Remodeling Basics: Windows, Floors, Walls
(Page 2 of 3)
July/August 2005
By Debra Lynn Dadd
On the Walls
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From sisal and bamboo to rice and parchment, there’s an environmentally friendly wallcovering
with a price to fit any pocketbook.
Once upon a time, wallpaper was simply that—printed paper—applied to walls with a flour-based paste. In the mid-twentieth century, manufacturers added so-called improvements: vinyl and PVC, formaldehyde, chemical dyes, fungicides, and powerful adhesives. The “paper” went up with less effort, lasted longer, and even peeled off easier. The unfortunate byproduct, though, was volatile organic compounds (VOCs), toxic vapors from the solvents, plastics, paints, and glues that may cause headaches, dizziness, visual disorders, memory impairment, respiratory illness, and even liver or kidney damage, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Happily, a few manufacturers are coming full circle, eliminating the chemical additives and offering an array of natural or recycled materials and less toxic adhesives that offer wall-to-wall beauty.
ALL-NATURAL WALL Renewable resources such as rice, sisal, bamboo, linen, grasses, wood, and cork are just a few of the beautiful options that create rich, diverse textures and are mostly biodegradable. If you choose wood, select a product that’s been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (www.FSC.org).
WALL “PAPER” Handmade paper, parchment, and rice paper are available in every pattern and color imaginable. Newer, greener options tout water-based inks without formaldehyde, heavy metals, PVC, or vinyl backing. (Avoid using paper-type wallcoverings in moist areas where mildew and mold can develop.)
RECYCLED Polyester, cloth, and phone books are just two of the post-consumer materials being reused in innovative wallcoverings. Though not “natural,” they keep waste out of the landfill. Check with the manufacturer to ensure low VOC emissions and odors.
Stay Away From…
• vinyl backings and coatings, which emit VOCs
• mildew and insect repellents (except for boric acid)
CRAFT A WALL
Handcrafted wall decorating is back in vogue and ever so resourceful when you use scraps (see “Try This,” page 36). If you’re not ready to commit to an entire room, try a border, a contrast stripe, or one wall. Do a test run on a scrap board or the inside of a closet to watch for colorfastness and adhesion. Then check again for durability and fastness when dry.