It’s not easy defining ‘green’

“Green” has become a buzzword in home remodeling, but few in the business seem to agree on just what it means.

Professional Remodeler magazine surveyed its readers and found that, yes, environmentally friendly materials and methods increasingly play a role in their business. Almost all agreed that energy efficiency was important, but that was about the only point on which they saw eye to eye on what constitutes “greenness.”

Three-fourths said green building products had to come from renewable resources or have recycled content. Half said green products should reduce potentially harmful indoor gas emissions, and after that, they offered half a dozen other criteria.