Amicus Green Building makes being green easy

WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Countertops made from recycled paper and flooring made from animal feed are among the products Amicus Green Building Center markets to environmentally conscious architects and homeowners.

Amicus, which opened its doors in Kensington last year, offers a variety of products appealing to customers concerned with conservation, company President Jason Holstine said.

Holstine, who originally operated the business out of a basement, was inspired to open a shop after builders told him that they had to order green building supplies from the West Coast. His client base includes homeowners, contractors and even developers.

“Each customer has a different kind of demand,” Holstine said.

Residential construction companies have been seeing more interest in environmentally friendly building over the past year or so, according to Jay Irwin, president of Irwin Design and Build of Potomac, a residential construction firm.

Most of Irwin’s clients are interested in eliminating vinyl from their building materials and using renewable resources in their flooring.

“It’s rare you come across a job that’s totally green, but people are doing baby steps,” Irwin said.

Kitchen remodeling is a particularly hot trend right now, and Holstine introduces clients to a variety of products that appeal to diverse price ranges. This includes everything from energy-efficient light bulbs to nontoxic paints to cabinets made from trees grown specifically for the purpose of construction.

Holstine sits down with customers and helps them figure out their goals before shopping; for example, whether they are more concerned with limiting their carbon emissions or saving the rainforest. He also figures out their price range and the extent to which they want to “go green.”

“It isn’t more expensive to be green when it’s done right,” he said.

melissa.frederick@dcexaminer.com

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