Recently you may have noticed a sub-theme for the month, flooring. While there might be a lot of great options out there, you should know that none of them are perfect, and none of them are suitable for everyone, but all of theme are good alternatives to toxic or environmentally detrimental materials. We'll help you navigate the green choices, after the jump. More

Some people love the result of a nice vacuum job, but most everyone can agree that the act of lugging a vacuum cleaner around the house can be pain, and loud. Wouldn't it be great if you could suck up dirt on a whim anywhere in the house at anytime? Whole house vacuums, also known as central vacuums, can do that — not only are they super easy and quiet to use, but they also result in a cleaner and more allergy friendly home. More

Whether you see it or not, mold is present in and on almost every surface, but too much mold can not only be a nuisance but also unhealthy. Moisture is the primary issue, and prevention is key, so at some point knowing how to eliminate it will come in handy — click below the jump to find out more. More

You know those prescription glasses that go from transparent to gray on a sunny day, Transitions? Wouldn't it be great to be able to do that with our windows — get clear unobstructed sunny windows on a cold day, but tint them during the hot summer days? Start-up nanotechnology company, RavenBrick, is doing just that with windows and walls, all without the use of electricity. More

Every year the AIA Committee on the Environment (COTE) hosts the Top Ten Green Projects awards program to recognize the potential of green design and showcase the architects who are the leading the way in this design field. The projects chosen are determined by speficic design criteria and are great examples of beautiful sustainable design that protects and enhances the environment — one project was even built under Brad Pitt's Make it Right campaign! More

While windows, doors and skylights are one of the best ways to bring natural light and ventilation into a building, they are also the big weak spot in a building's thermal envelope. Given that most walls are typically built with an R-Value of 13, windows usually have an R-Value of only R3. That's a huge difference, and an issue that can't easily be overcome. Problem solving company, Serious Materials, recently came out with a new window that has an R-value of up to 11. Find out how they do it, after the jump. More

There is a reason the Obama administration recently rolled out it's 'Cash for Caulkers' program: air sealing the home is one of the most cost effective ways to increase energy efficiency. No matter how well your house is insulated, if there are cracks and gaps, the air you just paid to heat or cool will quickly be lost. But air sealing is easy and relatively cheap as long as you know what areas to attack with the caulk gun. More

Geopolymers &mdash they look like a ceramic, feel like a ceramic, but they're not a ceramic. A geopolymer is actually an inorganic compound that is positioning itself as eco-friendly replacement for Portland cement, the highly energy intensive and carbon dioxide producing binder used to made concrete. Not only are geopolymers stronger and less damaging to the earth, but they can also be made with byproducts of other industries such as slag and fly ash. More

The kitchen is the heart of the home, so shouldn't it be the healthiest? Whether you rent or own, live large or small, there are a number of eco-friendly upgrades you can do &mdash use energy efficient appliances, create multi-functional workspaces, increase natural daylighting and introduce natural and nontoxic finishes. Check out our tips below to cook, eat, drink and entertain a little more green! More

Okay, let's backup, emerging may be a little misleading, because aerogels were invented decades ago! Primarily used in NASA applications, Aerogels, which are the world's lightest solid materials, has been very difficult for people to grasp both literally and figuratively until recently. Aerogels are incredibly lightweight (only three times heavier than air!), strong and highly insulating and are now being used as real-life insulators. More