Products: BuildingGreen’s Top 10

O Ecotextiles Natural-Fiber Fabrics
O Ecotextiles produces a diverse and luxurious collection of premium organic textiles that have been produced with careful attention to three critical factors: toxicity (both in the growing of the fibers and the production of the cloth), carbon footprint, and social justice. In pursuit of safe fabrics, every ecologically harmful aspect of the textile industry was carefully considered and almost entirely ameliorated. O Ecotextiles are made from 100 percent organic cotton or other sustainably grown fibers, including hemp, flax (linen), abaca, ramie, silk, and bamboo. The textiles are produced in living-wage environments. Manufacturing processes throughout the supply chain eliminate the use of a wide range of hazardous substances typical to the textile industry, and produce wastewater safe for aquatic life. Many of these fabrics exceed heavy-duty contract specifications as defined by ACT standards. O Ecotextiles are third-party certified to meet the Oeko Tex Standard 100, with some fabrics also certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). Other than certain functional finishes available on request, such as for flame retardancy and stain resistance, the fabrics are free of hazardous chemical residues.

What makes this product green??
>>Releases minimal pollutants
>>Alternative to hazardous components
>>Rapidly renewable
>>Reduces pollution or waste from operations
LEED Credit relevance:
>>MR Credit 6 – Rapidly renewable materials
>>EQ Credit 4 – Low-emitting materials

O Ecotextiles Inc., 942 18th Ave. E., Seattle, WA 98112, Phone: 206-633-1177,
Fax: 206-322-9974, www.oecotextiles.com CIRCLE 93

Natura Paint from Benjamin Moore
Benjamin Moore’s Natura line of zero-VOC paints and primers are made for residential and light commercial use. These spatter-resistant paints dry quickly with little odor. Natura contains a proprietary 100 percent acrylic resin that, according to the company, will meet the Master Painter Institute’s Green Performance standard as well as Green Seal’s 2009 GS-11 standard covering chemical content and paint performance. However, Benjamin Moore has decided to seek its own independent testing, and will not be applying for MPI or GS-11 certification. While most zero-VOC paints use colorants containing as much as 150 grams per liter, Natura uses Benjamin Moore’s own Gennex zero-VOC colorants. Natura is available as a primer as well as in flat, eggshell, and semi-gloss.

What makes this product green??
>>Releases minimal pollutants

LEED Credit relevance:
>>EQ Credit 3 – Construction IAQ management plan
>>EQ Credit 4 – Low-emitting materials

Benjamin Moore & Co., 101 Paragon Dr., Montvale, NJ 07645, Phone: 201-573-9600, Toll-free: 866-708-9181, Fax: 201-573-6673, www.benjaminmoore.com CIRCLE 94

SunCache Solar Water Heating System from Harpiris Energy
The SunCache integral-collector-storage (ICS) solar water heater uses a roof-mounted, water-filled, unpressurized, polyethylene panel and copper heat exchanger to pre-heat water for domestic use. Developed through research supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, the relatively inexpensive SunCache captures heat in 50 gallons of non-circulating water stored in a rooftop panel. When a hot-water tap is turned on, cold water from the supply line flows through the copper heat exchanger embedded in the panel, extracting heat from the stored water. The pre-heated water then flows, via cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) tubing, to conventional storage or a tankless water heater. No pumps are used. The acrylic glazing minimizes convective heat loss, but nighttime losses from the collector will still be significant. People using hot water in the afternoon or early evening will see the greatest energy savings. SunCache is affordable and easy to install, making it appropriate for both professional and do-it-yourself installations. The water heater is designed for warm climates, including the Sun Belt, and is not intended for use in cold climates.

What makes this product green??
>>Renewable energy and fuel cells

LEED Credit relevance
>>EA Prerequisite 2 – Minimum energy performance
>>EA Credit 2 – Renewable Energy

Harpiris Energy, 25205 Baronet Rd., Corral de Tierra, CA 93908, Phone: 530-220-7000, Fax: 831-373-2344, www.harpiris.com CIRCLE 95

Safe ‘N Sound Emerald Doors from Masonite
Masonite’s Emerald Safe ’N Sound solid-core interior doors feature wheat-straw particleboard cores, skins made from composite wood, and stiles and rails made from solid wood certified according to Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standards. These doors reduce sound transmission and do not contain any added urea-formaldehyde. Safe ’N Sound Emerald doors are available in 1-⅜ ” thickness and 6’ 8”, 7’ 0”, and 8’ 0” heights, with widths from 1’ 0” to 3’ 0” for passage doors and 2’ 0” to 6’ 0” for bifold doors.

What makes this product green??
>>Agricultural waste material
>>FSC-certified wood
>>Rapidly renewable

LEED Credit relevance:
>>MR Credit 4 – Recycled content
>>MR Credit 6 – Rapidly renewable materials
>>MR Credit 7 – Certified wood

Masonite International Corporation, 1 N Dale Mabry Hwy., Ste. 950, Tampa, FL 33609, Phone: 813-877-2726, Toll-free: 800-895-2723, Fax: 813-739-0106, www.masonite.com
CIRCLE 96