Homeowners looking for a more responsible way to keep their houses cool in the summer and warm in the winter may soon have a viable alternative to that good old pink fiberglass insulation so many of us have suffered through installing.
A company founded by two engineering grads in New York is developing a new building insulation product called Greensulate, which is made from agricultural waste products (such as rice or buckwheat hulls) combined with mycelium, the fibrous network created by mushrooms. The product is designed to resist temperature change, stop fire, and repel water. It’s also hypoallergenic, with none of the health risks associated with the current standard for home insulation.
While my initial reaction to anything these days using the word ‘green’ so prominently in its branding is less than favourable (see my previous post on greenwashing), this particular product holds a lot of promise, in my humble opinion.
Another nice feature is the fact that the company’s production facilities and material sourcing are all local, which represents a significant reduction in the product’s reliance on fossil fuels. This is something we’re committed to ourselves, as well… it’s important not only in terms of supporting local (and national) economies, but also in terms of controlling and reducing the overall impact of our buying decisions.
This is an American product, but they’re just a few hours away from us. I’ll be watching this company closely - it seems like they’ve got some great products in the pipeline.
Check them out here: www.ecovativedesign.com
