Healthy Wall and Flooring Finishes

 

Earthen plaster walls & floors

Earthen plasters are probably the perfect green wall finish material around.  They are made of soil, clay, aggregate, and pigment; do not off-gas, have minimal waste material, are easy to repair, are non-flammable, and mold-resistant.  When finished, an earthen plaster finish looks like stucco.  It is incredibly beautiful and durable, can be smooth or rough, straight, or wavy, and any color.

Utilizing earthen plaster is as affordable as traditional plaster construction although the drying time is significantly longer than cement plaster.  The greenest way to make earthen plaster is to use the soil from the building site, however it must be tested for suitability.  It may need to be mixed with clay. Unlike cement plaster, earthen plaster is very permeable and breathable, mitigating condensation and mold problems.  Modern building systems have created very tight structures.  For energy efficiency, tight structures with few air gaps are desirable.  Therefore, breathable wall materials that keep heat in but allow water vapor to pass through become even more important.

A finish coat of lime plaster on the exterior and gypsum plaster on the interior can be applied over the earthen plaster to achieve a specific color and a more finished appearance.  The available options for eco-friendly exterior paints are very limited, so using a color-integrated plaster with a natural pigment eliminates the need for paint.  Exterior paints have a ton of chemicals to battle abuse by the sun, rain, and wind.  Yet, these chemicals are bad for the environment.

When interior paint is necessary, it’s important to use a paint that has no VOC’s (volatile organic compounds).  Nothing spruces up a room like a fresh coat of paint, but VOC’s off-gas toxic fumes for up to 3-1/2 years that are known to cause health problems such as insomnia, learning disorders, anxiety, depression, dizziness, headaches, and lethargy.

Even paints that do not have VOC’s can have other toxic chemicals, so it’s important to consult with a green design expert.  Manufacturers put chemicals in paints mainly to speed up the drying process so that painting can be done quickly, but the added convenience is not worth the downside. You can recognize a paint that is absent of VOC’s because it has no smell.  Yet they cost about the same amount as conventional paint.  The same considerations should be given to selecting stains.  Water and oil-based stains are non-toxic alternatives to conventional stains.

There are a ton of green flooring materials now on the market.  Earthen floors have been used since the beginning of history.  They are the most inexpensive flooring material, because soil from the site can be used.  And unlike popular belief, earthen floors have a hard finish and are not dusty.  But let’s face it, most of us don’t want a dirt floor, even if it is dirt cheap.   Another great option is to use the concrete foundation as the finish floor material.

When staining concrete, there are some healthy choices.  A product called Sinak HLQ-125 can be mixed with a tint that has no solvents or toxins.  Choosing a dark color stain, such as mahogany, is a way to add warmth to the feel of the space.  Even the most affordable flooring material costs about $5 per square foot installed, so using the concrete foundation as the finished floor saves a ton of money.  When carpet is absolutely needed, there are natural options that do not off-gas, although keeping allergens, dust mites, and dirt out of the carpet are still a maintenance issue for good health.  Selecting a natural underlayment is also crucial.  The cost for a green carpet will compare to a mid-range conventional wool carpet.

What is to be done with a second floor’s plywood subfloor?  Utilizing the plywood with an eco sealer as the finished floor is the greenest way to go, but most people want a more refined look.  Therefore, another option, such as a green wood flooring material, is necessary.   Typical wood floor finishes are very toxic and smelly.  New water and oil-based finishes are now available.  Some of these finishes can even be used to seal in out-gassing from toxic surfaces like plywood with formaldehyde. Speaking of plywood, most of us have a lot of it in our homes.  Toxic out-gassing of formaldehyde in particle board causes many health problems including migraines, depression, and sinus and respiratory problems.  A healthier alternative is oriented strand board (OSB) which is made from small fast-growing trees without formaldehyde.

There are literally thousands of factors to consider when selecting products with which to build and furnish a home.  New products professing to be green are introduced to the marketplace every day, and the number of choices can be overwhelming and confusing.  As green products and design become more mainstream, hopefully the unhealthy options will disappear, making the process simpler.