Know of a green building product available in Canada that is not listed here? Submit the details, and help build the resource.
Green Building Product Retailers
Finding green building products in Canada is challenging no matter who you are. Raising Spaces is here to help you connect the dots with resources, opportunities to share with other Canadians, and direct links to sources of green building products.
Green Building Product and Accessory Listings
Raising Spaces does not officially endorse any of the following product and company listings. Eco-features have been listed based on publicly accessible company and certifier information. Consumers are encouraged to contact companies for more detailed information.
Know of a great product available in Canada that’s not listed here? Submit it here!
| Product | Applications | Eco-features | Company | Location | Availability |
| Recycled Rubber Bricks and Pavers | Walkways, decks, fitness areas, pool and hot tub surrounds, driveways, playgrounds, porch/patios, stair treads, and wheelchair ramps. | Recycled Content,
Canada made |
Champagne Edition Inc. Eco-flex | Legal, Alberta | Dealers |
| Marmoleum Sheets & Tile | An Alternative to ‘PVC linoleum’, for use as a flooring material in any room or space. | Renewable Content,
Low Toxicity |
Forbo | Holland and Scotland | Retailer Search |
| Weathershield Cellulose Fibre Insulation | Attic or wall insulation to R-3.72 per inch, made from pre and post- consumer recycled newspaper | Recycled Content, Energy- saving, Low Toxicity, Ecologo Certified | Can-Cell Industries Inc. or Thermocell Industries | Edmonton, AB, Vars, ON, or Debert, NS |
BC, Alberta Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic Canada |
| Wallbar Cellulose Fibre Insulation | Basement wall insulation, made from recycled cardboard & newspaper | Recycled Content, Energy- saving, Low Toxicity, Ecologo Certified | Can-Cell Industries Inc. or Thermocell Industries | Edmonton, AB, Vars, ON, or Debert, NS |
BC, Alberta Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic Canada |
| Ultra-touch batt insulation | 85% post-industrial recycled cotton fibers, R-3.7 per inch | VOC Free, Recycled Content, Recyclable, Energy- Saving, Low Toxicity, Recyclable | Bonded Logic | Phoenix, Arizona | BC, Ontario |
| Sunscope | 8.5, 13, or 21 inch tubular skylight for residential or commercial buildings | Energy- SavingCanada -made -Greenspec Listed | Sky-Tech Sky-Lights | Edmonton, Alberta | BC, NWT, AB, SK, MN, ON, QC |
| Dual-flush Conversion Kit | Converts a standard sized single flush toilet to a dual flush unit that uses less water for flushing liquid waste than for flushing solid waste | Water-saving
-Canada -made |
Aquanotion | Lethbridge, Alberta | Clean Calgary
Raising Spaces online Marketplace |
| Recycled Moldings and Trim | Interior finishing, baseboards, casing, crown moulding, and quarter round. | California 01350 Standard Tested Zero-VOCs, Recycled Content, Recyclable, take-back program, CSR, SCS Certified | Timbron International | Stockton, California | Raising Spaces online Marketplace |
| Recycled Metal Sinks | Kitchen and bathroom designs | Recycled Content | Eleek | Portland Oregon | Ontario |
| Recycled Metal Cabinet Hardware | Cabinet knobs and pulls | 100% post consumer Recycled Content (aluminum) or 90% Recycled Content (bronze) | Eleek | Portland, Oregon | Ontario |
| G-roc Recycled Countertop | Countertops, sinks, mantels, fireplace surrounds, and other custom architectural elements | 85% post consumer Recycled Content (locally sourced glass and some flyash),
No VOCs Production Impact soon to be minimized via a closed loop water reclamation system Canada-made |
Szolyd | Victoria, BC | contact |
| Recycled Aluminum Tiles | Countertops, vanities, tables, backsplashes, accents, floors and walls in kitchens, bathrooms and anywhere else inside or out | Recycled Content | Eleek | Portland, Oregon | Ontario |
| Recycled Aluminum Countertop | Countertops | Recycled Content | Eleek | Portland, Oregon | Ontario |
| Ecocoat 100% Recycled Latex Paint | Residential, commercial, or industrial applications. Performs best on concrete and drywall but can be used anywhere a virgin, low sheen acrylic latex would be used. | Recycled Content, Canada -made | Calibre Environmental Ltd | Calgary, AB | Alberta and Saskatchewan |
| Exterior Wood Finish | 100% Acrylic coating for exterior wood surfaces including decks, fences, siding, log homes, furniture and boats. | Low VOCs (8g/Litre)
Low Toxicity (Solvent Free, No Heavy Metals, No Pthalates, No Reproductive Toxins, No Ozone Depleting Chemicals) |
Wood Plus Coatings | Missisauga, Ontario | Find a dealer in Manitoba, Newfoundland, Ontario, and Quebec. |
| FSC Certified, Urea formaldehyde -free Lumber | Lumber, softwood and hardwood plywood, particleboard, MDF, door core, melamine panels, pressure treated, and fire retardant products | Low toxicity, Renewable Content, FSC Certified | Panel Source International | Various | Contact Glen Lowe, Canadian Sales Manager Panel Source International, Inc. 877-464- 7246 |
| Reclaimed antique softwood, hardwood, timbers and other remilled boardstock and lumber | Disassembled barn lumber and timbers. Can be used in flooring cabinetry, trim and other applications. 6″ x 7″ to 12″ x 12″ are available. Most standards approx. 6″ x 8″, 8″ x 9″ and 10″ x 10″ Lengths range from 4′ to 40′! Common range of good material is from 6′ to 20′ |
-Reclaimed content | The Timeless Material Co. | Ontario, various locations | |
| Reclaimed Hardwood Flooring | Several dimension and grade options in Douglas Fir or Heart Pine available | Reclaimed Content, Canada -made,
FSC-certified |
Nadurra Wood Corporation | Toronto, ON | Canada- wide through Nadurra Wood Corporation |
| FSC Hardwood Flooring | Prefinished maple hardwood with a number of grade and stain options | Renewable Content,
Canada -made, FSC Certified |
Nadurra Wood Corporation | Ontario | Canada- wide through Nadurra Wood Corporation |
| Bamboo Flooring | Stains, Wide boards, Hand-scraped planks, Long-planks (6ft lengths), Composite flooring. |
Renewable Content, Ecologo Certified (for adhesive emissions) | Silkroad Toronto | China | Canada- wide through Nadurra Wood Corporation |
| Bamboo Flooring Trim & Accessories | Air vent grills, custom stair treads, reducers, stair-nosings, quarter-rounds, t-mouldings and baseboards. |
Renewable Content, Ecologo Certified (for adhesive emissions) | Silkroad Toronto | China | Canada- wide through Nadurra Wood Corporation |
| Bamboo Plywood & Veneer | Decorative panels, interior doors, countertops, tabletops, ceiling panels, cabinets. | Renewable Content | Silkroad Toronto | China | Canada- wide through Nadurra Wood Corporation |
| Recycled Content & Low VOC Cabinetry | Cabinetry using Skyblend Melamine | Recycled, Content (100% pre-consumer), Low VOC, No added Urea Formaldehyde, SCS Certified | Laycraft Kitchens Ltd. | St. Albert, AB | 780-459 -7720
laycraftkitchens (at)gmail.com |
| Reclaimed Wide Plank Flooring | Wide plank flooring | Reclaimed Content | Revival Flooring | Ontario, Canada | Canada- wide |
| Cork Flooring | Floating glueless installation flooring | Renewable Content, Low Toxicity | Wicanders | BC, MN, QC | |
| Cork Flooring | Floating glueless installation flooring | Renewable Content, Low Toxicity | Torlys Floors | Portugal | Canada- wide |
| Sico Zero VOC Paints (Cashmere, Chamois, and Shantung lines only) | Sico Design Products Line contains zero VOCs and is washable. Ideal for interior spaces including walls, ceilings, bathrooms, nursuries. | Zero VOC, Canada- made, Green Seal Certified | Sico | Longueuil, Québec | Canada- wide in Rona stores and others |
| Horizon Low VOC Paints & Primer | Ideally suited for schools, hospitals, nursing homes, nurseries, public buildings or where occupants may be sensitive to residual paint smell. | Low VOC, Green Seal Certified | Cloverdale | Portland, Oregon | BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba |
| Sico Low VOC Exterior Paint | Exterior acrylic latex paint. | Low VOC, Ecologo Certified | SICO | Various Canadian plants including Quebec, Montreal, Monton, and Toronto | Retailers |
| Pittsburgh Paints Zero VOC Interior Paint | Pittsburgh Paints ‘Pure Performance’ Line of interior latex paint comes in printer, flat, eggshell, and semi-gloss finishes | Zero VOC, Green Seal Certified | Pittsburgh Paints | Various US plants including Illinois, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Texas, Connecticut, California | Canada -wide, except territories |
| Aura Low VOC Interior Paint | Matt, eggshell, satin finishes. | Low VOC, Greenguard Certified | Benjamin Moore | Johnstown, New York | Various Canadian retailers |
| Ecospec Zero VOC Paint | Flat, eggshell, semigloss, and primer interior finishes. | Zero VOC, Green Seal Certified | Benjamin Moore | Johnstown, New York | Various Canadian retailers |
| Z-coat Latex No VOC Paint | Latex Paint | No VOCs, Canada made | General Paint | Vancouver, BC | BC, AB, SK, MN, ON |
| Zero VOC Paint | Primer, Flat, Satin, Eggshell, Velvet, Semi-gloss Interior and Exterior finishes. | No VOCs, Green Seal Certified | Yolo Colorhouse | Retail Locations | |
| FSC-certified Furniture | Interior Furnishing including tables, beds, and cabinets, kitchens, bathrooms, and other millwork. Custom available. | Renewable Content, Canada -made, Lower Toxicity (Low VOC Finish) FSC Certified |
Ornamentum Furniture | Vancouver, BC | Ship Canada -wide |
| Reclaimed & FSC-certified Furniture | Tables, beds, benches, chairs, and cabinets | Renewable and reclaimed content,
Canada -made, FSC-certified |
Vintage Woodcraft Inc. | Markdale, ON | |
| FSC-certified & Straw Board Furniture | Custom Interior Furnishing including tables, beds, storage and shelving, millwork, screens, and seating | Renewable Content, Canada -made, FSC Certified | Frank Smith (Francis Lemieux & Co.) | Port Moody, BC | Shipping Canada -wide |
| Recycled Furniture | Interior Furnishing | Reclaimed Content, Canada -made | Industrial Artifacts | Vancouver, BC | Vancouver, but the company will ship. |
| Recycled Furniture | Interior Furnishing | Renewable Content or Reclaimed Content, Low Toxicity, Canada -made | Country Pine | Crossfield, AB | Can ship cross-country, but prefers you search locally to avoid shipping emissions. |
| Recycled Furniture | Interior Furnishing | Reclaimed Content, Canada -made | Johnson’s Antiques | ON | Ottawa, Cornwall, Montreal , Toronto & Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec. |
| Recycled Furniture | Interior Furnishing | Reclaimed Content, Canada -made | Chad Everett Furniture | St. Andrews, NB | St. Andrews, NB |
| Recycled Furniture | Interior Furnishing | Reclaimed Content, Canada -made | Renovators Resource | Halifax, NS | Retail location in Halifax, but product can be shipped anywhere. |
| Recycled Glass Tile | Any typical interior tile application | 100% Recycled Content Certification | Organiks | Europe | Raising Spaces online Marketplace |
| Recycled Glass Tile | Any typical interior tile application, Aquarius, River Crystal, and Agate Collections are recycled | Recycled Content, Canada -made | Interstyle Ceramic & Glass Ltd. | Burnaby, BC | Canada -wide |
| FSC Certified Wood Furniture with Low VOC Finishes | Interior Furnishing | Renewable Content, Low VOC, FSC Certified | Durante Furniture | Coquitlam, BC | BC, and ships worldwide |
| Recycled Fabric and FSC Certified Wood Furniture | Interior Upholstered Furnishing | Recycled and Renewable Content, FSC Certified, Canada -made | Upholstery Arts | Vancouver, BC | BC Showroom, De Boers locations in Ontario, & shipping worldwide |
| No Additive Fire Logs | Use in wood-burning fire places or outdoor fire pits. | Recycled Content, Low Toxicity | Buchanan Lumber | AB | Online by the pallet. |
| LEED compliant finished wood products | Flooring, cabinetry, and more | PJ White Hardwoods | Various | Vancouver, Victoria, Edmonton, Calgary | |
| Living Wall | Interior and exterior green walls | Renewable Content, Low Toxicity, Canada -made | Envirozone | Montreal, QC | Montreal, QC, but installations can be done Canada- wide |
| Recycled Cedar-look Shingles | 95% recycled post- industrial and post- consumer polymers, fibres, & rubber. Roofing with expected lifetime of 80-100 years | Recycled Content, Canada -made, Greenspec Listed | Enviroshake | Chatham, ON | BC, AB, SK, MN, ON, QC, NS, NFLD, NB |
| Low off-gassing, recycled content carpet tiles | Carpeting, nylon and natural fibre tiles available, replacement of single tiles, company will recycle your old tiles. | Recycled or Renewable Content, Recyclable, take back program, Low Toxicity | Flor | La Grange, Georgia | Online |
| Recycled Metal Roofing | Recycled Content | Garland | |||
| Green Roof | Renewable Content, Energy Saving, Water Saving | Garland | |||
| Solar Film Roofing | Energy Producing | Garland | |||
| Refrigerators | Suitable for all kitchen sizes small and large. | Energy Saving, Lower Toxicity Energy Star, RoHS Compliant | Leibherr | Germany | Euroline Appliances, Oakville, ON, Appliance Gallery, Edmonton, AB |
| Refrigerators | Suitable for all kitchen sizes small and large. | Energy Saving | Blomberg | Germany | Appliance Gallery, Edmonton, AB |
| Washing Machine | Staber high efficiency washers use 67% less water, 50% less energy, and 75% less detergent compared to traditional top load agitator washers. | Energy SavingWater Saving
Energy Star Certified |
Staber Industries | Groveport, Ohio | Online, Factory Direct |
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Selecting Green Building Products
What makes a product green? This can be a very challenging question to answer. The wave of demand for green products has arrived, and many companies wanting to cash in are making questionable claims of eco-friendliness. This is called greenwashing, and it makes product selection a lot more difficult, especially for the average home-owner and renter.
Suspect a company for greenwashing? Post about it it in the greenwash watch forum!
Raisingspaces.com offers a range of information, tools, and resources to help you with your research. Fortunately there are also independent or third party product certification bodies to save you time and validate the sustainability claims of a given product.
The Regreen Green Product Checklist can also be a great starting place to guide your product selection process.
Third Party Certification – Mandatory and Voluntary Product Labelling
- What mandatory and voluntary bodies exist to certify a building material or product’s degree of greenness?
- If you see a logo or stamp certifying a product, what exactly are they certifying?
- When a company claims that their product is ‘green’ or ‘eco-friendly’, what does that mean?
- What is the difference between a mandatory and voluntary certification body?
Many ‘green’ certification bodies exist in Canada, North America and Internationally. Such bodies conduct independent reviews of a product by certifying something above and beyond regulatory requirements. These companies are referred to as third party certifiers and are generally voluntary non-profit institutes that ensure higher standards are being met in the industry.
These standards may speak to sustainability in the product development process, management practices and the corporate ethical responsibility of their impact on health and the environment. Third party certifiers have very specific mandates to certify aspects of a product or company, from a product’s level of toxicity, to a company’s management practices, to identifying the life cycle impact of a product on the environment.
In order to make an educated purchase that best suits your needs, it’s important to know what a logo is certifying for a particular product. It’s also valuable to distinguish which certifications are mandatory and which are voluntary in order to recognize companies that are taking steps to improve their standards above the industry norm.
As a general rule of thumb, all products require some form of regulatory performance testing and certification before reaching the commercial market. However, voluntary market mechanisms are becoming more popular as consumers gain social awareness of their product origins and contents and demand higher standards.
Below is a list of regulatory and voluntary certification bodies. Currently no review body is solely dedicated to the certification of building products and materials, however as Green Alberta grows over the next five years, its mandate is to become a national certification body of green building products and materials by conducting a life cycle assessment and evaluating the social, environmental and economic impact of a product.
Mandatory Regulatory Certification Bodies
In Canada, building products need to be certified either by CCMC or CSA.
CCMC – Canadian Construction Materials Centre
CSA – Canadian Standards Association
Independent Certification Bodies
ASTM International
This is a voluntary international based company
ISO 14000 – Environmental Management Standards
FSC – Forest Stewardship Council
Green Seal – USA based company using rigorous testing to certify a product’s greenness, based on a life cycle analysis of the impact from raw materials extraction to manufacturing to waste and disposal at the end of life.
SCS – Scientific Certification Systems
Cradle to Cradle
EcoLogo Environmental Choice
Green Guard Environmental Insitute
Terra Choice
Energy Star
Energuide – Referenced standard being developed by Enervision and SAIT to review a home system’s energy consumption.
Other International Green Third Party Certifications
MPI (Master Painter’s Institute)
Blue Angel – Germany based company that offers industry, trade and crafts companies the opportunity to document their environmental competence.
Global EcoLabelling Network
JSA – Quality System Centre
Rainforest Alliance – USA based organization, partnered with FSC to certify sustainable forestry management practices.
Independent Verification Bodies
Green Alberta
Reclaimed Material Sources
Used building material stores, online auctions and bulletin boards, and charity groups are fantastic solutions for both finding materials for your new home or renovation as well as for reducing the amount of construction waste going to the landfill.
Make use of their services to seek or offer materials, and remember to include local used building material stores as well as thrift and antique shops in your search. Get creative!
Habitat for Humanity ReStore Locations
Envirobuild – Specializes in devolumizing high volumes of building contents and construction materials for significant building-construction activities.
Planetreuse.com – the world’s first free digital warehouse specifically for building construction materials.
Full Circles – A network of materials exchange groups in Canada where members post wanted and offered items for free.
Freesharing.org – International directory of free-sharing groups
ReUseIt Network – The ReUseIt Network is an international on-line forum that serves as a tool to make connections between community members who want to help each other, themselves, and their environment.
Usedcanada.com – Classified ads across the country to buy, sell, donate and find items.
Craig’s List – Worldwide listings of opportunities and items for free or sale.
Kijiji – A site listing opportunities and items for free or sale.
Bargain Finder – Online ads for products and services for sale, free, or trade.
Ebay