By Ross Spiegel and Dru Meadows

Green Building Materials: A Guide to Product Selection and Specifications is one of the newest resources to come from Wiley. Authors Ross Spiegel and Dru Meadows have released their third edition of the book, to the delight of professionals everywhere. The incredible part of maintaining this kind of book is the amount of information introduced since its debut back in 2000. Green manufacturers and building certifications have ballooned since then, creating almost a whole new marketplace. This text is split between eight chapters that answer many questions one might have with regards to materials and environmental issues. What constitutes a green building material? How are these materials used? How does the process of construction work?

With this third edition comes an added chapter on eco-labeling and green standards. There are a variety of programs and product certifications out there today, enough to make many people feel lost. This is where the book shines, in providing an overview of standards organizations and how labeling and certifications work, in addition to highlighting future developments. If you’ve wanted to find more information or even history on ISO, ASTM, and other organizations this chapter is for you.

I have to mention the wealth of information located in the books Appendices. Comprising over half the total pages, each section provides information to keep any professional in the know and up to date. Appendix C in particular consists of sample forms and sections of the Federal Green Construction Guide for Specifiers. As part of the Whole Building Design Guide, this is very useful.

Whether you are an experienced professional looking for some additional resources or an individual looking for more information on materials, look no further than this book. It’s clear that the authors know their stuff, and will continue to support their readers in the years to come.