of five wash motions to custom clean each garment type. The Energy Star-qualified unit includes a Cold Clean cycle that cleans as effectively as...
Energy-Saving, Large-Capacity Washer From Electrolux
Electrolux. The Wave-Touch (EWFLW65H) full-size washer is rated at a 2.31 MEF and 3.9 WF (28% and 92% better than current minimums, respectively), resulting in energy savings of 83% and water savings of 56% compared to conventional machines. The large-capacity (4.7-cubic-foot) tub allows larger and...

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Product Slideshows

Sheathing

Plywood vs. OSB: Which is the greener sheathing choice?

Clothes Washers

Special cycles, smart sensors, and new designs help the latest crop of washers save more energy and water than ever before.

Greenbuild Product Introductions

Exhibitors showcased a range of residential options at the 2009 Exp0.

Indoor Air Quality

Product Review: Cabinetry

Cabinets are only as green as the sum of their parts.
Product Review: Heat-Recovery Ventilators & Energy-Recovery Ventilators

Starting in 2011, all new homes built to comply with the federal Energy Star Qualified Homes standard—perhaps 200,000 units if the NAHB’s forecast for that year holds true—will be required to provide an adequate amount of controlled, fresh-air ventilation as part of a comprehensive energy conservation and indoor air quality goal.
Rain Screens Eliminate Moisture, Improve Efficiency

Building diagnostics expert Mark Williams kept seeing a problem popping up in buildings he visited. Water found its way behind siding, and, with no way to get out, would damage the wall system. That made Williams want to promote a construction method that allowed moisture to escape from behind claddings.
Product Review: Insulation

Insulation is inherently green for its energy-saving properties. Here's a look deeper to see how each type measures up on other eco factors.
CARB Regulations on Composite Wood Panels Take Effect Jan. 1

Manufacturers of hardwood plywood, particleboard, and MDF must reduce formaldehyde emissions.

All articles in Indoor Air Quality

Energy Star

Flooring Manufacturers Recognized for Green Strides

July 29--DALTON GA.
Reclaimed Aluminum-Content Tiles From CoveringsETC

CoveringsETC. Bio-Luminum tiles are crafted from 100% post-consumer recycled aluminum from reclaimed aircraft parts; the material is melted into a block and then sliced into tiles. The tiles, for which the company is seeking Cradle to Cradle certification, feature a bevel on one side and a straight edge on the other; they can be cut with a tile saw with a metal cutting wheel and grinder. 800.720.7814. www.coveringsetc.com.
Recycled-Content Cabinets From Kraftmaid

Kraftmaid. Products from this ISO 14001, ESP-certified company use at least 95% recycled-content, EPP-certified particleboard and MDF with 100% recovered or recycled wood fibers. The kitchen shown here features the Putnam door style in willow with cinnamon trim. 888.562.7744. www.kraftmaid.com.
Energy Performance Window Package From Andersen

Andersen. The EcoExcel energy performance package includes all windows that qualify for the federal energy tax credit and an online service to verify compliance with the tax credit and save the manufacturer’s certification statement. Andersen also sponsors “Windows in Sustainable Design: Design Principles and Federal Tax Incentives,” an AIA-approved continuing education course at www.architectces.com. Pictured: 400 Series Woodwright double-hung windows with Low-E4 glass. 800.426.4261. www.andersenwindows.com.
Solar Water Heater With Savings Calculator From EnerWorks

EnerWorks. Designed for climates where temperatures remain above 27 degrees F, the Focus Pre-Heat Appliance pipes potable water through roof-, rack-, or wall-mounted collectors to the home’s storage tank. The system includes an Energy Station that automatically calculates the amount of heating oil, gas, or electricity saved as well as cost savings, and a wireless portable SolarView Monitor allows homeowners to track system performance. This system also can be configured to provide secondary applications such as pool heating and space heating. The product carries SRCC and IAPMO certifications. 877.268.6502. www.enerworks.com.