Marmoleum: Good Choice for Non-Toxic, Multi-purpose Natural Flooring

Most people haven't heard of Marmoleum - yet. Yes, it is linoleum, but not the kind you may have grown up walking on. Marmoleum is all natural and sustainable. It is available in a variety of beautiful colors. Best of all, Marmoleum doesn't have any adverse health issues; it doesn't off-gas into your home.

Marmoleum is made with natural ingredients without any harmful VOCs or other toxic chemicals. It is installed with solvent-free adhesives. It creates a warm, comfortable floor that is easy to clean and will make your room come alive with color.

This flooring solution is a great choice for those with severe allergies and sensitivities. The natural bactericidal properties of this product prevent micro-organisms including Salmonella Typhimurium and Staphylococcus Aureus from multiplying. For these reasons, Marmoleum is the floor covering of choice in many hospitals, as well as being recommended by medical professionals for people with respiratory disorders.

One of the primary ingredients in Marmoleum is linseed oil, which is obtained by pressing the seeds of the flax plant. Linseed oil is used for many purposes, ranging from cooking to providing quick relief to people suffering from a cold. In addition to linseed oil, other ingredients in Marmoleum include rosins, wood flour, jute and ecologically responsible pigments.

With this sheet tile you can design your own floors. Marmoleum offers is available in more than 150 colors, insets and borders.

Since Marmoleum is a natural organic product, its performance is enhanced by time, as exposure to air serves to harden and increase its durability. Although the flooring continues to harden over time, the floor remains quiet and comfortable under foot.

Questions? Or just want to chat about an upcoming project that you're considering? Email owner Chris Matey.
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We service Boston, North Shore, North of Boston, including but no limited to Andover, Belmont, Beverly, Boston (Back Bay, South End), Brookline, Cambridge, Haverhill, Lexington, Lowell, Marblehead, Natick, Newton, Newburyport, Somerville, Swampscott, Weston, Winchester, Woburn. As well as southern New Hampshire, including Nashua, Londonderry, and Merrimack.

Check out our portfolio for Boston kitchen remodeling, Boston bathroom remodeling, and more.

Bamboo Flooring Provides Beautiful, Green Option for Boston Renovation Projects

Sustainable flooring options have become another popular area for eco-renovations in the Boston remodeling market. There are several options available. The most popular choices include: bamboo, cork, natural linoleum, and wood. In our last blog post we covered cork floors. Let’s take a look at bamboo.

Photo Credit: EcoTimber

Bamboo has the look and feel of wood but is actually a grass. It is beautiful, it holds up as well as hardwood, and it is reasonably priced. Bamboo is considered eco friendly because it is a sustainable. Unlike trees, bamboo is fast growing and can be harvested every three to five years.
Most bamboo for flooring comes from the Hunan province of China. It's not a food source for pandas, which generally live at higher elevations. The transport of bamboo to the U.S. does leave a carbon footprint, however, its durability, hardness, and sustainability make it a sound eco alternative over conventionally harvested wood. Most bamboo is processed without preservatives. For those of you looking for low-toxic solution, make sure that your bamboo flooring is glued together with a non urea-formaldehyde (UF) binder.

Most bamboo flooring uses a urea-formaldehyde (UF) adhesive in the lamination process. There are bamboo flooring products that avoid formaldehyde use. The UF resins emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and are harmful to indoor air quality. However, it is important to note that bamboo flooring uses a relatively small amount compared with other materials, such as particleboards.

Bamboo flooring manufacturers including:
EcoTimber
Natural Cork
Hanlite

Bamboo flooring is becoming increasingly popular in Boston area kitchens and living rooms. It is easy to clean, wears well and shows beautifully.

It should be swept or dry or damp mopped (never soaked). Since the flooring is extremely sturdy, it usually has an extensive warranty. Some manufacturers offer a life-time warranty.

Bamboo flooring comes in two shades: light natural or a darker amber. It is sold in planks 72 or 36 inches long that install the same as other tongue and groove flooring.

Questions? Or just want to chat about an upcoming project that you're considering? Email owner Chris Matey.
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We service Boston, North Shore, North of Boston, including but not limited to Andover, Belmont, Beverly, Boston (Back Bay, South End), Brookline, Cambridge, Haverhill, Lexington, Lowell, Marblehead, Natick, Newton, Newburyport, Somerville, Swampscott, Weston, Winchester, Woburn. As well as southern New Hampshire, including Nashua, Londonderry, and Merrimack.

Check out our portfolio for Boston kitchen remodeling, Boston bathroom remodeling, and more.

Cork Flooring Gaining Popularity as Sustainable Flooring for Eco-friendly Homes

This is the third part of our Green Home Remodeling series in honor of Earth Day next week. Today let's take a look at one sustainable flooring option: cork.

Over the past couple of years the options for flooring were only hardwoods, vinyl or ceramic tiles. There are several newer eco-friendly options on the market that are becoming more competitively priced and more widely available.

What makes a floor green? If you're buying new flooring, one way is to confirm that the flooring you buy comes from a rapidly renewable source. Other considerations to make include making sure that the flooring is long lasting and gives off zero or low emissions.

One of the best eco-friendly choices is cork flooring. Cork is harvested from the outer bark of the cork oak trees. The tree regenerates its bark and can be reharvested every nine years. The conditions that favor commercial is in Western Europe and Northern Africa along the Mediterranean coast.

Photo credit: Natural Cork

Like bamboo, cork is gaining popularity among homeowners looking for an alternative to hardwood floors. If you haven't checked out cork flooring you may be pleasantly surprised that it is available in dozens of very rich colors. Its cost is comparable to hardwood flooring.

Cork flooring comes in a wide range of patterns and, with either simple tongue and groove panels or 12" x 12" tiles. It is durable; stands up well to high traffic and resists scuffs and stains. It's provides warmth and cushioning. As a natural insulator it also reduces noise.

Some of the major cork flooring manufacturers include:
American Cork Products
Duro Design
Globus Cork
Natural Cork
Qu-Cork
WE Cork

When looking for alternatives to traditional wood flooring, cork offer many benefits. For eco-savvy homeowners looking for ways to tread lightly on the planet, going green at home is a great place to start.

Questions? Or just want to chat about an upcoming project that you're considering? Email owner Chris Matey.
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We service Boston, North Shore, North of Boston, including but not limited to Andover, Belmont, Beverly, Boston (Back Bay, South End), Brookline, Cambridge, Haverhill, Lexington, Lowell, Marblehead, Natick, Newton, Newburyport, Somerville, Swampscott, Weston, Winchester, Woburn. As well as southern New Hampshire, including Nashua, Londonderry, and Merrimack.

Check out our portfolio for Boston kitchen remodeling, Boston bathroom remodeling, and more.

Green Options for Your Kitchen Including Low and No-VOC Cabinetry

This post is second in a series of green home remodeling blogs in celebration of Earth Day, April 22. Low or no-VOC (volatile organic compounds) finishes is a topic with high interest in the Boston area home renovation market. Products available with low or no VOCs include paints and wood (cabinets, furniture, etc.). In this post we'll focus solely on wood.

If you are interested in formaldehyde free kitchen cabinets there are several choices available to you. Stainless steel kitchen cabinets or any other metal cabinet are going free of toxic chemicals. But if you have your heart set on wood there are several green kitchen cabinet options available to you.

The most common material for green kitchen cabinets is bamboo. Bamboo is beautiful and also durable. It is a rapidly renewable resource. Bamboo can mature in less than half the time it takes hardwood trees to reach market size making it a popular choice for environmentalists.

When choosing a cabinet manufacturer who claims to have 'green cabinets' ask for certification. This will confirm that their products are formaldehyde free and created with no or low VOCs. Wheat board is the remnants of straw waste left over from wheat crops. The plant stems of the wheat are finely milled and bound with sustainable binders which are formaldehyde free. This is also a by-product of a sustainable resource that would otherwise be disposed of if not used in cabinetry. Wheat board exceeds the set standards for particle board in the U.S.

As you may already know, particle board is the base material used in most manufactured kitchen cabinets. For consumers with cabinets made of particle board, there are a couple of ways to limit the danger of further outgassing of VOCs in your kitchen. First, you could replace the existing cabinets with 'green' cabinets. A second option is to remove the face of the cabinets and purchase a no-VOC, water-based sealant to thoroughly cover them. If purchasing a sealant, completely cover every square inch of surface as well as all cracks.

Also, some type of plywood used by cabinet manufacturers are also free of VOCs. This varies by manufacturer so make sure you check on the specific cabinet you are considering.

Another green option is to use recycled wood. Older kitchen cabinets made from solid wood can be sanded, stained and refinished with a no or low-VOC finish. This is a good choice for those who aren't able to afford green kitchen cabinets.

Questions? Or just want to chat about an upcoming project that you're considering? Email owner Chris Matey.
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We service Boston, North Shore, North of Boston, including but no limited to Andover, Belmont, Beverly, Boston (Back Bay, South End), Brookline, Cambridge, Haverhill, Lexington, Lowell, Marblehead, Natick, Newton, Newburyport, Somerville, Swampscott, Weston, Winchester, Woburn. As well as southern New Hampshire, including Nashua, Londonderry, and Merrimack.Check out our portfolio for Boston kitchen remodeling, Boston bathroom remodeling, and more.

Boston Green Kitchen Remodeling Trends: Low and No VOC Finishes

This kicks off a series of green home remodeling blogs in celebration of Earth Day, April 22. Low or no-VOC (volatile organic compounds) finishes is a topic with high interest in the Boston area home renovation market. Products available with low or no VOCs include paints and wood (cabinets, furniture, etc.). In this post we'll focus solely on paints.

The need for hypoallergenic building materials such as low or no-VOCs is on the rise for a number of reasons. Environmental allergies and chemical sensitivities are on the rise, and there is a growing base of consumers who are demanding greener building materials. In addition, an increased awareness of possible health risks and overall air quality from traditional paints has led to a demand for products lower in VOCs. Manufacturers have risen to the challenge by developing high-quality, latex-based coatings and adhesives for a wide variety of uses.

In addition to "green" consumers, a growing number of expecting parents want no VOC paints. They are discovering that here’s no need to paint their baby's nursery with toxic paints. Instead, they are finding plenty of nice green, earth-friendly, non-toxic paints to use. The Environmental Protection Agency reports that using low or no-VOC paints will improve indoor air quality and eliminate toxins.

Many conventional paints and finishes contain high levels of VOCs that produce potentially harmful gasses when applied. The VOCs diminish air quality. The important difference between traditional paints and low or no-VOCs is that the latter provides low-toxicity finishes and surfaces; they do not contain synthetic formaldehyde resins. Also, they contain water-based adhesives. No-VOC paint is generally a little more expensive than conventional paint, while low VOC paint is about the same price.

Most major paint companies have a line of low and no-VOC paints. Here is a list of a few we know:

Aglaia Natural Paints
Auro
Anna Sova
Benjamin Moore
Ceramic Coat by O’Leary Paint
Green Fusion Design
Sherwin Williams
The Old Fashioned Milk Paint Co
Yolo Paint

Today, low and no-VOC paints are available almost anywhere. Note that not every latex-based coating is low in VOCs. Check the label before you buy. VOC levels are expressed in pounds per gallon (lbs/gal) or grams per liter (g/l). Interior paint is given a Green Seal if it has a VOC content less than 50 g/l (for flat sheen) or 150 g/l (non-flat sheen).

Questions? Or just want to chat about an upcoming project that you're considering? Email owner Chris Matey.
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We service Boston, North Shore, North of Boston, including but no limited to Andover, Belmont, Beverly, Boston (Back Bay, South End), Brookline, Cambridge, Haverhill, Lexington, Lowell, Marblehead, Natick, Newton, Newburyport, Somerville, Swampscott, Weston, Winchester, Woburn. As well as southern New Hampshire, including Nashua, Londonderry, and Merrimack.Check out our portfolio for Boston kitchen remodeling, Boston bathroom remodeling, and more.

Precast Porch Footings – A Better Way from Red Apple

Okay, so this isn’t the most exciting topic, but at Red Apple Renovations we’re always looking for a more efficient and cost effective way to do things, and precast footings are one of those ways.

For those who aren’t construction geeks, a footing is a concrete “tube” in the ground that is use to support a post. That post can be used to support a deck, porch or an addition. In Massachusetts, all footings must extend at least 48 inches below grade.

Now the typical way this is done is the following:
1) Dig a hole
2) Insert form for footings
3) Pour concrete
4) Wait for concrete to harden
5) Install post

By the time this is all done, it takes 2-3 days to get this done. It requires coordinating a concrete delivery as well as ensuring that the footings stay where you want them during the pour.

The better way is to use precast footings. These are concrete pillars that have been formed in advance. They come in 4 and 5 foot heights. Once you have excavated the hole and put the precast footing in place, you are ready for construction. No more waiting for the concrete truck or waiting for the concrete to harden. You can start building as soon as the hole is filled.

Like I said earlier, this isn’t the most interesting area of construction. But what we do at Red Apple is continually look for better and faster ways to finish your project because there is no such thing as a project that’s too short.

Questions? Or just want to chat about an upcoming project that you're considering? Email owner Chris Matey.
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We service Boston, North Shore, North of Boston, including but no limited to Andover, Belmont, Beverly, Boston (Back Bay, South End), Brookline, Cambridge, Haverhill, Lexington, Lowell, Marblehead, Natick, Newton, Newburyport, Somerville, Swampscott, Weston, Winchester, Woburn. As well as southern New Hampshire, including Nashua, Londonderry, and Merrimack.

Check out our portfolio for Boston kitchen remodeling, Boston bathroom remodeling, and more.

Green Alert: Interest on the Rise in Massachusetts for Geothermal HVAC Systems

Within the past several weeks, here at Red Apple Renovations we are noticing increased interest in geothermal HVAC systems in the Boston area. This is a "green" approach to heating and cooling, and can be installed with equal ease in new construction and remodeling projects.

The increased interest is due mostly to new tax credits put in effect by the stimulus bill passed earlier this month. Any new geothermal HVAC installed between 2009 and December 31, 2016 is eligible for a 30% tax credit for the cost of the geothermal system. The great thing about this tax credit is that is has no cap. Unlike previous tax credits, which were capped at $2,000, you get a direct tax benefit of 30% of the cost of the new system regardless of the cost.

Here is an example of how it works:

Geothermal retail (sample) $30,000
Fed tax credit 30% of cost $9,000
Net cost to consumer $21,000

(The initial cost of a geothermal heat pump system varies nationally according to influences such as labor rates, type of system and equipment, and geographical location.)

Geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) are a relatively new technology. Over time they can save homeowners and commercial customers money. (It is important to note that GHPs are not related to air-source heat pumps that rely on heated air.) The ground-sourced heating pumps use the natural heating storage capacity of the earth or ground water to provide energy efficient heating and cooling year round.

Expect to pay between $4,000 and $11,000 more for a 3-ton GHP system than for an air source heat pump system. Many consumers justify this initial investment with the tax credit combined with the savings they expect to realize on their heating and cooling bills over years of use.

The benefits to GHPs are that they offer high efficiency and low operating cost. According to the EPA, GHPs can save homeowners 30 to 70 percent on heating and 20 to 50 percent on cooling costs over conventional systems. Reported heating and cooling savings can range between $358 and $1,475 annually.

A GHP system consists of indoor heat pump equipment, a ground loop, and a flow center to connect the indoor and outdoor equipment. The heat pump equipment works by removing heat from one location and depositing it in another location. The ground loop, which is invisible after installation, allows the exchange of heat between the earth and the heat pump.

Ground source heat pump systems are among the most energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly heating, cooling, and water heating systems available, according to the US Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Major benefits include:

1. Lower cooling and heating costs
2. Lower maintenance
3. Natural and safe
4. No chimney or flue, no combustion
5. Investment recouped in approximately five years

GHPs can be open- or closed-loop. Open-loop systems draw well water for use as the heat source or heat sink, and after use, return the well water to a drainage field or another well. Closed-loop or earth-coupled systems use a water and antifreeze solution, circulated in a ground loop of pipe to extract heat from the earth.

Ground loops can be installed in a vertical well or a horizontal loop. Vertical wells are usually more expensive and used where space is limited. The length of loop pipe required will vary with soil type, loop configuration, and system capacity. Loop length can range from 250 to 1,000 feet per ton of capacity.

IRS Form 5695: Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit

More information on the "Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit"

Questions? Or just want to chat about an upcoming project that you're considering? Email owner Chris Matey.
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We service Boston, North Shore, North of Boston, including but not limited to Andover, Belmont, Beverly, Boston (Back Bay, South End), Brookline, Cambridge, Haverhill, Lexington, Lowell, Marblehead, Natick, Newton, Newburyport, Somerville, Swampscott, Weston, Winchester, Woburn. As well as southern New Hampshire, including Nashua, Londonderry, and Merrimack.

Check out our portfolio for Boston kitchen remodeling, Boston bathroom remodeling, and more.