Creating a healthy and sustainable interior

Currently green and eco housing focuses mainly on sustainability associated with reducing energy and water consumption. What has been significantly overlooked is how the materials and finishes we choose to use in the interiors of our homes effects our health and the environment. This is where green interior design comes into it.

Green interior design is about looking at the elements that make up your interior space and choosing the most environmentally friendly and sustainable products and materials available to use.

 

Materials and finishes used in the interiors of your home can be categorised in the following ways:
 

1. People friendly – those that work towards creating a healthy indoor air quality in your home

2. Earth friendly – those that minimise their impact on the earth and its resources (sustainability)
 

People friendly

Improving the air quality inside your home is about creating an environment which reduces yours and your family’s exposure to substances that could be harmful to your health.

Following the completion of building works, not a lot of thought is given to the odour of freshly painted walls, new carpet, new furniture or curtains. However these odours are caused by the release of chemicals into your home, which is referred to as “off gassing”.

Exposure to these chemicals has been linked to allergies, asthma and chemical sensitivities, with young children and the elderly particularly at risk.

The current generation of parents has a greater knowledge than previous generations about how to ensure their children are given the best start in life from pre conception, to pregnancy and right through to early childhood. However, due to a lack of readily available information, they aren’t aware of the issues associated with indoor air quality and its effects on their children’s health.

 

What you should consider:
 

Low VOC paints

These paints release no, or minimal VOC pollutants, and are virtually odour free.

Low formaldehyde emission board products for joinery

Standard MDF (medium density fibreboard) and particle board typically used to make your kitchen joinery, entertainment units and bathroom vanity units contains formaldehyde which continues to off gas over many years. Low formaldehyde emission board products are a viable alternative.

 

Naturally fire-resistant fabrics

There is growing evidence that the off gassing from chemicals used as fire inhibiters on many synthetic fabrics are linked to liver, thyroid and neuro-developmental toxicity in humans. To avoid these chemicals, select naturally fire resistant fabrics made from a material such as wool.

Natural floor sealers

A polyurethane coating is the most popular surface finish applied to timber floors. However they are a significant emitter of VOC’s. Natural alternatives that contain no VOCs or toxic chemicals include 100% natural tung oil and linseed oil.

Natural fibre carpets

Carpets are known to emit many chemicals, including 4-PC which is responsible for the “new carpet smell”. Selecting carpets made from natural fibres such as wool, jute or sisal can reduce your exposure as can utilising a jute underlay instead of a rubber underlay and avoiding adhesive bonding of the carpet to the underlay. Also, insist on the carpet being unrolled and aired out away from your home prior to installation
 

Ventilation

By far the simplest way to improve indoor air quality is to keep your house well-ventilated. By regularly opening the windows and doors of your house you will prevent the build up of chemicals and fumes within your home.

 

Earth friendly

Minimising our impact, or footprint on the environment whilst renovating or building has now become more important than ever. Enormous amounts of energy and resources are used to manufacture and produce products that are installed in the typical renovation or new home.

By making informed choices when selecting materials and products, you can ensure that your renovation or new home has the least impact on the environment possible.

 

What you should consider

Sustainable timber

Choosing timber for flooring or joinery harvested from sustainable sources ensures that the forestry management practices are responsible and legal. Look for the Forest Stewardship Council logo (FSC). An excellent example of a sustainable timber product is bamboo, which is a fast growing and managed resource.

Recycle your old carpet

Old carpet is typically dumped in landfill and is very poor at bio degrading.

When looking to use carpet in your home, investigate whether the carpet manufacturer has a recycling policy for their post consumer carpet.

Reuse

Don’t discount the use of re-claimed products such as timber floor boards. By re-using building products and materials you can reduce the amount of materials that are dumped in landfill as well as reducing the requirement for new products and materials to be manufactured.

Durability and recyclability

Select products and materials with a long lifespan, high durability and are recyclable at the end of their life. For example, a natural or manufactured stone kitchen bench top has a much longer lifespan than a laminated surface and can be easily reused or recycled at the end of its life.

Furniture selection

When selecting new furniture, give consideration to the components that go into the manufacturing of the piece. Look for FSC certified timber framing, avoid foam fillings, and avoid chemically treated fabrics.

And finally, when renovating or building a new home, explain at the planning stage to your architect, interior designer and builder your concerns about the products and materials that will be used in the interior of your home, and your desire to create the healthiest and most sustainable indoor environment for you and your family.

your abode :: Darryn Parkinson :: www.yourabode.com.au