I hope one of you can help...

[Debbi801]

We need to replace all the windows in our house--the house is 30 yrs old and has aluminum single paned windows. We're tired of having ice on the insides each winter. :-)

Also, we want to finally get rid of the original shag carpeting. We're thinking bamboo because it is ecologically friendly.

We're in the Baltimore, MD area. Can anyone recommend any specific companies that are Blue or at least lean towards the Blue side?

Thanks,
Debbi

[Jersey Devil]

1. All aluminum or aluminum clad?

Remove a piece of molding on either side of the window and look at the jamb. If it is a wood jamb covered by a very thin (like sheet metal or siding) piece of aluminum and nailed into a stud (you would see two vertical pieces of wood) then you have aluminum clad windows. If the metal is thicker than sheet metal and is screwed directly into a stud then it is all aluminum.

You can use replacement windows if they are aluminum clad and it is very easy (see my string below). But if your windows are all aluminum then you will probably have to rip them out completely and install entirely new windows, still not that difficult but it may involve some exterior work (siding and molding) as well.

[NMDemDist2]

2. there used to be a lot of carpet mills in GA and NC. see if you can find

a locally owned carpet store that uses USA made carpet

bamboo will probably come from Asia. Why do you think it is more ecologically friendly? Cork is a wonderful choice for flooring, giving you the "soft step" of carpet with the ease of vinyl cleaning

on edit, the bamboo looks nice too... are you going to DIY?

Wool is another great choice if allergies are not a problem (my hubby is allergic to wool) is you like the look and feel of carpet. I ripped up all my carpet 6 years ago and haven't missed it. With my 3 animals clean up is a breeze and in the winter throw rugs make it warm and cozy.

http://www.naturalhomeproducts.com/1500cork.html

[Longhorn]

3. Bamboo is ecologically friendly because

it grows to maturity in only three to five years, compared to 60 to 120 years for an oak tree. Also, the bamboo is cut when it is harvested rather than destroyed -- it grows back!

[Kolesar]

4. You ought to install a bathroom fan if you don't have one

I was concerned about humidity getting through the plaster and into the new fiberglas insulation I was installing, so I installed a bathroom fan. A stove-top fan is a good idea too. If you burn natural gas, it produces CO2 and water vapor. The water will stay in your house and condense on the windows and/or make your insulation soggy.

You might consider putting storm windows up over your windows if it will fit into your design. As for a Blue/dem contractor, I don't know what to say. You could hire union.

[Nite Owl]

5. There might be something

at www.buyblue.org

Or why not just email customer service at one of the big companies, Pella, Anderson etc. and ask them where their donations go? It would sort of put them on notice too that they won't be considered if they donate solely to the Repukes.

Bamboo is beautiful. My floors are all oak and cherry. They were here when I bought the house but if I were doing it from scratch bamboo would be on the list. Once the carpet goes you will never miss it. I couldn't go back to carpet ever again after removing it from a previous house. I vaccuumed almost daily and used the carpet machine and the dirt that was there when I took it up was, well you won't believe what you are living with.