Shades of Green

Our goal is to help you make smart decisions when you remodel your home or build your dream house. Smart building practices focus on elements that impact our environment and you family.

Which Shade are you?

GREEN:
The most confusing, misused, misunderstood work in the media today.

Make it easy: What is your Shade of Green?
Reduce my Energy Costs
Make my Home more comfortable
Improve indoor air quality
Use recycled materials
Support manufacturers committed to environmental stewardship
Earn green credits from nationally recognized NAHB or LEED programs.

Green Facts

More companies than ever are embracing sustainable behavior, marketing green products to a public eager to make an environmental difference. However, some Earth-friendly claims have misleading statements.

It's a "green wash"
That's the word used to describe a product or company that issues misleading environmental information or exaggerates its environmental benefits.

Signs of green washing
Not being independently certified by a trusted third party or outside expert.
Not enough accurate information on the package.
No proof of its claims.
Citing bogus certifications.
Making a claim that all others in the product category can make.

Know your terms
For example, VOCs (or Volatile Organic Compounds) can be harmful if inhaled and are emitted by many solvents and adhesives. What's the difference between VOC-compliant and low-VOC? A lot, it turns out. Low-VOC products actually meet stringent indoor air quality standards. If a product is VOC-compliant, it still contaminates the air, but just in slightly lower amounts. If you're striving to meet green standards, look for low-VOC products.
Source: Henkel Supply Lines Summer 2008 Newsletter

FSC Chain of Custody

Kohl Building Products has been granted the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Chain of Custody Certification (SCS-COC-002732) by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS).

FSC Chain of Custody Certification means Kohl meets strict tracking requirement for ensuring that products they sell as FSC-certified come from a "responsibly managed" forest, handled properly through the manufacturing chain to Kohl, the distributor.

Kohl is a source for FSC-certified windows, doors, cabinetry and plywoods for projects that meet the LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) designations or other green building standards.