PAINT: LOW VOC AND NATURAL
Conventional paints use petrochemicals and toxic solvents to improve paint flow.
Fumes released from regular paint can create poor indoor air quality for up to five
years after painting.
VOCs can cause dizziness, headaches, nausea, allergies and breathing difficulties.
Low VOC paint is regular acrylic wall paint made without the toxic and off-gassing
elements. It’s as hardwearing and durable as older style paints but without the paint
smell. Best of all, rooms painted with non-toxic and natural paints can be inhabited
straight away.
Natural paint is made from natural ingredients such as clay, lime, mineral or plant
ingredients. Clay is thick and only requires one coat and because it’s breathable, it
prevents mildew. Lime wash is anti-bacterial and a natural repellent for bugs and
woodworm. Natural paint is the perfect choice for people who are chemically
sensitive and prefer a more environmentally friendly product.
WALLPAPER: ECO-FRIENDLY AND NATURAL
Traditional wallpapers often contain PVC, which leak VOCs into the air. Eco-friendly
wallpapers contain no PVCs and low or no VOCs. The patterns are printed on
recycled, FSC certified paper using water or vegetable-based inks. Eco-friendly
wallpapers are growing in popularity and becoming easier to source, with a wide
range of patterns and colours available.
Eco-friendly wallpaper has a lifespan of approximately 5 to 6 years. At the end of its
life, it degrades completely and doesn’t pollute the environment.
Another way to add texture and style to your walls is with wallpaper made from
natural, renewable materials such as bamboo, grasscloth, cotton, sisal and straw.
They are available in a range of styles and colours to suit your decor. Natural
wallpapers can be fragile and are best suited to low-traffic areas, like bedrooms.
For additional safety, all wallpapers should be applied with an eco-friendly water
soluble paste, free from VOCs and pesticides.
RECYCLED TIMBER CLADDING
One of the great things about recycled wood is that it gives your walls an instant
hit of texture, is imbued with a rustic accent and most importantly, it connects your
home to nature.
Leave it natural for that cosy log cabin effect or paint it for different looks - black for
drama or white for Coastal or Scandi style.
Recycled wood can be salvaged from just about anywhere - demolished houses, old
buildings, wharves and boats. Reusing wood prolongs its life and ensures carbon is
stored in the wood for longer which comes with significant environmental benefits.
Timber cladding comes as tongue and groove planks, similar to flooring but thinner,
as it doesn’t need to bear any weight.
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