Green Building Center adds store in Park City

Tag : Building Materials

There are a lot of ways to make a building greener, explainedChamonix Larsen, a government expert on the new residential LEEDbuilding standard at the reopening. One way is improving theefficiency of appliances.
Even though green products usually cost more, better appliancesreduce energy cost and green homes can sometimes get bettermortgages and have higher resale value.
"Over the long-term it pays for itself," Patterson said.
Bruce Clotworthy of BC Design said he uses products from the centerin his projects because he's committed to sustainable building.Like Foote, he likes the paints and sealers because they aren'ttoxic and don't fill the air with noxious fumes.
"The great thing about The Green Building Center is how it canconnect you with others doing the same things," Clotworthy said.
One example is a partnership he has made to create solar heatingfor a home he's working on. Heat from the sun is transferred to airthat warms the house.
Some of the more unique products include PaperStone, a hard anddurable counter-top product made of recycled paper and naturalresin. Terra Green tiles are manufactured with 55 percent recycledglass.
The center also sells salvaged wood and piping. Salvaged woodflooring retains much of the character it's gained over the yearsbut is re-milled to be smooth like new.
A perfect example of the center's commitment to natural and/orrecycled products is a hard board-like material that can be used inplace of plywood or as paneling made of crushed sunflower seedhulls. The same stuff that is spit into the dirt by ball playerscan be turned into a uniquely textured surface for a home.