Here's a new energy source for your home that doesn't require initial passive solar design: utilize your roof to capture heat for your home through glass tiles. This new heating system by Soltech Energy uses glass roof-tiles to heat your home using the sun's energy. More

We've featured a lot of roof options, but sorting out which one is best for your home can be like reading Dr. Seuss: green roof, cool roof, metal roof, solar roof... Find out the differences, disadvantages and advantages of each option, and how they can help make your building more green, after the jump. More

Roofing and siding materials aren’t just wood or masonry anymore. These days, you can choose among aluminum, engineered wood, wood, masonry, stucco, and fiber cement. If you read Rachel's post on fiber cement, you’re already familiar with all of its glory. It's durable, beautiful, eco-friendly and easier on your pocketbook than its original look-alike cousins. More

Have you ever climbed the stairs of a multi-story home in the middle of August to find the top floors sweltering with heat? It can be unbearable, right? My husband and I left the big city last March for a small, quaint village just 30 minutes away on New Jersey transit. Our little house is little, but it stands tall with its three stories and creaky stairs. The home was built in 1922 and I'm almost certain its original roof is still intact under, not just one layer of asphalt shingles, but under three layers! How much heat does our roof's density hold in? And why is this a concern? We checked in with several experts to find out. More

We already have roofing that can keep temperatures low and roofing that can harness the sun's energy to make electricity, and now a company is unveiling a roof tile that can actually reduce pollution! According to MonierLifetile, their smog eating roof tile, Auranox, can offset the equivalent of one year's pollution from driving.

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One of the greenest things you can do is ensure the things you own last. A home's first line of defense is its roof and siding, and the roof is one of the home's most expensive components. Think of the elements that the roof comes in contact with: sun, rain and wind. Regular maintenance and routine checkups can keep your roof lasting longer. See 4 things you should be looking for, after the jump. More

Liberty Valley Doors specializes in antique reclaimed wood doors. Most materials used in the manufacturing of each door are from reclaimed Douglas Fir beams, joists and timbers. Doors come sanded and ready for finishing. Designs include a 1, 2, or 3-panel layout, with or without inside or outside segment arches. More

Some of the major advantages to most bamboo products such as flooring and cabinetry is their strength, durability and high rate of renewability. So while standard wood has dominated most of the structural lumber industry, bamboo is aiming to get in on the action with the first engineered dimensional lumber, Lumboo. More

We know first hand that living in an older home can be frustrating when we get down to comparing green features. While we have made plenty of green upgrades, the insulation in our attic is only so-so and we have standard asphalt shingles on the roof. While we'd love a fancy new metal roof, sometimes enhancing what you've got is a better idea. Enter green roof coatings from recycled rubber that can save significant energy costs and increase a roof's lifespan. More

Terratec Naturals decking is a decking product made out of recycled plastic and rice hulls. Many composite products contain up to 50% wood fiber, and therefore need biocides and preservatives to prevent common wood-type problems like mold, mildew, bugs, rot, staining and significant fading. Terratec's solution is to replace that wood fiber with rice hulls, which is naturally resistant to mold, mildew and insects. More