Healthy Home: Six Clean and Green Construction Materials

Most construction materials contain harmful chemicals called VOCs, or volatile organic compounds. These chemicals can build up in our homes and workplaces to anywhere from 2 – 1,000 times the concentration that exists outside the building. VOCs can cause irritation in the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, confusion, nausea, damage to vital organs, and cancer. The effects also travel outside the home, causing ground level pollution or smog. Thankfully, more and more people have begun to make building materials with little or no VOCs.

PureBond

This product from Columbia Forest Products makes hardwood Plywood that comes from renewable sources without using any VOCs. They offer a wide variety of cost-competitive products including cedar wood, beaded panels, and bending plywood.

D-Blaze

D-Blaze offers fire retardant, non-corrosive, and non-hygroscopic plywood and lumber with an amazing 50-year warranty. They are Forest Stewardship Council certified and use very low amounts of VOCs.

Mohawk GreenWorks

This company covers all of your flooring needs from carpet to laminate. They use recycled materials to make their products, and power their facilities. Their carpet even has built-in stain protection. Though not tested for VOC’s they are almost certainly a better, and healthier choice for your home.

Benjamin Moore Natura

This type of acrylic paint uses zero VOCs, has virtually no odor, and self-primes on most surfaces. They label this product with their “green promise” which states that the product meets and exceeds the strictest industry standards.

Sherwin Williams Harmony

Another acrylic paint, this brand uses no VOCs, and reduces pet and smoke odors for amazingly clean air. Your walls will also have a washable finish for a longer, lasting great look. This product is GreenGuard® certified.

TriCoPolymer Wood Sealants

This product will protect your wood project with a non-toxic formula that contains no VOCs. This company carries a wide range of great products that are cost-competitive, and easily found at Home Depot or other local hardware stores.

These are just a sample of quality products that have begun creating a safer future for home-building. You may have noticed there are very well-known brand names on this list. The others can be found at many other hardware stores. It is not hard for DIYers and custom home builders in Huntsville to find the clean, green products they need to build, remodel, or start home renovations in Huntsville or around the country.