Green Building Exchange

The Green Building Exchange held its grand opening Saturday in Redwood City, Calif. It is the first shopping and meeting center of its kind serving home buyers, builders and nonprofit groups. Products on display include solar panels, recycled renovation materials and low-toxic furniture.

"Home Depot doesn't have the service that comes with this," said founder Michael Schaeffer, who has worked in construction for more than 30 years.

But are the prices as low? "If you plan right, they're not necessarily higher. Sustainable homes have less frills."

Although many green building materials remain costly, Schaeffer believes prices will drop as consumer interest rises. He considers the polluting construction techniques of the 20th century to be a fad. Schaeffer hopes the location between two major Bay Area airports will help to attract people from far-flung places.

House-greening products and services are becoming big business as more people seek to reduce energy expenses and improve indoor air quality. As many as 10 percent of all new homes will include significant "green" features by 2010, according to projections by McGraw-Hill Construction and the National Association of Home Builders.