You have a pretty good idea of what constitutes a "green" building material. That's all well and good, but you're ready to get to work and want to know where you can go to purchase them. While it's not possible for most of us to walk into a specialty green building material store, these products aren't as hard to find as they might sound. In fact, they're just a short drive or click of the mouse away.
Mom and Pop Hardware Stores
Your local, family-owned hardware store that's been around for a century should be your first stop when purchasing green building materials. Supporting your local economy is inherently green, and these stores often offer a no-nonsense shopping experience and access to invaluable advice from employees.
However, buying "green" materials from these stores takes a little more resarch upfront because you're probably not going to find neat labels that indicate which products are, in fact, the greenest ones. Think basic: insulation, low-VOC paints, energy-efficient lighting and low-flow plumbing fixtures are easy to find.
Big Box Home Improvement Stores
Whether you are loyal to orange or blue, big box home improvement retailers like Home Depot and Lowe's now offer a wide selection of green builing materials. The "big two" in home improvement have made it much easier for you to research green products before you shop or even order online.
Home Depot has developed the Eco Options label to help consumers distinguish between products that contribute to energy efficiency, water conservation, improved air quality and sustainable forestry initiatives. Similarly, Lowe's created the Efficient Home section on their website to guide you towards their energy saving products.
Green Depot
Okay, so there is a store that specializes in green building materials and products. If you live near one of several major cities in the Northeast, you can shop in person at one of the Green Depot retail stores. Otherwise, peruse their website for all types of green products from finish materials to caulk and drywall. Because their products are guaranteed by their Green Filter program, Green Depot customers can shop with peace of mind.
Architectural Salvage Yards
Most likely, your city or another nearby is home to at least one architectural salvage yard. When buildings are stripped or torn down, perfectly good materials are often sold to these salvage yards, and you can then purchase them—often at a discount—to use in your renovation project.
Salvage yards are good places to find hidden gems, such as historical moldings and trim, attractive doors and windows, antique plumbing fixtues, stained glass and reclaimed wood floors. You may have to invest a little elbow grease to get these materails into tip-top condition again, but they will add loads of character to your home.