On the Wire - Counter Point
Thanks to continual advances in the variety and quality of green building materials, there are more countertop options to choose from than ever before. And as earth-friendly technologies improve, there's really no excuse not to consider the personal and environmental impacts of your choices. That means the whole lifecycle from manufacture to installation to replacement. In an ideal, completely green world, all countertop materials would be composed of recyclable materials, free of VOCs, (Volatile Organic Compound) solid and nonporous, stain and scratch resistant, attached by mechanical means rather than adhesives, and completely recyclable. For now, most are a combination of environmental pros and cons, but some traditional environmental offenders are starting to catch up. Here is a rundown of currently available materials as seen through the green screen.
STONE It's beautiful, natural and durable, but not renewable. Mining of any kind affects land and water quality, and the proceeds have what is known in green speak as high embodied energy, encompassing the manufacturing, transportation and labor the typically large, heavy slabs require. The more local and close-to-the-surface your stone selection is, the lower the impact. Sealing keeps out germs and stains, and stone may also be recycled at the end of its life in your kitchen.
SOLID SURFACING Easy to keep clean and beautiful, solid surfacing is also beginning to catch up in terms of earth friendliness. You can now find types made from recycled plastics which would've otherwise been underfoot in landfills. The end product, however, is not always recyclable.
LAMINATE The new green-grade laminates are made of recycled plastic and require formaldehyde-free substrate and nontoxic glues (mechanical fasteners are also an option). They're stain-resistant and easy to clean, but not recyclable when replaced.
STAINLESS STEEL This durable, easy-to-clean material comes in the form of either salvaged metal or a composition of recycled content. Mechanical fasteners mean no chemical-laden adhesives, and stainless steel can be recycled again down the line.
CONCRETE This material is high in embodied energy thanks to the transport and mixing of its ingredients of cement, aggregate and water, but therefs no off gassing beyond the sealant that improves its durability, and it can have a second life as crushed aggregate or slab. The main health concern with concrete is dust during its installation.
CERAMIC TILE The clay it's made from is a natural but finite resource, so look for greener versions that incorporate recycled post-consumer content. Some imported tiles may have radioactive or lead-based glazes, but otherwise, ceramic tile has low-to-no VOCs and is said to support indoor air quality. The heavy weight of ceramic tile means high embodied energy via transport costs.
GLASS TILE Best used for backsplashes, glass tile can contain up to 100% recycled content, and some manufacturers' processes require less energy than conventional melting (though weight of the final product adds up to reasonably high embodied energy). Like ceramic tile, it's a supporter of good indoor air quality, and can be recycled into whole new tile styles.
WOOD/BUTCHER BLOCK The original countertop material, wood is fading to the background as more sustainable and health-safe alternatives come to the fore. To be green, it must be composed of salvaged, reclaimed or Forest Stewardship Council-certified wood, and if laminated, must be free of added formaldehyde. Sealers and cleaners also have to be low on the VOC emissions scale, and mechanical fastening is preferred. However, wood countertops contain a certain amount of naturally occurring formaldehyde, and even regular cleaning and sealing isn't guaranteed to keep them from attracting dangerous bacteria. Wood is potentially recyclable in slabs.
TERRAZZO COMPOSITES This aggregate of stone and glass chips makes quite a style statement and can contain a high level of recycled content; just be sure to check into the binders used, which may omit VOCs. Terrazzo is highly durable and stain resistant, and available in tile or slab form (both hit high on the embodied energy meter). Has up to a 40-year lifespan, but cannot be recycled.
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Ask Tom & Leslie - Door to Door
This week's question comes to us from David in Iowa. He says, "I am a home inspector who listens to your show on Sunday mornings. Last week you talked about Therma-Tru doors. You mentioned that they are five times more energy efficient than wood doors. How do they compare to steel insulated?
David, thanks for listening to the show. Fiberglass doors are comparable in energy efficiency to a new steel door. But steel doors will rust, dent and ding, requiring more ongoing maintenance. Also, Therma-Tru's fiberglass doors are an absolute look-alike to real wood doors. The AccuGrain technology is quite amazing. The level of detail is so terrific that I have seen experts nose to nose with the doors have trouble telling them apart from wood doors. Finally, warping is not an issue. Fiberglass doors are dimensionally stable and won't warp. Therma-Tru recently released a line of doors under the name Tru-Defense, which are independently rated to stand up to 150 mph winds and 8 inches of rain per hour.
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Got A Question About Your Money Pit?
You can do-it-yourself but you don't have to do-it-alone. Getting in touch with us is as easy as 1 - 2 or 3!
- The toll-free studio hot line is 1-888-MONEY PIT. Find out when we broadcast in your area by checking out our website at www.moneypit.com. Each week we take dozens of calls, give great advice and offer callers a chance to win a terrific prize awarded to one random caller to every show.
- Call when it's convenient for you, 24 hours a day, same number: 1-888-MONEY PIT. A live person takes your call 24/7! So -- WHENEVER you have a home improvement question -- phone it in. Simply tell our phone screener your first name, and where you're calling from...and ask your question. Well get back to you with the answer or even call you back during the show!
- Click here to email your question to us. We may read your email on the air and we also respond personally to many of the email questions we get.
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On the Air - Micro Manage
Newly built homes are notorious for a design plan that doesn't always work for everyone like the microwave mounted UP above you --- either over the stove or on a wall. On The Money Pit this weekend, better ways to plan space for YOUR microwave. To find out where we broadcast in your area, visit www.moneypit.com. You can also learn how to download our FREE Podcast!
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Dot Common Sense - Yardcare with Power
Ryobi is adding new lawn and garden tools to its popular One 18-volt tool lineup. This means consumers can now take the same battery they use in their drills and circular saws and insert it into brand new products that will help them keep their yards tidy. Weighing in at just 5.2 pounds, the Ryobi One hedge trimmer offers gardeners and lawn enthusiasts the power of an electric unit, but without the cumbersome extension cord. The quiet, but powerful motor, drives an 18-inch blade at up to 1,200 cuts per minute. The dual action blades are able to cut branches up to 3/8h thickness. Homeowners will find this to be an ideal tool for shaping boxwoods, trimming forsythia and even maintaining small ornamental trees such as Japanese Maples. The Ryobi One System allows users to insert the same 18-volt battery into more than 30 different tools and lifestyle products. The battery works with all current, past and future Ryobi 18-volt tools. All tools can be purchased without batteries and chargers, keeping the price of individual components affordable. As with all Ryobi One System tools, the hedge trimmer comes with a 2-year warranty and is available exclusively at The Home Depot. For more information click here.
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Fun Fact - Mold Risk
A recent study finds that climate is not necessarily a major contributor to mold problems across the country. A recent study by GREENGUARD Environmental Institute ranked each state for the risk of mold in homes and businesses. According to the study, Texas is the number one state, followed by Florida, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Nevada and Arizona. Those last two states are made up of mostly desert! It should be a reminder that mold can affect any of us no matter where we live. And, because water is the main ingredient for mold growth, the first step in protecting a home is waterproofing it. There are lots of products available to help waterproof your house. For example, many professional contractors use premium underlayments under roof coverings to prevent leaks caused by rain and ice dams. A non-adhering underlayment, such as Grace Tri-flex 30Ž, is unrolled and manually fastened to a roof with cap nails or staples. No matter where YOU live, YOUR home is at risk for damage-causing mold that can depreciate its value and create a costly repair bill. For more information visit www.GraceAtHome.com.
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Short Cuts - By the Yard
The yard and garden have become just as important to homeowners as the kitchen and living room, but many consumers don't want to pay designer prices to get their outdoor spaces looking glamorous. Landscaping is one of the easiest ways for homeowners to quickly increase their home's value with little cost. The secret to having the greenest lawn on your street doesn't necessarily mean spending the most time caring for it, but rather lies in providing nutrients with lawn fertilizers. Now, the makers of Sta-GreenŽ products are introducing a new fertilizer that will keep your grass nourished and thriving for up to five months!
The new Sta-Green Xtended Feed Lawn Fertilizer 35-5-5 is designed to promote a thick, green lawn and long-lasting performance. This product is guaranteed not to burn your lawn when used according to label specifications, so it works perfectly for almost every species of grass. Xtended Feed Lawn Fertilizer lasts up to five months, which allows consumers to focus their time and energy on other hobbies while still maintaining an impressive lawn. Sta-Green lawn fertilizers give customers the necessary tools to grow thick, dense grass to prevent weeds and resist disease or insects, develop strong roots and dark green blades and provide a beautiful green outdoor rug for family play that traps dust, cools the environment and puts oxygen back into the air
The natural supply of nutrients in most soils is not enough to maintain an optimal level of grass growth. An adequate amount of nutrients in the soil, as provided by lawn fertilizers, will help your lawn to better compete against insects, diseases and weeds not to mention it will also be greener. Sta-Green products are available exclusively at Lowefs. Visit www.Sta-Green.com for more info.
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Copyright 2006 Squeaky Door Productions, Inc.
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