Your home is your sanctuary. It’s where you come after a long day, it’s where you recharge your metaphorical batteries, and it may be where you’re raising your kids!
But is your home safe?
What environmental factors might be leaching into your home? Things like exhaust fumes, pollen, pollution are all things that you may be breathing in daily!
Have you ever looked at your home like a burglar would? How easy would it be for them to break in to steal your possessions or harm your family?
If your heart is racing right now, don’t worry. There are many building materials and protection options on the market that you can use to make your home safe. Read on to figure out what changes you can make to your home to keep you protected.
How to Choose the Safest Building Materials for Your Home
You want to create a safe, healthy home for your family. But if you don’t know where to start or what terms to use, it can be challenging to find what you need.
1. Paint
When it comes to choosing safe paint for your home, low VOC or no VOC paint is crucial. VOC, or volatile organic compound, is what gives paint that “newly painted” scent. High concentrations can lead to health issues like irritated airways, head and stomach aches, and in extreme cases, damage to organs like your liver, kidneys, and nervous system.
Low VOC has reduced amounts of this damaging compound, while no VOC doesn’t have any. Some other labels you can look for are “non-toxic” and “natural,” which have additives and solvents removed. It’s important to remember that even if the paint you choose is no VOC, there are still chemicals, so you should protect your eyes, skin, mouth, and nose when painting.
2. Insulation
Insulation is crucial in a healthy home to keep out pollutants, toxins, moisture, and keep your home climate controlled all year long. These are the “greenest” options on the market:
- Sheep’s Wool: This fire retardant material will keep your home climate controlled all year, and since it has natural air pockets, it’s excellent at absorbing moisture and condensation.
- Cotton or Denim: Cotton is a venerable resource, so it’s one of the most eco-friendly options. Denim scraps are shredded and formed into batting for a non-flammable, insect repellent option. Recycled building materials like these are a great way to reduce your carbon footprint.
- Icynene: This spray foam is castor oil that expands 100x once it hits the wall. It seals leaks and drafts and is noise canceling. It’s expensive to install and requires additional ventilation, but it will save you an immense amount of money on your energy bill over time!
- Aerogel: This unique material is 90% air. It’s difficult for heat to pass through the gel, making it a great option, but it comes with a high ticket price.
- ThermaCork: Do you want an option that has a negative carbon footprint? This material is the bark of oak trees, so it’s all-natural, renewable, and biodegradable. Additionally, it’s noise-canceling and free of toxins.
- Cellulose: Made from recycled newspapers and other types of paper, cellulose is a great, safe, toxin-free option.
3. Drywall
One of the trickiest things about drywall is it’s susceptibility to mold, which can lead to respiratory issues. For your safe home, use this checklist to find the best drywall option for your needs:
- High percentage gypsum
- VOC free
- Paper-backed
- Green certified
It’s essential to make sure that your space moisture-free before installation reduces the risk of mold growth. Selecting prime building materials and installing them properly is the best way to keep your home safe, inside and out.
4. Windows & Doors
For your windows, the glass building material you choose will go a long way to keep your home safe from environmental factors and provide temperature control. Tempered and reinforced glass are great options, but it’s crucial to make sure your locking options are secure to reduce the risk of burglary.
The front door is an integral part of your home, so choosing the best option boils down to the following factors:
- Materials
- Hanging Design
- Insulation
- Energy Efficiency
- Security
5. Building Materials
When choosing building materials, lumber is a popular first choice because of its availability and low-cost. Natural materials are a great way to keep your home safe, and the options will have a lower carbon footprint than the traditional methods.
- Rammed earth
- Strawbale
- Bamboo
Depending on your preference and budget, there are different options available. It would be best if you considered what foundation building materials you’re going to use to make sure you have a safe, firm base for your home.
6. Accents, Flooring, & Fixtures
When it comes to flooring, fixtures, and cabinets, the options to keep your home healthy are subjective to personal style and usage. For floors, factory finished is a great choice to avoid toxins in the air, and rubber floors are a safe, more modern look.
Stainless steel fixtures don’t require a toxic coating to keep them looking beautiful, and they’re the easiest to clean. Real, solid wood cabinets are great for longevity. Faux-wood options are tempting because of their cost, but they have higher formaldehyde levels and should be avoided if possible.
7. Home Security
Once you’ve got your dream home, you need to take the proper precautions to keep your loved ones, your home, and your belongings safe. A home security system is a great way to protect every inch of your property even when you’re away.
Additionally, consider fire safety by installing an adequate number of smoke alarms and be sure to check them monthly.
Where to Start
Is your head spinning as you weigh all of the different options you should implement in your home? To start, identify your available budget to see which options will work for you.
You don’t need to do everything at once, and in most cases, with building materials, you may need to implement a significant renovation project to get to the root of your problems. If you feel your air quality isn’t optimal, you can call in a service to check. If you think there are moisture issues, there are ways to measure that too!
Visit New Generation Home Pro Inc. for more proven methods to secure your home, so you can sleep soundly knowing your home is safe!
