Each month RECORD reviews building product related web sites and blogs that might be of interest to our readership. We visit each site, kick the tires a bit, and share what it is about and how it functions. Please let us know if there is a site you've found particularly useful, well-designed, or easy to navigate. — Rita Catinella Orrell
 

www.greenfootstep.org
Green Footstep is an easy-to-use, detailed,  and free online carbon calculator for reducing carbon emissions in building construction and retrofit projects available from Rocky Mountain Institute. While there are many other carbon calculators available online, none address multiple building emissions over the building lifetime. This tool helps building designers assess a project’s carbon emission impacts with regard to site, construction, and operations. Because the 2030 Challenge is integrated into the program, this tool can also help designers in their efforts to meet or exceed those targets.  Users can create a login that allows them to save and reload their own projects as they work on them. A great site that will hopefully be put to good use.
 

http://sustain.wilsonart.com
Wilsonart’s new site outlines the decorative surfacing leader’s sustainability story. While the site lacks any interactive elements and is a bit static, it is a helpful and quick way to find out about the programs, products, and processes that specifiers will want to know before specifying products from the company. Placing all this information on a single site is a easy way to help visitors get the information they want — including ingredients, certifications, and performance and technical data — without  the distraction of a main site trying to cover everything.