ACCORDING TO THE EPA, the indoor air quality of a typical home can be three times more polluted than outdoor air and can be incredibly dangerous to our health. Over the past decade, government regulations have been put into effect to combat this, and are likely to get stricter, not more lenient. Sjoerd Bos, vice president of Sansin Corporation, a leading manufacturer of stains, sealants, and coatings, says, “I expect tougher VOC limits and, in certain states like California, increasingly strict regulations to meet clean-air requirements. These regulations are forcing changes to the coatings industry to improve the indoor environmental aspects of interior coatings.”
This is all good news because it means a healthier home for you and your family. Make the right choice—choose environmentally friendly stains and sealants. Here are a few of the fantastic features they can provide:
1. Good for the planet and your health. Stains that boast low or no VOCs (volatile organic compounds) will make you breathe a little easier, figuratively and literally. First, low/no VOCs help the environment because they contain fewer of the ozone-depleting and groundwater contaminants that can be found in traditional stain products. This same feature means they don’t emit toxic fumes into your home, and, consequently, into your lungs.
2. Environmental stains are becoming more affordable. Whether it’s buying organic produce or earth-friendly home products, the higher price tag typically associated with these products can be hard to justify in your budget. The good news is that as demand for these items increases, prices decrease.
3. Color options abound. If you think your color choices will be limited if you only shop for guilt-free finishing products for your log home, you are mistaken. There are just as many rich shades of environmentally sound stains as there are in the conventional-but-less-conscious choices, and in a lot of cases, even more options. Many companies offer green product lines specifically designed for log home applications in colors that will bring out the natural beauty of the wood grain.
4. Clean up is a breeze. Green stain products are almost always water-based, which means that they clean up more easily than their oil-based counterparts. Just a little soap and water is usually all it takes. And because they are not deemed a hazardous material, you don’t need to worry how you’re going to dispose of excess or the cans.