1. EcoUrban

EcoUrban is a brand that uses environment friendly cabinets in affordable wood veneer and stainless steel. The materials are sourced domestically and free from formaldehyde-based substrates and glues.

2. Green Home Design Center

Green Home Design Center is a great place to source sustainable products for your kitchen cabinets. The store has designers accredited by LEED and can help the buyers in making the right choice. They also undertake turn key projects.

3. C&M Wilkins

C&M Wilkins distributes Fieldstone certified cabinets. It is an approved KCMA environmental stewardship member and meets all their requirements with respect to quality, resource management and process management.

4. el Furniture

el is a flagship store of designer Jill Salisbury who designs kitchen cabinets using certified woods and veneer. The cabinets also use renewable sources of wood and energy for crafting their ware.

5. Reclaim

The store uses only domestic resources for making customized cabinets without any toxic additives. Only formaldehyde-free plywood is used and all finishes are done in low-VOC paints and varnishes. Reclaim is the right choice for all environmental conscious home makers.

6. Green Home Center

The Green Home Center sells contemporary kitchen cabinets using renewable resources such as bamboo, natural dyes and the like.

7. Eco Home Improvement

Eco Home Improvement believes that going green is not just good for the planet but is also a stylish way of doing it. The brand comes with its varied lines of cabinet selections based on the style used.

8. Second Use

As the name suggests Second Use is a salvage shop which sells refurbished used furniture and kitchen cabinets. The collection is amazing and worth giving a try.

9. Modern 50

The store Modern 50 is an online store which sells used kitchen cabinets many of which are vintage pieces. Their photo catalog has the best of the collection for you to choose from.

10. Green Depot

Located along the length and breadth of the country, the Green Depot sells formaldehyde-free low VOC finish cabinets for kitchens. The cabinetry is made from sustainable sources.

1.  Earthship Home

Earthship home is one of the pioneers in the subject of alternative building methods. Currently they have come up with a new way of building homes with used material such as tires. The tires are very strong and durable. In addition the thick walls act as thermal masses. The interiors of the tires are filled with earth making the structure highly durable.

2.  Cord Wood

Cord wood is another option in alternative building materials. It is made out of scraps of wood cut into short bits, stacked and inter laced with concrete. The home thus constructed is very durable, insulated and also clocks very low on maintenance.

3.  Straw Bales

Another very good source of insulating material is straw bales. When bound together by wires, they make good construction material as thick walls. Coating it with plaster or stucco can make it waterproof and also conceal the straw.

4.  Cob

Cob is an ancient material used for building homes. A mixture of clay, sand, earth and water pressed together to form cobs. These cobs are then into thick curved walls to make eco-friendly dwellings.

5.  Rammed Earth Constructions

Rammed earth constructions are another way of making strong and durable homes. The material is made by pressing dirt to form thick walls and then smoothening out the surface to give a more aesthetic look. The Great Wall of China is a good example of rammed earth construction.

6.  Papercrete

Papercrete is the name given to a combination of paper, water and cement which is a cheaper and lighter alternative to the standard Portland cement. This is a great way of replacing cement with eco-friendly material.

7.  Geodesic Homes

Geodesic homes are the newest in eco-friendly renewable-energy based homes.  These dome houses have a minimal surface area and hence more energy efficient. These homes use the chimney effect to create natural air-flow circulation, an efficient way of ventilating the house.

8.  Earth Bag Homes

Earth bags are another eco-friendly option for homes. Here, the walls are made from bags filled with earth (dirt) and then stacking them like bricks with barbed wire running in between. They are so strong that they resist natural disasters and accidents. Normally used by army as bunkers, they serve to save the lives of our soldiers in times of attacks.

9.  Underground

Underground dwellings have been used in the ancient past as protection from natural elements such as harsh climate and weather conditions. Many reservation areas even to this day use such homes to protect themselves in eco-friendly ways.

10.  Shipping Containers

Shipping containers are great construction materials that serve to recycle waste and save our environment. These are the latest in affordable housing and many housing ventures have come out with pre-fabricated homes made out of old shipping containers, which can be assembled onsite without much use of labor and time. These homes are not only affordable but also come in a number of trendy configurations.

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In this context eco-friendly paint means those with low volatile organic compounds (VOC). All paints are chemical based and many of these chemicals have large concentrations of organic compounds which release harmful gases in small installments as long as they are on your walls. This is the reason for the typical smell of paints which is strongest when freshly applied.

Apart from the unpleasant smell, these gases can also cause various types of health injuries from conjunctivitis to severe allergic reactions. Thankfully, today we have low VOC or non-VOC paints available to us. Here is what to look for when choosing eco-friendly paint.

Low VOC Paints

Paint is classified as low VOC when it contains very minimal amounts of the volatile compounds. As per EPA guidelines, the limit has been set at 50g/l. Paints meeting this specification are latex based as against the conventional oil based paint. Benjamin Moore, Dunn Edwards and Sherwin Williams are some of the top manufacturers of low VOC paints.

Zero VOC Paints

These are paints that contain a negligible amount of VOC in them. Usually they contain no more than 1g/l of VOC. The maximum limit of VOC that a zero VOC paint can have has been set to 5g/l. Some of the most popular zero VOC paints include: Mythic Paint, The Freshaire Choice and AFM Safecoat.

Natural Paints

If you read eco-friendly as synthetic chemical-free then paints made from natural sources are for you. These are made by mixing natural materials such as plant dyes, essential oils, clay and bees’ wax. Though the smell may not be very pleasant, it is minimal and also short lived. Manufacturers of natural paints include Old Fashioned Milk Paint Company, Anna Sova and Bio Shield Paints

All the eco-friendly paints available in the market are labeled with a Green Seal certificate. It is similar to the energy star label available on home appliances.

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Cleaning carpets

If your old carpet is looking worse for wear and you don’t want to use cleaners that contain harsh chemicals, there is a very simple, natural way to get your carpet looking clean. Begin by vacuuming your carpet, using a brush to remove any dirt that’s caught in the carpet. Make a carpet powder using one part cornmeal with two parts baking soda and sprinkle the mixture all over the carpet. Leave to settle for an hour and vacuum, which should leave you with an odourless, cleaner carpet.

For tough stains you should use a mixture of lemon juice, vinegar and water. Apply this liquid to the stain and let it sit for 15 minutes, using a cloth to mop it up after. Always test this liquid on a hidden part of carpet first to make sure the solution won’t damage the colour.

Alternatively use a steam cleaner on hard to remove stains – another nontoxic cleaning solution.

Removing tough rust stains

Aluminium foil is a great way to get rid of rust without having to use toxic chemicals. Simply roll the foil into a ball and scrub the rust away easily.

Lemon or vinegar are also incredibly effective at getting rid of rust. Simply soak your rusted items in white vinegar or lemon juice overnight. The next day simply wipe off the rust with a towel or rag, as the vinegar or lemon juice will have broken the rust down.

Cleaning the toilet

Tough toilet stains don’t need bleach in order to be removed. For tough stains around the bowl, make a mixture of baking soda and liquid soap and put it in a clean bottle. This solution can then be squirted around the bowl and left to sit for five minutes. Follow up by squirting some vinegar around the bowl, as this will react with the baking soda and remove any stains. Simply flush your toilet and watch the dirt wash away.

If the lower part of the bowl where the water sits has significant stains, pour a bottle of coca cola down it and leave to sit overnight. Flush away and brush the tube until completely clean.

Removing sweat stains

Yellow sweat stains on white clothing are notoriously difficult to remove. There are many colour-removing products out there, but they mainly contain harmful chemicals. The most effective nontoxic method of removing sweat stains is to mix four tablespoons of baking soda and a bit of water and apply it to the stain. Leave the mixture to sit for an hour and put the garment in the wash. Repeat this process for difficult stains that don’t go in the first wash.

When shopping for great window coverings and treatments, simply keep the following about each in mind so that you can purchase those that will be well worth the money spent:

Awnings

In the summer, awnings can greatly reduce the amount of solar heat coming in to your home – nearly 65 percent on southern windows and 77 percent on westerns windows. While older styled awnings were often deemed unattractive because of their metal which quickly faded in color and had to be replaced regularly, they are now made of more attractive synthetic fabrics.

Regardless of which type of awning you decide to purchase for your windows, make sure that they have grommets, or eyelets, which will allow for proper ventilation, so heat doesn’t get trapped in the awning. Also try to choose a hood styled awning as these are the most effective at blocking direct sunlight.

Interior Blinds

During the winter, interior blinds aren’t always very effective. Because of their numerous openings, they are quick to let out heat and cold air in. However, in the winter, interior blinds are highly effective, as they can reduce incoming heat by up to 45 percent. So if you want effective interior blinds, make sure to get those with minimal openings with thicker and more highly reflective slats.

Draperies

Don’t be afraid to rotate your draperies to better accommodate your weather. During the winter, you will want to put up heavier draperies and keep them closed at night to reduce heat loss by 10 percent. You will again, want to open these windows on a bright and sunny winter day to draw in as much heat as possible.

During the summer however, you will want to keep your drapes closed during the day and keep them in the medium colored family preferably with white backings. This should help reduce heat gain by 33 percent. Regardless of the season, you will also want to place a cornice box over your drapes and seal the sides with a quick strip of velcro to further control heat gain and loss by 25 percent.

While hunting for that perfect window treatment or covering can seem like an endless hunt after numerous trips to the home design or renovation store, finding ones that are both aesthetically pleasing and energy efficient can benefit a room in more ways than one. Not only will they make a room pleasing to your eye and comfortable for your guests, but great window treatments can also help you save on those utility bills which seem to be getting higher with each passing year.

(photo credit: www.ecofriend.com)

1. Fake Hills

Fake Hills is a building in Beihei that is supposed to offer housing to people, and just as the name suggests, the building has the shape of hills. It comes with undulated roofs. The good thing about the shape is that it secures automated air cleaning.

2. ITC Corporate Towers

The main point of this project has been sustainability. The interesting thing about the building is that it also accommodates vegetation that is able to grow vertically. There is a double skin system used, that doesn’t allow the heat of the sun to get in, but it uses the natural sunlight to maximum.

3. Gaudi’s Masterpiece

It is known that Gaudi turned to nature when he was looking for inspiration. This way the building ended up having a roof in the shape of magnolia leaves. Other elements that have been inspired by nature include the spiral staircases, gargoyles and honeycomb gates.

4. Cultural Center

This building can be found in Meudon La Foret, France. The building is made of organic concrete shells that look quite fragile, but in reality are very strong. In order to offer light to the building, there are photovoltaic cells on the walls. It has the shape of a canopy with trapezoidal walls.

5. Pini Pigneto

The focus of the design is on trees with leaves. The leaves in reality are solar panels that have been placed to get maximum sunlight and not to shed a shadow on the other panels. The trees are connected at the top for them to have more support. The good thing about the design is that it offers shade and it makes sure that the cells get charged.

6. Leaf House

This is a residential complex located in Australia. The roof of the building looks like a pile of leaves. The design makes sure that there is as much sunlight as possible in the house, but it limits the penetrating heat to reduce the energy use. The house blends in with the rest of nature, and so you feel like you are in the garden while you are actually inside the house in maximum comfort.

In case the soil has a high quality, you will be able to grow the vegetables faster and most probably you won’t have to handle pests and diseases that often. When preparing the soil you have to think about water retention and also about the balance of the nutrients.

Soil nutrients

There are three main nutrients that you have to think about: phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium. In order to have an idea regarding what you have to do, you should start with testing the soil.

In some cases even if you buy the soil from a composting company it might have deficiencies of nitrogen, for example.

Nitrogen

This is an important nutrient during the growing phase of the plants. The truth is that the plants don’t actually use nitrogen, but nitrates that are created by specific bacteria from nitrogen. The only downside of nitrogen is that it washes quickly from the soil and this is why it has to be replenished before or during the growing season.

Nonetheless it is important to remember that too much nitrogen can do harm. You could have huge and strong plants that don’t produce fruits. Some of the gardeners add coffee beans to the soil because they are rich in nitrogen, but, on the other hand, the procedure increases the acidity of the soil.

Phosphorus

In case the soil is rich in phosphorus, the plants will have strong roots and it is also important during the flower production. Add the phosphorus during the fall. One aspect to consider is that during the growing period the plants need more nitrogen, while during flower production it is better to have more phosphorus.

Potassium

This is a nutrient that improves the overall well-being of the plants through improving their immune system. This is done by supporting the production of proteins and carbohydrates that are important for the growth of the plant. Just as nitrogen, potassium also washes away easily, and so it needs to be replenished.

One of the best sources to replenish potassium is to add wood ash to the soil. Still you should remember that it increases the acidity of the soil, so it is suitable only for alkaline soil.

pH

This is another aspect to consider, because this shows the level of acidity of the soil. The higher the acidity, the lower the pH value is. The values vary between 1 and 14, and 7 represents the neutral value.

In case you managed to create the perfect soil, you could use it in case of a greenhouse, to make use of it all year long. Visit this website to find what you have been looking for. There are numerous designs and all of them are durable and sturdy, as they are supposed to be.

Vitopod heated propagators

This is a propagator that has won different kinds of awards, so you can be sure that it will create the perfect environment for the seeds, over-wintered plants and cuttings. It took the specialists 5 years to create the product, but the end result was worth it.

The product offers you precise control. You can set the temperature between 1°C and 30°C. You will be able to see the current temperature and the set temperature. In case of the over-winter plants, you should be using the low temperatures.

The high temperatures are just great for the exotic plants and seeds. The middle temperatures can be used for everything else.

In order to offer a precise control of humidity as well, the lids and sides come with larger vents. One of the biggest advantages of the product is that it provides even heat, so that some of the plants won’t be too hot or too cold. You can be sure that in case you opt for this product you won’t have to be looking for another one anytime soon.

It is made of acrylic and it is protected against UV deterioration. The product looks good when you buy it and for sure it will look good years later as well. It comes with 12 months warranty.

Hydropod cuttings propagator

If you would like to make sure that the cuttings will survive, this is the product that you should be looking for. It can offer the right level of moisture through spraying a mist over the cuttings. Also it protects the cuttings against fungal infections and root rot.

The good thing about the technology that is used in this case is that it makes the plants grow faster so that their roots will reach the water. Because of this in only 10-14 days the cuttings will develop roots and they will be ready to be transferred to pots.

You have total control of humidity with the help of the vents, and the roots of the plants have unlimited access to water and oxygen. In case you opt for the heated version of the product, you can be using it anywhere, not only in a heated greenhouse.

Another great thing about the product is that it comes with a reservoir that has water enough for 7 days. This means that you don’t have to check the water levels every day, and you can even go on a vacation without having to worry about your cuttings.

Unheated propagators

These products are just great to protect the plants against the frost. They are multipurpose products, serving as a greenhouse, propagator and cold frame. You have a good control of the humidity level through the vents.

Having a glasshouse has numerous benefits, such as the fact that you can protect your plants against the heat of the summer and you can control the cold of winter as well. You will have the possibility to grow a wide range of plants over a longer period of time. You also protect the soil against the damaging effects of the rodents and insects, thus protecting the plants.

Before you actually get a glasshouse or you build one, you should take a look at the kind of glasshouses that are available. Also consider the amount of money that you are willing to invest in the glasshouse itself, the supplies and the continuous maintenance.

There are 2 main types of available glasshouses: freestanding and attached.

Freestanding glasshouses such as these are perfect for the serious gardeners that would like to create a glasshouse from ground up. It takes more time to build such a glasshouse and it needs plumbing, electricity and heating. In order to get it done, you might need to hire a building contractor and a heating expert to suggest you the suitable building materials for the glasshouse.

In case you opt for the freestanding glasshouse, you will have the possibility to choose the location of the building and also the angle, so that it will face the sun. The professionals say that if you have this possibility build the glasshouse towards the north-south direction, the long side facing south. This way the glasshouse will get the most sunlight possible.

The majority of the freestanding glasshouses have peaked or curved roofs and since they have a rectangular or square shape, you will have a lot of space to grow your plants. When planning the location of the building you will have to take into consideration the size of it, drainage, sunlight and ventilation because all these factors influence the kind of plants that you will be able to grow.

The best types of plants to be growing in these glasshouses are the warm climate vegetables because they require a lot of sunlight, moderate night temperatures and also solar heat collectors. The majority of these plants are planted during the early spring and they include lima beans, corn, cantaloupe, tomatoes, squash and pumpkins.

In case you would like to have fewer problems when building the glasshouse, you should contact a professional company that has a lot of experience in building top notch glasshouses. In case you would like to see what such a company has to offer, you may find the most suitable glasshouse for your and your family’s needs.

If you wanted another storage building in your garden check out these economical sheds at www.asgardsss.co.uk

It has been the first time in case of prefabricated home building contests that the jury has evaluated the projects based on their affordability. Those teams that managed to create the home with less than $250,000 got whole points.

Nonetheless it has been quite surprising that only two teams managed to get those points. In this case the final costs have been of $229,000 and the projects have been created by Stevens Institute of Technology and Parsons the New School for Design.

This project got the name of Empowerhouse, and it is more important than the rest of the projects, because the project is going to be a part of Habitat for Humanity, becoming the home of a family from Washington D. C. once the competition ends.

In the moment when the team members entered the contest, they knew what they wanted and this is why they got a partnership with Habitat for Humanity. They managed to create a project that raises the bar from every point of view, becoming the first house of this kind in the region and making the competition go to another level.

The house has been built to be replicated, and, as it has been mentioned before, the team has been able to use as little money as possible. In the moment when other houses are going to be built as well, the costs will drop a little because the team has been using labor, while the Habitat for Humanity program is working with volunteers.

The house has been built for a given site and because of this the team has been forced to make some adjustments that might cost them when it comes to the points. Every little part of the house has been designed and created by the members of the team. The project will be tested and hopefully it will pass the standards of Passive House.

Since the house is using solar heat, the largest side of the house should be facing into the direction that has the most sunlight. Also the insulation is important, and this is why the project has cellulose insulation.