We make concrete counters for bathrooms and kitchens. Concrete is gotten locally and can be mixed with recycled aggregates like glass or stones. And especially if you make them on site we feel it is a very green alternative. Other marble counters consume a lot in extraction and transport. And there really isn’t anything more …
There is a big hoopla right now about low or no VOC. For examples there are a lot of “green” paints that tout their low VOC levels. But does anyone know what the hell VOC means? Below is a good description of the issue by one of my email list colleagues. Bottom line, the perfectly …
A non-green builder uses the stores are their storage house. When they need something they go to the store and buy exactly what they need. But a Brooklyn green builder gets their material from dumpsters, other job sites, fellow contractors, and the street. You never know what you will get or how much. And it …
We are a Brooklyn green roof installer and the question of sedum type comes up a lot. Cuttings, plugs or plants? Most people aren’t interested in seeds: Too complicated and too long to grow. My preference is cuttings. Fully grown plants are not a consideration for price and other reasons. Between plugs and cuttings: 1lb …
The ‘debate’ against the Gowanus Superfund designation is clearly a small group of industrial land owners and developers who by their very profession are extremely knowledgeable in how to talk real estate with city hall. Because of this they have a disproportionate say in the Gowanus Superfund matter. Meanwhile the normal citizen, who might barely …
The Milk Paint we are using at the Brooklyn Green Show House has three ingredients: milk protein lime clay That’s it! Three ingredients! Try to find out the ingredients of a chemical paint. First you will be hard pressed to get the list and if you do you will see it has many ingredients, most …
We just hired a new lawyer: Dan Unter. I am very happy to know him and be assured he is there if I ever need his skills. What makes Dan Unter special is that he is a green lawyer. His clients are cutting edge green businesses. His knowledge is specifically focused on the workings of …
We design rain water capture systems for Brooklyn and NY homes. The rain water can be used to water gardens, flush toilets, for showers, and even for drinking water. Capturing rain water has large benefits. Here in NY state we tend to be nonchalant about water. We have access to plentiful and clean water. But …
I’d rather non disclosure from the EPA than from Toll brothers any day. This is job complex and I don’t expect anyone to know the full consequences right away. What is more important is the reasons behind the actions and Toll Brothers and their cronies have one reason only – money. The EPA has given …
Here is a great example of why I love New York salvaged wood over the crap new wood that comes from god knows where. Salvaged wood is better because it is: saved from the overflowing landfill does not cut down a new tree is ‘harvested” locally from buildings already dried out and won’t shrink or …
