Shipping materials to build a home can be one of the most wasteful strategies. When deciding on the materials for a home, the buyer, builder and subcontractors should be careful. This is true from the framing to the last finishes.

Some guidelines say that 50 miles is a good radius, but of course there will be some materials that need to come from further away. Some regions don't have the same lumber sources or other manufacturing available, but this should not be discouraging.

Another technique is to look for salvaged material. Houses and commercial buildings that meet the end of their useful lives are just a fact, but the materials that make up these buildings don't have to end up in a landfill. Many larger cities have architectural salvage stores and these places can be the perfect resource for finding less expensive and sometimes higher quality building supplies.

So how do you handle materials and products that would be beneficial to the home, but there are no local or even regional sources for them? Many new green products have limited manufacturing centers and to purchase them, more than likely means long haul shipping and an embodied pollution just to receive the item.

Are you saying that these are not worth it?

Actually its a balance. If the only sources of a certain material are far away, then you have a few options and they should be weighed on a cost (meaning pollution)/benefit analysis. If you are having a large quantity shipped it becomes less of an issue. If you can convince a local retailer or contractor to carry the item and begin shipping it regularly, not as big an issue. That is not to say that this eliminates the issue, but larger shipments and regular stocking help to diminish the polluting effects of small, one time shipments.

Also look for similar items that may not be completely equal but produced locally or regionally. What you lose in performance you may gain in lessening pollution.

Could Google it but what are the strengths / weaknesses of this kind of build?

Your guidelines on buying material is appreciative. And I think people are very much keen to selecting the materials.

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You make a great point! There are some contractors out there that take pride in 'doing the right thing.' They will make a point to use only recycled materials, ship using 'green' automobiles and save electricity when working. If you want to find contractor reviews, you can always use Angie's List to see if there are any in your area that meet whatever criteria you have.