Environmental Home Center (EHC) is a one-stop-shop for “green” building and interior finish materials including flooring, cabinets, countertops, tile, decking, paints, finishes, insulation and more. EHC’s retail store in Seattle’s SODO district has become the “go to” place for green building materials in the Pacific Northwest. Through its call center and web site the company is quickly becoming well-known across the nation.
The store was founded in 1992 by Matt Freeman Gleason, a carpenter who became disillusioned with the built environment, and quit his job to create a resource for healthy, green materials for homeowners and builders.
Since its inception, Environmental Home Center has taken the time to research every product it sells and has relied on a rigorous selection process. EHC’s products must be beautiful, durable, price competitive and healthy for people and the planet. At EHC whether you are looking for wood products that are from healthy forests, low-toxic paints, cabinets without added formaldehyde or simply materials you do not see everywhere else, each product meets the same high standard of quality and each has its own story.
The Built Green™ Home at Suncadia is the perfect venue to tell the story of many of these products. The home features cabinets, cork flooring, FSC-certified wood flooring and decking, recycled copper sinks, recycled tiles, low-toxic latex paint and low-toxic earth plaster.
Neil Kelly Cabinets
Many cabinets on the market today are major contributors to poor indoor air quality because of the glues and finishes used in construction. These European style frameless cabinets are healthier than most as they are made with low-toxic finishes and formaldehyde-free cases. Because Neil Kelly uses healthier materials, the cabinets do not off-gas Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) into the home. Homeowners can also order FSC-certified woods which helps contribute to healthier forests.
Our Neil Kelly cabinets are European style, frameless cabinets. The clean, uncomplicated designs work well with the distinctive woods used in the lines. Homeowners will enjoy the beautiful design and solid construction for many years. Because the cabinets are made out of solid wood, they may be refinished years later, saving time and resources.
The Craftsman style cabinets are made of alder. Neil Kelly cabinets are installed in the kitchen and on the main floor.
http://www.environmentalhomecenter.com/shop.mv?CatCode=10280_CABINETS
EcoTimber® Australian Chestnut flooring
Anyone interested in voting with their dollar to help maintain healthy forests around the world will love the idea of this flooring. EcoTimber’s Australian Chestnut is certified through the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) http://www.fscus.org, the gold standard for forest certification. FSC is a third-party, independent, chain-of-custody certification program which follows and tracks wood products from the forest to the retail store in which they are sold. FSC’s guiding principles for sustainable forestry include social, economic and environmental factors.
This unique flooring exhibits beautiful warm tones with black highlights. At 7 5/8 inches wide it is also one of the widest engineered character grade floors available. It is 145% harder than Red Oak. This tongue and groove flooring clicks together to install, but still requires glue.
http://www.environmentalhomecenter.com/shop.mv?CatCode=PRODUCT&ProdCode=ET_RECLAIMED
Vida Cork™ planks
Cork is a renewable resource. Cork planks are made from the bark of the cork oak tree, Quercus suber. Harvesting is the ultimate in sustainable production, having survived and thrived over many generations in Portugal, Spain and nearby Mediterranean countries. Because the market for cork provides an incentive to keep forest cover on arid land, the industry helps keep 5 1/2 million acres from turning to desert.
Our Vida Cork™ Planks are healthier than most cork available on the market today. Planks are finished with a low-toxic hardwax oil and the core has no added formaldehyde. The revolutionary Uniclic® system allows do-it-yourselfers to install the floor without glue or nails. Cork can be installed over concrete. Planks are ideal for most rooms. For easier maintenance, the hardwax oil finish is spot-repairable. Planks are 11 3/4 by 35 3/8 inches; 7/16 inches thick. The style in this home is leather.
http://www.environmentalhomecenter.com/shop.mv?CatCode=PRODUCT&ProdCode=CORK_PLANK
Terra cotta tiles
Recycled materials are becoming more and more beautiful these days, and tiles are no exception to that trend. Our terra cotta tiles are made of 50% recycled content. Victorian and Craftsman colors are available in standard tile sizes.
Our Terra cotta tiles are installed in the upstairs bathroom in the shower stall area. The tile color is Spanish Moss.
http://www.environmentalhomecenter.com/shop.mv?CatCode=PRODUCT&ProdCode=FIRECLAY
Squak Mountain Stone™ countertops
Not only is this countertop made from recycled content, all materials used are sourced from within a 125 mile radius of Seattle. The countertop is made out of Portland cement, waste flyash, waste glass dust, mixed waste paper, and pigments. Our vendor goes the extra mile and participates in the GreenTags program https://www.greentagsusa.org/GreenTags/index.cfm to help offset carbon dioxide generated from the manufacturing process of the Portland cement used in Squak Mountain Stone™
For anyone that likes the look of soapstone or concrete countertop, this is an eco-friendly alternative. It’s great for kitchens and bathrooms and fits well in contemporary or period homes. The material is handmade so each piece and installation is unique. There are five color choices available. This countertop is latte color.
http://www.environmentalhomecenter.com/shop.mv?CatCode=PRODUCT&ProdCode=SQUAK_MOUNTAIN
Recycled copper sinks
These sinks are handmade in Mexico from recycled copper mostly from industrial salvage. The vendor that supplies the recycled copper sinks is a member of the Fair Trade Federation http://www.fairtradefederation.com/
Recycled copper sinks are not welded, but are made from one piece of copper. We supplied 2 undermount sinks in the bathroom.
http://www.environmentalhomecenter.com/shop.mv?CatCode=PRODUCT&ProdCode=ECOBRE
FSC-certified tigerwood decking
It is possible to have exotic, long-lasting wood decking from South America without contributing to the destruction of the rain forests. This decking is certified through the Forest Stewardship Council http://www.fscus.org, the gold standard for forest certification.
Tigerwood is a beautiful wood marked with bands of contrasting colors. It is nearly seven times harder and almost four times stronger than red cedar, another popular decking material. It will remain smooth, splinter-free and friendly to bare feet for years. The wood we sell is premium, knot-free heartwood. Tigerwood is dimensionally stable, resists twisting and warping and lasts 25+ years.
http://www.environmentalhomecenter.com/shop.mv?CatCode=PRODUCT&ProdCode=FSC_DECKING
Paint
Painting with low-toxic paint is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to create a healthier home. With low-toxic paints, homeowners reduce the amount of chemicals off-gassing into their home.
American Clay Earth Plaster
American Clay Earth Plaster is composed of clay and an aggregate of marble dust that is mixed with natural earth pigments to offer a silky smooth, rich, natural texture to walls. There are 32 standard colors plus custom color options. This material breathes, resists mold and is hypo-allergenic and low-toxic. It is easy for homeowners and professionals to apply.
The walls of the wine cellar are finished with American Clay.
Dual Flush toilets & matching sinks
The toilets are made in Australia, where water-saving has long been a priority. The manufacturer received money from the Australian government to perfect the design of these toilets, and the investment paid off. These toilets use either a one half flush (0.8 gallons) or a full flush (1.6 gallons) saving consumers up to 60% in water usage. They are quiet, easy to clean and they really work well. Special features in this toilet include a 4 inch trap to help prevent clogs.
Matching sinks are made to fit into small spaces and are made of vitreous china.
The Caravelle ADA toilet and the semi recessed sink are featured in the Built Green Home at Suncadia.
http://www.environmentalhomecenter.com/shop.mv?CatCode=PRODUCT&ProdCode=CAROMA_TOILET |
