Making your Interior Paint or Stain Green
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Painting and staining are often overlooked when it comes green remodeling. After all, when the subject of green remodeling does come up, most homeowners think of things like increasing their home's energy efficiency, cutting energy costs, and reducing fossil fuel consumption. But green remodeling is about creating healthier homes and using safer building materials, as well. Since interior paints and stains are a major contributor of indoor air contaminants that negatively affect the health of millions of Americans every year, it's easy to see why going green with your interior finishes is a smart choice for anyone who owns a home.
Introducing Green Remodeling Expert David Johnston
HomeAdvisor understands that it can be tough for homeowners to wade through all the "green" remodeling information out there, which is why we've teamed up with green remodeling expert David Johnston to provide you with the best, most accurate, green remodeling advice in the business. Johnston is the founder of the green consulting firm What's Working, Inc., the author of multiple books on green remodeling, (including the Nautilus Award winner, Green Remodeling: Changing the World One Room at a Time), and he's got plenty to say about what you can do to make sure your interior paint or staining project ends up being as green as possible.
The Cost of Going Green with Interior Finishes
The first thing homeowners want to know when the talk turns green with paints and stains is how much it's going to cost versus using traditional materials. The answer to that question isn't as easy as many homeowners might think. At first glance, and from a financial standpoint, the answer is that you're probably going to pay a little bit more for environmentally sound, and safe, paints and stains. But when you look at things through a greener lens, the lines begin to blur. After all, what value would you place on a healthier family? On an improved quality of life? On knowing that you're doing everything you can to create a better, more environmentally responsible world for your children and grandchildren? Put it that way, and it's easy to see what Johnston means when it says that the real value of going green extends far above any figures involving dollars and cents.
Going Green with Interior Paints and Stains
So just what are the benefits of going green with interior finishes, and what steps can you take to make sure your painting or staining project is as green as they come? From achieving a healthier indoor environment to doing right by the environment on a global scale, here's a guide to green painting and staining, drawn directly from the work, experience, and writings of Johnston himself to help you get off on the right foot.
Which Shade of Green is Right for You?
While going green with your interior paint or stain job is a smart choice for you, your family, and the environment, it's not unusual for homeowners to feel a little overwhelmed when presented with the full scope of green remodeling options. If you're feeling unsure about how green you're willing to go, there's no need to worry. Keep in mind that going green isn't an all-or-nothing proposition, and not every homeowner has the time, or dedication, to mix their own paints in the name of environmental stewardship. The truth of the matter is that any step you take in a green direction is a smart one, whether you paint your home green top to bottom, or just look for a low-VOC paint at the hardware store.
If you do think green is the right choice for your upcoming interior paint or stain project, talk openly with contractors about adopting a green building philosophy, find a contractor who specializes in green building and remodeling, or seek out the services of a green consulting firm so you get the best possible advice on what going green is going to mean for you.
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