Regardless of the current tough economic conditions, both consumers and professionals continue to seek environmentally responsible materials for their building and design choices. So says an informal survey of approximately 3,300 customers, conducted by Krantz Select Woods, an online wood purveyor. Findings from Krantz’s Green Survey, conducted in November, 2011, include:

• Consumers and businesses still consider green building materials an important component of new build or remodel projects:

69% of consumers said that using green building products is somewhat important to them, but not a top/determining factor while 18% responded it is an extremely important decision factor. Likewise, 68% of building professionals said using green building products is somewhat important, but not a top/determining factor; while 18% said that it is an extremely important decision factor.

• The importance of using building materials among consumers and professionals continues to grow.

According to 72% of consumer respondents, green building materials are more important than five years ago while 28% of consumer respondents said that green building materials were of the same importance as five years ago.

Meanwhile, 57% of building professionals responded that green building materials are more important than five years ago, 29% said they were of the same importance and 14% said green building materials were of less importance than five years ago.

• While the recession has not lowered the importance of green building products/materials, it has slowed the pace of new green building projects or initiatives, particularly commercial projects.

Approximately 32% of consumer respondents have put at least one green project/initiative on hold due to current economic conditions, while half of the professionals surveyed said they have put at least one on hold.

• Environmental impact is only one of several factors influencing the selection of green/sustainable building materials:

39% of total respondents listed environmental factors as key in selecting green building materials, while 31% indicated aesthetics/design as the key factor, and 30% listed rebates/cost savings their reason for the selection/prioritization.

Source: Krantz Select Woods. For information visit KrantzSelectWoods.com

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