Interior Refurbishments

Interior refurbishments are opportunities to renew and modernize indoor living spaces, while also adopting healthy and sustainable materials for positive health and environmental benefits. Indoor air quality can also be improved by furnishings and products. Eco-friendly cleaning products and low-emitting carpets, glues and paints can improve indoor air quality, reducing negative impacts on health and well-being. Here is a sample list of products that can be considered for interior refurbishments:

Paints and finishes

Look for paints with no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other toxic substances. Clay-based interior finishes and paints offer an increasingly popular, non-toxic alternative to conventional paints.

Tiles

Beautiful, recycled glass tiles that come in every shape and colour are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. They resist staining and discoloration and are easy to clean.

Flooring and carpets

Wood, cork, tile, bamboo and rubber are some of the many alternative flooring materials available. For wood floors, locally reclaimed wood is best, but alternatives include Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood from domestic or exotic sources. Bamboo is also a great option. It’s very durable and resistant to moisture, and comes from a quick-growing plant. Some companies offer carpet tiles from recycled or recyclable materials, and others make 100% wool carpets.

Insulation

Alternatives to conventional fibreglass include natural cotton fibre insulation which often contains high levels of post-industrial recycled content, as well as cellulose (fiberized or recycled paper), and expanded polystyrene.

There are many green products available; the Lighthouse Sustainable Building Centre’s Product Library Search is a great way to find detailed information on a wide variety of products and materials. Also, check out the Metro Vancouver Product/Service Directory.

Greenworks Building Supply sells many of these products, along with useful information.

Cleaning supplies

Look for products that are biodegradable and that do not contain petroleum products, bleach and phosphates. Several labels exist, in particular the “Environmental Choice” EcoLogo for products in North America.

See the following links for useful information on cleaners and alternative cleaning products: