Probably everyone wants to turn their apartment into a cozy nest where the whole family would be comfortable. For this, almost all building materials are used. But, unfortunately, in the pursuit of beauty, few people ask themselves the question: “How safe and environmentally friendly will my house be?”.
Meanwhile, this question is the most relevant in modern conditions. With the growth of technologies that allow the production of newer, cheaper materials, manufacturers do not always pay due attention to their safety. Some composites sold in stores are not intended for residential decoration at all, so the choice of building materials must be taken very seriously.
Why choose materials carefully
Very often, the safety of building materials is directly determined not only by what is included in their composition, but also by how these materials are processed and used in the future. In stores, you can find building materials by definition toxic, as they contain a high number of toxic substances. But it is also worth noting that there are Construction Materials, which can harm your health due to exposure external factors. For example, wood, which is a natural material, when interacting with humid environment can be the cause of the appearance of fungus, rotten smell and become a favorable environment for the development of bacteria. Therefore, in order for your apartment not to become a disaster, it is necessary to select natural clean composites and apply them correctly.
Of course, when choosing materials for the construction and decoration of the apartment, you must consult with the seller. He has accurate information regarding a particular product and can answer all your questions on the spot. In addition, he is able to tell you which material is better to choose and tell you about the features of its application. But the seller strives to sell the goods at any cost, so you should not completely rely on his opinion, it is better that when you come to the store you already know what exactly you need and have some useful information.
Of course, it is best to buy environmentally friendly materials. They can be recognized by the corresponding marking and manufacturer.
The most famous labels of eco-materials:
- EcoMaterial (RF);
- "Leaf of Life" (RF);
- "Northern Swan" (Switzerland);
- "Flower of the EU" (EU countries);
- "Blue Angel" (Germany);
- "Eco-sign" (Japan);
- "Green Sign" (USA);
- Ecological Choice (Canada).
Most eco-labelling programs are organized into the Global Ecolabelling Network (GEN).
good decision for the implementation of various design ideas can be considered stretch ceilings. But it is worth remembering that most of them are made of PVC. It is considered safe for use in residential areas, but it is still not recommended to use stretch ceilings in bedrooms and children's rooms. It is highly undesirable to use it in the kitchen and in the bathroom, as high temperatures can provoke the release of toxic substances into the air. For the same reason, contact should not be allowed. stretch ceiling with water pipes and heating systems. The PVC ceiling is perfect for the living room and corridor.
For the bathroom and kitchen, finishing plastic can be a solution. However, it should be remembered that it is also not intended for the children's room and bedroom. It should also be remembered that some types of finishing plastic require good air circulation in the room.
The most suitable solution for use in absolutely all rooms is to paint the ceiling with water-dispersion paints. Probably, this is almost the only material for the ceiling, which can be safely called environmentally friendly, clean and safe.
The most common material for wall decoration is, of course, wallpaper. Can be used for living room and kitchen vinyl wallpapers. Simple maintenance allows them to be used even in rooms with low humidity. But do not forget that this is still wallpaper, and in "extreme" conditions they require Special attention, so part of the kitchen wall and the bathroom are best finished with special tiles.
For other rooms it is better to use ordinary - paper wallpaper. They will be a great part of the interior and at the same time will not hit your budget.
Both textile and vegetable wallpapers made from natural plant materials can be called harmless. Such wallpapers are highly durable and do not contain toxic components. The only downside is their high cost.
Adhesive composition is another important component of the right apartment. Here you can use adhesives based on starch and other natural substances.
It is not recommended to cover the walls with paints on oil based. They may contain impurities of heavy metals. In addition, because of their base, such paints retain harmful organic substances used in their production for a long time, and their weathering can take more than a month.
In the conditions of an apartment, it is difficult to recreate a floor covering from a solid board, so a parquet board may be the best replacement. This material is environmentally friendly and natural, which guarantees the safety of you and your loved ones. Due to its safety, this material can be used in almost every room. The combination of high strength, environmental friendliness and relatively low price make parquet an indispensable material.
Another building material with similar characteristics is planed edged board. Being completely natural given material Suitable for nursery, bedroom, living room and other rooms.
It is also worth paying attention to the way the floor is processed. In addition to various varnishes, which are not always safe, you can choose alternative way woodworking - brushing. This is the processing of the board by "sanding", that is, removing and polishing its top layer with a metal brush. This method is the most environmentally friendly and cheapest, and the result will delight even the most sophisticated aesthete.
An alternative to wood flooring is ceramic tile also made from eco-friendly materials.
Linoleum can be considered the least safe material. Despite its ubiquitous use, it is extremely toxic material. In its production, a lot of chemical additives are used to give it certain properties, so it is not recommended to use it as a home floor covering.
Carpet can be used in the living room, but since it can cause allergic reactions, it should not be used in kitchens and bedrooms.
A good solution for an apartment will be wooden windows, moderately expensive, but absolutely environmentally friendly. Such windows allow air to be renewed even when they are closed. Another plus is that they provide a kind of thermoregulation: in summer it will never be hot in a room with such windows, and cold in winter. The downside is poor soundproofing.
Good sound insulation is provided by plastic, PVC windows. Although now almost all such windows are produced at large factories, you should still carefully consider the choice of the manufacturer, do not trust little-known or not at all well-known companies, buy only in specialized stores with a good reputation. Otherwise, you risk getting not only a low-quality window, but also a life-threatening one. The disadvantage of PVC windows is their poor thermoregulation: they retain heat well, which, on the one hand, is a plus. Especially in cold winters, and on the other hand, a big minus in hot summers, since even when airing plastic window accumulates heat.
Another option could be aluminum window and a plastic window with aluminum inserts. Properly made, it does not heat its inner surface, while providing more effective thermoregulation. We can say that such windows combine the advantages of both plastic and wooden windows, while they are devoid of their shortcomings. The only drawback here is the price, but it lives up to expectations, because both in terms of reliability and durability, aluminum and alumino-plastic windows are superior to alternative windows.
Markings on building materials
Many manufacturers put different labels on their products depending on how environmentally friendly they are. The most common marking is Ex, where x is the degree of contamination of the material.
- E1 - the material is completely safe for all residential premises.
- E2 - the material is suitable for social and technical premises (pantries, kitchens).
- E3 - the material is not suitable for residential premises.
Thanks to your observation and perseverance in the selection of building materials for the construction and decoration of your apartment, you can not only make your family hearth cozy, but also environmentally friendly. Approaching the choice of building materials wisely, you thereby protect your health and the health of your loved ones, and this is exactly what is so necessary in a metropolis.
Let's look at a few technologies that can be used to build a sustainable, energy efficient and modern home. Perhaps you have already heard about something, and some you will hear about for the first time. But in any case, the main thing is to apply, not to hear ...
Biodegradable materials
When we talk about, we must always remember the disposal and recycling of all materials.
Natural biodegradable materials will help avoid the formation of giant landfills and soil contamination with chemical waste.
An excellent example would be the construction of straw and clay buildings, the use of natural paints and plasters. To create an organic paint mixture, for example, milk protein, lime and mineral pigments can be used.
Wood, of course, is also a natural material, but mass felling leads to the fact that it can hardly be called environmentally friendly in the full sense. And during construction, it is better to use a tree for the construction of a frame.
rammed earth
The use of rammed earth as a building material is one of the most ancient technologies. And today the process of forming the earthen base is not much different from that which was several centuries ago. The mixture of wet earth and hard particles of clay and gravel, combined with a stabilizing element, concrete, gives us a very hard material.
The basis of dense compressed earth is perfect material to control the temperature of the building. It will stay cool in summer and warm in winter. produces fewer emissions than a typical building process.
The construction of earthen buildings is now very rare, but it still exists, and there are contractors who specialize in.
Natural heaters
One of the most unpleasant moments in construction is the thermal insulation of the house. Those who worked with glass wool or basalt wool knows well what is at stake.
The essence of natural heaters is their natural origin and environmental safety. An example would be damask or reed insulation.
Abroad, cellulose and cotton insulation made from recycled materials is actively used. Cotton insulation is made from recycled jeans, while cellulose insulation is basically recycled newspaper. There is also fiberglass insulation made from recycled glass, but the production of such insulation is more energy-intensive than the production of cellulose insulation from paper.
Cellulose insulation often consists of 75-85% recycled material, and fiberglass only 30-40%, while cellulose retains heat better than fiberglass.
Now they talk a lot about how a very high-quality building material. But finding such a heater is not easy.
The construction of such a house is obviously not an easy task and by no means cheap. But with the rising cost of utility tariffs, passive houses are becoming more attractive in our country as well.
It is important when building such houses to combine modern technologies and natural materials to reduce the burden of such a building on the environment.
Security is not only bars on the windows, steel door and angry dog guarding your peace. It is also a healthy comfortable microclimate of your home, the reward for which will be your good health.
In the explanatory dictionary, the word "safe" is interpreted as "non-threatening, protecting." In relation to the house, this means - protecting from bad weather, unwanted guests, and at the same time creating a healthy comfortable microclimate in the house.
From the point of view of the ecology of building a house, there is a set of requirements. It includes the chemical composition of water, air, the level of noise, radiation, vibration, electromagnetic fields, microclimate parameters, the quality of finishing and building materials, and the purity of the soil.
Site ecology
If a house claims to be "environmentally safe", it must be located outside the zone of radiation or chemical pollution. High-voltage power lines located near the site are undesirable - sources of strong electromagnetic field. It’s bad if the future building is located in a geopathic zone - this is what they call areas that have negative impact on humans, animals and plants. The geopathogenicity of the site can be provoked by anomalous zones, faults in the earth's crust, underground lakes, intersections of water flows, ore deposits, etc. The house is also not characterized as safe by its proximity to cemeteries, mines, landfills, etc.
Project and geological studies
The right place for the house is half the battle. The project, firstly, must be. Second, it must be completed by a licensed design architect. And, thirdly, the house should be built only by a construction organization that has the appropriate license. Project construction is not only a requirement building codes. The project allows both avoiding mistakes during construction and rational use of materials.
A modern project of a private house should include not only appearance buildings, its layout, color scheme and lighting, but also its safety in terms of ecology, electrical wiring, fire and criminals.
As for the geological study, it should be carried out even before the project. Because the subsequent stages of housework, even perfectly executed, can lose all meaning. Soil conditions will show: is it possible to build a house at all on this particular site. And if possible, how.Otherwise, there may be cracks in the supporting structures, and deformations of the foundation, and flooding of the basements.
Environmentally friendly materials
The house must be environmentally friendly. It is impossible that building materials contain lead, heavy metals and emit harmful substances. If it is not possible to use natural materials, then it is necessary to choose those that will bring minimal harm to humans and nature.
Modern building materials can be divided into two types: absolutely eco-friendly and conditionally eco-friendly.
Eco-friendly materials are materials of natural origin. These include wood, stone, cork, natural leather, natural drying oil, straw, bamboo, slate, etc. Such materials have been used by man for the construction and arrangement of houses since ancient times. But, speaking about their application, one must remember: if they are environmentally friendly in themselves, then in combination with some other materials that do not have a natural origin, they can partially, and sometimes completely, lose their environmentally friendly properties.
For example, handmade wooden house built" grandfather's method”, does not raise doubts about its environmental friendliness. It is warm, an optimal microclimate is maintained and a unique wonderful aroma always hovers. But everyone knows that a tree is most susceptible to burning, rotting and the action of biological pests, such as wood borer, bark beetle, mold, fungus, moss, blue stain, algae, bacteria. It is undesirable to use a tree without protection against biological destruction. At the same time, wood treated with antiseptics is already becoming conditionally environmentally friendly. And if the remedy is also chosen incorrectly, then it can even harm those living in wooden house people.
Stone durable and reliable. But in nature it is able to accumulate radiation harmful to the human body. Therefore, before using a stone, experts recommend checking it for the presence of background radiation.
Among roofing materials, absolutely safe from an environmental point of view, including due to its natural origin, is considered slate. it a natural stone with a parallel (layered) arrangement of the minerals that make up its composition. Slate is able to split into separate plates, so the ancient Greeks began to use it as a roofing material. The material is environmentally friendly, beautiful and is rightfully considered the most elite (and expensive!) among roofing materials. But in order for it to serve on the roof of the house for a long time and protect it from the weather, it must be properly laid.
Conditionally eco-friendly materials are made from natural materials. They do not harm either people or the environment, and at the same time they have high technical performance.
Of the conditionally ecological wall building materials, bricks are in the first place, ceramic blocks and cellular concrete. Brick and ceramic blocks made from natural material - clay - without the use of chemical additives and dyes. Finished products are fired in a kiln at high temperature. Walls made of these materials are strong, durable, resistant to harmful effects environment, "breathe". In winter, inside houses made of ceramics are warm, in summer it is cool.
aerated concrete block- a type of cellular concrete. It is artificial cement stone with evenly distributed pores. The material is light, durable, good "sound insulator". In terms of fire resistance it is not inferior to ceramics, it is odorless, it is resistant to chemical and atmospheric factors, as well as fungi, insects and rodents.
Among roofing materials, natural tiles are in the first place in terms of conditionally environmental safety.
natural tile durable (passed the test of time - it has been used in construction for hundreds of years), environmentally friendly (baked clay without polymer impurities), aesthetically perfect: its beauty is undeniable. But it is also an expensive roofing material, and the heaviest, which affects the complexity preparatory work for its laying and roof construction (rafters).
Harmful building materials
Environmentally unsafe materials for building a house have firmly entered our lives, as they allowed us to create amazing interior. Mainly inexpensive materials, for the production of which synthetic raw materials are used, which adversely affect the environment both during production and during operation. The list of low-eco-friendly materials is quite large, but this does not mean that they should be completely excluded from the construction site. In fact, harmful building materials should simply be used for their intended purpose, in the right combination with others. In addition, attention should be paid to the compatibility of materials. For example, paper wallpapers are environmentally friendly, but together with low-quality glue, they will harm the environment and home owners.
Plastic windows, vinyl wallpaper and linoleum are widely available and easy to maintain, which explains their popularity. Similar attributes of modern interiors for little money allow you to create a clean and tidy ... plastic box! It is easy to wash, but it is difficult to breathe in it. Synthetic materials that have come to our homes to replace natural ones are increasingly becoming the cause of "diseases of technogenic civilization." The heavy metals they release, carbon dioxide, phenols, formaldehydes, hydrogen chloride, hydrochloride and a long list of harmful and life-threatening substances provoke a deterioration in health, allergies, asthma, headaches, skin diseases, and can even cause malignant tumors and organ dysfunction. So it turns out that the ecology in the house is often much worse than the ecology outside the window. But do not forget that the microclimate of the home is of paramount importance!
Choosing the right materials:
- Pay attention to the smell, which should not be! No matter how sellers convince you that the chemical smell will disappear in just a couple of days, do not dare to buy. A caustic “aroma” indicates a low quality product and a violation of the production recipe.
- Ask for a health certificate in the store, which is issued upon examination of the product and confirms its compliance sanitary standards and health safety.
- Be careful: study the label and its meaning! So, marking from E0 to E3 indicates how much harmful substances releases the product into the environment. E3 is the category of the most dangerous products. E0 is the safest. This marking is valid for almost all building and finishing materials - from linoleum and chipboard to paints and adhesives. At the same time, environmentally friendly materials can be marked with other signs.
These recommendations are valid for the choice of almost any building and finishing materials. After all, in addition to plastic, in modern houses there is enough environmental danger posed by concrete and reinforced concrete (which shields electromagnetic radiation), foam plastic, drywall, chipboard, thermal insulation, paints, varnishes, etc. All these materials are environmentally harmful to one degree or another, releasing phenols, formaldehydes, heavy metals, ammonia and other chemical compounds that accumulate in the apartment and literally hover in the air, contributing to a general deterioration in health, affecting the immune system and, as a result leading to the development of various diseases. Moreover, fumes from hazardous building and finishing materials adversely affect the development of children, inhibiting it.
For example, many wall paints contain lead, which is one of the main causes of stunting and mental retardation in children. According to the WHO, lead is responsible for 600,000 mental disorders in children each year.
Unfortunately, the content of lead in paints is not indicated on the bank. Its presence can be determined only by laboratory analysis. But, according to the resolution of the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint (GAELP), by 2020 "lead paint" will completely disappear from stores. In the meantime, experts advise choosing paint on water based , which, as it turned out from recent studies, contain practically no lead additives.
Alternative materials
If you don't want to guess how safe paint, linoleum or washable wallpaper is, you can always find an eco-friendly alternative. For example, PVC linoleum is being replaced by natural linoleum, made on a substrate of jute fibers (natural textile fiber from the plant of the same name - jute). Such an eco-linoleum is fundamentally different from its synthetic counterpart in its composition, which includes oxidized linseed oil, wood flour, lime filler, cork chips, resin hardwood trees. The pigments used to color natural linoleum are exclusively of natural origin. Especially such linoleum is recommended for rooms where there are children and people with respiratory diseases.
Vinyl wallpapers that emit formaldehyde fumes can be replaced with beautiful paper ones, to which it is high time to change your attitude. For a long time it was believed that paper wallpaper is the cheapest and not very beautiful material for wall decoration. But today paper wallpaper- one of the most current trends in the interior. Their selection is huge! And in the kitchen, the wallpaper can easily be replaced ceramic tile, considered one of the most environmentally friendly materials due to its natural composition(clay, sand, mineral additives), chemical and physical inertness.
When choosing environmentally friendly building and finishing materials, you should choose the same safe finish coats and adhesives. Otherwise, the effect of using natural materials will tend to zero.
Biosecurity at home
Biological safety - guaranteed absence of mold fungi, pathogenic bacteria, insects, rodents, etc. in the house. For this, materials are used that prevent the penetration of fungi, bacteria, insects into the premises, or measures are taken to neutralize them. AT this case First of all, we are talking about wood. It is from atmospheric influences, decay and destruction, as already mentioned, in most cases it is treated with an antiseptic. By the way, it will provide not only resistance to moisture and the effects of wood-destroying fungi, but also allow you to give the wood an additional shade. And in order to protect wood from fire, it is treated with flame retardants.
But, having set a goal to build an environmentally friendly house, in no case should we forget about other aspects of safety! Such as fire, mechanical, physical, engineering.
Fire safety at home
Fire safety is equally important. The threat of a fire is always great if fire safety rules are not followed. Remember that modern building materials catch fire easily, and natural materials must be processed. by special means which reduce the risk of fire. And always be careful and safety rules.
Mechanical safety
Mechanical safety means, first of all, reliability building structure, no deformation. The first step in creating a secure home from this point of view is a properly designed and arranged foundation. The calculation of the construction of the foundation is carried out by the designer, taking into account both the characteristics of the soil (for which geological studies are carried out), and the specifics of the house construction materials and the future load. Poorly designed or improperly executed foundations lead to house distortions and cracks in the walls. The design of the walls must have the same durability as the house, and also perform two functions: to protect from rain, snow, wind, sun, overheating and temperature changes, and bearing - to withstand the load transferred to them from structures, equipment, furniture.
Also, the outer walls must have heat-shielding qualities that comply with existing standards and provide the necessary temperature and humidity conditions in the premises at any time of the year. The walls, depending on the required degree of fire resistance of the house, must have a flammability group and a fire resistance limit not lower than those established by fire safety standards. In addition, both external and internal walls must have sufficient soundproofing properties.
Physical Security
Physical security means protecting the people living in the house from cold, noise, and intruders, etc. In the first case, the problem is solved by heat and sound insulation. The last method of protection is especially relevant for metal tiles and profiled sheets. These materials enjoy ever-increasing popularity among our compatriots. Metal tile, for example, imitates natural tiles, is a relatively harmless roofing material, but has the disadvantage of making noise when it rains. Therefore, for a comfortable home under a metal tile and profiled sheet, soundproofing is required.
When choosing insulating materials, one should be guided by the principle of their maximum harmlessness.
Home security can be compromised not only natural factor. The apartment sometimes needs to be protected from intruders and scammers. As for protection from unwanted guests, reliable locks, a security and video surveillance system will solve this issue, and a safe should be installed to store valuables. In this situation, you need to pay attention to the installation burglar alarm. And you can immediately install fire alarm, which combines both protection against external penetration and monitoring the occurrence of a fire. Such a protective system can both scare off an intruder and, depending on the situation, transmit information to the police or fire department on duty.
Engineering safety
In general, the engineering safety of the house implies the preservation of the existing ecosystem, the economical consumption of electricity and the prudent use of natural resources.
The house should always have fresh air, good lighting, and be free from pathogens of any kind. At the same time, this can be achieved by using the most secure equipment. If we are talking about air conditioners, then these are, first of all, inverter-type models, with the “smart eye” function, on ozone-friendly refrigerants, which have a “zero” ozone-depleting potential. In such models, the “smart eye” function reacts to movements in the room and turns on the economical mode of maintaining the temperature if there is no one in the room.
Security is also certain measures related to the destruction of any threats to human life. The most visible danger is electricity. It has long been part of our everyday life, and we cannot do without it. But electrical safety must be taken very seriously. When building or repairing a house, it is necessary to ensure that the cables are laid in accordance with the project standards. The wiring must be suitable for the power of all electrical appliances that you have or plan to use. In case of emergency shutdown must have backup source nutrition. This is especially true for a private house. Not only an electrician can get under voltage, but also a common person. And for this it is not at all necessary to tear off various wires, an accident can occur due to damaged wiring. Or a generally harmless attempt to hang a picture and screw a screw into the wall may not end very well if the same electrical wiring is found in the wall. Therefore, those who want to live in comfort with conveniences and completely protect themselves should remember about the design of the power supply.
When it comes to supplying a house with heat, engineering security implies the use of renewable energy sources.
For example, wind turbines will convert wind energy into electrical energy and will both save significant financial resources and at the same time obtain environmentally friendly full energy independence.
And if you want to fully embody the theme in your home environmental safety, build an eco-house. It must meet the following characteristics: energy efficiency, non-aggressiveness in relation to its inhabitants and the environment, maximum autonomy of life support systems.
Behind a wall of such security measures, you can feel calm, no matter what happens. In any case, it is better to save on beauty than on safety. Because a house that ceases to be a fortress ceases to be a home.
"Construction Rules", No. 47 /1, August 2014
The copyright holder of all site materials is Construction Rules LLC. Full or partial reprinting of materials in any sources is prohibited.
Bamboo products
The key factor in which they prefer to use bamboo, of course, is environmental friendliness. It grows in countries with high humidity and very clean air, so there are no harmful substances in its fibers.
Initially, bamboo was used almost unchanged, just cutting its shoots to create elementary items. But day after day, designers perfected the processing technology of this plant, which made it possible to achieve its versatile use.
It's great natural material to create floor coverings, furniture, items for interior decoration.
concrete structures
- Hero of our time. It is based on coal processing products (ash, slag, etc.), so it practically does not contain harmful and toxic impurities. Concrete, together with natural ventilation, is able to maintain a healthy indoor climate.
It is called an energy accumulator, as it can retain heat for a long time. Concrete has been successfully used as finishing, as well as to create unusual items interior.
Aesthetic external data, the highest strength and durability, as well as expressive colors create a positive image of this material.
Cork flooring
Natural cork is one of the most environmentally friendly raw materials. Coatings made of this material have many positive characteristics. They protect against heat loss and have good sound insulation. Cork does not accumulate foreign odors and static electricity. She is not afraid of chemicals, so it is very easy to care for her.
An unusual way to decorate the interior - decorating the wall with cork
Cork coatings are very wear-resistant and not subject to deformation. They do not emit harmful substances into the environment, because the basis of this material is cellulose, nitrogen and oxygen.
Another advantage of cork is hypoallergenicity. It does not develop pathogenic microflora and mold.
LED light bulbs
AT modern interiors practically no standard incandescent lamps are used. They have been replaced by LEDs. This is one of the most environmentally friendly and safe sources of lighting.
During the production of such lamps (if the company complies with environmental standards and requirements), the use of harmful substances, especially mercury, is excluded. They do not pose a threat in case of failure or damage to the housing.
LED lamps consume a minimum amount of energy and have a very long service life. This allows you to change light bulbs less often, and therefore less likely to dispose of them.
natural paint finish
The main difference between environmentally friendly paintwork materials from their counterparts (paints based on acrylic or alkyds) - their chemical composition. Basic raw materials for production synthetic materials- oil and refined products. Despite the fact that this is a natural mineral, it is very actively modified under the influence of chemical reagents, such as chlorine.
Unlike synthetic paints, natural and environmentally friendly paints do not contain volatile compounds. Their basis is clay, natural pigments, vegetable oils and resin. Such paints are safe for both humans and the environment.
Safe plaster
Basic component for production standard plaster- gypsum. Its extraction causes irreparable harm to the environment. And to obtain various effects, gypsum is mixed with aggressive plasticizers and pigments that contain volatile compounds that are dangerous to humans.
An innovative product - environmentally friendly plaster - is the result of hard work of chemists and builders. Gypsum was excluded from its composition, and in order to obtain the necessary shade of the coating, natural dyes and natural pigments are used.
Recycled wood
Modern trends dictate fashion for environmental safety and environmental protection. Recycled wood was the first to hit the trend. For these purposes, they use everything that comes to hand - old fences, floors, doors and even wooden boats.
Recycled wood makes very interesting furniture and decor items. With it, you can create unusual design interior style or vintage. Recycled wood products look very authentic and antique.
This approach to materials makes it possible to preserve rapidly shrinking forests and give a second life to forgotten objects.
Mosaic of broken glass
Many unusual accessories are obtained from a once broken bottle or an old stained glass window. Glass is sent to be melted down and given a second life. From the fragments are obtained unusual in beauty garden paths, if each piece is pressed into the concrete that has not yet hardened.
Such a peculiar mosaic will decorate many interiors. Broken glass also used in the manufacture of kitchen countertops.
The fragments are mixed with plasticizers and porcelain stoneware, and work surfaces are created from the resulting mixture.
Recycling aluminum
Banal aluminum is found everywhere: in cans and soda cans, in unnecessary trash in the form of toothless forks and bent spoons. The modern idea of remelting recyclables has a good reason. Such production takes less energy and causes less harm to the environment compared to casting metal from scratch.
The recycling of aluminum is very much in demand in the conceptual directions in interior design, and a whole picture is devoted to an ordinary soup can.
waste paper
Recycling paper is perhaps the only way to extend the life of trees and save the environment for a new album or notebook. Waste paper products are not only office supplies.
Cardboard containers are made from recycled paper insulating materials, kraft packaging, personal hygiene items, disposable tableware and even decor items.
Mankind intuitively tries to return to its roots and tries to use natural materials in its home. The modern trend of merging with nature is an opportunity to preserve health and the environment.
In pursuit of a stylish interior, each of us strives to equip an apartment in such a way that it pleases the eye and meets current ideas about fashionable design. Often, a variety of building and finishing materials are used for repairs, which are necessary to improve the aesthetic component, and most homeowners, in an effort to create candy out of their own apartment, simply forget about the environmental safety of the premises. However, this issue is quite relevant, since many modern building materials are made on the basis of complex chemical compounds containing toxic elements that gradually poison the microclimate of the room and are harmful to health.
As a rule, the safety of building materials depends not only on their composition and the material from which they are made, but also on improper conditions of use. There are building materials that are dangerous in themselves, due to the high content of toxins, impurities of heavy metals, but there are also materials that can be harmful due to contact with the environment. So, for example, completely natural wood, with prolonged contact with moisture, it can become a source of fungus, mold, bad smell and become a breeding ground for various bacteria. Thus, in order to secure your home, it is worth choosing environmentally friendly materials and using them wisely. About what building materials will help improve the interior and microclimate of your home, it is worth talking in more detail.
The safest ceiling materials
A stretch ceiling is great for embodying the most daring design ideas, but since this material is made on the basis of PVC, it has a relatively high level of toxicity and should not be used for residential areas such as a bedroom, living room,. Finishing plastic is also best used only in the bathroom and other areas where you spend a minimum of your time.
The best solution for the bedroom, nursery, living room, kitchen, will be a simple painting of the ceiling with water-dispersion paint. The characteristics of this material allow us to call it the most environmentally friendly for your home.
Eco-friendly wall decoration
Wallpaper is the most popular material for wall decoration, and if you want to take care of the environmental component of your home, then you should give preference. paper wallpaper . These truly sustainable materials are distinguished affordable price and are suitable for all living areas of your home, with the exception of the kitchen and bathroom, where air humidity is high and there are temperature changes.
Also have a high level of eco-safety textile and plant wallpapers made from natural plant materials and not treated with chemicals. These types of wallpaper have good wear resistance, do not fade in the sun and do not contain any harmful substances. Equally important is the choice wallpaper glue and it is worth giving preference to an adhesive composition based on starch and other natural additives.
You should not paint the walls with oil-based paints, as they contain lead and impurities of other heavy metals. In addition, when heated oil paints for a long time exude an extremely unpleasant odor.
Modern floor materials
One of the best floor coverings is parquet board or ordinary planed edged board. Both of these materials are completely natural and have a high level of environmental friendliness, so they can be used in the nursery, bedroom and other rooms of your home. But preferring such flooring, it is necessary to carefully choose a varnish or paint for their processing. Choose an expensive, high-quality and safe varnish, carefully read the information on the label before buying.
- Ceramic tile- another safe material manufactured without the use of harmful chemicals. If you are planning an eco-friendly apartment renovation, this material is perfect for the kitchen, bathroom, hallway, it has an enviable durability and practicality.
- Environmental friendliness laminate depends on its quality level. Most expensive modern varieties are manufactured in accordance with safety regulations and standards and are suitable for use in any area of your home.
- Linoleum- one of the most unsafe materials, as it is made from petroleum products and contains a lot of chemical additives. Most dangerous are such types of material as relin and linoleum made on the basis of PVC compounds.
- carpet- does not have a high level of environmental hazard, but in some cases it can become a source of allergic reactions. If you want to lay carpet from natural pile, you should carefully care for it, otherwise it will become a haven for billions of micromites.
Choosing windows
When replacing window structures in the house, you should pay attention to wooden windows, characterized by an affordable price and a high level of environmental friendliness.
However, if you need a high level of heat and sound insulation, then preference should be given to structures based on aluminum profile , which, although they are much cheaper, but have the best durability and practicality.
PVC profile, is a completely artificial product, but thanks to modern processing methods, it is completely safe and suitable for all areas of the house.
What other designations should be looked for on the label?
Most manufacturers of modern building materials strive to achieve the greatest environmental friendliness of their products, and every self-respecting company labels its products. The environmental friendliness of building materials can be determined by the following marking:
- E1- completely safe building materials for the nursery and any other room.
- E2- suitable for kitchen, bathroom, corridors.
- E3- not suitable for residential premises, it is used for finishing technical premises.
Table of other common markings:
Total courtesies you can make right choice building materials that can provide the necessary environmental friendliness of the premises and not destroy its microclimate. It is always worth remembering that ecological building materials are not just a tribute to fashion, but an opportunity to protect yourself and your loved ones from the severe consequences of contact with unsafe chemicals, and therefore preserve your health.
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Discussion:
Elena Kosolobova said:
I believe that the environmental friendliness of the material in most cases can be determined in the old fashioned way, just by smell. For example, linoleum smells for a long time and then my head hurts. It is better to buy laminate.
welldoner said:
From myself I will add about windows: in no case should you chase cheapness. The offer of windows on the market is now such that prices are quite tasty, windows are cheap, they are produced by a huge number of companies and enterprises, and in conditions of fierce competition, when you need to keep the price low, and even leave yourself to eat, you have to save. If you take wooden ones, then here I would NOT advise chasing cheapness. Not only can they be completely jarred (the same race to reduce the cost of the manufacturer), but you also need to process them with good, expensive means, preferably regularly. Although, it all depends on the performance, of course.
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