Page 53 - The Homeowner's Handbook 2017

Exteriors / Roofing / Structure / Insulation / IAQ / Windows & Doors / Heating & Cooling / Lighting / Appliances / Plumbing / Finishes / Cabinets & Tops / Alternative Energy

What makes FINISHES green?

Clean-Air Paints Caulking Considerations
Use only no-VOC or extremely Certain types of caulking can contribute to indoor
low-VOC paints in the home. air pollution. But in our view, caulking quality matters
Bear in mind, however, that too. If you use a 100% silicone product, it will offgass
low-VOC products can still quickly. Once it dries, you’re in the clear.
contain toxins. Sometimes,
VOCs are replaced with
something worse. If you want
truly toxin-free you’ll have to
go with something such as a
milk-based or organic paint.

Formaldehyde-Free Millwork
It’s more challenging than you might think to
find cabinetry and shelves that are not loaded
with chemicals and other ingredients harmful
to human health. Ask for CARB-approved
plywood or real-wood shelves and sides. If the
only products available are medium-density
fiberboard, make sure you choose a brand
that has very low formaldehye content. Seal
unfinished sides with AFM Safecoat Hard Seal or
some similar product to contain the offgassing.
Floor Finishes
Whenever possible, order pre-finished floors, whether hardwood
or bamboo. Finishing them at home without creating a lot of
air pollution is tough. The Lauzon Pure Genius flooring pictured
here uses a titanium finish that reacts with sunlight to break down
VOCs and other chemicals.
PRO TIP:

Tile Is Always an Option. Floor tiles, installed carefully
produce almost no harmful offgassing. Some brands,
Lauzon Pure Genius Flooring
Forget smartphones, Lauzon’s Pure Genius such as Crossville’s Virtue line, contain 4 percent
flooring is a smart floor, cleaning the air in your recycled content and are Green Square certified. The
home by breaking down airborne toxins, such porcelain tile also can be treated with Hydrotect, a fired-
as VOCs. The filtering power of Pure Genius on coating developed with TOTO Corporation, that’s
flooring is the equivalent of having three mature
trees in your home, purifying the air up to 85 comprised of a triple silver-copper-titanium dioxide
percent and reducing potential carcinogens mixture. The coating has antimicrobial, dust-repelling,
that may lead to allergies and asthma. self-cleaning and even air-purifying effects.
www.lauzonflooring.com

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