Green Sacramento was founded 5 years ago with the idea of providing healthier and more sustainable building materials to the greater Sacramento area community. Over time we recognized another element of sustainability; product longevity through durability, functionality and aesthetics. So when customers come to Green Sacramento they can be assured that we have done our due diligence to ensure that our products meet very high standards in all of those areas and that our staff will understand our customers' needs and concerns. As the founder of Green Sacramento I truly believe that we provide a unique and invaluable service to the people of this area.

But like so many others right now, our business has been affected by the downturn in the economy and we hope friends and supporters can get the word out and help us get through these tough times. If you or any of your friends are in the midst of a project, just starting a remodel or have been putting off an upgrade we encourage you to stop by and visit our showroom for your home improvement needs. Our new sister company, Green Sacramento Builders is also available to provide construction services with a focus on energy efficiency and indoor air quality.


To further encourage both old and new customers to stop by we are having a sale starting right away on our in-stock inventory as follows:

10% off all AFM and Yolo paint and primer current inventory through July 11th

10% off all American Clay products current inventory through July 11th

All mis-tinted paints are available for $5 per quart and $10 per gallon

20% to 30% off other current inventory through the end of July including:
- Wood and concrete stains, finishes and sealants
- Limited quantities of Bamboo, Cork and Marmoleum Click flooring
- Various Sundries ñ Including paint brushes, canvas tarps and lead test kits

Plus we will be providing a discount on all brands and types of flooring through July 18th including cork, bamboo, carpet, Marmoleum and FSC wood as follows:
- 5% off all flooring on orders over 500sf
- 8% off all flooring on orders over 1000sf

Thank you for your support!

Josh Daniels
Owner, Green Sacramento

Making Your House An E-House

Its not very often we get to see all the energy efficient tools and products put to use in one location. SMUD has designed just that and it is sitting in their first floor "Center" here in the Sacramento office.

Showcasing all the energy saving techniques for building a home efficiently, this interactive, walk through, full scale model is very helpful in understanding the logic behind the uses of various materials and just how there products save energy. The E-House showcases everything from framing to duct work, to whole house fans, and includes an interactive video to explain more tips and provide additional information on home energy efficiency.

Green Sacramento provided SMUD with many of the materials seen in the E-House making them readily available here in Sacramento. Also, because Green Sacramento has recently expanded to include construction and deconstruction services, all modifications seen in the E-House can be not only be purchased through Green Sacramento, but also installed by Green Sacramento Builders.

Green Sacramento Builders Launch Party

This Second Saturday, Green Sacramento Builders is officially launching and we are celebrating with music and art! Blvd Park will be performing along with two other special guests and local artists will be displaying some of their art on our walls. Please come and enjoy some music and art while helping us welcome GSB to our community.

In the three weeks since GSB was first mentioned here, they have been busy with many projects in the area. From roofing to kitchen remodels, GSB has hit the ground running and is providing the Sacramento area with sustainable materials as well as responsible practices.

So please stop by this Second Saturday and meet the people behind Green Sacramento Builders and enjoy some great music and art. We will be out there beginning at 5 until about 9 so be sure to stop by and check us out!

Zero-VOC Exterior Paint and Primer Sale

Much attention has been paid to interior paint and its effect on air quality, but it seems the exterior application of paints and stains has been misunderstood. There exists a common confusion among consumers as to the reasoning behind and benefits of going green when it comes to exterior painting. Traditional exterior paints contain chemicals that allow it to withstand the elements. However, because natural paints lack these chemicals, their use is limited to indoor applications. The eco-friendly exterior versions of these natural paints are considered to be green as long as they do not contain heavy metals or toxins. Because the outdoor air dilutes the effects of VOC's does not mean they do not have an impact on both the environment as well as the buildings tenants.

In traditional exterior products the excess amount of VOC's being emitted are reacting with the sunlight to create ground level ozone, which is a major contributor to smog, especially in densely populated areas. The newer Low-VOC and Zero-VOC products reduce the occurrence of this reaction. Outdoor painting projects also may affect indoor air quality if the off-gases of traditional paint make it into the home through open windows, doors, and vents.

Yolo Colorhouse carries a great line of exterior paints that are zero VOC, 100% acrylic for great performance, and 40% volume solids for excellent coverage. Right now through June 30th, purchase 5 gallons of Yolo Colorhouse exterior paint and receive one gallon of exterior primer for free, or purchase 15 gallons of exterior paint and receive one five gallon bucket of outside primer.

Vetrazzo Glass Orgins

Not only are Vetrazzo countertops beautiful, they are a great use of recycled glass. When looking at some of the glass, it is hard not to imagine where that glass came from, and what it used to be. Thankfully there are some industry standards that can help us find the origin of the glass in your kitchen or bathroom countertop.

Colorless glass, also sometimes called clear glass, is just that, void of color. The most common place to find this glass is in the grocery store, mostly likely bottling some pasta sauce or some peanut butter. The glass with the most shade variation is green glass. Iron, chromium or copper are the metals used to "color" this glass, and the reason why there are so many different shades of this particular color. Wine is the most popular use for green glass because of its ability to keep sunlight and temperature from affecting the contents. Blue glass is a naturally occurring color due to iron impurities found in sand. Originally most popular before the 1920's, it is now used for ink and alcohol bottles. The last color of glass is brown glass, which is also known as "amber" glass. This glass is very similar to green glass, it is manufactured by adding nickel, sulfur and carbon. The most common use of this color glass is beer bottles, because of its ability to keep light out.

A great product, Vetrazzo is a beautiful way to add character to either a kitchen or bathroom, and knowing it is made from recycled materials makes it even more desirable and unique.

The Truth About Cotton, and Why To Go Organic

Its everywhere and nobody ever seems to think twice about putting it on in the morning, crawling into it at night, or even pulling it out of the medicine bottle; that is, until the introduction of organic cotton. Rather than mentioning what's NOT in organic cotton, it is far scarier to discuss what is in the traditional stuff and how long these chemicals have been hiding.

The conventional method of farming cotton uses many chemicals in many forms, fertilizers, insecticides, herbicides, and defoliants. The use of crop dusters are utilized heavily when farming cotton, in some cases crops are sprayed as many as ten times in one growing season. Whats worse? Five of the top nine pesticides known to case cancer are used in farming cotton, all of which are classified by the EPA as the most dangerous chemicals, type I or II. The unused parts of the cotton plant, the leaves, stems, and short fibers have a concentrated level of pesticide residue and is not allowed to be fed to livestock, so what do they do with it? Lets see, you sleep on a mattress, and sit on a sofa, and clean your ears with cotton swabs, all of which have the supersaturated, pesticide containing cotton.

Organic cotton is farmed on land that has not used pesticides for at least three years and uses beneficial insects to keep pest insects at bay. Given the choice, no chemicals sounds a whole of a heck lot better than known cancer causing carcinogens infiltrating my home. The cotton bedding sold at Green Sacramento is Coyuchi, and is an organic material. Offering more than just traditional sheets, blankets and duvet covers, Coyuchi also offers baby bedding.

Sunflower Board and Kirei

There are a lot of materials on the market today for home remodels and general construction and many people get lost in all the decisions they are making. However, one thing many homeowners rarely have the option on is Sheetrock, besides the color perhaps, which hopefully is a low VOC brand. There are a few products out there that are more sustainable than Sheetrock, have a completely new look, and can be used for more than just wall board.

Sunflower board is a composite material that utilizes bio-based technology, and is composed of sunflower seeds, which are rapidly renewable. The great thing about sunflower board is its versatility. It has hues of brown, yellow, and black outlines that create a great pattern. It can be stained like wood, cut like wood, and even routed like wood. Its uses go beyond wall board to include table surfaces, cabinetry, furniture, and interior decorative wall accents with the only limitation being kitchen and bathroom countertops.

Another great material is Kirei, made from the Sorghum plant and its leftover stalks after harvesting. These stalks are then heat-pressed with a non-toxic adhesive which creates a very strong, lightweight, multipurpose board. Common uses for Kirei include wall coverings, ceilings, cabinetry, furniture and flooring.