We have a passion for building science, sustainable material use and Passive House; for protecting the environment and making the world a better place. We want to question, debate, and build consensus. Teamwork brings fun, and we work together - with urgency, to get the job done - across the United States and Canada.

When people ask what we do, one abbreviated response is: “We sell tape.” Though this describes a simple act, it is one with a potentially huge impact. We sell air-sealing tape as a specialized and critical component in a complete building enclosure airtightness system (INTELLO), which is the foundation of a low-energy building. And low-energy buildings are essential to realizing our post-carbon future – mitigating the worst effects of climate change. So at our core, we are activists for a sustainable environment.

Consequently, 475’s mission is to supply essential materials, building components, and knowledge that will lead a transformation of the North American construction industry toward making durable high-performance, Passive House and zero-energy buildings.

We excel because we offer best-in-class products, with a highly specialized focus, through peer-to-peer communication and launched on a business-to-business interface. We deliver our products in a timely manner from centrally located warehouses and through stocking lumber yards regionally. We support with intense attention to customer service, building code recommendations, hygrothermal modelling, bountiful knowledge resources, and on-the-ground representatives.

Our core customers are intelligent and trusted professionals – architects, engineers, consultants, developers, prefab and contractors - who are concerned about sustainability, long-term performance and building science. We enjoy working closely with our customers figuring out the details and solutions – improving all our work.

Our manufacturing partners not only produce critical, best-in-class, products, but care deeply about the building science driving them and the resulting environmental impacts. From Pro Clima’s complete system of interior and exterior smart vapor retarders and air barriers, to Gutex wood fiberboard insulation, to Lamilux roof daylighting systems, to name a few: Our products test and perform the best.

We use e-commerce in rebellion against the construction industry status quo. Standing at the crossroads in the climate fight, we’re building the Passive House market through grassroots organizing, and by advocating for building code and public policy changes. The collaborative community builds our core customer base;– and as such, it is critical to realizing the transformation we seek.

The idea of 475 began with its founders: architects and building scientists, alarmed by the climate crisis, who recognized Passive House technology was an urgently necessary response. The name “475” is a reference to the heat demand requirement of the Passive House Standard, 4.75 kilo BTUs, per square foot, per year.

Whether your next building project is a new building, or retrofit; residential or commercial; a Passive House or just a very durable and comfortable building; we look forward to working with you on it. Please give us a call at 800-995-6329.