When you want your home to be beautiful and healthy, green comes in many shades

“Going green” has become part of our everyday lives, whether it’s using cloth grocery bags or rethinking the way in which we renovate our homes. More and more you’ll find homes constructed with a tight envelope, that consume less energy and water, are thoughtful of energy use, have a minimal impact on the natural aspects of their sites, are built with recycled materials and that recycle wherever possible: it all contributes to healthy indoor air quality.

Consider this:

• The freshly painted smell that seems to indicate a clean home is actually the evaporation of chemicals like benzene, formaldehyde, toluene, and xylene. These strong odors are dangerous for asthmatics and people with allergies, and have also been identified as carcinogens.

Versus this:

• Using no or low VOC paints reduces, if not completely eliminates, harmful offgassing. Today there are more options for colors and finishes than ever before. There are also all-natural and certified organic plant-based paints. Let us help you choose the correct coating for your walls and trim.

Consider this:

• Different era homes require different methods of weather protection. The correct method protects against moisture; the wrong method can create mold. Why is mold a problem? Mildew and molds are potential allergens, and are often exposed during renovations. It is also a common cause of catastrophic paint failure. A 1” hole in an interior wall can allow 90 times more moisture to pass through it than a properly sealed surface.

Versus this:

• Moisture control, fixing leaks, and cleaning mold infestations are best left to experts. Humidity causes VOCs to vaporize more quickly, so it’s as important to keep your home moisture-free as it is to choose the right refinishing products. There are many materials to choose from to best control air flow and moisture, but even latex paint, properly applied, can act as a moisture barrier.

Consider this:

• A properly repaired home and its resultant “thermal envelope” can save hundred of dollars in energy costs each year. Your building envelope consists of your roof, floor and exterior walls, but it can keep harmful fumes in as well as fresh air out.

Versus this:

• You want to let in all the right things, like fresh air and ambient light, and keep out the wrong things, like indoor air pollutants and unwanted moisture. A good analogy is to think of the optimal situation as your home wearing a waterproof jacket with underarm vents. While renovating, we can help you identify gaps in your air barrier and make needed repairs.

Consider this:

• High energy costs are incurred when homes are designed without consideration for where and how the sunlight falls on the property, and when the “building envelope” isn’t properly designed and insulated.

Versus this:

• Solar-smart design includes trees, plantings and interior window treatments as well as low-energy coatings that reflect the sun’s rays in summer and reflect interior heat in winter. We know that the angle and intensity of sunlight varies with the seasons and time of day; we can help guide you to choose the best in window technology and design, evaluate roof overhangs, and rethink the use of landscaping.

Consider this:

• The construction industry is one of the largest contributors to waste in the US. It is easy to accidentally contaminate your home or property by improper disposal of toxic products.

Versus this:

• Ambiance Painting will remove dirty thinners and wash water, disposing of them properly, of particular importance to a homeowner with a well. We can help you identify and properly remove asbestos, mold, lead paint, and many other potential sources of toxicity in your home. The result: an eco-friendly home and a protected Mother Earth.

Just as there are many different shades of green on the color wheel, there are different degrees to which a homeowner can embark on the journey toward a “greener” way of living. At Ambiance Painting, we help homeowners who are just beginning to think about the importance of no and low VOC paints to those well-versed in the importance of green living; let us help you determine the right “green budget“ for your life.

Call us today to begin creating a healthy home in harmony with nature and technology!