A Tour of Eco Building Resource
By Lucas on Jun 14, 2013
Over the past few years, the expectation for homebuilders to practice sustainable building methods has increased dramatically. Also, many homeowners are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint and improve the energy efficiency of their homes. But how can you go to accomplish this? This is where Kevin Royce of ECO Building Resource comes in.
ECO Building Resource
Located in Aurora, ECO Building Resource is one of the only retailers that focuses on providing sustainable building products. So, we took a trip out to ECO Building Resource to meet with owner Kevin Royce to learn a little bit about what he offers.
“Our clients are contractors, consumers, builders, some government, anyone who is looking for healthier, green building materials. I come from 25 years in the builder supply industry – my business model at the time was drywall and insulation, supplying all the builders. I saw the need for something like this within the city and figured that there would be a huge demand,” Royce said. “It’s getting there. We don’t see a lot of human traffic, but we have a significant amount of interest and orders online. I ship product anywhere from coast to coast. I have a group of contractors from all over Ontario that uses our service. Demand gets bigger and bigger every year.”
The demand for sustainable building products
It’s not surprising to see the demand getting stronger and stronger. According to Royce, some of his best sellers include insulation products, adhesives, and sealants. Given the amount of time that he has invested in this growing market, he has the background and experience to know what works, and what doesn’t.
“Everything you see in here, we have taken a look at – I do the research and look at the MSDS sheets, look at the technical data sheet, and forward it onto my client who also reviews it. We bring the product in, test it, and then send it out to the contractor or client for them to use. Depending on the feedback, I’ll either keep the product or pass on it. We have had a few products that we have had issues with, but most of the time they work quite well. Only when they work do I bring them in as a product,” Royce said.
Why building green is important
Royce is a big believer in green building, not only from the standpoint of a healthier planet, but also a healthier neighbourhood, and of course a healthier home. He feels that some products, despite the “green” label, are not the best choice for those who are choosing to look at efficient ways to build and maintain their homes.
“Human health is an area that we must continue to look at. We do have to save the planet, but how? There is so much ‘greenwashing’ going on. I sold fibreglass insulation for years, which is sold as a green product, because it saves you energy. But, the embodied energy to manufacture it, the toxicity and the carcinogens in it, are immense. It grows mold and has other negatives with it. But, because it saves energy, it’s deemed green,” Royce said. “One alternative that I like is recycled denim. There is no itch, it’s recyclable, keeps you warm, it’s nice and quiet, and it’s treated with a solution that prevents it from growing mold. It’s phenomenal. It’s a little more expensive, but it’s a much more effective product that leaves a much better impact on our environment.”
Quick tips for energy efficiency at home
Some people want to be environmentally friendly, but don’t have the budget to do so. Here’s what Royce recommends:
“Insulation and sealants are the two easiest fixes. If you go to most homes, they don’t have enough insulation in their attic. It’s an easy fix. They throw a layer of our recycled denim insulation in there and see their heating bills drastically reduced. Your sealants around windows and doors are a quick way to ensure that you don’t lose any heat in the winter, plus it’s not too expensive.”
For anyone who is interested in learning more about ECO Building Resources and their offerings, head down to the retail store at 136 Wellington Ave. in Aurora, or check out eco-buiding.ca.
We’d like to thank Kevin Royce for his time and allowing us to pick his brain on sustainable building practices and ways that homeowners can improve the energy efficiency of their homes.
