Many mainstream building materials are sometimes used even in green buildings because they are the only thing that is locally available. But they can be toxic to the sensitive person. Even though many of these structural materials are contained within the walls, floors or ceiling (not directly exposed to the indoor air), they can still leach toxins into the interior space. This is especially true with more vaporous or gaseous poisons like formaldehyde- which is used in almost every piece of engineered (glued up) wood including Micro Lam beams, Parallam beams, plywood sheathing or OSB sheathing (widely used as wall, roof and subflooring substrates). So the Pattons decided to cover all exposed plywood, OSB and engineered beams with AFM Safecoat’s Safe Seal. (see Shelter Ecology's catalog for details.) This product stops formaldehyde in plywoods and particleboards (and any engineered wood product) from offgassing into your indoor air.
The finger jointed stud walls were then filled with Poly-Icynene foam insulation (see web site catalog for details). This superior insulating material has SO many benefits including the fact that It is certified as environmentally safe for the earth and people. It is CFC and HCFC free, formaldehyde free, low toxic, rot resistant, mold resistant, pest resistant and flame resistant. This product completely air seals all your gaps (around light switches and other protrusions) so you don’t have to. It makes for a highly energy efficient home as well as a healthy and soundproof envelope. THE PATTONS LOVE THEIR ICYNENE! Perhaps the one thing you will want to spend more of your money on is your insulation and heating / cooling sources. These things will be your best allies in creating a healthy home. |
