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Products for a Greener Home |
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Q: My company, Armstrong, manufactures ceiling, wall and floor ocverings, and we would like to develop a new product line. As such, we are trying to seek out innovative thinkers like yourself to get their advise. If Armstrong could manufacture any product that would be better for the environment (i.e. improve building energy efficiency) what would that product be? Any thought you could share with be would be greatly appreciated. Ceiling tiles are our main product. These tiles are made from recycled newspaper, perlite, corn starch, mineral wool and clay. We have a take back program where we will take back all old ceiling tiles which we re-pulp and make new tiles. A: I applaud you and your company for seeking green solutions to product development. Your example of the ceiling tiles that you make is a perfect example of doing just that, using natural or recycled materials in a way that can ultimately be recycled again. Much about "going green" has to do with the utilization and conservation of energy, so focusing on products that don't use much energy in securing the components or in the actual manufacture is wise; this includes the transportation of these components. Then, as a secondary focus, if the product itself contributes to the conservation of energy once it is installed, so much the better. One area of research that you might pursue would be the use of ceramic coatings on either your tiles or possibly other products such as siding or window curtains. I am referring to the highly insulating ceramic beads that are now being mixed with paints to provide insulation, such as advertised at http://www.insuladd.com/ Q: What are your favorite new green products? (When I say new, I mean products that have been released in the last year or so.) A: There are some new roof tiles that are actually little solar panels that snap together for roofing that also can provide electricity for the home. Another product is an additive to paint (little ceramic spheres) that greatly enhances the insulation properties of the paint. |
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Kelly Hart is your host here at greenhomebuilding.com, and has been involved with green building concepts for much of his life. Kelly spent many years as a professional remodeler, during which time he became acquainted with many of the pitfalls of conventional construction. He has also worked in various fields of communication media, including still photography, cinematography, animation (he has a patent for a process for making animated films), video production and now website development. One of the more recent video programs that he produced is 
