Interior - Urea Formaldehyde (UF) is your home’s worst nightmare. Found in almost all particleboard and medium-density fiberboard (MDF), UF is responsible for the largest in-home quantities of formaldehyde, a colorless, toxic carcinogen. This means that your cabinets, countertops, shelving and stair treads can continue to off-gas formaldehyde for five years or more. If UF cannot be avoided, it should be sealed with a no-VOC, low-permeability coating. Look for formaldehyde-free particleboard and MDF materials, such as straw (instead of wood fiber).
Exterior – Your building’s exterior is its first layer of weatherproofing, but don’t rely on that alone for weather defense. In high-wind or humid areas, moisture will always find a way inside, no matter the amount of exterior finish. Siding or curtain wall systems are much more effective against the elements. This method calls for a vented exterior finish combined with a tightly sealed secondary barrier. The two will balance pressure on both sides of the finish, stabilizing your home’s weather defense.
Your green finishes should be smart and eco-friendly. The materials below are low or no-VOC finishes that benefit air quality and human health.
The Westside Road project, by architects Dowling Kimm Studios, is a magnificent gem of a home set atop a hill overlooking woods the Russian... Continue Reading »
The home's model, KTLH 1.5 may sound futuristic--and indeed it is! This design, created by KierenTimberlake of LivingHomes, is a... Continue Reading »
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Rubio's Monocoat comes from the collaboration of experienced laboratory teams in the hardwood industry. By closely working together, the... Continue Reading »
3M DI-NOC Architectural Finishes are vinyl films that simulate a variety of natural and synthetic finishes, including wood, granite, marble,... Continue Reading »
Traditional wood finishes contain volatile organic solvents (VOCs) and other toxic chemicals that pose health and environmental safety... Continue Reading »