| Trends in sustainable and environmentally friendly | | | | Traditional new carpeting uses a lot of chemicals |
| construction continue to inch towards the | | | | to produce. In addition, the installation of new |
| mainstream, with new products being introduced | | | | carpeting will typically fill the indoor air in your |
| almost daily that are more cost effective and | | | | home with what are called "VOC's" or volatile |
| efficient than ever. Here are some products and | | | | organic compounds. These compounds include |
| trends in environmental construction: | | | | chemical carcinogens like benzenes and even |
| Walls | | | | formaldehyde. That new carpet smell is actually a |
| Use of alternative building materials, including | | | | cocktail of chemicals you are breathing. These |
| reclaimed woods, recycled metals and non toxic | | | | chemicals can take several years to dissipate |
| materials are making homes more green from | | | | from your indoor air. By using eco-friendly |
| the inside out. Even insulation is becoming more | | | | carpeting, you are eliminating or severely |
| green, with wider usage of a mixture of recycled | | | | decreasing the amount of chemicals you are |
| cotton and denim materials instead of toxic and | | | | bringing into your home. Also, the materials used |
| dangerous to install traditional insulation. | | | | in eco-friendly carpeting are typically recycled or |
| Flooring | | | | sustainable. Most carpets need padding and these |
| There's a wide range of environmentally friendly | | | | too can be loaded with chemicals. Instead, |
| flooring options. From concrete to stones, | | | | homeowners can choose new environmentally |
| recycled metals, recycled tiles, recycled glass, | | | | friendly carpet padding that is made from |
| reclaimed woods, sustainable woods, bamboo, | | | | recycled cotton. |
| cork and even more environmentally friendly | | | | Cabinetry and Countertops |
| linoleums. | | | | Even kitchen and bathroom cabinetry and |
| Paints and Finishes | | | | countertops can be eco-friendly. New cabinet |
| There is now a large amount of paints and stains | | | | options include cabinets made from completely |
| available for your interiors, including walls, floors, | | | | sustainable woods using non-toxic finishes. For |
| bathrooms, staircases and all your surfaces. | | | | countertops, new non-toxic composite materials |
| These new products are either non-toxic or use | | | | including quartz and recycled glass chips are |
| much less toxic chemicals, making the eco-friendly | | | | available. Even the glue used to adhere the |
| choice also the most healthy choice for | | | | cabinets to the countertop can be an eco-friendly |
| environmentally sensitive people. In addition, these | | | | water based glue product. |
| less toxic paints and finishes are much easier to | | | | Whether you are building a new home, remodeling |
| dispose of. | | | | or simply performing some upgrades, you won't |
| Carpeting | | | | want to ignore the many eco-friendly options. |