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In this day and age, everyone has become very aware of green products that are earth-friendly and good for the environment. These green products are now reaching the building of new homes or when homeowners decide to renovate. Architects, builders, and designers are opting for earth-friendly, adaptive materials that will make homes a healthier environment. With the constant changes in the needs of people, it’s time to understand the economic and health factors for designing safer homes.

Read on to understand the terms Earth-friendly and Adaptive homes.

Earth-friendly home

Earth-friendly Homes

Designing earth-friendly homes have come to light through the efforts of several countries for providing a cleaner environment, creating sustainable living, and improving health. Designers and builders have advanced and developed better skills in order to meet the new demands of their clients. When talking about environmentally friendly homes, this includes the materials used to either renovate or build a new home. Many architects and builders are turning to biodegradable materials for a home’s interior. This is a very interesting concept that actually takes ideas from ancient times when materials for homes came from nature.

For the construction of an earth-friendly home, even the paint products must be eco-friendly. Not only for safer walls but also the health and well-being of the occupants. Another concept being applied is the creation of outdoor rooms. Outdoor rooms use only natural light and air, cutting back on the cost energy. Along with eco-friendly homes, having eco-friendly products will lead to a healthier and environmentally sustainable lifestyle.

 

Adaptive Homes

Adaptive home designs consist of two major factors:

• The ability of a home to adapt to a changing lifestyle of the residents
• The ability of a home to adapt while withstanding many environmental changes.

These designs should create a sustainable lifestyle that provides the home with a better longevity and the occupants enjoying a safer lifestyle.

The Wind Engineering Research Center has stated that using stronger lumber and concrete, good quality insulated panels, and domed ceilings will help homes withstand severe weather. These conditions include storms, tornadoes, and possibly earthquakes. With the rise in serious weather conditions hitting the country, yearly, it only makes common sense to use better quality materials for building homes.

These homes should also have adaptive spaces such as sliding doors and even secret rooms. These are concepts are being used by builders and interior designers for superior designs in limited floor areas while still providing a good deal of space for a growing family. It is also important to choose a design that will be much easier to renovate when there is a need to expand. This is the concept that architects have named Adaptive Home Designs.

An Additional Note: Consider purchasing space-saver items and multipurpose furniture.

 

Formaldehyde flooring

Hidden Unhealthy Chemicals

Designers know that the planning process must incorporate the needs of their clients both emotionally and psychologically. They must also take into consideration the materials being applied to products through treatments and processing during manufacturing.

Unfortunately, many products are manufactured using a dangerous chemical called Formaldehyde. These products include, but not limited to, synthetic carpeting and underlays, insulation, paints, particleboard, adhesives, foam cushions, and plywood. Formaldehyde is also commonly found in many cosmetics, for better absorbency in paper towels, and fabric softeners! Wrap around this thought: Formaldehyde is a chemical used in the embalming process!

Research has proven that formaldehyde gives off gases that cause allergic reactions, triggers asthma attacks, and is an eye irritation. Although problems can be alleviated when changes are made to the home’s environment, there can be many other issues such as migraines, MCS or Multiple Chemical Sensitivities causing chronic candida infection (also known as a yeast infection), and heavy metal poisoning from certain products such as paint. If you or a family member are suffering from any sudden reactions or symptoms it is important to contact a health care professional who is knowledgeable in environmental illnesses.

 

Natural & Healthy Choices

Moving away from chemically treated products and using natural products instead for an eco-friendly home environment seems to be the wiser choice. You can make small changes within your home that are natural, cost-efficient, and good for you. Instead of running out to the store and purchasing an electric air purifier, buy plants instead! Plants can remove pollutants from the air giving you cleaner, healthier surroundings and are decorator friendly!

That said, how can you know which plants will work the best and what toxins are present in your environment? Interior designers have discovered NASA’s list of the best plants that are the most effective. Some of the most popular and effective plants include the Spider Plant, Dragon Lily, and Date Palm. With careful planning, a designer can choose the right plants and flowers to add a wonderful touch to their client’s décor. They will choose plants that are easy to maintain and yet are highly productive at cleaning the air.

Whether your environment is a large business, small shop, your office, or your home, you need to plan carefully to create what you are looking for. Whether you are a client or a Do It Yourself enthusiast, there will be many questions that an interior decorator or designer can help you out with. In general, they know the building codes that comply with the acceptable materials vs harmful materials. Living a healthy lifestyle goes far beyond the removal of diseases, it’s an interior that provides a sense of well-being and toxin-free surroundings.

Chemicals have been used in products for way too long and have proven to lead to a large range of health issues. Read the labels of household products and find out what the heck is in the products. Comprehensive research online can help sift through many common products and discover what you should stay away from. Even though many homes are now being constructed using natural, safe materials, you can still change your home’s environment into something that you will feel so much better about. Talk with environmentally knowledgeable designers for interior alternatives. If you are an interior designer, provide your clients with healthy, safe, choices when renovating or redesigning their homeses.

 

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