Highly environmentally friendly finishing boards. How to make an apartment and a house environmentally friendly - do-it-yourself repair and decoration

What finishing materials are better not to let into the apartment? Why pay attention to eco-labels? Is it possible to make eco-friendly repairs in a modern apartment? And does this mean that only natural materials should be used?

Following the latest trends in the design industry or our own ideas about a cozy home, few of us pay attention to the means by which a dream interior is created. When thinking about repairs, we, first of all, think about the aesthetics of modern building materials, without attaching much importance to their composition and degree of possibility. If you've decided on a sustainable renovation, you need to know the answers to a number of difficult questions.

Many of us are sure that the most environmentally friendly material for finishing the floor in an apartment is wood. But before making the final and irrevocable choice in favor of parquet board Please refer to related materials. It is important to know what can be spoiled by a low-quality processing agent. Toluene and xylene are often added to the composition of glue and synthetic varnishes, which can cause various diseases. Along with low-quality products, there is a whole series of natural varnishes and oils for wood, which are absolutely harmless.

An alternative to the expensive one can be the usual planed board, but do not forget that any living material is capable of accumulating toxins and radiation in itself. Natural resins that a tree emits can be unsafe in themselves. To say with confidence that wood flooring is the most environmentally friendly, you can only if you know exactly where these boards come from.

Environmental friendliness, for example, laminate very doubtful. Although most high-quality expensive varieties are manufactured in accordance with safety norms and standards, all contain formaldehyde, melamine and acrylic resins, only the intensity of their release may vary depending on the brand of the manufacturer. Soft and warm natural cork floor could claim the title of the most environmentally friendly option, if not for the fact that you still have to glue. The same goes for ceramic tiles. Almost ideal from an environmental point of view, it does not emit any harmful substances, in turn, tile adhesive may contain phenol and toluene.

Photo: Mikhail Golub

non-woven And glass wall paper are also considered harmless to humans. But be careful when choosing. It is better to give preference to organic glue on a starch or casein basis. Synthetic and silicate adhesives can be hazardous to health.

In terms of eco-design, plastic panels- far from the best option for wall decoration, especially in the kitchen. The material, when heated, is capable of releasing harmful dioxins. Experts also do not recommend the use of cork coatings, polymer paints And oil based paints containing impurities of heavy metals. Water-based paints are generally safe.

Poor quality stretch ceiling have a fairly high level of toxicity. Although, here we are more likely talking about unscrupulous manufacturing of materials and improper installation. Forewarned means forearmed, so it is better to familiarize yourself with the results of the environmental test in advance on the manufacturer's website. PVC sheets, made according to all standards, are absolutely harmless, and fabric canvases considered natural and environmentally friendly material.

Total

What should you pay close attention to if you set out to purchase the safest finishing materials? Remember that you can always find information about the degree of environmental friendliness of a particular coating on the packaging. If this is not enough to make a choice, ask for a product hygiene certificate. It should indicate which harmful substances are emitted from the purchased paint or, for example, flooring. In addition, many finishing materials have a special marking - special icons that indicate their environmental friendliness.

In no case do not purchase finishing materials that contain lead, phenol, toluene and acetone. When the choice is made, follow the application technology of the selected coatings, as well as the installation of equipment. And then let the repaired rooms ventilate well for several weeks.

Ekaterina Aganina

Ecology of living space

Choosing a suburban lifestyle, a person shows his indifference to a favorable, environmentally friendly environment. Perhaps this is one of the main factors that encourages us to buy a country house.

Materials for interior decoration

Among the variety of materials for and arrangement of a country house, natural varieties stand in a separate row. It is they who contribute to the smooth integration of natural purity into the interior of a country house, creating a special harmony of the overall environmental friendliness of the home, which is becoming increasingly popular these days. From a large number of environmentally friendly materials, we have selected the most popular ones.

Types of materials

Wood

It is wood that is the most sought-after material among adherents of eco-themes. Any part of the premises can be trimmed with wood: floor (parquet board), walls (cork), ceiling (wooden panels). Among other things, wood is still considered the absolute leader in the production of furniture, although this material is quite demanding on environmental conditions, it is often treated with all kinds of varnishes that increase its strength and resistance to external influences.

Jute

This is an exotic material that was originally a plant of the linden family, growing in the tropical regions of Asia, Africa, South America and Australia. A special fiber is produced from it, which is used for the manufacture of eco-wallpaper. Jute is a wear-resistant material and has excellent thermal and sound insulation properties. As a rule, such wallpapers are impregnated with a special composition that protects them from exposure to sunlight, fire and dust settling on them. The main disadvantage of these is the ability to absorb odors. Therefore, it is not recommended to use them in the kitchen or smoking area, even if there is a good hood.

Clay

This is the most plastic natural material, providing ample opportunities for interior design. Its practical and aesthetic properties have been time-tested: back in ancient Greece, ceramic wall tiles were made with the help of clay for the most respectable buildings: palaces, temples, etc.

Currently, clay is used mainly for the manufacture of tiles, which are used to decorate pools, bathrooms and bathrooms of country houses. The most attractive properties of this material are: exceptional strength, abundance of colors, variety of textures.

A natural stone

This material is no less popular than traditional wood. Used in exterior decoration, it can also be reflected in the interior decoration of a country house. It can give the house a status, respectable look of an indestructible family estate. An infinite number of textures, patterns and color schemes allow the stone to freely penetrate into any interior concept, becoming an integral element of interior design. One of the most common applications of stone in the interior space is facing the walls and floors of the house.

wall decoration

For eco-friendly wall decoration, wallpaper made from natural materials, painting and decorative plasters are used. When deciding on the use of wallpaper in wall decoration, you should pay attention to the type of material used in their manufacture. Paper wallpaper is a classic, absolutely environmentally friendly option.

However, their use is called into question with the advent of new technologies. To date, many alternatives have been developed, among which wallpaper made of natural veneer and wallpaper made from natural plant materials stand out.

The first option involves the use of sheets of the thinnest veneer glued to a non-woven base or paper. The pattern of such wallpapers often corresponds to the structure of the tree, which allows us to talk about them as a harmonious addition to the interior decor made of solid wood.

Floor coverings

The name "liquid wallpaper" speaks for itself. They are a liquid-like mass that is applied to the wall with a roller, spatula or spray gun. In its original form, liquid wallpaper is a dry mixture, which consists of cellulose or silk fibers and binders. Liquid wallpaper can be both in finished form and in the form of a dry powder, which is diluted with warm water before use.

The appearance of such wallpaper on the wall depends on the method of application and subsequent textured finish. After applying them, if desired, you can paint and update your hallway periodically. A big plus of the wallpaper is that it is not necessary to level the wall under them, since the thickness of the application can vary from 1 to 10 millimeters. Liquid wallpaper has no seams, they are elastic. If the house is new, then when it shrinks, such wallpapers will not crumple and will not lag behind the wall, like many other finishing materials. In addition, liquid wallpaper is a good sound insulator for walls.

Such wallpapers are suitable for the hallway, because they have antistatic properties, that is, they do not attract dust. If such wallpapers are accidentally damaged, then you can give them their original appearance by wetting the top layer and rolling it with a texture roller. In case of significant damage, the wall section is easily restored.

11. Linkrusta

Linkrusta (or linkrust) is made from a dense fabric or paper base, on which a thin layer of plastic made from natural materials (linseed oil-based gel) is applied. This finishing material has a washable smooth or embossed surface that can be painted with oil or water-based paints and create a variety of decorative finishes.

Lincrust wallpaper is used to cover both royal palaces and railway carriages. Since over time this coating only becomes stronger, today you can see historical monuments of architecture, the rooms of which were covered with linkrusta wallpaper back in the 19th century.

12. Ceramic tiles

Ceramic (or tile) tiles are generally considered to be a finishing material for bathrooms and kitchens. But today, collections are produced with textures for natural materials and with textures that imitate luxurious finishes in gold, silver, silk, leather, and so on. From a huge variety of colors, shapes and textures, you can easily choose the one that will look exquisite and blend well with cabinets and other furniture in the hallway.

Wall decoration with wood, lining, eurolining, gusvarblok, natural wooden wallpaper, from tmd, panels from precious woods

eurolining category "C" does not differ in high quality, but it practically does not go on sale and is not used for finishing work. The cost of eurolining is slightly higher, but it also looks more attractive.

How to choose the right blockhouse for interior and exterior wall decoration.

A variety of decorative finishing boards is a blockhouse, imitating a log or beam and allowing you to create the effect of a wooden frame. Blockhouse, like lining, is relatively inexpensive finishing material. Its low level is due to the peculiarities of production: it is made by sawing a log using the “square in a circle” scheme: timber and flat boards are obtained from the inside of the log, and blanks for a blockhouse are obtained from the outside, which allows organizing practically waste-free production and reducing the cost of the materials obtained, without sacrificing quality.

The main advantages of the blockhouse are strength, durability, excellent thermal and sound insulation properties, no deformation and warping even after two to three decades of operation. The blockhouse impregnated with flame retardants and antiseptics has high fire safety performance and almost not affected by insects- pests and fungi. Installation of a blockhouse is not difficult even for an inexperienced builder, it is fixed using a tongue-and-groove fastening system.

Like lining, a blockhouse is made from various types of wood, which largely determines its cost. The cheapest is a blockhouse made from pine or spruce. It is characterized by the release of resin, which increases the strength of the material and is a natural waterproofing agent. The cedar blockhouse contributes to maintaining a healthy microclimate and an optimal level of humidity in the room. If indicators of moisture resistance and strength are important, it is advisable to give preference to a larch blockhouse.

Blockhouse can be like narrow(width 80-90 mm), and broad(130-230 mm). For finishing, it is better to use a narrow one, which minimizes the loss of room space, and for outdoor ones, a wide one, which allows you to most accurately imitate a house built of logs.

Distinctive features of the gusvarblok.

Even more innovative and interesting, but also more expensive, finishing material is gusvarblok, offering tens of thousands of different types of profiles. A distinctive feature of the gusvarblok is the ability to combine with each other completely different profiles, which allows you to create unique and inimitable interiors, invented by you. Docking of panels is carried out using a hidden connection patented by the company, which does not disturb the pattern on the wall surface, its installation is not particularly difficult and does not require special skills and experience.

Gusvarblok has the same advantages as lining, eurolining and blockhouse: environmental friendliness, high thermal and sound insulation characteristics, even distribution of humidity, strength, durability, ease of maintenance.

Natural wood wallpaper.

The modern building materials market also offers wall decoration and natural wood wallpapers, which are fine wood veneer rolls 0.1-0.6 mm thick. To date, wooden wallpapers are produced with a variety of veneer structures from more than a hundred types of wood. The veneer is glued onto thick paper and then used as normal wallpaper. Unlike lining, eurolining and blockhouse, natural wooden wallpaper can be pasted on radius surfaces.

But you should know that natural wooden wallpaper, having the advantages inherent in other wood finishing materials, has a number of features. Firstly, in order to maintain their attractive appearance for a long time, they must be varnished, oiled or waxed. Secondly, under the influence of sunlight, they change their color, become darker, especially holly and cherry. Third, they swell when water gets in (if neighbors flood you, natural wood wallpaper will deteriorate). Fourthly, it is quite a fire hazardous finishing material. Fifth, natural wood wallpaper can be affected by various fungi, microorganisms and pests.

Wooden wallpaper from TMD (thermal wood).

An alternative to natural wood wallpaper is TMD (thermal wood) wood wallpaper, which, thanks to modern production technologies, while maintaining an attractive appearance and most of the advantages of natural wood wallpaper, is more practical, fireproof, moisture resistant and durable, they retain their original color for many years and are not affected by pests.

When choosing wallpaper made of natural wood or wooden wallpaper from TMD as a finishing material, it must be borne in mind that, unlike lining, blockhouse and wall panels, they can be glued only on perfectly flat walls.

The most expensive finishing material made of natural wood is decorative wall panels.

The most expensive natural wood finishing material is decorative wood panels, which are made from array of valuable trees, most often oak, maple, alder, cedar. Wooden wall panels allow you to bring in the nobility and respectability, emphasize the high level of income and refined taste of the owners.

Modern manufacturers have found an opportunity to achieve the same effect at a lower cost by producing three-layer panels, in which only the front veneer is made from valuable wood species, everything else is made from cheaper raw materials - usually from spruce or pine. The finished wooden wall panel is coated with wax or acrylic lacquer, which increases its resistance to moisture, dirt and UV rays. Choosing wood paneling for the bedroom and children's room, give preference to waxed rather than varnished ones, as the former are more environmentally friendly.

There is another type of wooden wall panels - tinted pine wood panels produced by furniture technology. Their advantages are a convenient and original system of fastening profiles and a lower cost.

But in any case, when choosing decorative wooden wall panels, you should remember that they require delicate care: they should not be heavily wetted, but only wiped with a slightly damp cloth, do not use strong solvents and abrasive detergents, regularly renew their coating, applying a new layer of wax or varnish every 5 years.

Thus, the modern market of finishing materials offers various options for decorating walls with natural wood - from democratic lining to elite decorative wall panels from a solid array of valuable trees. When choosing, it is important to take into account various performance characteristics, care requirements, but do not rush to give up the opportunity to decorate an apartment, house or office with a tree - it is always fashionable, beautiful, stylish and relevant. Convenience and comfort brought by wood will help improve the psychological climate in the family or work team, increase efficiency and simply make your life happier and more harmonious.

Wall finishing options. natural wallpaper - interesting novelties - construction and repair

One of the wall decoration options popular in recent years are natural wallpaper, which are made from various parts of plants. Floral wallpapers are appropriate in most interiors, and not just in ethnic styles. The main thing is to choose the appropriate version of the texture and color. Besides, natural wallpaper can be used not to decorate all the walls of the room, but only to highlight individual fragments. Most often, such wallpapers are glued from the bottom of the wall to a height of 1/3, inserts are made in the form of rectangles or squares, or they are pasted over one of the walls of the room. For the rest of the wall surfaces, a suitable material is selected, for example, plaster, paint, other types of wallpaper, wood panels, etc.

One of the first in our stores appeared bamboo wallpaper(bamboo fabric). The standard roll length is 14 m, width - 0.9-2 m. There is a canvas without varnish, varnished, stitched. Initially, bamboo wallpapers were of natural color and cognac, then "lime", "brandy", wenge, rosewood appeared. Latest new bamboo wallpapers- "tortoiseshell" canvas and canvas with textured processing of lamellas.

The width of the bamboo strips for different models may also vary. Bamboo canvas for walls is made mainly on a fabric basis, in addition to walls, it is mounted on the ceiling (although there are special bamboo ceiling panels), used for wall niches, columns, loggia cladding and furniture decor. For furniture, both rolled bamboo sheets and bamboo shields are used.

The canvas, consisting of only bamboo lamellas, looks peculiar, so it is better to use it in small quantities in the interior. Much more elegant, in my opinion, looks like a combined canvas, where there is not only bamboo, but also other plant materials: papyrus, reed, etc. In addition, such wallpaper is much easier to glue than wallpaper consisting only of lamellas, which are very heavy and difficult to install.

Prices for bamboo wallpapers start from 2.5 thousand rubles per roll, better wallpapers cost from 4.5-6 thousand rubles. per roll.

To the bamboo canvas, if it is present on the walls in the form of separate small elements, you can add bamboo flooring on a felt basis or bamboo flooring, but if bamboo wallpapers occupy a large area, then it is better to select flooring from other materials, for example, use cork flooring, which is also a natural and environmentally friendly material.

One of the most original novelties of natural wallpaper is wallpaper-leaves, the paper base of which is decorated with real leaves of various plants. The width of the wallpaper-leaf roll is 0.91 m, the length of the roll is 10 m. Depending on the materials used, there are cheaper collections, the cost of which varies around 6 thousand rubles. per roll, and more expensive - 8.6-16 thousand rubles. per roll.

natural wallpaper-leaves look amazingly impressive and original, they come in several colors, the leaves are also used different. With practicality, the situation is much worse, the leaves are quite fragile, it is easy to damage such a wall covering, therefore, in a house where there are kids or animals, it is better to use this type of wallpaper at a sufficient height, rather than decorate the wall from the floor. It is still difficult to say how quickly they burn out, because they appeared quite recently, and have not been subjected to a long service life.

Natural wallpaper with wood veneer (wooden wallpaper). The most common and already well-known wallpapers from this category are wallpapers that have a paper base and a cork veneer on top. Cork wallpapers cost from 1.6-2.0 thousand rubles. per roll. Appeared not too long ago self-adhesive cork wallpaper costing about 800 rubles. per roll.

In general, veneer is a very thin layer of wood (0.1-0.8 mm). There are different technologies for planing veneer, as well as its stickers, so even from the wood of the same tree, completely different patterns can be obtained, depending on the technologies used. For the manufacture of "wooden" wallpaper, precious wood is used: wenge, oak, sandalwood, zebrano, cherry and others. If the cork veneer is very light and a paper base is used under it, then a non-woven base is used for other wallpapers with wood veneer. Standard Width natural wallpaper with veneer- 0.91 m., length - 5.5; 9.15 and 10 m. The cost of such wallpaper is 8-16 thousand rubles, most of the collections cost 10-12 thousand rubles. per roll.

Recently, there are more and more interesting wallpaper novelties made from natural materials. Well-known manufacturers produce wall coverings using not only various parts of plants, but also mineral chips, mica or sand.

So pick up wallpaper for the interior- the task today is very difficult, since such an abundance poses a difficult task to make your choice in favor of one or another material. The main criterion here, most likely, is moderation, because exotic is, of course, good, but it is better to use either vegetable wallpaper made from reed fibers, jute, papyrus, etc. calm colors, or use natural wallpaper in the decor in small quantities.

OSB (Oriented Strand Board) is a popular material that is used for a variety of applications. Most often it is used for wall cladding and creating various partitions. Therefore, more and more often there is talk that the harmfulness of OSB boards for interior decoration is quite high, and it should be completely excluded from construction work. But is it really so?

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To understand what can pose a threat to humans, it is necessary to study the OSB production technology. It is divided into several stages:

1. Receipt and processing of raw materials. In this capacity, waste from wood processing and its non-business part (rejected) act. It is carefully soaked at a certain temperature and cleaned of bark. This is an important step - otherwise you will get a low-quality plate.
2. Chip cutting. This process is carried out by special machines.
3. Drying of the obtained raw materials. This process takes some time. Rapid drying can damage the wood chips.
4. Mixing with adhesives. The procedure takes place in a drum, into which the required amount of chips, resin and additional components are fed.
5. Next, the molding machines stack the material in layers. There must be at least three of them. Each of them is oriented in a given direction. Adjacent layers are perpendicular.
6. Press (hot) crushes the resulting mass. Cropped to the desired size.

For the production of OSB boards, special press machines are used.

Thus, the basis is environmentally friendly raw materials - wood. But the danger may lie in the adhesive composition, or rather in formaldehyde resins.

On a note! Even natural wood can emit formaldehyde (within the current allowable norm). Therefore, talking about the complete safety of freshly cut trees is a rather controversial decision. Each material needs processing or curing.

Formaldehyde and other hazardous substances

In fact, it is quite possible to make OSB boards from natural resins that are diluted with minor additives. But this technology is quite expensive, and also does not allow the production of the required volumes of material. Therefore, the adhesive mass is replaced with a mixture of formaldehyde, phenol and other toxic substances.

Their presence in the air leads to the following problems:

• The appearance of allergic reactions and frequent headaches.
• The occurrence of skin diseases.
• Difficulty breathing and constant tearing of the eyes.
• General decrease in immunity.

High levels of formaldehyde and other hazardous substances in the air can lead to negative health effects

A certain threshold of formaldehyde content has been established. It is - no more than 0.5 mg per m3.

On a note! Do not confuse the norms of the content of a substance in the air and the material. These figures vary.

OSB boards - harmful or not?

Production of OSB boards began about thirty years ago in Canada. Then production began to appear throughout North America and European countries. For the countries of the post-Soviet space, this is a relatively new technology, which is mostly borrowed from abroad. But there are enterprises that work on cheaper equipment, excluding some stages from the manufacturing process (replacing them with cheaper ones).

OSB boards - real harm or myth?

Currently, OSB boards are labeled based on European standards. Namely, they use a formaldehyde resin emission classifier. The designations are:

1. E 0.5. Permissible rate is up to 4 mg per 100 g of dry slab. In this case, the content in the air will be up to 0.08 mg per m3.
2. E 1. Limiting norm - up to 8 mg. In the air, the concentration will be up to 0.124 mg per m3.
3. E 2. The content per 100 g of dry matter is up to 20 mg, while the content in the air is 0.5 mg.

The data are based on GOST 10632-2014. Of course, Western standards are much tougher.

Thus, it becomes extremely clear that any contains formaldehyde in its composition. But because of what many claim that the concentration of harmful substances literally rolls over?

OSB boards of foreign production are subject to more stringent quality control

There are several reasons:

• Firstly, all foreign manufacturers comply with environmental standards. But at present, a lot of materials have appeared on the market of the CIS countries, which were produced on the territory of some Asian states. It is they that contain chemicals in their composition, the norm of which significantly exceeds all permissible standards. The popularity of such plates lies in their low cost.
• Secondly, some small producers located in the territory of the post-Soviet space violate the production technology. For example, modern manufacturers have achieved a reduction in the amount of harmful substances by separating production. Namely:
  • The outer and inner oriented strand layers are mixed in different chambers: the first - with the addition of natural resins with a minimum amount of chemicals, the second - with the addition of formaldehyde and additional components.
  • This allows you to "seal" harmful fumes inside the sheet. But this method increases the costs of the enterprise.

The low price of OSB boards may indicate not only the poor quality of the material, but also the high content of harmful substances

That is why, when purchasing an OSB, you need to pay attention to the following:

1. Smell. Toxic substances give a sharp, unpleasant odor, which immediately "clogs" the sinuses.
2. Certificate. Every seller should have this document. Even if this procedure is voluntary for some materials, then a self-respecting manufacturer passes it without fail.
3. Marking. The manufacturer must mark each sheet. The end contains all the necessary indicators and characteristics.
4. Price. When a product is suspiciously cheap and sold in illegal markets, neither quality nor safety can be guaranteed.

But there are general rules that can significantly reduce or completely reduce the release of harmful substances.

Marking OSB boards - detailed information about the material

Some rules for more safety

The first time (about six to seven months) after installation, the most intensive emission of harmful fumes occurs. If you regularly ventilate the room, then soon the negative impact on the body will begin to subside. But for greater safety, additional processing of the plates is carried out.

If the work takes place in the children's room, then compositions with detoxifying properties are chosen as a primer. For common areas, simple water-dispersed paints, varnishes, wax, penetrating primer are suitable.

Particular attention is paid to the ends. It is through them that the main amount of harmful substances is released. It is enough to impregnate them with varnish or primer.

Priming is one of the safety measures to reduce the amount of harmful substances emitted

On a note! A simple surface coating is the best guarantee of protection against the emission of harmful substances.

It should be borne in mind that the rate of release of toxic elements is affected by temperature. The higher the indicator, the more formaldehyde in the air. The norm is considered - 30 ° C.

In general, there are two main ways that allow, without making excessive efforts, rid the room of chemical components and saturate it with oxygen. Namely - frequent airing and the presence of indoor flowers.

OSB is not recommended for use in rooms where the temperature exceeds 30 °C.

Any modern building or finishing material that is made using chemical components can release harmful substances. But manufacturers are constantly trying to keep these figures to a minimum.

The quality of at least a third of the finishing materials present on the CIS market is questionable. Such finishes are dangerous by the emission of toxins. Only ecological expertise can reveal their harmfulness, which, of course, none of those who decided to save on the cost of materials will order. How much do these people evaluate the health of their family? Still, blaming them for carelessness would be wrong. Buyers in civilized countries must trust certification and be sure that all materials on the shelves of building markets are environmentally friendly. The problem lies elsewhere: our environmental requirements lag behind European ones by 10-15 years. In addition, there is a fairly extensive black and gray market, the goods of which do not undergo any certification at all.

In reality, however: "the salvation of the drowning is the work of the drowning themselves." To protect yourself and your family from toxic emissions, you need to learn to understand modern materials. This is not an easy task, but there is no other way out yet.

Everything European sooner or later ends up with us, and this vector is probably not going to change direction. But there is also a positive side to this. Thus, the Western fashion for energy saving and cleanliness of the environment is gradually spreading to the east. True, it is more difficult for the domestic consumer: it is necessary to learn to distinguish beautiful fakes from truly high-quality products.

How to choose environmentally friendly materials

The first thing that comes to mind when looking for safe materials is to look for something made from natural raw materials. That is what most people think. But it is necessary to evaluate not the raw materials, but the final product. After all, various substances can be used in the production, which are far from always safe. For example, natural wood after treatment with inexpensive types of fire-fighting and bioprotective agents ceases to be so natural. And then there are stains, paints, varnishes and other finishing compounds that can turn safe wood into a toxic product. Natural wood serves as a raw material for wood-like materials such as fiberboard, chipboard. But their binder is by no means natural, and moreover, in products with an emission index of harmful substances below E1 even toxic.

At the same time, not all synthetic materials are dangerous. The ubiquitous PVC (polyvinyl chloride), which is constantly accused of causing damage to the environment, turned out to be harmless. PVC panels as well as window profiles, cable ducts, floor coverings, etc. contrary to all talk, they are allowed for use even in children's and medical institutions. But when PVC really poses a danger, it's in the process of burning. But that's another conversation. Summing up the chapter, the main criteria for choosing finishing materials should be announced:

• absence of toxic secretions (carcinogens and toxic substances);
• minimum level of radioactivity;
• modernized production with a low level of environmental pollution;
• the possibility of recycling.

Are natural finishes expensive?

It is widely believed among the inhabitants that harmless natural finishes are necessarily expensive. But in practice this is not quite the case. Recall the "remote" Soviet times, when most materials were of natural origin, while synthetics for some reason were valued higher. But even today paper wallpaper are the cheapest, and at the same time the most harmless. The disadvantages that limit their popularity are high water absorption, low UV resistance and odor absorption. However, for a nursery or bedroom, the paper version of the wallpaper is ideal, especially if you choose a two-layer option - duplex.

This is another traditional and inexpensive finishing material that is harmless. There are practically no drawbacks to ceramics.
The raw material for the manufacture of ceramic tiles is clay and mineral fillers. Its decorative finish consists of a small amount of natural pigments and mineral glaze. However, it is important to use harmless adhesive mixtures for laying tiles.

Waterborne paints They are not expensive, but they are safe. Water dispersions can be used to paint ceilings and walls. The surfaces painted with them will be protected from moisture, but at the same time remain vapor-permeable. For wall decoration, various mineral, acrylic or silicone-based plasters are also suitable. The last two species, despite the clearly chemical name, are environmentally friendly.

Wooden floor today is considered expensive, but many types of alternative flooring are even more expensive. Pay attention to the price of a parquet board - it is comparable to laminate and imported linoleum, but at the same time it looks noble and offers absolute environmental friendliness. To preserve the ecological properties of parquet, it is important to use high-quality varnishes that do not contain toxins. This also applies to all other wood finishes and solid wood furniture. These varnishes are water-based. They are perfect for interior work.

natural stone- this is one of the first building and finishing materials. Limestone, sandstone, shell rock and other common rocks cost quite reasonable money and are able to compete with many artificial imitations. When interior decoration with natural stone, as well as in the case of ceramic tiles, it is important to use high-quality adhesive mixtures that do not contain harmful substances. These include adhesive cements, which include cement, quartz sand and a small amount of modifying additives.

New generation ecological finishes

Relatively recently, the finishes market appeared textile wallpaper. This material is not woven, but made on a paper basis with a decorative layer of flax, hemp, silk thread or wool fibers glued to the paper. Such wallpapers are good for dry living quarters, but are afraid of moisture. The modern synthetic analogue of such wallpaper is devoid of this drawback. Even after antistatic treatment, synthetic fabric wallpapers remain harmless. In their manufacture, only those types of polymers are used that do not react with oxygen, do not emit unbound polymers and remain stable throughout their entire service life. If such wallpapers have a European quality certificate, then they can be used without fear even in a children's room.

Glass fiber, as their name suggests, are made from the same ingredients as mineral glass, i.e. sand, dolomite and lime. All these components are of natural origin, and in the form of a substance known as glass, are also absolutely hygienic. Glass fiber does not rot, does not serve as a substrate for microorganisms and does not emit toxins.

Natural cork products cannot be called a fundamentally new type of materials, but in our country they have become available relatively recently. Cork is the bark of the cork oak, which grows on the northwestern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. There is no doubt about the environmental friendliness of this material. Moreover, the cork also has bactericidal properties. Even its agglomerate (crushed pressed mass) remains absolutely harmless, since the particles are held together naturally when heated. If the cork is used on the floor, then it is opened with a protective compound. Modern cork coatings (mostly produced by Portuguese and Spanish factories) are protected only by harmless substances (natural wax, water-soluble varnish, etc.). By the way, cork agglomerate is an excellent heat-insulating material. It is much more expensive than polystyrene or mineral wool, but the cost of the total washout will increase by a few percent. But, using cork insulation, you can maintain the environmental friendliness of a wooden building and even protect it from fire.

On the floor, cork also has a healing effect. It is believed that its elasticity is useful when walking, as it unloads the musculoskeletal system. Cork is also a hypoallergenic material. This is the best choice for decorating a child's room.

Drywall cannot be called the newest material, since its history goes back several decades, but it fits all the parameters of the new generation material. Drywall is an environmentally friendly cladding. It does not emit harmful substances, but it is important to use it taking into account the humidity regime of the room.
In ordinary drywall (non-moisture resistant), mold easily forms when moistened, and then this material becomes a breeding ground for harmful spores belonging to the group of carcinogens. Moisture-resistant drywall differs from the usual one in the content of fungicides - anti-mold preparations. Drywall is an example of an inexpensive and harmless material. In terms of environmental friendliness, it surpasses even plywood, not to mention OSB, where the formaldehyde content goes off scale.

Harmful finishes

Obviously unsafe finishes include materials of both artificial and natural origin. Let's start with the latter. The most harmful is considered to be chipboard with an emission class below E1, Fiberboard, cheap carpets, artificial linoleum, vinyl wallpaper, cheap plastic panels, Chinese-made laminate, oil and alkyd paints, solvent-based varnishes, scented upholstery fabrics (containing aniline), leather substitutes, polystyrene foam (insulation and finishing panels).

In Russia, harmless materials are marked with the Ecomaterial symbol; in Europe - Der Blaue Engel, Grün Punkt. The material packaging may also indicate the emission class. For indoor use, it is not recommended to use products with a lower emission class than E1(i.e. E2, E3, etc.).

The dream of a stylish interior makes each of us equip apartments and houses so that they please the eye and correspond to the current idea of ​​​​fashionable and beautiful design.
Most often, when repairing residential premises, the use of various building and finishing materials is practiced, with the help of which it is possible to improve the aesthetic component of the rooms.
Most homeowners strive to make something extraordinary out of an ordinary apartment, but at the same time they do not care about maintaining environmental safety in the premises.
But ecology is a rather urgent issue, since in the manufacture of many modern building materials complex chemical compounds are used, which contain a sufficient amount of toxic substances.
Toxins gradually poison the microclimate in the room, and they also cause severe harm to the health of residents. It is for this reason that the right choice of environmentally friendly building materials for the renovation of apartments and houses is so necessary.

Environmentally friendly building materials

Usually, the safety of using a building material is affected not only by its composition and the material that formed the basis of their manufacture, but also by the wrong conditions under which this material is used.

Of course, there are building materials that are dangerous in themselves, because they contain toxic substances in their composition in large quantities (heavy metal impurities, for example), and there are materials that are harmful when in contact with the environment.

For example, the use of natural wood in conditions where it has been in contact with moisture for a long time becomes an excellent environment for the appearance and development of fungi and mold. In addition, natural wood saturated with moisture begins to smell unpleasant and becomes a breeding ground for various types of bacteria.

Applications and use of ecological finishing and building materials.

Therefore, in order for living in a house not to be dangerous to the health, and even to the life of his household, you need to choose the right building materials - they must be environmentally friendly, and their use must be in conditions that will not allow them to collapse and emit substances harmful to health.

Before each construction of housing or home renovation, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with detailed information about building materials that can improve the interior and positively influence the microclimate of the house.

What materials for finishing ceilings are considered safe

With the help, you can perfectly realize the most daring and sometimes even incredible design ideas. Since the materials used for arranging the stretch ceiling are made on the basis of polyvinyl chloride, they have a fairly high level of toxicity.

It is for this reason that it is not recommended to use it for finishing some residential premises - this applies to the bedroom, living room, children's room. The use of finishing plastic is more acceptable for bathrooms and other areas where people spend the least time.

In the bedroom and children's room, living room and kitchen, it's best to simply. Water-dispersion paint of any suitable color is ideal for this. Such paints have characteristics that make them the most environmentally friendly for residential applications.

The use of eco-friendly wall decoration in the room

The most popular material that is most often used for wall decoration is wallpaper. If you want to make your house environmentally friendly for adults and children to live in it, it is preferable to use paper wallpaper for pasting the walls.

They belong to real environmentally friendly finishing materials. In addition, the wallpaper has other positive aspects:

1. Affordable cost.
2. The ability to fit almost any room in the house. The exception is the kitchen and bathroom due to high humidity and frequent temperature changes.

Other types of wallpaper are also distinguished by a high level of environmental safety, for example, textile and vegetable wallpapers, for the manufacture of which natural plant materials are used that are not treated with chemicals before or after use.

Use of environmentally friendly finishing materials.

Textile and floral wallpapers have many advantages over other types of similar finishing materials, including:

1. Good wear resistance.
2. The ability not to fade when exposed to direct sunlight.
3. The absence of harmful and toxic substances in their composition.

It is very important to choose the right wallpaper glue. When choosing this material, it is recommended to purchase an adhesive composition based on starch and other natural additives.

It is not advisable to paint the walls using oil-based paints for this, since they contain lead and other heavy metals, which are very dangerous for human health and life. But this is not the only drawback of such paints, because, when heated, oil paints spoil the air with an extremely unpleasant odor for a long time.

Features of modern floor materials

The best floor coverings include:

Parquet board and ordinary planed edged board. These finishing materials are completely natural and have a high level of environmental safety. This allows you to use materials for flooring in children's rooms, bedrooms and other areas in your home where you spend a lot of time.

However, if you prefer a similar floor covering, try to select varnishes or paints with which this flooring will be processed with special care. It is recommended to opt for an expensive, high-quality and safest varnish. Before making a purchase, you need to carefully study all the information that is indicated on the label.

Ceramic tiles, which are also environmentally friendly building materials, as they are manufactured using a technology that does not involve the use of harmful chemicals. If you want to renovate an apartment that would be environmentally friendly, ceramic tiles are perfect for finishing the kitchen, bathroom and hallway. Distinctive advantages of the material are enviable durability and practicality.

The ecological characteristics of which are affected by the level of its quality. Existing expensive modern varieties of laminate are made in accordance with safety norms and standards, so they can be used in any room.

Linoleum is considered one of the most unsafe materials, since petroleum products are used for its manufacture. This finishing floor material contains a large number of chemical additives. The most dangerous types of linoleum are relin and linoleum, for the manufacture of which polyvinyl chloride compounds are used.

Carpet does not belong to floor materials with a high level of environmental hazard, but there are cases when it becomes a source of an allergic reaction and people. Therefore, if you want to lay carpet with natural pile, you must remember that it requires careful personal care, otherwise billions of microscopic mites will start in the carpet.

Choosing the right green windows

If you are thinking about how to change the window structures in your home, pay attention to the windows made of natural wood. They are distinguished by the following advantages:

1. Affordable price.
2. High level of environmental friendliness.

But if you want the windows in your rooms to have high thermal insulation and sound insulation, then it is preferable to use structures that are made on the basis of an aluminum profile. They have good advantages:

1. Low cost.
2. The best durability.
3. Excellent practicality.

PVC profiles are completely man-made products, however, modern processing methods make it completely safe and suitable for use in all areas of the house.

Marking and designation on the labels of building materials

Manufacturers of modern building and finishing materials are trying to make their products the most environmentally friendly. Therefore, every company that respects itself and cares about its image, products are labeled.

The following marking, which is used all over the world, speaks about the environmental friendliness of building materials:

1. E1 - building materials with absolute safety, which are used in children's and any other rooms.
2. E2 - used for bathrooms, kitchens and corridors.
3. E3 - not recommended for use in residential areas. They can only decorate technical rooms.

If you choose building materials, taking into account this marking, you will do it right, and your premises will be environmentally friendly, the microclimate will not collapse in them. Never forget that the use of eco-friendly building materials in houses and apartments is not an ordinary tribute to fashion.

This is a guarantee of protecting your health and the health of your loved ones from the serious consequences that may result from contact with hazardous chemicals.