Ask A Pro
Ask GreenHomeGuide a question about greening your home. We'll put your question to our network of the best and brightest green architects, designers, contractors and consultants across the U.S. If you have a question, Ask A Pro.
Victoria Schomer
How do I choose a good "green" paint that won't cost a small fortune?
Asked by Ellen Wallingford, Rockport, ME
What durable, attractive green countertops are affordable alternatives to granite?
Asked by Kaye Key, Bangor, ME
I'm researching wood flooring for my home and getting confused by all the choices. Can you help?
Asked by Stewart Forsbrand, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Tim Montgomery
What's the best way to preserve a historic rock wall in a damp basement?
Asked by Mike Bowers, Mishawaka, IN
Can you suggest an eco-friendly trim material for our brick home?
Asked by Cindy Robinson, Suffolk, VA
I'm looking for a kitchen faucet with copper supply lines instead of plastic. Can you help?
Asked by Will Elwell, Shelburne Falls, MA
Mark Schrieber
We're adding a sunroom to our home. Can you suggest strategies for natural heating and cooling?
Asked by Dennis Kitchen, Smyrna, TN
We're building a prefab home in Puerto Rico. How can we keep it cool without central AC?
Asked by June Vazquez, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico
Are there any cost-cutting shortcuts for planting a green roof on my urban townhouse?
Asked by Rachel Diamond, Harrisburg, PA
Richard Reilly
What is our best bet for finding safe, nontoxic building materials for our new home's construction?
Asked by Mary Beth Jewell, Barbourville, KY
What type of insulation should I use for a new home in Tennessee? Should I use 2x6s for the walls?
Asked by Steve Truelove, Chattanooga, TN
Is glass mosaic tile too fragile for a kitchen countertop? Is it difficult to install?
Asked by Pinar Alscher, Oakland, CA
Debbie Sek
Our painter used traditional paints instead of non-VOC. Should we strip the walls and start over?
Asked by Eliot Angle, Los Angeles, CA
Are there nontoxic stains that would be safe for wood planters in a veggie garden?
Asked by Candy Guerrero, Harrison, NJ
Is there a finish I can use to seal MDF surfaces on a changing table for my baby's nursery?
Asked by Sabrina van Engelen, Aliso Viejo, CA
Cameron Habel
Is there a manufacturer of kitchen cabinets that is truly green?
Asked by Josie Carothers, Harvard, MA
Are click-on cork or linoleum tiles a good option for our kitchen, laundry area, and bathroom?
Asked by Willy Scholten, San Jose, CA
I've heard solar water heaters are expensive and easily damaged by winter freezes. Is this true?
Asked by Aliya Rodriguez, Olympia Fields, IL
Paul Gleicher
Can you recommend a durable and easy-maintenance floor for a bathroom?
Asked by Kathleen Schaeffer, Easton, PA
I'd like to know more about on-site wastewater treatment and green roofs in NYC. Can you help?
Asked by Cesar Yoc, New York, NY
What resources do you recommend for learning how to build a green home?
Asked by Margaret Vanwormer, Great Mills, MD
Daniel Glickman
Should we replace our PVC lined flexible heating ducts with another type of ductwork?
Asked by Sandy Van Wagoner, Auburn, WA
My builder doesn't want to use ICFs, but I've heard they're a great product. What do you think?
Asked by George Matthews, Walnut Creek, CA
We need to replace the windows on our Florida home. What's the greenest choice?
Asked by Lisa Fiocca, Stow, OH
Marc Ojanen & Shen-I Chiou
What do you think of websites that offer green home blueprints?
Asked by Marcus Moore, North Hollywood, CA
What do you think of Alside's new composite wood siding product?
Asked by Alice Nelsen, St. Charles, MO
Is cork laminate a realistic option for a kitchen countertop?
Asked by Shohreh Kermani-Peterson, Alexandria, VA
Jesse Terzi
We want to design a greywater system for the campground we're renovating. Can you help?
Asked by Brian McDonald, Providence, RI
Should attic insulation extend into the eave soffits?
Asked by Ralph Fumante Jr., Oyster Bay Cove, NY
How can we prevent car fumes from polluting our house through the attached garage?
Asked by Anne Osher, Houston, TX
Jim Zack
Can you suggest a green architect in central Ohio or offer ideas of how to locate one in my area?
Asked by Laura Renner, Hilliard, OH
Can you recommend a program that picks up excess construction materials?
Asked by Dahlia Klein, Great Neck, NY
We're trying to figure out what type of wood to use for an outdoor deck. Any advice?
Asked by Melissa Carlson, Boston, MA
Richard Heller
Should we replace our lawn with artificial turf?
Asked by Jeni Vullings, San Francisco, CA
Is there an eco-friendly way to get rid of the poison ivy and sumac on our property?
Asked by Jacqueline Downing, Maysville, NC
How can I create a permeable pathway for my water-wise garden?
Asked by Stan Brody, Upland, CA
Mike Binder
I'm shopping for a lingerie chest. Should I avoid particleboard, MDF, and veneer?
Asked by Raven Wild, Woodstock, MD
Should I leave an air space between my attic insulation and the wood roofing?
Asked by D.L. Bennett, Arlington, VA
How far below grade should I insulate my house's exterior? What material should I use?
Asked by Mimi Barzen, Grand Rapids, MN
Mary Cordaro
What do you think of memory foam mattresses and toppers? Are they safe?
Asked by Deborah Gerard, Alford, MA
I just finished my basement. Can you help me choose mold-resistant flooring?
Asked by Meryam Sheriaty, Baldwin, NY
Can you recommend a nontoxic fabric treatment to protect my ivory couch from stains?
Asked by Dawn Keith, Centennial, CO
Ian MacLeod
Is it possible to combine solar thermal collectors with a hot water on-demand system?
Asked by Francoise LaMonica, Newton, MA
I'm concerned about toxic offgassing from OSB subflooring and roofing. Are safer products available?
Asked by Chris Kivett, Summerfield, NC
What is the safest and most effective insulation for our attic crawl space?
Asked by Alison Rockwell, Boulder, CO
Robert and Christine Boles
How can I find out whether wind power is a practical option for our location on the Oregon coast?
Asked by Bruce Ferrell, Salem, OR
Where can I find eco-friendly exterior doors that will match my historic home and keep the cold out?
Asked by Rene Ebersole, New York, NY
How much will it cost to install solar panels on my 2,000-sq.-ft. home in San Francisco?
Asked by Simon Marla, San Francisco, CA
Patrick Sheaffer
Should we have our tankless water heater installed by a specialist?
Asked by Jess Wren, Los Angeles, CA
Is electric baseboard heat powered by solar panels an efficient choice for our new addition?
Asked by Greg Meyer, Santa Cruz, CA
Why is cork flooring considered better for the environment than wall-to-wall carpet?
Asked by Peggy Cross, Stow, MA
Nick Cope
I'm highly allergic to chemicals. Are there hidden toxins in low- or zero-VOC paints?
Asked by Diena Chen, Los Angeles, CA
Is there a drywall alternative that's safe for our new baby's nursery?
Asked by Holly Coleman, Roeland Park, KS
How can I limit harmful offgassing from a recent coat of "non-green" paint?
Asked by Rebecca Ronn, Brooklyn, NY
J Neufeld
What's more sustainable: a longer-lasting floor finish, or one with lower VOC content?
Asked by Tom Leland, Beachwood, OH
What are the best low-maintenance, durable stains and urethane finishes for wood floors?
Asked by Zoe Redick, Scottsdale, AZ
Which species of wood are the most sustainable?
Asked by Judy Torrance, Houston, TX
Fernando Feldman
Can you recommend a nontoxic spackle for patching walls?
Asked by Marisa Marquez, Riverside, CA
What should an electrician know about working with SIPs?
Asked by Teresa Taylor, Hamilton, OH
Can you help me find affordable blueprints or designs for a green home?
Asked by William Robles, Roswell, NM
Shannon Demma
Is it safe to remove vinyl flooring while I'm pregnant? What's the best material to replace it?
Asked by Carrie Smith, Cincinnati, OH
Are Paperstone or IceStone countertops good choices for indoor air quality?
Asked by Sean Sullivan, Milltown, NJ
Should we install cork flooring in our moisture-prone basement?
Asked by Jennifer Krentz, Mount Prospect, IL
Florian Speier
Can I configure an electric tankless water heater to run a baseboard hot-water heating system?
Asked by Larry Cassis, Brooksville, ME
Our Oregon home is not a good candidate for solar. How can we make the house more energy efficient?
Asked by Brittany Sims, Portland, OR
I want to help get my mom's house "off the grid." Where do I start?
Asked by Jackie Mellen, Chipley, FL
Martine Paquin
For a baby nursery, is refinishing the hardwood floor better than installing new carpet?
Asked by Anna Hilton, Philadelphia, PA
Can we avoid formaldehyde in adhesives by choosing hardwood flooring that is nailed into place?
Asked by Herbert Lichtman, Chicago, IL
What's the best replacement for a wood floor in a home with a pool, teenage boys, and two dogs?
Asked by Nancy Meisch, North Richland Hills, TX
Paul Rosen
I'd like to power our home with solar and sell the excess back to the grid. Can you help?
Asked by Wendie Hall, Albertville, AL
I am interested in solar PV. What do you recommend for an old house?
Asked by Exton Quinn, Santa Monica, CA
Can you tell me how well solar hot-water heaters work?
Asked by Betsy Humes, Brooklyn, NY
Kirsten Flynn
What resources are used to manufacture natural fiber carpet?
Asked by Christine Wong, Ithaca, NY
Where can we find inexpensive cabinets for our hobby room?
Asked by Anne Osher, Houston, TX
How can I reupholster furniture sustainably?
Asked by Amy Wallace, Darien, CT
Susan Wisniewski
Are there alternatives to cypress and pressure-treated pine for fences?
Asked by Tim Martin, St. Petersburg, FL
What's the difference between a green roof and a white roof?
Asked by Angela Corcoran, Brooklyn, NY
Can you offer landscaping ideas for a small urban backyard?
Asked by Robyn Shaw, Brooklyn, NY
Susan Davis
Can I insulate my roof without destroying the vintage pressed-tin ceiling?
Asked by Betsy Humes, Brooklyn, NY
Should I choose vinyl or non-vinyl replacement windows?
Asked by Laura Burdick, Alexandria, VA
Can you offer advice for building our kitchen cabinets sustainably?
Asked by Jennifer Housel, Kingsley, PA
Richard Parker
Can you help me select a high efficiency furnace?
Asked by Jeffrey Vigneault, Redding, CT
What should we consider when buying land for a green home?
Asked by J. Nussbaum, Alameda, CA
Is there an eco-friendly sealer for my granite countertops?
Asked by Nancy Spiccia, Alpharetta, GA
Greg Upwall
Moisture is leaking through our new basement windows. What should we do?
Asked by Laurie Jack, Lloydminster, SK, Canada
Large gaps have formed between the boards of my wood-paneled walls. Can they be saved?
Asked by Alison L., Baton Rouge, LA
We want to design a passive-solar home for a hot climate. Can we still have views to the east?
Asked by Dorothy Shannon, Charlotte, NC
Miriam Landman
How can I become a green builder?
Asked by G. Marshall, Oakland, CA
Can you recommend sources for green furniture?
Asked by Ross Levin, Lafayette Hill, PA
Is brick a good option for siding? How green is it?
Asked by Ken Yaber, Bonneau, SC
Marian Keeler
What green options are there for wall coverings other than paint?
Asked by Anne Osher, Houston, TX
What are the best green alternatives to wood for decking?
Asked by Jodi Ropert, Windsor, CA
Is linoleum a good flooring choice for our baby's nursery?
Asked by Lauren Raymond, Avon, CO
Cassandra Adams
Is limestone tile a sustainable choice for a pool and patio surface?
Asked by Lynne Latham, Los Angeles, CA
What's the best way to capture solar heat from south-facing windows?
Asked by Jeff Kushner, Victor, MT
Are whole-house fans effective in northern latitudes?
Asked by J.C. Cahill, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Mari Strain
Can you recommend healthy flooring for a home with kids and pets?
Asked by Mary Haeberle, Brecksville, OH
Will bamboo flooring splinter under a wheelchair?
Asked by G. Grimbley, Fort Worth, TX
Is cork a good flooring choice for a basement? Will my cats damage the floor?
Asked by Erin Davidson, Richmond Heights, MO
Maggie Wood
How can I green my rented apartment?
Asked by Alicia Lipinski, Burbank, CA
Can you recommend solar window blinds that are not made of PVC?
Asked by Lisa Dow, New York, NY
How do I select safe natural fiber products for my home?
Asked by Amber Doyle, Spokane, WA
David Bergman
I want energy efficient lighting, but hate the cold light of fluorescents. Can you help?
Asked by Maya Leonard, Huntington, NY
Tankless water heaters: electric or gas?
Asked by Michelle Allman, North Hollywood, CA
Are old appliances green because we are reusing, or not green because they are not Energy Star?
Asked by Chris Tissot, North Hollywood, CA
Tracy Stone
Is there locally quarried stone near Southern California?
Asked by Caroline Kaplan, Mission Viejo, CA
Can you help me find information about earth-friendly interior doors?
Asked by Jen Dyl, San Diego, CA
Where can I find unfinished wheatboard cabinets?
Asked by Paul Hurty, Los Angeles, CA
Connie McCullah
Can I switch to solar-heated water in my radiant heat system?
Asked by Lynn Freeman, Sandy, OR
How can I keep costs down during the permit and construction phases of my green home?
Asked by Andy Chase, Atlanta, GA
Which is greener: fiber-cement or vinyl siding?
Asked by Patty Boyce, Berea, KY
Mitch Boucher
Is there a greener alternative to polyethylene housewrap?
Asked by Oresta Korbutiak, Ottawa, ON
We are installing a radiant heat system. Can you recommend safe flooring adhesives to use?
Asked by Kimberly Keene, Nevada City, CA
Can you point me to resources for building an energy-efficient home?
Asked by Jeff Kushner, Wentzville, MO
Eric Corey Freed
Should I worry about the mercury in fluorescent light bulbs?
Asked by Craig Dunlappe, Albany, CA
What can I do to reduce my home's carbon footprint?
Asked by Kathryn Stewart, New York, NY
Matthew Bremer
What are the environmental benefits or concerns about engineered stone countertops?
Asked by Luisa Prescott, Cape Girardeau, MO
Can you recommend a nontoxic waterproof wood sealer for my outdoor window boxes?
Asked by Sam Beck, Brooklyn, NY
We're remodeling our bathroom due to faulty construction. Can you offer some green pointers?
Asked by Jennifer Teufel, Atlanta, GA
Ricky Cappe
Are induction cooktops better for indoor air quality than gas?
Asked by Sara Edelman, Hillsboro, OR
Can you recommend flooring for a basement that tends to get moldy?
Asked by Mary Walters, Sharon, CT
We're buying a house with 25-year-old solar panels. Should we have the system updated?
Asked by Michael and Amy Bergman, Alexandria, VA
Cynthia Phakos
Do you have any tips for finding an eco-friendly rug?
Asked by Barbara Prah, Uniontown, PA
What are the sustainable options for re-roofing our 30-year-old home?
Asked by Jennifer Marks, Tiburon, CA
Can you recommend flooring, cabinets, and countertops for an affordable green kitchen remodel?
Asked by Ann Wylie, Colorado Springs, CO
Brad Hubbell
Are there nontoxic alternatives to vinyl and lead sheeting for shower pans?
Asked by Sheila Brody, Brooklyn, NY
Is concrete flooring eco-friendly? What's the best way to finish it - stain, paint, polish?
Asked by Nancy Hengerer, Hemet, CA
Can radiant heating be installed under our existing flooring?
Asked by Ben Pinder, San Jose, CA
Steve Rush
We're expecting twins soon. How can we refinish our floors now with the least harm to air quality?
Asked by John Salerno, Hoboken, NJ
How do you deal with existing, possibly toxic, wall and floor finishes?
Asked by Elizabeth Cummings, Iowa City, IA
My wife is chemically sensitive. What's the best way to get rid of stubborn paint odors in our home?
Asked by Andy Doyle, El Cerrito, CA
John Messerschmidt
What's a safe product for staining and sealing the floors of my 84-year-old historic home?
Asked by Charlotte Black, Tuscaloosa, AL
We want to add a green roof to our Virginia log cabin. Will pests and weeds be a problem?
Asked by John Duke, Richmond, VA
We're building a new home. Should we insulate both sides of the foundation?
Asked by Marci Hess, Madison, WI
Peter Kellner
What are the best green construction materials for framing a house on the rainy Oregon coast?
Asked by Shane Daugherty, Coos Bay, OR
Our new loft is being built in St. Louis. Should we insist on green upgrades?
Asked by Stella Tanner, Los Angeles, CA
Can you offer tips for comparing the indoor air quality effects of different cork flooring products?
Asked by Jeff Carlson, Boise, ID
Kevin Burrell
My house uses well water, and the water from my tankless heater often runs cold. What's going on?
Asked by Ronald Symecko, Sugar Land, TX
Do hot water recirculation systems work? What kind would you recommend?
Asked by Mei Lie Wong, Santa Clara, CA
Is it true that tankless water heaters are expensive and complicated to install?
Asked by B. Chiselbrook, Fort Worth, TX
Dietmar Lorenz
I need to add insulation beneath my wooden floor. What materials or systems do you recommend?
Asked by Eric Goldfarb, Belmont, CA
Are structural insulated panels (SIPs) the right choice for building a healthy home?
Asked by Allen Stone, Memphis, TN
Can I safely re-use old cotton batting for attic insulation?
Asked by Paul Richard, Vancouver, BC
Polly Osborne
Can you suggest an alternative to pressure-treated wood for garden borders and raised planters?
Asked by Phoebe Tureen, Los Angeles, CA
We want to replace our small concrete patio with an inexpensive green material. Suggestions?
Asked by Susan Graven, Redondo Beach, CA
How much does green construction add to the cost of a new home?
Asked by Larry Chamblin, Pensacola, FL
Piper Kujac
How do I strip wood trim without using toxic chemicals?
Asked by Andrea, Vancouver, BC
Which wood finishes are safe to use on children's furniture?
Asked by Karen Bird, Denver, CO
It’s nice to know about green flooring, but can you shed any light on not-so-green products?
Asked by Karen Kieny, Teaneck, NJ
Carl Seville
What's the best affordable sustainable siding option? Any thoughts on roofing materials and gutters?
Asked by Wendy Jebens, Carrboro, NC
Does DensArmor drywall replace green board? Should I worry about formaldehyde?
Asked by Eric Fixler, Oakland, CA
Should we insist that our contractor use expanding foam insulation around our new windows?
Asked by Sally Kieny, Colchester, VT
Chris Benedict
Which foam insulation is best for the south coast Atlantic region: closed cell or open cell?
Asked by Jud Laird, Miami, FL
Is it better to control heat with the thermostat or switch it on and off according to need?
Asked by Jon Lange, Collegeville, PA
Does installing a recirculation pump cause the tankless heater to stay on, eliminating savings?
Asked by Donald Hill, San Diego, CA
Lily Livingston
I plan to replace my kitchen countertops and don't want to spend a lot of money. Any suggestions?
Asked by Richard Graves, Toluca Lake, CA
Doesn't sprayed insulation tend to settle, leaving areas in the wall where there is no insulation?
Asked by Beth Dyack, Stuart, FL
We are considering radiant heat. Will manufactured bamboo flooring stand up to the challenge?
Asked by Julie Reimers, Stony Brook, NY
