Have you ever wondered what makes a product “Green"?

You are in good company. The following helps you to know what to look for when search for green or eco-friendly building materials – thanks to the Lumbermen’s Merchandising Corp for this helpful information.

Green products fall under these 5 categories:

1.  Made with Recycled, Salvaged or Agricultural Waste Content.
   Examples of recycled-content products include iron-ore slag used to make mineral wool insulation, fly ash used to make concrete, and PVC scrap from pipe manufacture used to make shingles. .
   
2. That Conserve Natural Resources.
   Durable products that require replacement less frequently – such as fiber-cement siding, fiberglass windows, slate shingles, and vitrified-clay waste pipe may qualify because of resource efficiency. Manufactured wood products are included in this category as are products that carry third-party forest certification, based on standards developed by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), is the best way to ensure that wood products come from well-managed forests. Wood products must go through a chain-of-custody certification process to carry an FSC stamp.
   
   
3. That Avoid Toxic or Other Emissions.
   Products that reduce storm water pollution - Porous paving products and green (vegetated) roofing systems result in less storm water runoff and thereby reduce surface water pollution. Storm water treatment systems reduce pollutant levels in any water that is released.
   
   
4. That Save Energy or Water.
   Building components that reduce heating and cooling loads
   
   Examples include: al insulated panels (SIPs), insulated concrete forms (ICFs), autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) blocks, and high-performance windows and glazings.
   
   In the case of windows, the base standard for energy performance of windows is an NFRC-rated unit U-factor. If the windows are made from an environmentally attractive material (e.g., high recycled content or superb durability), the energy standard can be less stringent. If the frame material is non-green, such as PVC (vinyl), the energy standard should be more stringent.
   
   Plus fixtures and equipment, low-flow toilets, and windows certified by the Energy-Star program.
   
   
5. That Contribute to a Safe, Healthy Built Environment.
   Products that do not release significant pollutants into the building - Included here are zero- and low-VOC paints, caulks, and adhesives, as well as products with very low emissions, such as nonformaldehyde manufactured wood products.
   
   Products that warn occupants of health hazards in the building - Included here are carbon monoxide (CO) detectors, lead paint test kits, and other IAQ test kits.

Dash offers a number of products that are green, including the Smart Vent, a foundation flood vent uniquely designed to provide both flood protection and ventilation in flood/natural disaster instances. Smart Vent is the only vent certified to meet the requirements as set forth by FEMA and the NFIP for all homes or buildings located in a floodplain. 

In addition to the Smart Vent, Dash Lumber is proud to carry the following environmentally friendly products:
(list of all products and links to them that are considered “green” within the site).