When you’re caught up in building or remodeling your home, the decision between Talavera tile or granite for the kitchen counter might seem like a crucial choice. You probably find yourself debating the various aesthetic and practical advantages of each option, from your taste in color to how the countertop will hold up under hard use. But did you ever stop to wonder which countertop is better for the earth? While beauty and durability are key factors, a green-building perspective with the even longer-term view of sustainability introduces another dimension to the process of planning your dream home. Every choice you make about design, materials, and products will impact the environment one way or another, now and in years to come.

Just as building a house begins with laying a foundation, creating an environmentally friendly home starts with understanding the concepts of green building and sustainability. Green building means making decisions that protect natural resources throughout the design and construction process and continue to consider the environment throughout the home’s operation and maintenance.

Products used for green building are natural, organic, or free of toxins, have a minimal negative short-term effect on the environment and are healthful, durable, and resource-efficient. Some examples of green building products include low volatile organic compound (VOC) paints and cabinets made of formaldehyde-free plywood or solid wood, all of which avoid the potentially harmful emission of allergens or cancer-causing gases. Organic cotton fabrics—say, window coverings or upholstery—are made from cotton farmed without using dangerous pesticides.

 

That’s green. Sustainability—the ultimate green—extends the characteristics of green building to a broader time scale. You look far down the road to anticipate how your actions will affect the land for generations to come. As the term suggests, sustainability means sustaining the environment’s condition by returning as many resources as you take from a natural system. The environment is like your checking account: spend more than you earn, and you’ll go bankrupt.

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