Best Green Building Websites

US Green Building Council

The US Green Building Council (USGBC) is a non-profit organization that has championed sustainable building for well over a decade. It is a resource where industry professionals, business owners and homeowners can find the latest advances in environmentally responsible building practices. The USGBC's mission is to help create a built environment that is ecologically and socially responsible.

The USGBC's LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System is a national rating system that standardizes the components of high-performance buildings. The program looks at sustainable site development, water conservation, energy efficiency, materials and indoor environmental quality and provides quantifiable measurements to determine what is a green building.

The USGBC provides educational programs for designers, builders, suppliers and building managers to learn how to create healthier, productive and efficient living and working spaces. The USGBC also runs the annual Greenbuild event, the largest international conference on green building.

Building Green

Building Green is one of the oldest, most respected resources for the green building industry. The Vermont-based organization offers print and online resources that provide the latest innovations and news in the industry. Building Green’s GreenSpec is a comprehensive database of green building products widely used by professionals. Building Green publishes Environmental Building News, a premier source for green building news.

The organization runs on the principles that

• Energy-efficient, healthy, environmentally sound commercial and residential buildings are not only possible but also practical and cost-effective.
• Every new construction and renovation project should maximize its value to the owner, occupants, neighbors, and the entire global community.
• Reliable, objective information is essential for making good decisions throughout the process of designing, constructing, and occupying buildings.
• Our customers expect and deserve comprehensive research, honest reporting, well-organized information, outstanding value, and excellent service.

Visitors to Building Green will find a wealth of topical information and cutting edge reviews of products and projects. A listing of LEED – certified buildings in the High Performance Buildings Database is available online as well as the latest green products, news and a user-friendly interface that connects innovative ideas. Some of the resources are free while others require a subscription.

Green Home Guide

Green Home Guide is a great resource for homeowners who are looking for professional advice on how to make their home healthier and more sustainable. The site offers a green directory with products, retailers, services and resources. Comprehensive reviews from industry professionals help visitors sort through the in and outs of green building.

The subject matter tends to be geared towards homeowners but building professionals will also find a wealth of useful information and insight. The contributors are experienced in real world design and construction and the lineup of writers is endless with a featured contributor each week. Homeowners also contribute with reviews and insight into what green products helped them achieve their sustainable goals.

Green Building Blocks

This site is fast becoming one of my all-time favorites. It is a newer site that offers all of the insight and resources a green build enthusiast could ask for. The site is from BlueEgg media company whose BlueEgg.com is a wonderful site devoted to sustainable living.

The site says it best: "Green Building Blocks is the leading online business resource for green residential design and building professionals who are committed to environmentally-sustainable best practices. It's a one-stop source for everything you need to succeed — whether you’re a veteran or in the early stage of building your green business."

And I agree. Green Building Blocks offers an in-depth product guide with over 1,500 green building products reviewed by the experts at BuildingGreen. There are case studies on all types of building projects, a professional directory, solutions guides, how-to videos, an "ask the experts" section, events listings and much more.

Inhabitat

Inhabitat is where sustainability meets style. This forward thinking weblog brings the best in design, architecture and fashion to the blogosphere. Founded by a graduate architecture student and filled with content from professionals all over the globe, Inhabitat is a feast for the imagination.

Stunning modular homes, innovative prefab, the latest green build events and competitions, green gift guides, LEED-certified structures - it's all found at Inhabitat. Designed as an interactive forum, Inhabitat also works as a meeting place where like-minded readers sound off on what green means today.

*Note: The information in this article is general advice and not meant as a substitute for personal guidance from a financial advisor, real estate professional or legal counsel. Although the author is a licensed realtor, the advice given in this article does not constitute any client contract or agreement between the author and the user. The author is not responsible for any losses, damages or claims that may result from your decisions.