When the 2010 Greenbuild Conference and Expo opens next week in Chicago, more than 1,000 manufacturers will take to the exhibit floor to showcase a range of sustainable selections. The trade show mainly focuses on commercial construction, but included among the wares are a number of products designed for or appropriate for residential use. Here are 14 products that will be on display at the show, including a dual-flush toilet with in-wall tank, recycled-content tiles, and formaldehyde-eating gypsum.
And don’t forget to check out the Greenbuild Residential Summit, featuring a full slate of workshops on green-built homes, on Nov. 18. Click here for more information. –Katy Tomasulo
CalStar. Utilizing 40% fly ash, the manufacturer’s pavers and architectural facing bricks offer the look of traditional clay products while requiring 50% to 85% less energy to produce, the company says. The pavers (shown) come in standard and tumbled finishes in eight colors, as well as a Holland line with chamfers and lugs. www.calstarproducts.com. Booth #L508.
Delta. The Vero collection, boasting clean, ribbon-like lines, includes WaterSense-certified lavatory faucets that flow at 1.5 gpm and 1.5-gpm showerheads. Showerheads feature H2OKinetic technology, which the manufacturer says provides the feel of 2.5 gpm despite the lower flow. Both units are available in chrome and Brilliance stainless. www.deltafaucet.com. Booth #1845.
Duo-Gard. New to the company’s line of translucent daylighting systems, these decorative panels come in an array of patterns and colors, including botanicals, rippling waves, and colored grids. Made of 100% recyclable acrylic or polycarbonate, the panels come in translucent styles, to allow diffuse light throughout the room’s interior, or opaque; backlighting and LED illumination systems are available. www.duo-gard.com. Booth #1730.
ECR. Like the original Freewatt system, the Freewatt Plus alternative energy system produces electricity and heat for the home, but it also provides up to 1,800 kW of backup power in case of outages. The system’s microCHP technology combines an Energy Star-rated, high-efficiency gas furnace or boiler and a Honda engine/generator to generate heat, producing electric power as a byproduct, the company says. An integrated transfer switch automatically transitions from grid-connected power to backup power. www.freewatt.com. Booth #2350.
ThinkEco. The Modlet automatically cuts power to appliances when not in use, reducing standby loads and cutting costs by 10% to 20%, according to the firm. The device monitors real-time power equipment consumption; a Web-based interface allows users to create and refine an energy savings plan to cut power when it’s not needed. Initially being introduced for commercial use, the Modlet will be available for homes in the spring. www.thinkeco.com. Booth #1492.
IdeaPaint. Single-coat, roller-applied IdeaPaint can be used to turn a surface into a dry-erase board suitable for kitchens, a child’s room, or a home office. The formaldehyde-free, low-emitting product recently earned Greenguard certification. www.ideapaint.com. At Greenguard, Booth #1545.
Native Trails. The Yanama vanity features solid FSC-certified cherry wood and a 16-gauge hand-hammered copper foot that coordinates with the company’s sinks. The unit measures 24 inches wide by 21 1/2 inches deep by 34 inches high. The foot comes in an antique or brushed nickel finish. www.nativetrails.net. Booth #2257.
Smith & Fong. Plyboo Strand FSC-certified bamboo plywood and flooring are urea formaldehyde-free and carry Indoor Advantage Gold (plywood) and FloorScore (flooring) certifications. Plywood panels come in 3/16-, 1/2-, and 3/4-inch thicknesses; the flooring comes in 3/8- and 9/16-inch thicknesses. Both are available in Havana, Sahara, and Neopolitan finishes. www.plyboo.com. Booth #461.
CertainTeed. According to the company, AirRenew gypsum board cleans the air by capturing formaldehydes and other aldehydes from the indoor air and converting them into inert compounds that remain within the board. The drywall also includes the firm’s M2Tech, a water-resistant core and mold-resistant paper face that provide protection against moisture. www.certainteed.com. Booth #1439.
NanaWall. NanaGlass SL25 frameless opening glass wall system features no vertical stiles, providing for uninterrupted views and efficiently extending the living space by enclosing balconies. With a top-supported track, the panels slide open to one or both sides; they can glide along a balcony rail or extend to the floor. The panels are engineered to withstand wind loads up to 80 stories in 90-mph wind zones. The system comes in custom sizes and configurations. www.nanawall.com. Booth #1088.
Accsys Technologies. To make Accoya lumber, the company starts with sustainably harvested wood then manufactures it using a non-toxic acetylation process that makes the product more dimensionally stable and durable than tropical hardwoods. The wood carries FSC and PEFC certification, as well as Cradle to Cradle Gold. It is indigestible for many insects, including termites, the firm says, and is suitable for uses such as decking, windows, doors, cladding, and structural components. 972.233.6565. www.accoya.com. Booth #468.
Enovative Control Systems. Designed to optimize central water heating for multi-tenant buildings, the D’Mand Circ recirculation pump operates on an as-needed basis, minimizing heat loss and pump runtimes and reducing natural gas consumption and heating costs by up to 30%, the maker says. Pipe deterioration also is reduced. The product can be used in retrofit applications. www.enovativegroup.com. Booth #1917.
Crossville. The Empire Porcelain Stone collection now comes with 20% recycled content, certified by SCS. Reminiscent of natural marble, the tiles come in a range of sizes and shapes, from mosaics to 21-inch-by-21-inch large format to plank shapes. Polished and unpolished finishes are available. www.crossvilleinc.com. Booth #1281.
Toto. The DuoFit In-Wall Tank System locates the tank within the wall and the toilet off the floor, creating 9 extra inches of bathroom space, providing for easier cleaning, and adding a contemporary, European look. The system can be installed in 2x4 or 2x6 walls and supports up to 880 pounds. The dual-flush unit offers 1.6 gpf for solid waste and 0.9 for liquid waste. www.totousa.com. Booth #1922.
