Glossary
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Aluminum oxide
A chemical compound added to urethane finish on hardwoods for increased abrasion resistance.
Bioaccumulants
Substances from contaminated air, water or food that accumulate in living organisms because the substances are very slowly metabolized or excreted.
Biocide
Chemical substance added to other materials to protect them from biological contaminants. Often used to prevent the growth of bacteria or fungi in paints and floor coverings. Many biocidal products pose a significant risk to human health and the environment.
Biodegradable
Capable of decomposing under natural conditions.
Built environment
All human-built structures (as opposed to the natural environment).
Carbon dioxide
A heavy, colorless gas that is formed in the decay or combustion of animal and vegetable matter. It is absorbed from the air by plants, and is an atmospheric greenhouse gas.
Carbon footprint
The total amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted over the life of a product or process.
Carbon monoxide (CO)
A colorless, odorless, poisonous gas produced by incomplete fossil fuel combustion.
Carbon neutral
A product or process that does not increase the amount of carbon dioxide added to the atmosphere over its life cycle.
Carbon offset
The process of reducing the net carbon emissions of individuals or organizations, either by their own actions, or through arrangements with a carbon-offset provider.
Casein paint
Paint containing milk protein as a binder; often used over earth plasters.
Cementitious
Having the properties of cement, the primary binding agent in concrete.
Certified wood
Wood from sources that comply with sustainable forestry practices, including protection of trees, wildlife habitats, streams, soil, workers and communities. (See FSC).
CFL
See Compact fluorescent lamp.
Chain-of-custody
A form of tracking certified wood products from the forest, through the mill, manufacturer and distributor to their final place of use.
Compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL)
A fluorescent bulb that is compacted to fit into a conventional Edison light socket. CFLs are more energy efficient than standard incandescent light bulbs and last longer.
Cradle-to-Cradle
A process by which a material or product is recycled into a new product again and again. In cradle-to-cradle production, a product at the end of its useful life is separated into its component parts, which are put back into service as “raw materials.” The aim is to create production techniques that are essentially waste free. Cradle to Cradle Certification helps companies measure achievement in environmentally intelligent design, and helps customers identify products that meet a broader definition of quality.
Visit the Cradle to Cradle website
Closed loop recycling
A production system in which the materials used in production are recycled and reused repeatedly. (See cradle-to-cradle).
Comfort
An important design objective in sustainable building. Designing for comfort aims to create a space where people enjoy being.
Cross-ply
A method of lamination used in engineered floors. Engineered wood is made up of multiple layers, called plies. Cross-ply lamination enhances the strength of the floor and helps resist denting.
Dioxin
A class of chemical contaminants formed during incineration and certain industrial processes, such as paper-pulp bleaching and herbicide manufacturing. The highest environmental concentrations of dioxin are usually found in soil and sediment, with lower levels found in air and water. Humans are primarily exposed to dioxins by eating food contaminated by these chemicals. Dioxins accumulate in the fatty tissues, where they may persist for months or years. Studies have found that populations exposed to high levels of dioxins have an increased risk of cancer, reproductive and developmental problems, heart disease and diabetes.
Dual-flush toilet
A toilet that has two different settings, usually 0.8 gallons for liquid removal and 1.6 gallons for full flush solid removal. Dual-flush toilets use about 2500 gallons of water per year, compared to a standard low-flow (1.6-gallon) single-flush, which uses about 4500 gallons per year.
Easy Height
An Easy Height toilet is taller than most toilets and is required for facilities needing to meet the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). Height to the top of the bowl is 16" to 17" depending on the model.
End grain
A type of bamboo-flooring construction in which the ends of the bamboo slats are exposed as the top layer. The grain is characterized by a distinctive fiber pattern.
Engineered lumber/wood
Composite wood products made from lumber, fiber or veneer, and glue. Engineered wood products benefit the environment by using waste wood and small diameter trees to produce structural building materials. They are stronger than dimensional lumber, which allows for less wood to be used in each piece. Potential environmental drawbacks include offgassing of chemicals present in binders and glues. Engineered-wood products sold at ecohaus are made with low-toxic adhesives.
Energy-efficient
A term used to describe products that exhibit special features designed to save electrical and heat power.
Flat grain
A type of construction in which bamboo slats are laminated face-up to form a three-ply solid plank. The resulting look is one of long slats subtly broken by a pattern of nodes. Also called horizontal grain.
Fly ash
A fine, glass-powder recovered from the gases of burning coal during the production of electricity. Electric power plants using western coal produce a non-toxic fly ash which can substitute for a portion of Portland cement in concrete, to produce a strong, durable concrete that is denser, with a tighter, smoother surface. Substitution of fly ash for Portland cement in concrete is considered a sustainable building strategy, as it reduces the amount of energy-intensive (and CO2-producing) cement in the mix.
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
An independent international organization devoted to encouraging the responsible management of the world's forests. The council's certification has become a recognized trademark. Forest operations seeking FSC certification must practice selective harvesting, protection of local wildlife, minimal use of chemical pesticides, and respect for the rights of workers and indigenous communities.
Visit the FSC website
Formaldehyde
A volatile organic compound (VOC) found in many household products and building materials. It is typically a component of glues used to make pressed-wood products such as particleboard, plywood and medium density fiberboard (MDF). Formaldehyde is commonly emitted into the air by materials made with it, and it may cause health problems such as respiratory irritation and chemical sensitivity.
Frameless Cabinets
Frameless construction in cabinetmaking refers to the construction of cabinets using flat panels of engineered wood — usually particle board, plywood or medium-density fibreboard — rather than the traditional frame and panel construction.
With frameless cabinets, thicker sides (boxes) keep the cabinet much more stable and avoids the use of a front frame. By eliminating the front frame, you can have more room to get large objects inside with more usable space.
FSC Certified
A third-party certification verifying that a product has met specific criteria in areas such as forest management, labor conditions, and fair trade (see Forest Stewardship Council).
Learn about FSC certification
Full spectrum lighting
Bulbs that produce light that is similar to natural sunlight. They have excellent color rendering capability, and their brightness is close to that of daylight.
Global warming
A gradual long-term increase in the average temperature in climate systems throughout the world. The term is most often used to refer to the warming predicted to occur as a result of increased emissions of greenhouse gases.
Green building
The practice of designing, constructing and operating buildings in a way that minimizes their impact on human health and the environment. Green building recognizes the interdependence of the natural and built environments, and seeks to reduce site impact, use natural resources sparingly, and provide a healthy indoor environment.
Greenguard Certification
The goal of the Greenguard Environmental Institute (GEI) is to improve indoor air quality by testing a product’s chemical emissions. Greenguard has three third-party certification programs including Greenguard Indoor Air quality, Greenguard Children & Schools, and the Greenguard Building Construction certification. Greenguard’s Children & School Certification is Greenguard’s strictest standard for measuring chemical emissions, certifying that the product has been screened for more than 10,000 Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), phthalates, formaldehyde, aldehydes and other particles. Elevated levels of VOCs have proven to contribute to health issues ranging from asthma to neurological and respiratory disease. Products with Greenguard certification have shown a significant reduction of chemical emission from their products.
Green Label
A certification program by the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) for carpet and adhesives meeting specified environmental standards.
Visit the CRI website
Greenhouse effect
The warming of the earth's atmosphere attributed to a buildup of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases.
Greenhouse Gas
A gas, such as carbon dioxide or methane, that potentially contributes to climate change. Some greenhouse gases occur naturally in the atmosphere, while others result from human activities such as the production, transport and combustion of fossil fuels. Powerful greenhouse gasses including hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) are generated in a variety of industrial processes.
Greenwashing
A play on the word "whitewash," used to describe projects or products labeled as energy-efficient or sustainable when they're really not.
Halogen bulb
A more energy-efficient type of incandescent lamp containing halogen gas to produce a brighter, whiter light.
Healthy Forest Healthy Communities (HFHC)
A network of locally owned Pacific Northwest companies that make products from sustainably produced wood. The small businesses of HFHC are committed to promoting forest health and the economic well-being of rural communities.
Visit the HFHC website
Heavy Metals
Metallic elements with high atomic weights, such as mercury, chromium, cadmium, arsenic, and lead. Even at low concentrations, these elements can damage living things, and they tend to accumulate in the food chain.
HET or High Efficiency Toilet
High efficiency toilet (HET) Under federal law in the United States, toilets must not exceed 1.6 gallons of water per flush. High efficiency toilets (HETs) go beyond the standard and use less than 1.3 gallons per flush (a 20% savings over conventional 1.6 gpf toilets).
HVAC
General term for the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system in a building. The design and efficiency of a system will affect energy performance and indoor quality.
High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter
An air filter that removes contaminants from the air. HEPA filters can, by definition, remove at least 99.97% of 0.3-micrometer particles.
Incandescent bulb
The most common and least energy-efficient type of bulb. Electricity runs through a tungsten filament that glows and produces a soft, warm light. Much of the energy used is lost as heat. Halogen lamps are a more energy-efficient type of incandescent bulb containing halogen gas to produce a brighter, whiter light.
Indigenous
Existing, growing, or produced naturally in a region.
Indoor air quality (IAQ)
The presence or absence of air pollutants in a building. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, the definition of good indoor air quality includes (1) introduction and distribution of adequate ventilation air; (2) control of airborne contaminants; and (3) maintenance of acceptable temperature and relative humidity. The health effects of air in a building are largely determined by ventilation rates and choice of building materials.
ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
The world’s largest promulgator of standards for the development, manufacturing and supply of products and services. Composed of standards-institutes from more than 150 countries, it sets benchmarks for product quality, environmental friendliness, safety, reliability and efficiency. Although voluntary, ISO standards are widely accepted internationally and have become a market requirement in some sectors.
Visit the ISO website
ISO 9001:2000
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) regulations that ensures product quality and business practices. Implemented by more than a million organizations worldwide, ISO 9000 sets quality-management requirements in business-to-business dealings.
ISO 14001
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard that specifies international requirements for an environmental management system.
Janka ball test
A standardized test used to indicate hardness of wood flooring by measuring the force required to embed in the wood a .444-inch steel ball to a depth of half the ball's diameter.
Laminate, lamination
Several layers of material bonded together under pressure with an adhesive.
Lead (Pb)
A heavy metal that is hazardous to health if inhaled or swallowed. Its use in paints has been eliminated by federal laws and regulations, but houses built before 1978 are likely to contain lead paint.
LED (light-emitting diode)
An illumination technology that uses chips instead of bulbs. They emit less heat, are long-lasting, are easily dimmable and programmable, and have more color choices. They use approximately 40% less power than a compact fluorescent bulb (CFL) with the same light output.
LEED
A rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, and it evaluates a building’s environmental performance in six different categories: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, indoor environmental quality and innovative design. Projects that meet performance benchmarks are awarded different levels of certification based on the number of credits they receive.
Visit the LEED website
Life Cycle
All stages of a product's existence, from extraction of fuel for power, to production, marketing, use, and disposal.
Life Cycle Analysis
Life Cycle Analysis or Assessment (LCA) is the study of the environmental impact of a product or service over its entire life cycle, from the extraction of raw materials to the consumption and final disposal of the product. It is a method of evaluating a product or activity holistically.
Linoleum
A resilient flooring product developed in the 1800s, manufactured from cork flour, linseed oil, oak dust, and jute. Linoleum’s durability, renewability, anti-static properties, and easy-to-clean surface make it an environmentally friendly material.
Local/Regional Materials
Building products manufactured or extracted within a defined distance from of the building site. The U.S. Green Building Council defines local materials as those that are manufactured, processed and/or extracted within a 500-mile radius of the site. Use of regional materials is a sustainable-building practice because it minimizes transport and supports local economies.
Low-flow/flush toilet
A toilet that uses 1.6 gallons of water/flush, instead of 3.5 gallons/flush. This plumbing code standard was adopted in 1992. As of 2007, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set a voluntary 20% efficiency reduction to 1.28 gallons/flush (see Dual-flush toilet).
Low-flow shower head
A water saving shower head typically rated at 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm) or less.
Low VOC
Building materials and finishes that exhibit low levels of "offgassing," the process by which VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) are released from the material. VOCs can affect human health and contribute to the production of smog. See Volatile Organic Compound (VOC).
Maintenance
An often-overlooked element of a product or design strategy that affects cost over the life cycle. Designing and selecting products for easy maintenance enhances durability and lessens the likelihood that a product will be discarded and replaced.
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
Documents supplied by manufacturers of potentially hazardous products, as required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. MSDS sheets contain information about the identity of hazardous chemicals, potentially significant airborne contaminants, precautions, steps for inspection, health effects, odor description, volatility, expected contaminants from combustion, reactivity, and procedures for cleanup.
MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard)
A composite wood fiberboard, used for cabinetry and other interior applications. MDF containing urea formaldehyde can contribute to poor indoor air quality.
Non-renewable resources
Natural resources that are consumed faster than they can be made or renewed.
NSF International
NSF International, The Public Health and Safety Company™, a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization, is the world leader in standards development, product certification, education, and risk-management for public health and safety. For 65 years, NSF has been committed to public health, safety, and protection of the environment. While focusing on food, water, indoor air, and the environment, NSF develops national standards, provides learning opportunities, and provides third-party conformity assessment services while representing the interests of all stakeholders. The primary stakeholder groups include industry, the regulatory community, and the public at large.
Visit the NSF website.
Off-gassing
The process by which chemical compounds such as VOCs vaporize and enter the atmosphere, emitting fumes into the air. Most new paints, carpeting, and many other building materials typically off-gas chemical compounds that are unpleasant to breathe and may be hazardous to human health.
Ozone (O3)
A molecule made of three oxygen atoms instead of the usual two. Ozone is a poisonous gas and an irritant at the earth's surface, but in the stratosphere it shields life on earth from ultraviolet radiation.
PaperStone
Countertop material made in Washington by compressing post-consumer recycled paper and a water-based resin.
Phenol formaldehyde
A thermosetting resin used in adhesives. It doesn’t break down as easily as traditional urea-based adhesives, so it releases less formaldehyde. Under the LEED Green Building Rating System, products made with phenol formaldehyde adhesives can qualify credit as Low-Emitting Materials.
Photovoltaic
Generation of electricity from the energy of sunlight, using photocells.
Portland Cement
A basic ingredient of concrete and plaster mixes, made by burning limestone, clays, shales, or other ingredients containing alumina and silica. Portland cement manufacture can cause environmental impacts at all stages of the process, including air pollution, consumption of large quantities of fuel, and release of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide during manufacture. At least a ton of carbon dioxide is produced for every ton of cement.
Post-Consumer Recycled Content
Material that has been diverted from waste management systems for recycling. Products that make use of the highest post-consumer content are considered environmentally friendly.
Post-Consumer Recycling
Use of materials generated from consumer waste to make a new product, as when wastepaper is made into newsprint.
Post-industrial material
Industrial manufacturing scrap or waste; also called pre-consumer material.
Post-industrial recycled content
Waste that is produced during the manufacturing process and recycled back into the industrial process.
Pozzolan
A pozzolan is a material which, when combined with calcium hydroxide, exhibits cementitious properties. Pozzolans are commonly used as an addition (the technical term is "cement extender") to Portland cement concrete mixtures to increase the long-term strength and other material properties of Portland cement concrete, and in some cases reduce the material cost of concrete.
Pressure-treated wood
Wood that is chemically preserved to prevent moisture decay. The chemicals typically used can be health hazards for workers. Pressure-treated wood should not be burned because it produces toxic fumes, and must be treated as a hazardous waste when disposed of.
Rapidly renewable
Describes a natural resource that replenishes itself by natural processes very rapidly -- at least as quickly as it is used by human enterprise. For example, bamboo is considered rapidly renewable because when harvested sustainably the plant re-grows from the same root stalk and is ready for harvest in just a few years.
Reclaimed lumber
Lumber that is reclaimed by “deconstruction” of a building or structure. Reclaimed wood reduces landfill waste and can provide the benefits of old-growth timber without the environmental costs. Because it is often made from tight-grained old growth trees, is harder, denser, and more stable than wood from young trees.
Reclamation
Restoration of materials found in the waste stream to a beneficial use.
Recycled content
The content in a material or product derived from recycled materials versus virgin materials. Recycled content can be materials from recycling programs (see Post-consumer) or waste materials from the production process. (see Pre-consumer).
Recycled material
Material that would otherwise be destined for disposal but is diverted or separated from the waste stream and used as a “raw material” in the production process.
Recycling
The process by which materials that would otherwise become solid waste are collected, separated or processed and returned to the economic mainstream to be reused in the form of raw materials or finished goods.
Renewable resource
A resource that can be replenished at a rate equal to or greater than its rate of depletion.
Rough in
The distance between the center of the drainage hole and the back of the toilet.
Salvage
Building materials diverted from the waste stream intended for reuse.
Straw-bale construction
Alternative building method using bales of straw for wall systems. The method uses an agricultural waste product and achieves high insulation values. It is most appropriate for regions with relatively little precipitation.
Strand bamboo
A patented construction method in which fibers of semi-shredded bamboo are intertwined in a pressure-treated adhesive base to form a high-density, homogenous bamboo plank without internal voids.
Strip flooring
Flooring made from 1 1/2-, 2-, 2 1/4-, or 3 1/4-inch-wide by 3/4-inch thick strips of hardwood that are laid parallel. The strips have interlocking tongue-and-groove edges.
Sustainable
A process is sustainable if it can be repeated again and again without negative environmental impact or high economic and cultural costs. Issues of sustainability affect every aspect of a business, including raw materials, manufacturing, fair worker wages, support of local communities, shipping and profitability.
Tongue-and-groove
A method of fitting flooring together, edge to edge. Each piece has a slot (groove) cut all along one edge, and a thin, deep ridge (tongue) on the opposite edge so the pieces fit together snugly.
Toxic
Capable of having an adverse effect on an organism; poisonous; harmful or deadly.
Ultraviolet radiation (UV)
Any radiant energy within the wavelength range of 0.001 to 0.38 micron; high-energy components of light capable of damaging materials and increasing skin cancer risk.
Universal design
An approach to the design of products, services and environments to be usable by as many people as possible regardless of age, ability or circumstance.
Urea formaldehyde
Used as an adhesive in interior plywood and MDF, urea formaldehyde breaks down more easily than phenol-based adhesives, thereby releasing more formaldehyde
Urethanes
A family of plastics used for finishes and foamed insulations.
U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
A non-profit organization dedicated to sustainable building design and construction. USGBC's purpose is to improve the quality of life by transforming the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated, so they will be environmentally responsible and profitable, as well as being healthy places to live and work. Developers of the LEED building rating system (see LEED).
Visit the USGBC website
Ventilation
The process by which outside air is conveyed to an indoor space.
Vertical grain
Bamboo-flooring construction in which the bamboo strips are laminated with edges exposed to form a solid bamboo plank. Vertical grain bamboo has minimal pattern, with no visible nodes.
VOCs (volatile organic compounds)
Carbon-based chemicals that evaporate easily at room temperature, contributing to air pollution and posing a threat to human health. VOCs can be emitted by paints and finishes, adhesives, sealants and other construction materials. Other common sources include cleaning agents and tobacco smoke.
Watersense
WaterSense is a partnership program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency making it easy for Americans to save water and protect the environment. Toilets are certified by independent laboratory testing for water efficiency and flush performance. To be WaterSense-approved, the toilet must flush a minimum of 350 grams of water and have a non-adjustable valve (so it can't be manipulated to flush more water).
Wetland
In stormwater management, a shallow, vegetated, ponded area that serves to improve water quality and provide wildlife habitat.
Zero-VOC
Containing no volatile organic compounds. (See VOCs.)