Edwards Design Group | green building

Want a Healthy Home to live in after you build it? Of course you do! If you knew what went into a typical new home you would be as a gassed as the volatile gaseous products that went into it. Here are some ideas and products that are made up of Low or No Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's) to consider. Architectural coatings include a wide variety of materials such as paints, curing compounds, roof coatings, sealers, stains, caulking, adhesives etc. Many of these products are made with a high percentage of VOC's so they will dry faster. VOC's are a primary contributor to the noxious smog we see more and more. Most building projects can be accomplished by using low-VOC products. They perform as well as their high-VOC counterparts especially in our dry state of Arid-zone-a, and they cost the same. You just need to ask for them. Many manufacturers produce low-VOC lines of paint and eco-products. Here is a partial list of low-VOC paint producers: Benjamin Moore (EcoSpec), Sherwin Williams (HealthSpec Low Odor) and ICI (Lifemaster 2000), Frazee Paints, and Dutch Boy (Kids Room Paint. Adhesives: ChemRex Inc (612) 496-6000, Eco-Wise (512) 326-4474, AFM (800) 239-0321, W. F.Taylor (213) 802-1896. As an aside, did you know that you could purchase paint made from Milk as its base. It is quite expensive though; I suggest this for clients who are hypoallergenic. A newly finished home could be a “Toxic Potpourri” of volatile gasses if you don't stipulate the types of products you want. A healthy home needs to be made to order. Specify low or no VOC emission building products. Most importantly, help participate in a “Sustainable Future”. Build it Right, Build it Green!