Pollution/ Green Building & Sustainable Home Renovation Information & Advice

...pollution, dust, pollen and pet dander. So it only makes sense that we pay attention to the air quality in our homes. Where most people have heard the term VOCs is in regards to paint. There are many safer alternatives on the market now than the toxic paints we used to apply to our walls. For more information see our...

...pollution. This anecdotal conclusion has grown to epic proportions among home décor websites to the point where there are even recommending specific plants in specific rooms for their particular characteristics; the following examples were easily found on the web – Which Houseplants are Best for Improving Indoor ...

Radon Gas in Crawlspaces & Basements - why is it a problem? Radon gas was not high on the radar of builders and home owners over the last few decades , but as it is the second leading cause of lung cancer (after smoking) in the USA & Canada, it is quickly becoming a household term. Many newer homes will have radon b...

There are many ways to build a slab-on-grade (or frost-protected shallow foundation), the following is a step-by-step walk though of a thickened-edge slab floor we built. XPS or EPS high-density foam is typically used under concrete slab floors, in this case we used Rockwool mineral fiber insulation ( formerly known a...

The floors you choose really create the atmosphere in your home and give it its identity. The first considerations should be to choose a durable and non-toxic floor to ensure safe indoor air quality (IAQ). When you are making choices, find out the estimated lifespan and what maintenance is required to keep it in good ...

Polyisocyanurate (PIR), Extruded Polystyrene (XPS), Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) or Styrofoam? When building or renovating a high-performance building envelope there are really three main kinds of rigid foam panels you are going to have to choose from - Polyisocyanurate known as Polyiso (PIR), Extruded Polystyrene (XP...

Energy efficient & Eco friendly swimming pools - are they even a thing?! The current global situation puts renewed value on staying fit and healthy, and enjoying time with our families, mostly at home. In light of that, we’re going to assume that many people will want to relax in their own pool or spa, despite them ...

Vapor Barriers in walls, why polyethylene can be problematic It would probably surprise many home builders to hear what really causes moisture accumulation in walls, and what to do to prevent it . An understanding of how water vapor moves through walls is important, so a good place to start would be with our page ex...

Polished concrete floors are extremely durable and non-toxic ; silicate-based densifiers keep them that way and make it a great start to safe indoor-air quality in a home. This is an excellent flooring option for anyone with chemical sensitivities who wants a beautiful and durable eco-friendly floor in their passive s...

一辆普通的电动自行车能给骑车者带来和普通自行车差不多的体验，只是少花了一点力气。你仍然可以在自行车道上骑车，你仍然需要骑自行车，你仍然可以得到锻炼和燃烧卡路里(尽管可能会少一些)。作为一个国际米兰……

One of the biggest drawbacks to renewable energies like wind and solar, is that it is unpredictable. This presents a challenge to grid operators, as they struggle to meet demand while compensating for calm winds or clouds. One method of balancing supply and demand that is garnering some attention lately, is pumped sto...