cork

The Photovoltaic roof consists of a set of solar panels assembled to cover the surface of the roof of a house or a building. Don't confuse it with the pool solar heaters, they are used to hot water and not to generate electricity.

There are no moving parts, maintenance requirements are reduced to the minimum terms and consist, mostly in periodic checks of the accumulator battery.

The photovoltaic modules that make up the solar panels, transform the energy received from the sun into electricity used for domestic use in partial or total replacement of conventional supply.

This solar system is feasible even on complex already built but is considerably cheaper, obviously, if already part of the plan for a new building.

Of course, the main advantage of these systems is in the use of an inexhaustible energy source, free and clean. The energy produced by photovoltaic panels is included in the existing electrical system and connected to the supplier of electricity.

Therefore, a practical example is that when it produced more energy than required, the system can assign an energy surplus to the electricity distributor.

The market is increasing its penetration, the experts for the magazine "World Renewable Energy" have estimated a change of 1000 kW in 1990, 2000 in 1993, 7000 in 1996, 36,000 in 1999, 60 thousand in 2000, 800 thousand in 2010.

When a company calls a building product green, do you believe the claim, or do you automatically think "green washing?" According to a poll conducted on behalf of Icynene, an insulation manufacturer, the majority of consumers think the "green" label is just that -- a label, a marketing trick.

That interesting tidbit comes from a piece in the Philadelphia Inquirer, one of many recent articles that analyzes the difficulties inherent in weeding out bogus claims when it comes to green building.

However, this particular news story differentiates itself from the crowd by not only discussing some of the problems facing those who want to build or remodel green, but also discussing good alternatives.

According to the story, tests published by Consumer Reports indicate that some cork and bamboo flooring (which are heralded as bright green flooring options) may not wear or retain their color well, meaning they would need to be replaced more frequently than other flooring options which are often considered less green.

The article doesn't stop there though:

"For a natural, resilient and least-pricey green-flooring option, choose sunlight- and dent-resistant linoleum, which starts around $4 per square foot," said ShopSmart editor Lisa Lee Freeman.

It's a thought-provoking and, ultimately, helpful article. Read the whole thing here.

Image via nacu

If you've been put off by the thought that all cork products look like a bulletin board from the 1970s, think again. The new focus on sustainable materials has inspired new designs: This week Ecofabulous profiles Daniel Michalik, a designer who is building elegant, high end furniture out of cork, making it do "things that only it can do." Cork's sensuality is particularly interesting when combined with a sleek, modern aesthetic. Design Within Reach carries an eco-friendly cork stool (pictured) by designer Jasper Morrison that would be at home in any Neutra House, and Gaiam sells a cork lamp that would be a conversation piece in any environment.

If your taste is more traditional, The Cork House offers a gorgeous line of cork upholstery fabric and furnishings, as well as cork wall coverings and floorings.

Cork is a harvestable, sustainable material that is also sensual to the touch and beautiful to look at. It comes from Cork Oak trees, which are the sheep of forestry products--the trees are sheared of their bark, and grow another layer in a few years' time.

One of the hallmarks of Cork is its resiliency; cork floors are forgiving of falls, making them great for homes with children or the elderly. And it's sturdier than you might think, with plenty varieties that are suitable for kitchens and other wet areas.

Globus Cork has a wonderful line of snap-in floating floors (think Pergo) that come in an array of colors and tile shapes to suit any decor theme.

Just because cork is trendy doesn't mean it's new. Wicanders has been making and selling cork flooring in the prime cork-growing regions of Portugal since the 1800s.