Trends in environmentally friendly and sustainable construction continue to creep into the mainstream, with new products being introduced almost daily that are more cost effective and efficient than ever. Here are some products and trends in environmental construction:

Walls

Using alternative building materials, including reclaimed woods, recycled metals, and non-toxic materials, is making homes greener from the inside out. Even insulation is getting greener, with a wider use of a blend of recycled cotton and denim materials rather than toxic and dangerous to install traditional insulation.

Flat

There is a wide range of green flooring options. From concrete to stones, recycled metals, recycled tiles, recycled glass, reclaimed woods, sustainable woods, bamboo, cork and even greener linoleum.

Paints and Finishes

There are now a plethora of paints and stains available for your interiors, including walls, floors, bathrooms, stairs, and all of your surfaces. These new products are either non-toxic or use much less toxic chemicals, making the eco-friendly option also the healthiest option for people sensitive to the environment. Plus, these less toxic paints and finishes are much easier to dispose of.

Carpeting

Traditional new rugs use a lot of chemicals to produce. Additionally, installing new carpets will typically fill the indoor air in your home with what are called “VOCs,” or volatile organic compounds. These compounds include chemical carcinogens like benzenes and even formaldehyde. That new carpet smell is actually a cocktail of chemicals you’re breathing in. These chemicals can take several years to dissipate from the indoor air. By using eco-friendly rugs, you are drastically eliminating or decreasing the amount of chemicals that you are bringing into your home. Also, the materials used in eco-friendly rugs are often recycled or sustainable. Most rugs need padding and these can also be loaded with chemicals. Instead, homeowners can choose a new eco-friendly carpet padding that is made from recycled cotton.

Cabinets and countertops

Even kitchen and bathroom cabinets and countertops can be eco-friendly. New cabinet options include cabinets made from fully sustainable woods with non-toxic finishes. For countertops, new non-toxic composites are available including quartz and recycled glass chips. Even the glue used to adhere the cabinets to the countertop can be an environmentally friendly water-based glue product.

Whether you’re building a new home, remodeling, or just making a few improvements, you don’t want to ignore the many green options.