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  • sustainable
    FLOORING
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      • Which Floor is Right for Me?
      • How to Buy a Green Floor: 7 Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
      • Why we don't sell luxury vinyl tile!
      • Marmoleum Buyer's Guide
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  • non-toxic
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      • ECOS Non-Toxic, Zero VOC Paint
      • How to Test a New Product for Chemical Sensitivity
      • AFM Safecoat Sealers for Off-Gassing
      • How do I know if a product is really safe?
      • The Truth About Paint
      • Samples
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  • eco
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      Learning Center

      • Basic Principles of Composting
      • Using Marmoleum for Countertops and Wainscotings
      • All About Mold
      • How to Improve Energy Performance with the Electric Meter
      • PowerCost Monitor FAQ
      • Sustainable Solutions to Common Problems
      • Is solid wood T-1-11 safe for interior use?
      • Can a wood butcher block countertop be permanently sealed?
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  • healthy
    CLEANERS
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      • What is the safest primer to use to get rid of tobacco smells in a home?
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  • shop
    ALL DEPARTMENTS
    • Sustainable Flooring

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      • View All Sustainable Flooring

      Non-Toxic Paints & Coatings

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      • View All Cabinets & Countertops

      Energy, Water & Air

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      • Test Kits & Energy Monitors
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      • Rubio Monocoat
      • Blissfully Clean
      • PerfectCLEAN Cloths
      • Forbo Marmoleum
      • Caliwel
      • Chemlink
      • Natural Light Energy Systems
      • Tesoro Woods
      • Unique Carpets, Ltd.
      • Earth Weave
      • Paperstone
      • Teragren
      • EcoStar
      • Core Products HydrOxi Pro
      • DriTac
      • Gulf Synthetics
      • J Mish
      • Franmar
      • Brava
      • Wicanders
      •  
      •  
      • View All Trusted Brands

      Top Articles

      • Why Is Our Flooring Different?
      • Why we don't sell luxury vinyl tile!
      • How to Buy a Green Floor: 7 Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
      • The Truth About Paint
      • AFM Safecoat Sealers for Off-Gassing
      • ECOS Non-Toxic, Zero VOC Paint
      • How do I know if a product is really safe?
      • How to Test a New Product for Chemical Sensitivity
      • All About Mold
      • Sustainable Solutions to Common Problems
      • Samples

      Learning Center Categories

      • Flooring
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      • In the News
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      • Green, Greenwashing & Chemical Sensitivities
      • Webinars
  • 800.405.0222
  • FLOORING
    • Cork Flooring

      • Waterproof Cork Flooring
      • Cork Underlayment
      • Traditional Cork Flooring
      • Cork Molding
      • Moisture Barrier and Adhesive for Cork
      • Sustainable Sample Boxes
      • View All Cork Flooring

      Marmoleum

      • Floating Click Marmoleum
      • Sheet - Glue Down
      • Tile - Glue Down
      • Underlayment and Adhesives for Marmoleum
      • View All Marmoleum

      Bamboo Flooring

      • Solid Bamboo Flooring
      • Engineered Bamboo Flooring
      • Floating & Click Bamboo Flooring
      • Tongue & Groove Bamboo Flooring
      • Bamboo Molding
      • Underlayment and Adhesive for Bamboo
      • View All Bamboo Flooring

      Hardwood Flooring

      • Underlayment and Adhesive for Hardwood
      • Hardwood Molding
      • View All Hardwood Flooring

      Wool Carpet

      • Wall to Wall Wool Carpet
      • Carpet Pad
      • Wool Area Rugs
      • View All Wool Carpet

      Shop By

      • Click Flooring
      • Vinyl Flooring
      • Laminate Flooring
      • Polyurethane Finish Flooring
      • Engineered Flooring
      • Floating Flooring
      • Oil Finish Flooring

      Trusted Brands

      • Amorim
      • Nature's Carpet
      • Kahrs
      • Nova
      • Forbo Marmoleum
      • Green Building Supply Bamboo
      • Tesoro Woods
      • Earth Weave
      • Unique Carpets, Ltd.
      • Teragren
      • Wicanders
      • J Mish
      • DriTac
      • View All Trusted Brands

      Learning Center

      • Which Floor is Right for Me?
      • How to Buy a Green Floor: 7 Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
      • Why we don't sell luxury vinyl tile!
      • Marmoleum Buyer's Guide
      • 44 Reasons Why We Don't Sell Synthetic Carpeting
      • Bamboo Flooring Buyer's Guide
      • Why Is Our Flooring Different?
      • View All Learning Center
  • PAINTS & COATING
    • Non-Toxic Paints & Coatings

      • Paints & Primers
      • Strippers & Thinners
      • Plasters & Pigments
      • Caulks, Sealants & Adhesives
      • Hardwood Floor Finish
      • Wood Stains & Sealers
      • Odor Blocking Sealers
      • Grout Sealers
      • Concrete & Masonry Sealers
      • Polyurethane Sealers
      • Brushes & Tools
      • View All Paint Tools and Accessories
      • View All Non-Toxic Paints & Coatings

      Trusted Brands

      • Green Building Supply
      • AFM Safecoat
      • Bioshield
      • Rubio Monocoat
      • ECOS Paints
      • Silacote
      • Vermont Natural Coatings
      • Paperstone
      • Chemlink
      • Caliwel
      • Pro-Lab
      • Radiosity
      • Franmar
      • Gulf Synthetics
      • View All Trusted Brands

      Learning Center

      • ECOS Non-Toxic, Zero VOC Paint
      • How to Test a New Product for Chemical Sensitivity
      • AFM Safecoat Sealers for Off-Gassing
      • How do I know if a product is really safe?
      • The Truth About Paint
      • Samples
  • HOME GOODS
    • Energy, Water & Air

      • Lighting
      • Tubular Skylights
      • Test Kits & Energy Monitors
      • Insulation
      • Water Purification
      • Air Purification
      • View All Energy, Water & Air

      Eco Home Goods

      • Cutting Boards
      • Utensils
      • View All Eco Home Goods

      Cabinets & Countertops

      • Cabinets
      • Countertops
      • Non-Toxic Kitchens
      • View All Cabinets & Countertops

      Building Materials

      • Roofing
      • Sheet Goods
      • View All Building Materials

      Trusted Brands

      • Natural Light Energy Systems
      • EcoStar
      • Pro-Lab
      • Radiosity
      • AquaRain
      • Brava
      • View All Trusted Brands

      Learning Center

      • Basic Principles of Composting
      • Using Marmoleum for Countertops and Wainscotings
      • All About Mold
      • How to Improve Energy Performance with the Electric Meter
      • PowerCost Monitor FAQ
      • Sustainable Solutions to Common Problems
      • Is solid wood T-1-11 safe for interior use?
      • Can a wood butcher block countertop be permanently sealed?
      • View All Learning Center
  • CLEANERS
    • Healthy Cleaners

      • Floor
      • Household
      • Mold & Mildew
      • Body Soaps
      • View All Healthy Cleaners

      Blissfully Clean

      • PerfectCLEAN Cloths
      • Extra Sponges
      • View All Blissfully Clean

      Trusted Brands

      • Green Building Supply
      • AFM Safecoat
      • Bioshield
      • Rubio Monocoat
      • Wools of New Zealand
      • Blissfully Clean
      • Forbo Marmoleum
      • Paperstone
      • Caliwel
      • Woodwise
      • Pro-Lab
      • Core Products HydrOxi Pro
      • Franmar
      • PerfectCLEAN
      • Comsentech
      •  
      •  
      • View All Trusted Brands

      Learning Center

      • What is the safest primer to use to get rid of tobacco smells in a home?
      • Sustainable Solutions to Common Problems
      • Blissfully Clean 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
      • Samples
      • View All Learning Center
  • ALL DEPARTMENTS
    • Sustainable Flooring

      • Cork Flooring
      • Marmoleum
      • Bamboo Flooring
      • Hardwood Flooring
      • Wool Carpet
      • Tools & Supplies
      • Underlayment and Adhesive
      • View All Sustainable Flooring

      Non-Toxic Paints & Coatings

      • Wood Stains & Sealers
      • Caulks, Sealants & Adhesives
      • Concrete & Masonry Sealers
      • Paints & Primers
      • Hardwood Floor Finish
      • Odor Blocking Sealers
      • Grout Sealers
      • Strippers & Thinners
      • Plasters & Pigments
      • Polyurethane Sealers
      • Brushes & Tools
      • View All Non-Toxic Paints & Coatings

      Eco Home Goods

      • Cutting Boards
      • Utensils
      • View All Eco Home Goods

      Cabinets & Countertops

      • Cabinets
      • Countertops
      • Non-Toxic Kitchens
      • View All Cabinets & Countertops

      Energy, Water & Air

      • Lighting
      • Tubular Skylights
      • Test Kits & Energy Monitors
      • Insulation
      • Water Purification
      • Air Purification
      • View All Energy, Water & Air

      Healthy Cleaners

      • Floor
      • Household
      • Mold & Mildew
      • Body Soaps
      • View All Healthy Cleaners

      Blissfully Clean

      • PerfectCLEAN Cloths
      • Extra Sponges
      • View All Blissfully Clean

      Building Materials

      • Roofing
      • Sheet Goods
      • View All Building Materials

      Shop By

      • Customer Favorites
      • Featured
      • On Sale
      • New Arrivals
      • Free Shipping

      Top Trusted Brands

      • Green Building Supply
      • Amorim
      • AFM Safecoat
      • Kahrs
      • Bioshield
      • ECOS Paints
      • Rubio Monocoat
      • Blissfully Clean
      • PerfectCLEAN Cloths
      • Forbo Marmoleum
      • Caliwel
      • Chemlink
      • Natural Light Energy Systems
      • Tesoro Woods
      • Unique Carpets, Ltd.
      • Earth Weave
      • Paperstone
      • Teragren
      • EcoStar
      • Core Products HydrOxi Pro
      • DriTac
      • Gulf Synthetics
      • J Mish
      • Franmar
      • Brava
      • Wicanders
      •  
      •  
      • View All Trusted Brands

      Top Articles

      • Why Is Our Flooring Different?
      • Why we don't sell luxury vinyl tile!
      • How to Buy a Green Floor: 7 Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
      • The Truth About Paint
      • AFM Safecoat Sealers for Off-Gassing
      • ECOS Non-Toxic, Zero VOC Paint
      • How do I know if a product is really safe?
      • How to Test a New Product for Chemical Sensitivity
      • All About Mold
      • Sustainable Solutions to Common Problems
      • Samples

      Learning Center Categories

      • Flooring
      • Paints & Coatings
      • Cabinets & Countertops
      • Cleaners
      • Energy, Water & Air
      • Building Materials
      • Featured Articles
      • In the News
      • Green Home Guide Articles
      • Green, Greenwashing & Chemical Sensitivities
      • Webinars
  • 800.405.0222
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  • Safe for Chemical Sensitivities
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  • 30 Years Eco Experience
About Us > Our Story > 
Our Story

How We Research and Test Our Products

by
Joel Hirshberg

That's right, we don't just sell any new product that comes with a 'green label'; in fact, we research and test almost every product you find in our store. When you visit us online or in person, you'll quickly find that we're not a store that simply sells products with little knowledge of what they are made of or how they impact the environment.

Why do we do this?

Because we know that if we do our homework properly,

  • you'll be happy with the results
  • you'll come to trust our expertise
  • green building will become more popular
  • you'll continue to buy from our store
  • there will be integrity and fulfillment in our work

What are our methods? We've reviewed hundreds of eco-products and have chosen only the best ones. In order for a product to qualify for our store we:

  • personally test it or related product(s) in the same line, as consumers ourselves; we choose practical products that are easy to understand and that work well
  • get feedback from other builders and homeowners
  • visit job sites to see how these products are installed in the real world
  • procure MSDS sheets from manufacturers and study the fine print
  • attend trade shows, conferences and workshops to find the latest products
  • for many products, we visit manufacturing facilities to see how the products are really made

Perhaps you ask, 'How can I afford green building materials?' Although you may be on a tight budget, there are creative ways to build a green home or office without compromising quality. We're aware of the challenges and invite you to take advantage of our expertise in order to get the look and quality you want, at a price you can afford. We've done it with our own home and with hundreds of others — and we're confident we can help you, too.

How do eco-friendly and sustainable products compare in cost to toxic products?

As a rule, natural and non-toxic products (e.g. wood, bamboo, cork, wool carpet, natural linoleum, marble/granite/limestone/porcelain, natural finishes, etc.) tend to be our favorites. They are sometimes more expensive than other products initially, but that's not the whole story.

Sustainable products tend to:

  • last longer
  • wear better
  • clean easier
  • smell better
  • create a pleasing, healthier environment for residents
  • be biodegradable

Non-sustainable products, on the other hand, tend to:

  • be short-lived
  • require more maintenance
  • exhibit toxic and foul smells for many months, with some out-gassing undetected for years
  • compromise the health of individuals and the environment
  • provide only short-term pleasure
  • sit in landfills almost forever

In the long run, the life-cycle costs of sustainable products are usually less expensive. Plus they bring greater satisfaction during installation and for generations of use.

Since 1991 we have supplied natural and non-toxic materials to countless homeowners and builders for new and remodeled homes and commercial buildings. Many of our clients forced us to find natural products that would compete in price with cheaper, unnatural products. This was a challenge, but we did it.

A new trend

Non-toxic products used to be more expensive to manufacture than their toxic counterparts. This was due, in part, to the newness of the products and the small numbers of people using them. This trend has changed in the last few years; prices have fallen due to the widening market and the improvement of manufacturing techniques.

Demand for environmentally-friendly products is at an all-time high, not only in the building market but in the clothing and food markets as well. As the world wakes up to the lasting value and joy of using healthy building materials, we fully expect this trend to continue for a long time to come.

In addition to understanding the nature of eco-products, we're also involved on the local level in using these products to help build a sustainable future. We promote healthy building environments in several ways including belonging to trade and environmental associations, sponsoring conferences, earth days and eco-fairs, donating a portion of our earnings to non-profit organizations that create peace and better the environment, and consulting with clients nationwide who personally test and use green building products.

Comments and suggestions If you have any questions about our products that are not covered in our website, or suggestions about new products, please let us know. We appreciate your feedback. This information is very useful to us and to others who may be building. Often the best products are introduced to us by our customers.

How do I know if a product is really safe? How to Test a New Product for Chemical Sensitivity Sustainable Solutions to Common Problems

800.405.0222
Healthy Home Advisors


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Welcome to Green Building Supply

Green Building Supply, founded in 1991, continues to be the nation's trusted source for the best non-toxic and eco-friendly building materials. We specialize in products that are safe for everyone—including the chemically sensitive—as well as safe for pets and the environment.

Whether you're remodeling or building a new green home, you'll find our experienced eco-advisors can help you choose the safest alternatives for your home. We ship nationwide.

Feel free to call us at 800-405-0222 or visit our 7000 SF showroom.

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