Resources and Information

The good news is there is A LOT of information about green remodeling, green building and sustainable living, especially in Portland. The bad news is there is REALLY a lot of information and sorting through can be overwhelming. To help you navigate through these resources, we have listed some of our BEST PICKS for:

• General Sustainable Living Information
• Introduction to Green Homes
• Green Home Specifics
• Green Materials
• Other Resources

We update this information as we find newer and better resources, so we welcome your suggestions and feedback. Also, if you have a particular question that you can't get answered using these resources, feel free to contact us. We may be able to help you directly or suggest other resources. Additionally, we are always available to research information for a fee.

General Sustainable Living Information:

Ecological Footprint

Have you ever wonder how much of the earth's resources are required to support your lifestyle? The Ecological Footprint is a user-friendly tool that can measure the impact of our actions. It calculates the land and water acres required to provide the resources we consume and absorb the waste we produce. To determine the impact of your transportation, food and housing choices all you need to do is answer a few questions about how you live. The on-line calculator will do the rest. The results will help you to focus on those areas of your life where changes would be the most beneficial for conserving the earth's resources. »more

Chinook Book - EcoMetro Guide

We love the Chinook Book! It is published yearly and is full of well-written information about making more sustainable choices PLUS discount coupons for businesses and services in the Portland and Eugene areas that support sustainable living. The $20 cost of the book is easily recouped after using just a few of the hundreds of coupons in it. This is a great way to discover and support local businesses moving toward sustainability. »more

ReDirect Guide

Published yearly, this is the phone book of green businesses in the Portland Metro area. It is widely available throughout the region and is free. The introduction is full of useful information about sustainable living principles, local resources and events. 503-231-4848 »more

Introduction to Green Homes

Good Green Homes

Maybe we are biased because the green home Eric built is one of the homes featured in this book, but this really is an excellent resource introducing the idea of green building. Sumptuously photographed and well written, the book outlines the basic principles to consider in creating a green(er) home and offers examples that will inspire you to create your own version of a good green home. Written by Jennifer Roberts and photographed by Linda Svendsen. »more

Natural Remodeling: for the Not-So-Green-House

Natural Remodeling is a treasure trove of inspiration and information by two green architects, Carol Venolia and Kelly Lerner. The book is lush with color photographs and useful illustrations and the writing is informative and enjoyable. The content is equally engaging with a blend of practical information on green building principles, philosophical essays on living green, and case studies. Photos of our condo and an essay we wrote about reducing our Ecological Footprint is included in the book. »more

The New Ecological Home

This is one of the best written and most comprehensive primers on green home building basics. The author of the book, Daniel Chiras, describes not only green building principles, but list specific material and structural options as well. The book has checklists, extensive references, good graphics—everything, except pretty pictures. »more

Little House on a Small Planet

The subtitle for this book could have been, "Let's get real about what really matters in a home." Perhaps a little on the granola side of the continuum for some, Shay Salomon presents a refreshing and well-written exploration of what our expectations of home are. She includes lots of case studies, floor plans, and good statistics on the resources homes use. The examples from Canada, which is ahead of U.S. in the real house department, are particularly inspiring. »more

Green Home Specifics

Seattle Sustainable Building Web Site

Seattle has developed some very useful on-line remodeling guides that walk you through a range of green remodeling issues including the kitchen, the roof, the bath, and the garden. Particularly useful are the charts that offer comparisons for various materials for countertops, flooring, tile, etc. The materials are well written and informative with attractive photos. »more

Fix It Fairs

The Fix-It-Fairs are an easy way to learn simple and affordable methods to improve your home. These half-day, city-sponsored events are held on a few Saturdays during the winter each year in neighborhood schools around Portland. They offer exhibits and hourly workshops on a wide range of home related topics including weatherization, mold and indoor air quality, lead-safe remodeling, composting, and financing improvements. The atmosphere is festive and friendly with lots of hands on demonstrations, information and free stuff. The city's G-Rated program has other green building resources, including a Green Building Checklist and a hotline for technical assistance on green building questions, 503-823-5431. »more

Regreen Remodeling Guide

This is a very thorough series of guidelines developed by the US Green Building Council and The American Society of Interior Designers’ Foundation for design professionals. The thoroughness is both welcomed and tedious at times, but the information overall is very sound. The first part of this 182 page (12MB PDF) document uses the lens of case studies for different areas of the home and the second part is a strategy library. »more

Converting Attics, Basements and Garages to Living Space

This is a on-line brochure from the city of Portland that outlines what is required to legally convert these spaces into living space. It includes minimum room areas and ceiling heights, requirements for stairs, door and windows, and much more. Reading it is a good first step in evaluating the viability of these spaces in your home. »more

Metro

Metro's web site lists tips on reducing the waste in your home and business, as well as where to recycle a wide range of items. »more

Portland General Electric

This user-friendly web site offers a wide range of energy saving strategies including an on-line Energy Analysis that shows your energy use compared to average. If you are not subscribed to PGE, check your utility's website for comparable information. »more

Energy Trust

Should you want to improve the energy efficiency of your home or business, Energy Trust administers many of the financial incentive programs for Portland General Electric, Pacific Power and NW Natural, and offers application assistance for Oregon State tax credits. They also offer free home energy reviews. Visit their web site for no and low cost tips for saving energy and to learn about the ever-changing array of available rebates. 866-368-7878. »more

Green Materials

Ecohaus (formerly Environmental Building Supply)

This is as close as it gets to one stop shopping for green building supplies in the Portland area. The showroom has samples of various flooring materials, paints and finishes, countertop materials, wood burning stoves, as well as mattresses and bedding. Be sure to ask the knowledgeable staff about items that might not be on display. 503-222-3881, 819 SE Taylor St., PDX. »more

Rebuilding Center

This non-profit organization offers a place where you can donate as well as purchase used building materials. The huge warehouse contains kitchen and bathroom cabinets, wood, trim, electrical supplies, lighting, toilets, bathtubs-everything including the proverbial kitchen sink. The popularity of the place means that things come and go quickly from the site. The Center also offers Deconstruction Services that ensure the maximum recycling of your building debris. 503-331-1877, 3625 N. Mississippi Ave., PDX. »more

Restore - A Project of Habitat from Humanity

Like the Rebuilding Center, Restore accepts and sells used building materials. They also sell some materials through the Metro recycle program. 503-283-6247, 66 SE Morrison St., PDX. »more

Both the Rebuilding Center and Restore will pick up large donation items from your home.

Imagine Energy

This local company offers an array of information and services for business and home owners on ways to eliminate energy waste and generate their own clean energy. »more

BuildingGreen.com

This is the go to source for reviews of green materials and techniques that is geared for designers and contractors. The annual fee for access is pricey, but you can pay a small fee for a week's access to the considerable information on-line. Alternatively you can read thorough product reviews in Green Building Products edited by Wilson and Piepkorn available in Powell's Technical branch. »more

Consumer Report’s Greener Choices

This is a good comprehensive web site with information about the relative green value of autos, appliances, electronics, food items and other consumer items. Good overview of principles and listing of resources as well. »more

Center for the New American Dream

This group has been at the forefront of green living for years and offers good solid information in an easily accessible and inspiring way. Their Conscious Consumer Market Place has information and links about all sorts of products—from appliances to seafood—and is just a part of this extensive site on green living. »more

Other Resources

Moving To Portland

This is an extremely useful web site for learning about Portland, its neighborhoods and its real estate market. Susan Marthens has created a goldmine of information. It was on her site that we learned about the equally valuable Portland Maps where you can find detailed information about any property in Portland and take a peek into your neighbor's backyard with the aerial photographs. »more

Roots Realty

Roots Realty is a full service realty company committed to the development of strong and healthy communities in Portland. Their website includes home buying and selling resources. »more

The Oregonian Thursday Home Section

While not devoted to green building, this section does cover many of the green building products and services in the Portland area. They have a good events calendar as well. »more

What No One Ever Tells You About Renovating Your Home

While this book does not discuss green building, it does offer useful, real life tips on the remodeling process. The author, Alan Heavens, is a 20-year veteran of the renovating process as a home owner and a real estate and home improvement columnist. He is delightfully and painfully honest about all the mistakes he and others have made and how you can try to avoid them. Read this BEFORE you undertake your home improvement project. »more

Angie's List

Angie's list is an on-line service that lists customer reviews and ratings for a wide range of business including all types of home-related services. When you can't get a good recommendation from friends, this is perhaps the next best way to find a business or to check up on the quality of businesses you hear about. Requires annual fee for membership. »more

Better Business Bureau

Check out all potential contractors and businesses with BBB. It's quick and easy on-line. »more

Construction Contractors Board

This state agency protects consumers by regulating all types of building contractors. Especially useful is the on-line copy of "16 Ways to Avoid Remodeling Repair and Construction Problems." »more

Ask Umbra

This column on the Grist news web site offers insightful and well researched answers to questions reader's have about living sustainability. You can sign up to receive Ask Umbra e-columns directly as well as search through the extensive archives. For more go to Grist and click on "Ask Umbra".

Apartment Therapy

Apartment Therapy is based in New York City, but many of the articles and discussions can apply to living well in smaller spaces anywhere. You'll find practical suggestions on learning to live with less stuff and on introducing beauty to every inch of your not-so-big home. There is a lot to see here and navigating the site can be a bit daunting, sort of like NYC itself. »more

The US Department of Energy (DOE)

For years DOE had one of the best web sites on energy saving strategies and materials for the home (finally, a way to access some of our tax dollars at work!) Given the abundance of sites that now exist, DOE's site doesn't stand out so much, but it is still a good place to get solid information and links. »more