"Green building" is a home-building concept that uses design, construction and maintenance to create more energy-efficient, environmentally friendly buildings.

The popularity of this concept is growing. According to a recent study, green-built homes will account for between $19 and $38 billion in construction by the end of 2007.

As the demand for green buildings grows, experts at the Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association (SLMA) ask homeowners to consider these "green" facts:

? Unlike steel and concrete, wood does not conduct heat and cold, making it the most energy- efficient building material.

? Wood products require less energy to manufacture than cement, steel or other alternatives -five times less than cement and 24 times less than steel!

? Forest growth in the U.S. has continually exceeded harvests-the geographic area that encompasses the U.S. today has more forest cover than it did in 1920.

One of the "greenest," most energy-efficient home-building materials is wood. It requires less energy to manufacture.