voc / Green Building & Sustainable Home Renovation Information & Advice

...VOC’ paints that can be found at your local hardware store, you might notice that they still smell toxic and can still give you headaches. And for what reason? I’ve learned that that can mean they are reduced by as little as 25% in VOCs. Low VOC paints may have reduced amounts of volatile organic compounds, meaning the...

...VOCs) after one hour of diffusion. Similar results were found in a study conducted in the United States. All products tested emitted at least one type of VOC, and a quarter of these VOCs are listed as potentially toxic according to US law [4]. Are there safe and natural ambient fragrance products? Yes, but they are not...

...VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds): We grew to accept VOCs in our paints and not a lot of thought was put into why, or if they were actually necessary. VOCs are added by manufacturers partly to slow drying times, but predominantly to prevent paint from freezing during transportation. This process can be easily avoided w...

...VOCs. Hemp Coreboard on the other hand, is non-toxic and does not contain formaldehyde and toxic resins. Coreboard is also manufactured using a sugar-based binder, therefore hemp building products can help contribute to cleaner interior air quality in homes.   To meet industrial safety standards, a salt-based fire-re...

...VOC-free. VOCs will continue to release toxic fumes for years after application.  Water-based sealants and adhesives will be less toxic, and while silicone has a heavy ecological footprint in production, it's inert and harmless after it dries. Choosing interior doors: Reclaimed doors Pros: Reusing materials diverts wa...

Remember linoleum? Meet marmoleum! Remember linoleum, that durable but boring material found on most kitchen and bathroom floors of older homes? These days, its called marmoleum and it comes in bright colors and faux finishes. Whatever name you call it, it’s generally considered both the greenest and healthiest floor c...

Removing source contaminants and moisture from homes helps keep air healthy for occupants, and helps keep home humidity down. Excess humidity in houses can cause moisture damage, but what is not often considered is that added energy consumption involved, as heating moist air requires significantly more energy than hea...

...VOCs, it is stain resistant, and it is entirely recyclable at the end of life. As an added bonus, you can mold the sink, the countertop and backsplash out of the same material.  Figure on spending between $50 and $120 per square foot, installation included. Visit Alkemi. Recycled aluminum counter tops are an...

...VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) which are harmful to breath, so look for those that are VOC free. Buying 'low VOC' paint is a bit like buying 'light' cigarettes, whereas zero VOC is more like quitting. It's not that much more money for zero VOC, and watch for the colourants as well - some brands advertize that they h...

...VOC GreenForce adhesive from Bostik. We thank them both for taking part in this project, helping us reach our target of LEED Platinum while creating a healthy and beautiful interior living space.  For more  home building inspiration, check out our newest concept house, the LEED V4 Platinum Wakefield House with solar ai...

...VOCs Volatile organic compounds form a large part of household chemical pollutants. Formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, alcohols and mineral spirits are the most commonly found VOCs in our homes. They can cause many adverse health effects including dizziness, nausea, fatigue, respiratory illnesses, and cause damage to your...