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How to create a comfortable and eco-friendly bathroom.

Bath remodeling and renovations should include reviewing many factors that assist in maintaining a healthy environment for your family. A properly sized fan, preferably one set on a timer that will continue removing the moisture long after the user has left the room, should be based on the cubic square feet of the room. A quiet fan is more likely to be used than a noisy annoying one, so look for an ultra quiet fan. Low flow toilets using 1.2 gpf or dual flush toilets using .8/ 1.6 gpf should be considered for water conservation, as well as low flow shower heads and faucets. Flooring could be selected from natural linseed products, such as Marmoleum or a quality porcelain tile that contains recycled material. These products now are available in great colors and textures to influence your bathroom design. Look at our Fireclay tiles on our site. Also a premium quality grout should be used that is both mold and mildew resistant, such as those available through Laticrete or Mapei. These are a few tips to creating a relaxing eco-friendly bathroom environment.

Designing an eco-friendly kitchen is easier than it once was. Cabinet manufacturers have come a long way since the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association made it a high priority to give credit to those that took steps toward greening their process.  The Environmental Stewardship Program logo signals the consumer that the manufacturer follows responsible manufacturing procedures and meets other KCMA standards in its facility. Check to see if their suppliers are also required to follow stringent guidelines. The glues used in the manufacturing process should contain low VOCs and be formaldehyde free. The cabinets should be made from plywood for sustainability and use only particle board that has no added formaldehyde. The finishes used should be natural finishes and oils. We are pleased to offer Holiday Cabinets and Fieldstone Cabinetry as they are leaders in this process.

Seal Once – Eco-friendly waterproofers, cleaners, and sealants for multiple surfaces.

Spring and summer are the best times to improve your favorite outdoor living spaces! Think about re-staining or cleaning your decks!

Fresh Interiors offers Seal Once, a great eco-friendly, easy to use products for decking. Seal Once waterproofers provide long-lasting protection against water, mold, mildew and UV damage. Safe for the environment, Seal Once coating products are water-based, non-flammable and contain no VOCs, toxins or irritants. This means it will not harm pets, plants, or livestock. Semi-transparent stains add color but, let the grain show through. There are 13 different colors and clear available with samples available for viewing in our showroom. They offer cleaners for composite decking, exotic woods and concrete/masonry, perfect for any surface. They also have a Multi-Surface Waterproofer that will cover all those surfaces; great for decks, fences, patios, and driveways. Seal-Once provides long lasting, deep penetrating protection for up to 10 years on vertical surfaces, six years on horizontal surfaces. It also helps protect against De-iceing salts, pool chemicals and reduces corrosion and cracks from moisture. Perfect timing to have a nice clean or refinished deck to enjoy!

Fresh Interiors is glad to support Vermont Naturals as an eco friendly choice for coating all wood surfaces. This company uses recycled whey protein, which is a byproduct of cheese-making. By using whey they eliminate the need for toxic binders and carcinogenic solvents typically found in wood finishes. They also produce wood cleaners made from soy. Vermont Naturals PolyWhey exceeds national, regional, state and county air quality regulations. It contains no VOC’s and can help earn LEED points.

Consider Vermont Naturals for any interior or exterior project, including flooring and furniture.  It will provide a durable, safe, and long lasting finish, while using a recycled resource. This is a great green alternative to traditional wood finishes.

What makes a carpet green?

Indoor air quality is an important environmental consideration when it comes to bringing finishes into your home, especially since we spend 90% of our time indoors. Green carpeting is a great way to eliminate toxic emissions.

Carpet, carpet pads and carpet adhesives can contribute to green building in two important ways: helping reduce VOCs and emissions and contributing to the growing use of recycle content for building materials. The backing materials often bring environmental and health issues. The most common concern with these backings and adhesives is VOC emissions, and numerous low-VOC solutions are available. Installation of new carpet and flooring can fill the air with hundreds of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including formaldehyde and benzene. It can take years for these substances to dissipate.

There are several sustainable flooring options that can reduce indoor pollution and alleviate health problems caused by toxic carpets. Green carpets can be made from natural fibers such as wool, jute, sisal, sea grass or recycled plastics. There are many options of a growing line of carpets and flooring made from recycled and eco-friendly materials. These alternative environmentally friendly carpets are durable and stylish and are reasonably priced compared to other flooring and carpet options.

Look for carpets made from natural fibers with little or no chemical treatment. Also, purchase carpets with natural-fiber backing attached with less-toxic adhesives. Consider green carpeting here at Fresh Interiors, we offer eco friendly brands such as Godfrey Hirst and Design Materials Inc., which have many options of styles and colors.