Healthy dwellings start from inside out
These days, people are ripping through household disinfectant at record speed because a clean house is a healthy house. Daily sanitization aside, the true foundation of health and wellness in the home lies in how it was built and with what materials.
From the beams behind walls to the paint and floor coverings, toxins and chemicals in the synthetic materials that builders use affect indoor air quality. Those new home builders who choose materials that are good for the planet are doing human beings a favour, too.
“If it’s good for the environment, it’s better for us as well,” says Ron Butler, president and co-founder of New West Luxury Homes in
Calgary. “We have an opportunity and a responsibility to source out the healthiest building products and technologies that can positively impact the families who build custom homes with us.”
Real hardwood floors, electronic air cleaners and smart thermostats are standard in every New West home. Construction materials that are optional include plywood floor and wall sheathing manufactured without volatile organic compounds (VOCS); Canadian-made Lauzon Hardwood Smart Floors, manufactured without solvents, formaldehyde or VOCS; and Vocfree paints, which are also without solvents and harsh chemicals.
Butler says a healthy home should go beyond eliminating the chemicals, resins and VOCS that are released from glues, finishing materials and even furniture. Features such as human-centric lighting with LED technology that supports the circadian rhythm also support healthy living. The building envelope should discourage moisture, which can lead to toxic mould and mildew issues.
“Along with asking builders if they are committed to eliminating VOCS as much as possible, buyers should also inquire about what technology they’re incorporating into the home,” he says.
Avalon Master Builder in Calgary adopted green building practices and a healthy home philosophy early in its history. Avalon’s multi-family Zen products are energy efficient and built with long-lasting materials that don’t compromise indoor air quality.
Marketing and sales co-ordinator Marni Chenier says harder materials have a healthier advantage.
“Quality laminate flooring will
off-gas less. It’s also easier to clean up dust and dander off the floor, which is not the case for carpet. We also consider how materials interact with use,” she says.
Avalon uses low VOC paint and makes heat recovery ventilators standard in every home to bring fresh outdoor air in while exchanging the heat from indoor air. Chenier says ventilation is important because once a home is completed and the buyer moves in, they bring in unwanted VOCS by virtue of owning new furniture or having their clothes dry-cleaned.
New West’s commitment to healthy homes and a sustainable environment is also reflected in where they choose to build. The company, founded in 2009, has been building in Watermark at Bearspaw by Macdonald Development Corporation in Rocky View County since 2011.
“With the way the community is laid out, the walking paths and proximity to nature, Watermark as a community is focused on promoting healthy lifestyles,” he says.