The idea of building green is appealing to many people. Some imagine getting out there and stacking straw bales or sculpting walls of cob. Others are more impressed by the fact that green building is more environmentally responsible. There are many people out there who embrace the concepts, but are unable to put them into practice. Looking at the literature, which is focused on doing it yourself from the ground up, they find little advice on how to make these ideas work where they are—in the homes they live in now.

As the authors of “Green Remodeling” recognize, if natural building techniques and materials are going compete in the marketplace, they must be integrated into the homes people live in now. This is where the rubber meets the road, so to speak. As they write, “more money is spent each year on renovation than on new home construction.” So in response, David Johnston and Kim Master challenge their readers to “change the world one room at a time.”

The book begins with a case study. In 1993, Johnston bought a 20-year-old home in Boulder, Colorado. Piece by piece, he went through and remodeled the whole building—replacing old technology with new. He began by replacing windows and finished with an addition that became his new home office. The case study wonderfully illustrates their philosophy that you can take small steps toward making your home more green.

While this philosophy underlies every page, it’s not a book about principles. Rather, as they say in the introduction, the book is intended primarily as a “how-to” resource. It is full of hands-on, practical information to help conscientious homeowners remodel with a mind toward the environment. And, in this, they are entirely successful.

This is not a do-it-yourself type book. The authors will not tell you how to install a water heater. Instead, they offer sound advice on choosing a water heater, and they dedicate a chapter to working with building professionals—sharing need-to-know tips on working with architects and contractors. This information is especially important for homeowners who want to effectively communicate their desire to use materials that builders may not be familiar with using.

There is also a chapter on building science—laying out the basics on how heat, air and water all move through a house. With this as a stepping stone, the remainder of the book looks in detail at the different rooms you might remodel (bathroom, kitchen, room additions, office and the basement) and specific projects (roofing, plumbing, water heating, etc.). Various materials are presented, each tagged with icons so the reader can easily identify the material’s cost effectiveness, energy efficiency, resource conservation or health benefit.

Throughout the book and in an appendix, the authors point the way to numerous additional resources. In its coverage, this is an excellent resource for homeowners, but it also would be a great primer for builders looking to expand their knowledge of cutting-edge materials and techniques.