interiordd.com Blog

I am postponing my discussion of low maintenance exteriors to tell you about the CEU class I attended today on Green Construction.  There is a wonderful new website out www.greenguard.org that is dedicated to helping manufacturers build better and safer products.  Since GREENGUARD is an industry independent, non-profit organization, it doesn’t have any conflicting interest in by promoting one product over another.  It is devoted to improving public health and quality of life.  How is this important?  The website is creating a list of products that can be used when building a green home.  While the list is not yet comprehensive, it is a great place to begin if you are searching for a green product.  Whether you are building a new home or remodeling an existing home, consider using low-emitting materials that are Greenguard Certified. 

If you are interested in green design there are a number of affiliations that are working towards unifying the green build efforts.  LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the USGBC (United States Green Building Council) www.usgbc.org sustainable building program.  It is dedicated to creating high-performance, sustainable buildings.  While it is the leading standard and the most recognized name, there are also other green build sites that are lesser known but equally effective.

Today we discussed ways to improve the indoor air quality of areas of new construction.  Using low emitting products is a good way to begin.  It is also important to allow proper drying and curing time before beginning the next step in construction.  The off-gassing is greatly reduced after liquid products dry and cure.  Besides the proper sequencing of finishes, it is important properly ventilate the construction area.  This not only improves the working conditions, but it also assists in clearing the off-gas and removing it so that it cannot be absorbed by other surfaces.  To continue with improved air quality, be aware of the VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) emission of the cleaning and maintenance products. 

There are many things to consider when choosing to pursue green construction.  Find a designer or a builder who is familiar with green construction, and best of luck. . . . after all, it is St. Patrick’s Day!