Safe building materials for renovation. Which ceilings are environmentally friendly? Eco-friendly materials for renovation

Eco repair of residential premises A set of measures to restore the facility using the necessary materials and special techniques. Cosmetic repair is the restoration of the appearance without interfering with the structure. Overhaul involves the replacement of not only faulty parts, but also parts that have exhausted their resource. This repair involves a large amount of work and significant material costs.

Harm

Harmful building materials

Modern materials that are used in the construction and decoration of apartments and houses can become the main source of danger in case of fire. Synthetic materials can burn or smolder, releasing toxic and very dangerous substances (dioxins). Being in the zone of influence of toxic smoke, people quickly lose consciousness and their chances of salvation are greatly reduced.

Paints

Repairs can become extremely harmful due to paints. Often, the paints used for painting rooms contain harmful chemicals and components that are released as the material dries.

Interior paints contain potentially harmful chemicals such as solvents and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). When the paint dries, these components are released into the air, the poisonous vapors of which are inhaled into the lungs of the body by the master working with them.

First, harmful fumes enter the lungs, then enter the bloodstream, which can later cause dizziness and headaches. Working with paint for a long time in a room without ventilation can even cause temporary clouding of consciousness or memory lapses.

Inhalation of fumes from paints containing VOCs can exacerbate asthma and sinusitis, an inflammation of the paranasal sinuses. Inhalation of VOCs can irritate the nose, throat, and eyes.

Paints and varnishes with a large amount of organic solvents often contain turpentine oil from pine resin, which can cause headaches and irritation of the mucous membranes (the same applies to products based on orange or citrus oil).

A child living in a room painted with lead paint noticeably slows down mental and physical development, attention, and may also develop hyperactivity and even hearing loss.

The harm from paints mainly depends on the solvent that is used in them. After all, the solvent can be released for years from painted surfaces, thereby causing allergies and respiratory diseases. The most harmful solvent of all is white spirit, which is present in acrylic paints.

Ceiling

Suspended ceilings (especially unusually shaped, with all sorts of bends), in the manufacture of which a large amount of glue and plastic are used, can be especially harmful, since phenol and styrene are released from it, the fumes of which can lead to damage to the liver and kidneys.

Suspended ceilings are structures made of metal, mineral fiber, MDF or chipboard. Particularly dangerous are products made of chipboard containing phenol, which actively evaporates at air temperatures above 20ºC. Phenol is a carcinogen that affects the central nervous system.

Walls

Do not use foam and plastic when decorating walls. Styrofoam has been proven to emit styrene fumes, which will make repairs much more harmful. Styrene can cause headache, nausea, eye and respiratory irritation, etc.

It is highly undesirable to use expanded polystyrene (polystyrene) for wall insulation. When studying some batches of polystyrene, experts find formaldehyde and dibutyl phtholate. Dibutyl phtholate is dangerous to health even in very small quantities.

Many varnishes, paints, adhesives, and plasters used to decorate walls, floors, and apartment doors contain toxic phenol. Phenol does not evaporate instantly, but continues to be released for at least six months after repairs have been carried out in the dwelling.

PVC plastic panels, being a synthetic material, can also emit substances harmful to human health (when heated above 60 ° C, the plastic melts, releasing toxins). Therefore, increased requirements are imposed on the quality of PVC products (necessary fire resistance, hygienic conclusion, etc.).

Wallpaper

Harmful wallpapers - with a synthetic coating - vinyl, PVC and others like them. For all their beauty and ease of care, they emit poisons into the air:

• Styrene
• Urethane

As well as poisons from solvents

• Methylene
• Hexen
• Toluene
• Benzene
• Ethylbenzene

But inexpensive phosphorescent wallpapers are especially harmful - in addition to the above substances, they also release radioactive radon into the air, which creates an increased radiation background in the room. And radiation, as you know, leads to numerous dangerous diseases, including cancer.

Separately, the wallpaper itself does not pose a threat, but the type of glue with which the wallpaper will need to be glued to the walls will depend on the composition of their material. Only the simplest paper wallpapers will stick to safe starch glue. Vinyl or fabric wallpapers that are fashionable today need chemical substances, usually containing substances harmful to the human body.

floors

Many people prefer to cover the floor in the kitchen with linoleum. A good, expensive coating is environmentally friendly. This cannot be said about cheap linoleum - under the influence of high temperatures, the polymers from which linoleum is made begin to decompose into toxic monomers. A hot kitchen climate and central heating radiators will easily start this process. Non-ecological new linoleum emits carcinogens:

• Phenol
• Formaldehyde
• Acrylate
• Benzene

These chemicals smell bad and significantly lower immunity. This subsequently provokes colds, allergies, dermatitis.

Low-quality laminate, which is quite common today, can also be a cause for concern. Formaldehyde, which is an element of the composition of the laminate, and the strongest carcinogen phenol are released into the atmosphere from it.

Laminate, like many furniture, consists of several chipboard boards, a plastic film is applied on top of it, which emits harmful substances. The main harm to the laminate is due to these coatings. The surface of the laminate is covered with resins and paints, more often it is melamine, less often acrylic resins. Melamine itself is harmless, but the production of resins from it is carried out by mixing with formaldehydes, which are extremely hazardous to health.

Formaldehyde also contains various impregnations that are used in panels to make them moisture resistant and antiseptic properties. Hazardous fumes are released during the coating process. Therefore, immediately after its manufacture, it is impossible to buy a laminate - it will certainly be in a well-ventilated warehouse for some time.

But it must be borne in mind that in addition to the above laminate, for some time a pungent smell comes from almost any new floor materials:

• Linoleum
• parquet board
• Block parquet

The degree of smell of materials of the same name depends mainly on the manufacturer (material, varnishes). They won't smell at all.

• Ceramic tile
• Porcelain stoneware
• Unpainted natural materials (such as board)

Therefore, you need to choose a high-quality laminate, with all the proper documents, then the noticeable smell will disappear completely in 2-3 weeks.

Synthetic carpet already a couple of months after gluing begins to decompose and release toxins into the air, which can cause a weakened immune system and cause headaches.

Some heated floors are sources of an electromagnetic field, and quite strong, rising to a meter in height. Children and pets are especially affected by its effects, because they are entirely exposed to harmful radiation. As a result, their immunity becomes weak - they easily pick up any infections and therefore often get sick. In adults, in this case, exposure to an electromagnetic field weakens the reproductive system.

Window

Plastic windows (PVC), which are the most popular today, are so tight that they block the air in the room, preventing it from circulating freely.

In old wooden windows there are micro cracks, gaps through which the air is constantly updated, even if the room is not ventilated. There are no such gaps in PVC windows, and people have to breathe all the accumulating harmful fumes that are released into the air - carbon monoxide from a gas stove, toxic formaldehyde and phenol from cheap mass furniture (chipboard, fiberboard, MDF), flooring, building materials, etc.

But you need to know that in case of fire, wooden windows are much more dangerous than plastic ones, they burn, releasing a huge amount of heat, which leads to the spread of fire (the ignition temperature of PVC is 330 - 400 ° C, for wood it is 210 - 270 ° C).

Furniture

Furniture made with toxic substances is a health hazard that is usually underestimated - it releases phenol, formaldehyde, benzene, ammonia, and many other toxic substances. All of them are contained in polymers, paints and varnishes used in the manufacture of mass furniture from chipboard, fiberboard, MDF and even solid wood. The threat is posed by surfaces not covered with a special film - attachment points, ends, chips.

Benefit

How often do repairs need to be done

It is advisable to carry out repairs at least once every five years. Not doing repairs for a very long time can be harmful to health. Since harmful substances gradually accumulate in wallpaper, baseboards, plaster, cement, and begin to be released, making the air in the room poisonous.

Aerosols of heavy metals and radioactive radon are mainly emitted. When their maximum permissible concentration is exceeded, the residents of the apartment begin to ache in the liver, heart, and allergic reactions may develop.

Toxic resins are present in all the most common materials - chipboard, plywood, vinyl and PVC coatings (floor coverings, decor elements, windows, wallpaper, almost all adhesives).

Making repairs from environmentally friendly materials will be much more expensive than using synthetic ones. Although chemical materials can make repairs cheaper, in the end they can cost residents much more if health problems arise after such repairs. In the struggle for clean air in your own home, you will need to carefully choose finishing materials, paints, floor coverings, windows, decor elements, wallpaper, adhesives, and furniture.

How to make repairs

Try not to save money when buying furniture, linoleum, paints, carpets, etc. If you buy cheap materials - make sure that they are class E1, E0 - that is, they are environmentally friendly.

When buying building materials in a store, on the market, pay attention to their smell. Too strong a chemical smell is a significant indicator of the unsafety of the finishing material. If there is a smell, and even more persistent and caustic, then it is better to refuse such a purchase, not hoping for its weathering, but to find products with a less pungent smell.

Be sure to work indoors with open windows, even better if you have the opportunity to work outdoors (like painting, etc.). Wear protective gloves to prevent contact of the material used with your hands. Do not work too long, take frequent breaks from work (about every half an hour).

When working with any finishing materials, even of the best quality, it is recommended to carry out wet cleaning and thoroughly ventilate the room after repair for 2-3 weeks. It is advisable not to move into the apartment for another 2-3 weeks after finishing work is completed - during this period, the most active "emission" of harmful chemical fumes into the air occurs.

To minimize the impact on the body of chemicals that accumulate in the apartment after repair, it is necessary to carry out wet cleaning daily, because dust particles, like a magnet, attract harmful compounds. By inhaling them, a person receives a concentrated dose of "chemicals".

If you care about your health, call environmentalists before moving into an apartment after renovation. After checking them, there will be no doubt that it is safe to be in the home. Even if the content of chemicals is negligible in each individual building material, all together they release a “shock” dose of toxins. It should take several months before they disappear.

Specialists involved in the ecology of residential premises treat the apartment with special preparations. The cost of the procedure for a two-room apartment is an average of 7,000 rubles. Those who wish to save money can carry it out on their own by purchasing the necessary drug for 3,000 rubles.

Eco-friendly materials for renovation

If you have planned repairs or bought a new apartment, then the choice of materials must be approached responsibly. The following recommendations will make it much easier for you to find environmentally friendly finishing materials and furniture.

Paints

Water-based paints are less hazardous than solvent-based paints because they contain fewer toxins and have a less pungent odor. As an alternative, you can use natural, environmentally friendly paint without solvents, VOCs and pungent odors.

The most harmless are water-dispersed, polyester and alkyd, as well as water-based paints. Therefore, it is best to use dispersion paints and varnishes in which the main solvent is water. This would be the best option for eco repair.

Natural paints practically do not emit toxins. In addition, there is no need to use white spirit and turpentine, and the brush or brush used for painting can be easily washed with water.

VOC paint thinners are extremely flammable - keep away from open flames. The same applies to rags soaked in such paint. To prevent accidental fire, be sure to discard them after use.

Be sure to ventilate the area to protect yourself from the harmful effects of VOCs. Remember that when paint containing these chemical compounds dries, their content indoors is about a thousand times higher than outdoors.

Get out for fresh air as often as possible during painting work. Wait until the paint is completely dry before using the room again for the same purpose.

Ceiling

It is safest to paint the ceiling with non-harmful, natural paint. Better yet, use environmentally friendly lime whitewash.

You can use drywall (GKL) - this is a hygienic and safe material consisting of gypsum wrapped in cardboard. Gypsum is an environmentally friendly natural material, which is produced by grinding and heat treatment of sedimentary rock. In drywall, various additives are added to gypsum (which are environmentally friendly and approved all over the world) to give the sheet additional reinforcement (stiffness), non-combustibility and moisture resistance.

In addition, it is also a natural regulator of air humidity in the apartment. Due to its porous structure, it absorbs excess moisture from the air, and if it is lacking, it gives it away, which has a very beneficial effect on the humidity of the air in the home and on human health in general.

But in addition to high-quality plasterboard, intended for use in residential premises, there is also technical drywall, which is intended for use in non-residential premises (garages, warehouses, etc.). It is made from poorly cleaned poor quality gypsum. It is not desirable for a person to constantly be near such materials. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon, misleading consumers, that such low-quality goods go on sale under the label - drywall for residential premises. Prices for sheets of technical GKL are much lower than average. Therefore, when buying, be sure to carefully check all the relevant documents confirming the environmental friendliness of the product.

Walls

The safest option for wall decoration is environmentally friendly drywall in combination with water-based paint.

In no case do not purchase mixtures that are intended for exterior decoration of buildings - they are cheaper, but the sanitary requirements for these materials are much lower than for those used for repairs inside residential premises.

If possible, discard plastic and foam panels. But if you decide to use PVC products - when buying, be sure to make sure that the formaldehyde emission indicators comply with GOST or the European standard E1 and have a certificate of conformity and a fire safety certificate - PVC products must be safe for humans.

Wallpaper

Paper wallpapers are environmentally friendly. Although they are not widespread, but if you wish, you can find very beautiful and modern, high-quality paper wallpapers.

Glass wall papers will also be a safe option - environmentalists have no claims against them, in addition, safe mineral glue is used for pasting them. These wallpapers can be safely used when eco repair.

If you really want to paste over the walls with phosphorescent wallpaper - then buy only high-quality ones that are tested for the presence of hazardous substances.

Or you can paint the walls, but not with acrylic or oil, but with water-based paint (which has a composition that is harmless to human health).

floors

You can leave the old linoleum, as it has already released all the harmful substances. Or lay environmentally friendly linoleum, but it will always remain cold.

The best options may be to cover the floor with natural materials, such as parquet, board, or cork (especially in the nursery).

In order to avoid the threat of a child becoming allergic to dust and other diseases that it can provoke (sneezing, coughing, sore throat, etc.) - do not cover even the most environmentally friendly carpet in the nursery. Do not wash the floors under it, and vacuuming will not replace wet cleaning.

You can lay a natural plank floor with ecological painting, which looks quite nice, and everything is safe and environmentally friendly. There is also an option - to lay matting on the floor, besides, it is useful to walk on it, and the floor will not be cold, but such a natural material will cost much more.

When choosing a laminate, you should pay attention to compliance with environmental standards. Laminate can be of different quality classes - the more toxicity, the cheaper the material, the more natural - the more expensive the price.

When buying a European laminate, you need to track the presence of the E1 badge (and ideally - E0) on the packaging of the laminate, which means that such a laminate has successfully passed chemical control, and the level of formaldehyde in this product does not exceed the permissible values. You should also attach importance to the PCT icon - this means that this product has been certified in the Russian Federation and is also relatively harmless.

In order to preserve your health and the health of your loved ones, it is better to purchase a laminate whose safety is guaranteed by the manufacturer when toxic emissions do not exceed the permissible limit. And be sure to ask for a fire safety certificate. After all, the greatest harm from the laminate will manifest itself during its combustion. In the event of a fire in the laminate in the room, it is necessary to put on a bandage on the face and quickly leave the room.

Electric underfloor heating comes with a single-core and two-core cable.

The first option (with a single-core cable) is the cheapest, but dangerous. Ecologists definitely do not recommend installing it in residential apartments. A two-wire cable is more expensive and emits less radiation, but if you keep the floor heating on all the time, this will be enough to harm your health.

You need to know that a person can be in an electromagnetic field for no more than three hours a day. Therefore, it is impossible to turn on floor heating from morning to evening.

In order not to risk the health of the household, give up underfloor heating altogether, or make a water-heated floor in your apartment. It is absolutely safe and will not cause harm, its only disadvantage is its high cost.

Window

It is advisable to choose plastic windows that are environmentally friendly, of high quality, with the function of slotted micro-ventilation.

Today there are plastic profiles stabilized on the basis of titanium dioxide, calcium or zinc, or glass-composite windows, which are recognized as environmentally friendly, but they cost an order of magnitude more expensive than others.

When buying PVC windows, be sure to ask sellers for quality certificates (or certificates of conformity) and a hygienic conclusion, because. the composition of the material can be with different levels of environmental hazard.

You can install windows from a wooden profile. They are more expensive, but unlike hermetic plastic windows (without slot ventilation) they provide natural ventilation of the premises. Condensation does not form on them, in which conditions for a harmful microclimate appear - the reproduction of pathogenic microbes, fungi and mold.

Furniture

When buying furniture made of chipboard, fiberboard, MDF, or solid wood, be sure to check with the seller for a quality certificate (or a certificate of conformity) and a hygienic conclusion.

Make sure that the formaldehyde emission indicators (the amount of toxic substances emitted) comply with GOST and sanitary and hygienic requirements or the European standard E1 (or E0) - this way you will protect yourself from buying furniture with a high resin content, because in certified furniture all indicators are in within acceptable limits and, accordingly, do not threaten human health.

The ideal emission class for formaldehyde emission is considered to be zero (E0), but such furniture is difficult to find. A one (E1) is acceptable, a two (E2) is average, and a three (E3) is unhealthy.

/ Which ceilings are environmentally friendly?

Which ceilings are environmentally friendly?

The decoration of the ceilings in the apartment is sometimes no less important than the decoration of the walls. Being a significant part of the interior, this plane must match the rest of the interior details and many different finishes can be used to obtain a harmonious combination. At the same time, it is very important to use environmentally friendly material for decorating the ceiling.

The concept of sustainability

There is no complete clarity on this issue, and the reason for this was the diametrically opposite approach to assessing environmental friendliness. Many people believe that only those types of materials that cannot harm human health and will not emit harmful volatile components during operation fall under such a definition.

This is true, environmentally friendly ceilings, which are selected according to this principle, correspond to the named concept. However, there is another approach, according to which it is not the impact of coatings on the well-being of a person or the atmosphere in the house that is important, but the material from which they are made. Many are convinced that such coatings are completely harmless.

According to this concept, an environmentally friendly ceiling, equipped in an apartment, should be made from natural components. That is, do not contain artificial components. It is difficult to find such a coating, but they are still produced - cork sheets, bamboo and the most popular type of finish for such a plan is natural wood.

At the same time, in the production process of these materials, a lot of different chemical components are used, which can have a negative impact on human health. Therefore, speaking of the concept of "environmentally friendly", one can consider only that finishing option that will not harm health. Next, we will consider several other popular types of coatings and try to evaluate their environmental friendliness.

Stretch ceiling

A popular way to quickly and relatively inexpensively decorate the floor in the room. Very often, you can hear the assurances of the seller that the stretch ceilings offered by their company are environmentally friendly. For the most part, this statement is true, and here's why:

• PVC film does not emit any harmful substances into the atmosphere. If you hear that it is harmful, think about what the pipes are made of, through which drinking water enters your house every day? In modern buildings, plastic pipes made of PVC do no harm.
• Textile ceilings are made from artificial materials and impregnated with special chemical compounds. But, the content of various harmful substances in them is even lower than in PVC. That is, such a coating will also be safe.
• In addition to these reasons, all stretch ceilings have documents confirming the safety of their operation, issued by a special commission of specialists who comprehensively assessed this moment.

Painted or whitewashed ceilings

No less popular type of design and very often called "the cleanest." This is not entirely true. Almost all components of such a finish will contain active chemicals. The only type of coating of this type that will be completely natural and safe is. But, this design has many negative qualities:

• The appearance of an uneven overlap, whitewashed with chalk, does not evoke pleasant associations. You will have to level the surface and after that, it will need to be painted.
• Think about why even after painting with odorless paint, it is necessary to thoroughly ventilate the room? Dyes emit a lot of harmful volatile compounds.
• If the surface is washable, it will not let air through, which means it is no better than PVC film.

Drywall

For the manufacture, natural materials are used - water, gypsum and cardboard. This is good, but during operation, gypsum dust may appear, as well as during the initial assembly of the structure. Waterproof types of sheets are impregnated with different compositions that will not be natural. Besides:

• After assembly, the entire structure will need. The choice of paint will affect environmental friendliness.
• There are some disadvantages that are not directly related to harm to health - reducing the height of the room, and as a result - less comfort in the room, a large amount of debris during assembly, and so on.

There is no doubt that ecological repair should be in the priorities of each person. But more often we treat without thinking, both to ourselves and to the environment around us. Whoever decides to be innocent or frivolous in this matter, unfortunately, will regret his indifference.

Environmental repair and its components

Environmental friendliness

I'll start with the most exciting question for me, because all the forests of the Moscow region are buried in construction waste. Why are there forests when in Krasnogorsk right by the road there are arbitrary dumps of household waste. Oddly enough, such spontaneous heaps of garbage, as in the photo above, can exist for months.

Do you like this view of your city? Of course I don't! Undoubtedly, the local Criminal Code will not allow throwing mountains of waste into a common container. And to order it for yourself personally, some religion does not allow. But do not be surprised at such consequences, trusting garbage disposal for three kopecks to a Gazelle bomber. And even more so, do not dare to show your dissatisfaction on local forums if you did so.

And I am certainly proud of those who have never been likened to these pigs. In addition, I sincerely hope that none of my readers will deal with nature in such a low and disrespectful way.

Environmental friendliness of materials

The second important component of the issue of environmental friendliness is the ecological repair itself. Although for the health of the client this is the first most important aspect. After all, all the materials used in the work affect any living organism in one way or another. And more often negatively than vice versa. Your workers will be the first to suffer from the use of hazardous materials if they do not use personal protective equipment. But after the repair, you have to live in an apartment without a gas mask? So for many years, biohazardous materials will then destroy you yourself.

Particular attention should be paid to both plaster mixtures and finishing materials. Especially on paints and wallpapers! The products of the Knauf factory will save you the headache when purchasing draft materials. Their goods are certified according to the most stringent sanitary and hygienic standards. In terms of quality, if we do not have a fake, there have never been any questions. But when choosing decorative materials, keep your eyes open.

Proven and toxic

Varnishes for interior work

I will share an example of the use of safe and, conversely, highly toxic materials. At the beginning of the year, I had a burning desire to make a compact folding table to your room. The project was a success, but due to my haste, I covered the table with extremely terrible varnish. And even though the inscription “Home Series” flaunted on the bank, it was an extremely false statement.

Technologies of the last century, you can’t say otherwise.

After a month of emitting terrible fumes, the table still continued to exude a pungent smell. I opened the window wider and continued to work behind it, creating articles for my site. But one day a terrible wind howled and I decided not to open the window. The cats were the first to leave the room, then the wife left. And I kept on and on typing until the end of the day. By evening, I literally crawled out of the room with a terrible headache. He attributed everything to a sharp change in the weather, and the next day he again began to write articles in the ill-fated room. Unfortunately, this time I was mercilessly tormented by a migraine all night.

As expected, I checked and ruled out any matches. By another headache, of course. And I am ready to present you an alternative to this means of torture. Beautiful to work with and smelling like a baby's bottom, French polish from the same store. It can be applied in a ventilated area without using a respirator. Without a doubt, this is a material of the 21st century, created according to the most modern safety standards.

Verified repeatedly and literally a little more expensive than the previous one.

When choosing other paint and varnish products, be guided by the principle of choosing trusted companies. These include all brands from the Scandinavian countries, representatives of France and Switzerland. Between ourselves, imported products are a cut above in the production of environmental materials than Russian ones. Fortunately, there are also leading companies among domestic manufacturers. Here you have to dive into a scrupulous study of the material market, if you do not want the choice to go sideways.

room wallpaper

Yes, yes, we are talking about room wallpaper. It is to them that increased requirements are imposed if you are planning an environmental repair. Passage rooms and corridors are blown with drafts, while in rooms one sometimes has to sleep with the windows closed. Therefore, I will pay special attention to room wallpaper in this article.

We give preference to non-woven paper wallpaper or look for confirmation of environmental control on a roll. Manufacturers put special emphasis on the safety of their products so that everyone can see it. And do not be surprised by the fact that, unlike paints, some St. Petersburg wallpapers are completely non-toxic.

Although vinyl, but very successful and non-toxic wallpaper.

But the expensive Spanish vinyl wallpaper, I was very disappointed. Heavy and embossed, reminiscent of Venetian plaster. However, so stinky that after seven years, the toxic smell is still present. Remember this texture and never buy this wallpaper, especially for a room. And it's finally time for me to change them to environmentally friendly paper wallpapers.

Undoubtedly beautiful, but very heavy in pasting and foul-smelling wallpaper.

So, in relation to wallpaper, we prefer paper and light wallpaper for painting. We choose vinyl only in drafty and non-residential premises.

carpet

With the safety of carpet for human health, the situation is similar to that of wallpaper. Natural material will not cause any problems, while carpets based on polyesters and polyamides are dangerous. And the danger is not in the direct harm of these synthetic materials. They are cheap both to manufacture and to sell. Accordingly, in their manufacture, the same cheap and often dangerous glue is used. Moreover, as a bonus to this, you get an increased production of static electricity.

My synthetic carpet in the hallway.

It is undeniable that carpet made of natural pile is much more whimsical in content, and wears out faster than synthetic. In the children's room, after the creativity of an active child, it will not be enough for a long time. And it is not at all recommended for allergy sufferers with asthmatics. How then to be? Surely there is a compromise! If you want carpet as a floor covering, then let it be natural. But, in order to avoid allergic reactions, only with a short pile. It is much more convenient to vacuum and wet clean. It is clear that without fanaticism.

An example of natural carpet.

The downside of all natural is only the price and limited places to buy. It seems to me that only people with true values ​​can afford such things. After all, not everyone will understand the importance of investing in carpet, commensurate with the price of a huge TV.

Ceiling coverings

Simply put, the most environmentally friendly ceilings are classic ceilings painted with water-based paint. And no other options can compete with them. This could be the end of this article, but not everyone loves the classics. For fans of stretch ceilings, I have a few tips. Firstly, saving here is contraindicated from the word at all. Environmental repairs and a Chinese stretch ceiling of dubious quality, things are incompatible. Once you decide to save on the ceiling, then use the services of trusted companies. And limit yourself to PVC ceilings exclusively in the bathroom and toilet.

The possibility of using PVC ceilings of different colors in wet rooms is their main advantage.

Secondly, say goodbye to the myth about the environmental friendliness of fabric stretch ceilings. Despite the word fabric in its name, it is woven from polyester threads. The justification for using this ceiling is the possibility of painting up to 6-7 times. Most likely, water-based paint will not allow toxic fumes to penetrate into the room. But do not flatter yourself too much, but exclude the use of a stretch fabric ceiling in the sleeping areas of the apartment.

Ecological repair is your only true repair!

In conclusion, I want to summarize all my thoughts on environmental repair in general. Update your home without environmental impact. Do not aggravate the already gloomy situation with garbage on the streets of Krasnogorsk and its suburbs. Most likely, the situation throughout the country is about the same, because people are the same by nature. But not in their culture, and it pleases. Let care for the planet come into fashion. And everyone will start, of course, from their own backyard.

Moreover, do not cause direct harm to yourself and your household. Approach consciously to the choice of material for apartment renovation. For a long time, I naively believed that the regulatory authorities were doing it for me. And they will never allow the appearance of environmentally hazardous products on the shelves of hardware stores. However, the realities of life are completely different and we ourselves must be vigilant and selective in our choice. From this, without jokes, our lives directly depend on you.

What repair materials can be called environmentally friendly? The answer suggests itself: natural.

Of course, wood is the most environmentally friendly product for construction, however, our houses are not built from wood, but from cement and concrete. In addition, when starting repairs in an apartment, we think little about the environmental friendliness of the materials that will be used.
Sometimes, after repairs, apartments turn into real gas chambers full of lead, phenol, toluene, acetone, and God knows what other chemistry. Although environmentally friendly repair is a very relative concept, however, you can try to choose materials for arranging your home that will reduce our daily poisoning to a minimum.
Experts in the field of construction and repair claim that only 25% of building and finishing materials are environmentally friendly. The rest can cause serious harm to human health. Therefore, a special "contribution" to the pollution of our homes is made primarily by finishing materials and furniture.
Radiation…
Radiation is one of the most dangerous types of radiation. It cannot be eliminated, it can only be prevented. Therefore, when choosing finishing materials for the renovation of your home, remember that in addition to concrete and brick, natural stones can also emit radiation. However, the stone has its own natural radioactive background, so when purchasing, ask for evidence of the radiation quality of the product. In total, there are three classes of rock radiation background, of which only third-class granites are allowed to be used in residential premises. The class is indicated in the field passport. You can avoid radiation if you use artificial stone in the decoration - it does not “fonite” at all, however, it consists of concrete, expanded clay and artificial paints. The latter can also be carriers of harmful substances.
Electromagnetic radiation has no less harmful effects on the human body. Its most harmless consequences are headaches and high fatigue, the worst of all are dysfunctions of the genitourinary system and cancer. The source of the electromagnetic field, as a rule, is power cables connected in violation of safety regulations, as well as illiterately laid electrical wiring, switchboards, transformers, and even electric heaters. Particular attention should be paid to the so-called "warm floors". Some of their types give a tenfold increase in electromagnetic radiation, and even the most harmless versions exceed the norm by 3-5 times. "Warm floor" is not recommended to be placed in children's rooms and bedrooms, since it is pointless to shield its radiation.
… and pollution
The most dangerous pollution is chemical. Their source can be concrete, plaster, carpet, insulation, adhesives, various paints and varnishes. Phenol, formaldehyde, lead, toluene, xylene, ammonia, as well as microscopic cement and silicate dust - all adversely affect human health. Therefore, repair sometimes looks like an ecological disaster in a single room - new materials begin to actively emit harmful substances, which also interact with each other, generating new even more harmful compounds. The result is reduced immunity in the inhabitants of the apartment, diseases of the liver, kidneys, central nervous system and respiratory organs. You can, of course, choose materials (paints, adhesives, varnishes, etc.) with “environmentally friendly” markings, however, everything in this world is relative and this inscription only means that the content of harmful impurities in finishing materials does not exceed the maximum permissible standards. Therefore, it is not recommended to live in an apartment where repairs are underway, and after repairs, it is necessary to intensively ventilate all rooms for 3-6 months.
Saprophytes, fungi and mold are microorganisms that pollute living quarters and cause allergic reactions and various respiratory diseases. Most often, microorganisms appear where the microclimate of the room is disturbed, excessive moisture accumulates, and, thus, favorable conditions appear for the development of microflora. Mold poisoning can lead to very serious consequences. Therefore, during the repair, strictly ensure that the technologies for erecting structures, their insulation and insulation are not violated. Think carefully about the ventilation system, install humidifiers if the air in the house is very dry.
ceilings
Any specialist will tell you that for ceilings, the ideal solution is water-based paint. It was created specifically for this purpose. Suspended ceilings accumulate dust, which is harmful to the lungs, and stretch ceilings can release phenol. The question arises, what to choose, beauty or health? It is quite logical that in bedrooms and children's rooms it is best to do with harmless paint, and if you want beauty unbearably, then other types of ceilings are best done in those rooms that are least used - living rooms, common rooms, corridors. It is not recommended to make stretch and suspended ceilings in bathrooms and kitchens, as excess heat and moisture can not only spoil them, but also lead to excessive release of harmful substances.
In an effort to decorate the nursery, many parents stick luminous stickers on the ceiling that imitate the starry sky. These stickers may contain phosphorus that is harmful to children's health.
Choosing wallpapers and adhesives
There are a lot of types of wallpaper on the modern market. In such an abundance it is easy to get lost, losing sight of the main thing - quality. Oddly enough, but the safest natural wallpaper, they are also the cheapest - paper. Fashionable non-woven wallpaper - synthetic, they are, of course, safe for people, but still inferior to natural in terms of environmental friendliness.
Glass wall paper deserves special attention. In some European countries, medical institutions are pasted over with them. The fact is that the starting material for their manufacture was glass, from which a special fiber is made and wallpaper is woven. Glass is a natural product, quartz, soda and lime are used in its production, therefore, glass wallpapers are absolutely safe for residential premises, and in quality they are not inferior to fashionable non-woven ones. In addition, cullets are highly durable and can be washed even with detergents.
For wall decoration in an apartment, experts do not recommend using polymer paints, oil paints, cork coatings and panels. Also pay attention to the observance of sound insulation laying technology, if necessary. And for wallpaper, choose organic adhesives based on starch or casein. All adhesives are divided into three groups: organic, inorganic (silicate) and synthetic. Synthetic adhesives contain solvents harmful to health (acetone, phenol, dichloroethane, etc.), and silicate adhesives are aqueous solutions of sodium metasilicate, which gives a strong alkaline reaction. Alkali corrodes the surface, from this the paper quickly turns yellow and becomes fragile. Therefore, for repair work, it is best to use organic adhesives, in particular, adhesives based on starch or casein are suitable for wallpaper.
Nursery is best pasted over with ordinary paper wallpaper. It is, firstly, safe, and secondly, practical. Many children like to peel off the wallpaper and draw on them, so as soon as the kids grow up a little, the parents are waiting for repairs anyway, at least in the nursery.
Parquet, laminate, carpet or linoleum? It would seem that the safest floor in terms of ecology is parquet. Natural wood, it doesn't get any better. However, it also has to be varnished or rubbed with mastic, otherwise, it will quickly lose its appearance. Both lacquer and mastic emit a lot of harmful substances into the atmosphere, so it’s not a shame, but parquet is far from the first in the list of safe materials for flooring. The first are laminate (but not from cheap segments), as well as natural stones and porcelain stoneware that have passed a radiological examination. Cheap laminates often emit formaldehyde, so their use is generally not recommended.
Another safe flooring material is linoleum, which has successfully emerged from the category of "scoop" materials. Good quality linoleum sometimes imitates natural parquet so well that you can’t tell at first glance. In addition, linoleum is easy to install, easy to clean and lasts a long time. The only thing worth paying attention to is the glue that is used to lay linoleum, it may contain harmful substances.
Carpet is also considered one of the most environmentally friendly floors, however, with the condition that it is made from natural fabrics - wool and silk.
Double-glazed windows or old-fashioned windows
Nowadays, houses are no longer built without double-glazed windows; a ventilation system is already calculated for them. However, there are still a lot of old houses with ordinary wooden frames. Therefore, when starting repairs in an old house, we first of all change wooden windows for plastic double-glazed windows. They have high soundproofing and heat-saving performance, however, they do not have a ventilation gap, which can lead to impaired ventilation. This must be taken into account and double-glazed windows with special ventilation valves should be installed.
At one time, there were many disputes about the material from which the plastic profiles of the new generation of windows are made - PVC (polyvinyl chloride). Many experts doubted its environmental friendliness, however, in the end it turned out that PVC is harmless if it is not burned. At temperatures up to 60 degrees, almost nothing stands out from it. Therefore, PVC is actively used in the manufacture of plumbing, linoleum, vinyl wallpaper, but what can I say, even if cups for children's yogurt are made of PVC!
Fears that double-glazed windows installed on the south side of the apartment can cause the release of harmful substances are absolutely unfounded. Firstly, PVC does not heat up to 60 degrees from the sun alone, and secondly, substances harmful to health are released from the material only during combustion.


Bathroom, kitchen and nursery
The bathroom is a special place. High humidity and frequent temperature changes oblige us to finish the room with appropriate materials. Paint, plastic panels, stretch ceilings - all these materials are ineffective for bathrooms and, moreover, inspire concern in terms of environmental friendliness. As a result of temperature differences and high humidity, mold or fungi may appear under the panels and ceiling, which will lead to rotting and the release of spores harmful to the body. Types of paints that are resistant to temperature extremes and high humidity contain harmful substances, such as lead, which also does not fit the definition of environmentally friendly repair.
Therefore, in the bathroom, the good old tiles or natural marble are most often used. Both are safe for health and do not need special care.
The kitchen is where many of us spend most of our time at home. In addition, we cook food here, so it would be more expedient to use the most resistant natural materials that are easy to wash. In the children's room, everything should be special. Natural materials, wooden furniture without varnishes and paints, natural textiles - this is the guarantee of your child's health.
Six rules for sustainable renovation:
do not use materials with unusual properties, in particular quick-drying adhesives and paints. They have a high content of chemicals;
make sure that the technology of applying coatings, pouring floors, installing windows, ventilation and air conditioners is strictly followed;
demand certificates of quality and conformity from sellers;
do not rush to move into a newly renovated apartment, let the premises stand for 2-3 weeks (during this period, the effect of many chemical compounds weakens);
do not purchase varnishes and paints containing lead, phenol, toluene and acetone;
when buying, remember that the chance of getting "impure" repair materials is much lower if you purchase them from large manufacturers.
Most building and finishing materials are not entirely clean from the point of view of ecology, but many of them are quite suitable for repair and are safe for health, the main thing is not to try to save as much as possible and remember that health is still more important.