Green building can include many different environmental considerations: natural resources, wildlife habitat, construction waste, health, energy and water use, and durability. Building with the environment in mind tends to be a little more expensive - about 10 percent more - but often offers long-term savings in the form of energy efficiency, durability, and good health. Here are some things to consider when planning to build green:

Low impact building materials do not consume valuable natural resources or seriously damage the environment. These include recycled products such as glass countertops, plastic lumber decking, and denim insulation; reclaimed materials such as old doors and floor planks; fast-renewing agricultural resources such as bamboo for floors and straw bales for walls; and wood from well-managed forests, such as that certified by the Forest Stewardship Council

A healthy environment is important. A building's indoor air quality can be affected by paints and finishes, carpeting, moisture (and mold), and ventilation. Product choices and design both play a part in keeping a building healthy: low-VOC paints, natural carpet backing, fabrics untreated with stain and wrinkle resistance, and no-formaldehyde pressed wood are all good bets; proper venting, good airflow, and a dehumidifier will keep air fresh and dry, and keep dust and mold at bay.

Green buildings are designed for maximum energy efficiency, and some also incorporate alternative energy such as wind or solar power. A tight building envelope, good insulation, Energy Star appliances, and passive solar design all reduce a building's consumption of energy. A highly efficient synthetic insulation (such as Icynene) would not meet the needs of someone looking to build an all-natural building, but the energy savings may be a trade-off a green builder is willing to make. Photovoltaic panels and passive solar design also reduce dependency on a utility company's electricity, which is usually generated by the burning of fossil fuels.

Water conservation is part of the design. When building from scratch, the plumbing system and fixtures can be so smoothly incorporated into the home that you won't even notice you're saving water. Graywter systems capture sudsy drain water that would otherwise be wasted down the drain and divert it to parts of the home that don't require clean water, such as toilets and gardens. Low-flow showerheads, dual-flush and other high-efficiency toilets, and aerator faucets all greatly reduce the amount of water consumed. And rainwater harvesting systems can put a storm's bounty to good use in washing machines, dishwashers, and landscape irrigation.

Site selection plays an important role in green building. Is the building within walking distance of amenities and a community or will frequent car travel be necessary? Do clearing trees and paving harm the natural habitat or cause damaging storm water runoff? Is the building facing south to take advantage of the suns' energy? These are important consideration when planning to build green.

Will the building last? Durability is green. A building should, over time, meet the changing needs of its occupants, whether they are a growing family or business, or an aging couple. Quality building materials that will not soon need to be replaced will limit landfill growth - sometimes plastic lumber is a tradeoff that green builders are willing to make for the sake of durability.

Limiting construction waste is a goal of green building. A new 2,000 square foot home typically generates 8,000 of construction debris, and disposal of that can cost the owner more than $500, so there is both an environmental and financial advantage to reducing waste. Leftover lumber, nails, roofing, and even debris generated during the demolition of old buildings can be recycled into new materials or donated whole to non-profits such as Habitat for Humanity. Even pieces of drywall can be recycled - into new drywall, as an additive for concrete, and for use in agriculture.

Consider renovating instead of building new. Buying an existing home is almost always a greener option that building new. If an old building can be updated to suit your needs, this may be not only the more eco-friendly option, but the less expensive one also.

The United States Green Building Council is dedicated to educating the public and the building industry about green building and is a good resource.

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