safe-paints / Green Building & Sustainable Home Renovation Information & Advice

There is a current trend towards limiting the production of solvent-based paints, replacing them with solvent-free or water-based paints, often labelled as low-VOC paints or zero VOC paints. The move towards safe paint has led to a noticeable improvement in indoor air quality since the mid-seventies, and better even in...

Mold in homes is a bad sign, so how to get rid of it or prevent mold in drywall? Mold and mildew in homes develop in conditions of high humidity, most often in bathrooms, kitchens, and basements, unless caused by roof leaks and other building envelope failures. Along with affecting the durability of your home, mold and...

Pallet beds - cool but potentially dangerous! We've all seen these rustic shabby-chic pallet wood beds & headboards on social media - these days it seems we can't get enough of being creatively frugal and independent - but while certain pallets are a great source of rustic wood with character for repurposing, other...

Given that we spend about three quarters of our time indoors (counting both home and work), it is essential that we work to ensure clear indoor air quality. Contrary to what many people believe, indoor air is often more polluted than outdoor air. How is inside air worse that outside air? The air you breathe inside orig...

  Can paint insulate walls of homes? No it cannot. Despite engineers  having long ago debunked this nonsense, insulating paint still occasionally finds its way into buildings. So what are the magical claims? Apparently powdered ceramic chips that can be added to any paint and are said to reflect heat in or out of  buil...

Lithium-ion home battery safety:  Lithium-ion batteries have revolutionized how we power our lives, from smartphones and laptops to electric vehicles (EVs) and home energy storage systems. While they are remarkably efficient, recent media reports on battery fires and thermal runaway have raised valid concerns about the...

How to know if vermiculite insulation contains asbestos and what to do about it Vermiculite was a popular choice for home attic insulation from the 1920s to about 1990 in both the US and Canada, until it was phased out in 1990. And there is a high risk of it containing asbestos, so finding it can be a major source of a...

Countertops - so much more than granite A fundamental shift is happening in kitchen and design studios globally. For years, engineered stone, often referred to as quartz, has been the countertop of choice, celebrated for its durability, consistent patterns, and perceived affordability compared to some natural stone or ...

Making eco-friendly paint at home is easy when you know how If you want to decorate your home with healthy No VOC paints and finishes, you're in the right place! If you’ve ever stepped inside a natural building or a home with natural paints or plasters, you can tell instantly. Natural earth pigment colors and textures ...

Bird films on windows: a homeowner's & pro's guide to protecting our feathered friends Millions of birds die annually due to window collisions, as they cannot perceive clear or reflective glass as a solid barrier. For homeowners and building professionals, applying specialized bird-safe window films is one of the m...

Being safe to breathe, natural oils are suitable and safe for pretty much  everyone, but of particular value in the homes of pregnant women, young children and newborns, and anyone with respiratory issues or chemical sensitivities. Food safe oils are a great choice for sealing cutting boards or butcher-block counters, ...