In building the new Summerlin Home in Longmont, CO, Environmental Builders developer and Devonshire broker Steven Caplan took the more expensive, but environmentally friendly route of building with materials that are either recycled or renewable. In a previous blog post, Renewable Resources: The Future Of Construction, Lucas Shortridge discussed the importance of using renewable lumbers as well as non-volatile finishes in striving to build a 100% eco-friendly home. Using FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified wood guarantees that the amount of timber harvested is being reforested at an equal rate. Similarly, when selecting sources of tile or counter top, it is important that we stop depleting the earth of its non-renewable resources such as granite and marble.

Dal-Tile provides all of the tile needs for the floors and secondary bathrooms in the Summerlin home. In manufacturing their tiles, Dal-Tile uses the minimum amount of virgin raw materials possible. For example, a major component (up to 45%) of the body in the Duraflor products (floor tile) is a by-product from a 3M manufacturing process for roofing materials that was formerly disposed of as a waste. In their manufacturing process some of Dal-Tile’s other environmentally practices include:
-Using natural gas instead of fuel oils or coals
-Using water based glazes to eliminate the use of volatile solvents
-Recycling scrap tile generated during manufacturing into new tile products

Another type of finish being utilized in the house is Sumi-E tile made by Lunada Bay Tile. Sumi-E tile contains no chemical or toxic substances, is heat energy retaining and conducting (conserving), and is ecologically compatible/ environmentally green among other standout qualities.

If you are ever in the market to build a new home or renovate your old, instead of purchasing non-renewable materials like marble or granite, consider utilizing stylish and eco-friendly materials from quality manufacturers like Dal-Tile or Lunada Bay tile.