Healthy Buildings - Building Renewable

A woman is smelling the air next to a wall made from reclaimed wood. Wavy lines are overlain across the photo to indicate the smell emanating from the wood. Across the bottom of the image are the words, "Does Reclaimed Wood Smell? What You Need To Know."

Does Reclaimed Wood Smell? What You Need To Know

ByJim Pritchard May 9, 2023July 30, 2024

Are you interested in using reclaimed wood in your next project but want to ensure you avoid any unpleasant reclaimed wood smell? This article will guide you through the best ways to prevent or eliminate such pesky odors.

A sheet of reclaimed wood with a beautiful patina. Overlain in the bottom left corner is a cartoon paintbrush, and in the bottom right corner is a cartoon hand wiping with a cloth and gleaming stars surrounding it. Across the top of the image are the words "How To Preserve the Patina on Reclaimed Wood."

Reclaimed Wood Healthy Buildings Sustainable Architecture Wood

How To Preserve the Patina on Reclaimed Wood: 5 Simple Steps

ByJim Pritchard May 8, 2023October 13, 2024

This article explains the best way to preserve the patina on reclaimed wood while ensuring it is clean and free from pests. It also explains how to ensure your reclaimed wood stays looking its best for years to come.

A photograph of a woman holding a piece of sheep's wool insulation on the left side of the image and a photograph of a worker installing batts of pink fiberglass insulation between wall studs on the right. Across the top of the image are the words, "What Is the R-Value of Sheep's Wool Insulation (vs. Others)" In the lower center of the image are the letters "VS.

Wool Healthy Buildings Insulation Sustainable Architecture

What Is the R-Value of Sheep’s Wool Insulation (vS Others)

ByJim Pritchard May 3, 2023October 13, 2024

Sheep’s wool is a great way to insulate your home in a sustainable, eco-friendly manner. But what is the R-value of sheep’s wool insulation, and how does it compare to other types of insulation? This article reveals all.

A photograph of an unfurnished room with white walls and tall, floor-to-ceiling windows. The floor and ceiling are made from matching light brown reclaimed wood with prominent grain and knots that give it character. There is a silhouette of a man working on the ceiling from the top of a step ladder. Across the bottom of the image are the words, "Top 11 Companies to Install Your Reclaimed Wood Ceiling."

Reclaimed Wood Healthy Buildings Sustainable Architecture Wood

Top 11 Companies to Install Your Reclaimed Wood Ceiling

ByJim Pritchard April 30, 2023July 3, 2024

If you’re in the market for a reclaimed wood ceiling, you’ll need to know who can help deliver what you want. This article lists the top 11 companies to install your reclaimed wood ceiling, their unique selling points and other useful info.

A photograph of parquet flooring with individual pieces laid in a herringbone pattern. The wood appears to be oak and has a beautiful grain pattern. The wood is a mid-brown color. Across the top of the photograph are the words "Types of Reclaimed Wood Flooring: Which Wood Is Best to Use?" in white letters. In the bottom center is a cartoon woman holding two squares, one in each hand as if making a choice.

Reclaimed Wood Flooring Healthy Buildings Sustainable Architecture Wood

Types of Reclaimed Wood Flooring: Which Wood Is Best to Use?

ByJim Pritchard April 26, 2023October 12, 2024

Reclaimed wood flooring has tremendous appeal, both visually and in terms of durability. But which type of reclaimed wood is best to use for your floor? The article provides an answer based on your needs.

Four photographs showing reclaimed wood that is aged and has different shades of staining and different colors of worn paint. In the bottom center is a "scales" icon showing a green tick and a red cross being weighed against each other. Across the top of the image are the words, "The Pros and Cons of Reclaimed Wood (Should You Use?)"

Reclaimed Wood Healthy Buildings Sustainable Architecture Wood

The Pros and Cons of Reclaimed Wood (Should You Use?)

ByJim Pritchard April 23, 2023October 12, 2024

The pros and cons of reclaimed wood are not as obvious as many people think. Some of them are downright counter-intuitive. This article looks at the main advantages and disadvantages of reclaimed wood so you can decide if it’s right for you.

Various types of hardwood and bamboo plywood sheets are stacked on each other. On the right of the photograph is an icon of a woman in a white shirt with brown hair, thinking with her finger on her cheek. There are two green question marks above her head. Across the bottom of the image are the words, "Should You Consider Bamboo Plywood Sheets? (Pros & Cons)."

Bamboo Engineered Wood Healthy Buildings Wood

Should You Consider Bamboo Plywood Sheets? (Pros & Cons)

ByErin Shine April 16, 2023October 12, 2024

Bamboo plywood sheets are being recognized as a green alternative material to hardwood. But as people consider the transition from hardwood to bamboo plywood, they wonder what the material’s benefits and drawbacks are. This article explains all.

A man wearing a light gray T-shirt and dark gray work trousers with strap-on knee pads. He is kneeling down and in the process of installing engineered wood flooring. The flooring planks are dark brown with a natural wood veneer that has an irregular grain pattern. Each floorboard has tongues and grooves along its edge to allow the boards to be interlocked for easy installation. There is blue underlayment on the subfloor. In the left center of the photograph is a white "thumbs down" icon and along the bottom are the words "Disadvantages of Engineered Wood Flooring (Should You Use?)" written in white letters on a semi-transparent brown background.

Engineered Wood Flooring Healthy Buildings Recycled Wood Sustainable Architecture Wood

Disadvantages of Engineered Wood Flooring (Should You Use?)

ByJim Pritchard April 14, 2023November 8, 2024

The floor is an important feature of your home that can add character and comfort. If you’re trying to decide between traditional wood flooring and engineered alternatives, you should know if there are any disadvantages of engineered wood flooring. This article explains all.

A paint roller applying blue eco-friendly paint to a white surface. Across the top of the image are the words, "8 Best (And Cost-Effective) Eco-Friendly Paints To Buy Today." In the bottom left is a green icon with the words "Eco Friendly" inside a circle with three stars in the top and two leaves at the bottom.

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8 Best (And Cost-Effective) Eco-Friendly Paints To Buy Today

ByErin Shine April 12, 2023September 29, 2024

Eco-friendly paints are not only good for the environment but are good for your health, too. This article explains all their pros and cons, plus which brands to buy.

A selection of engineered wood flooring products laid out in a fan shape on a light brown engineered wood floor. The individual planks all have natural wood veneers and look like solid wood from above. However, the side profiles reveal the layered construction that uses engineered wood. In the bottom right corner is a cartoon factory and in the bottom left is a cartoon production line with two workers and a small crane. Across the top of the image are the words "What Is Engineered Wood Flooring and How Is It Made?" written in white lettering over a semi-transparent brown background.

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What Is Engineered Wood Flooring and How Is It Made?

ByJim Pritchard April 9, 2023November 8, 2024

Engineered wood is found in all sorts of building products. This article answers the question, “What is engineered wood flooring?” It also explains how it is made and answers many other common questions about engineered wood flooring.