Cutting Edge, Earth-Friendly Materials

Momentum Builders integrates local, recycled, re-used, and earth-friendly materials in every home we build.  Examples include lumber and trim milled from trees taken from clients' land, extensive use of engineered wood products from framing to finishing, and earth-friendly  finishing materials.

"Over the past few decades, there has been an increasing awareness that as a society we have to redesign the systems that produce and support our way of life so that we don't continue to squander the Earth's resources. This concept is called sustainability. Before the Industrial Revolution, the only pollutants entering the thin layer of film around the earth came from the movement of the Earth's crust, such as volcanoes and earthquakes. But over the past 200 years, that biosphere has been undeniably affected by the mining of fossil fuels. Nature's cleaning mechanisms, the green-celled plants that cover our planet, cannot keep up with the increase in pollutants."

"And with a new emphasis on sustainability and renewable materials, there is an enormous amount of recycled materials entering the marketplace--from waterproof countertops made from recycled cardboard to interior trim made from wood scraps. All of these products are quite beautiful, taking on the colors of what they were originally and exhibiting natural textures all their own. Unlike plastic, they have some personality. Like a beautiful piece of wood, they tell us something about their origins.

--from The Not So Big House by Sarah Susanka

Resources

The Not So Big House   Bestselling author, architect and cultural visionary Sarah Susanka is leading a movement to redefine the American home and lifestyle. Her website provides resources supporting the "build better, not bigger" approach to residential architecture.

Green Building Sherpa  A green building resource directory that includes sources for sustainable products, eco-friendly services, and green industry information.

greenhomebuilding.com A website devoted to all aspects of sustainable architecture and natural building.

GreenBuilding Pages A sustainable building materials database and design tool for the environmentally and socially responsible designer, builder and client.

Environmental Building News  A newsletter focusing on environmentally responsible design and construction, including lots of interesting sites on its links from past issues.

Sustainable Building Sourcebook  This site is full of information, references, and sources for those interested in pursuing attractive, resource efficient, low environmental impact homes.

Residential Environmental Design and Sustainable Architecture  An internet magazine on green architecture

Ecobuild America Sustainable, green, and high-performance solutions for the built environment

Baker Miller Lumber A locally-owned and operated lumber yard

Bishops Carpet One  A locally-owned flooring company dedicated to providing a large variety of green products

Significant Elements A program of Historic Ithaca that promotes the reuse of architectural elements from demolished buildings

Finger Lakes ReUse  A non-profit organization that operates a low-cost, high quality ReUse Center

Green Resource Hub  A non-profit organization that aims to expand the impact of sustainable living in the Finger Lakes through collaboration of like-minded local groups, consumer education, workforce training, and professional development