If you have a locally owned neighborhood building supply, plumbing supply, or lumber yard in your area, try to shop at these businesses before resorting to the big box stores like Home Depot or Lowes. Yeah, yeah I know its convenient to have one-stop shopping, but you will be supporting local business owners and your community instead of putting more money into the coffers of a giant corporation. That being said, if you do need to visit one of the giant, shop-til-you-drop home improvement centers, they are beginning to carry some more environmentally conscious items such as formaldehyde free cabinets, recycled insulation and sustainable lumber products.

Services and Supplies

Environment Associates

Architects and Consultants 5828 Langfield Road Houston, TX 77092 713-528-0000 www.environmentassoc.com

Adkins Architectural Antiques

Recycled architectural elements and embellishments for the home and garden. They have doors, windows, fireplace mantels, lighting and many different kinds of hardware. 3515 Fannin Street Houston, TX 77004 (just south of downtown) 713.522.6547 800.522.6547 www.adkinsantiques.com

Historic Houston Salvage Warehouse

1307 W. Clay St. Houston, TX 713-522-0542 Open every Wednesday and 1st& 3rd Saturday of every month Historic Houston's Salvage Program recycles historic building materials primarily for reuse in the restoration and rehabilitation of houses acquired through Historic Houston's Relocation Program. Historic Houston also makes this historic building material available to low and moderate-income families and other historic property owners, at minimal charge, to assist with the restoration and repair of their historic houses. www.historichouston.org

Houston Habitat Building Supply Outlet

6161 South Loop East at South Wayside Drive Houston, TX 77087 713-643-1100 hbso@houstonhabitat.org Run by Houston Habitat for Humanity. Donated home improvement items are sold at greatly reduced prices to the Houston community for do-it-yourself projects and renovations. www.houstonhabitat.org/restore_progress.asp

Jack's Backyard

Jack Bowser 4419 Wee Laddie Houston, TX 77084 281-345-1997 I actually don't know anything about this guy but found his site searching for something else and was impressed. He says he hand-makes wood products from mainly reclaimed wood. www.jacksbackyard.com

SBT Designs

25581 IH-10 West San Antonio, Texas 78257 (210) 698-7109 FAX: 210-698-7147 info@sbtdesigns.com Toll free:800-895-9808 Design, sales, installation and service of automatic control, accent lighting and renewable energy (solar/wind) products and systems for residential and light commercial structures. While they are not in Houston, their website says they will travel anywhere in the U.S. to provide service. www.sbtdesigns.com