Q: I’m thinking about pursuing a remodel of my home but am afraid of exposing my children to harmful materials during construction. How can I minimize this risk?

A: If you’re like many homeowners, you want to buy green products to keep you and your family healthy and safe. No one wants to expose their loved ones to toxins and chemicals.

A 2018 study by the Shelton Group, published in Eco Pulse, found that the number one reason cited by respondents for choosing green products in three categories was the health and safety of their families. Others include conserving natural resources, preventing waste and inefficiencies, and mitigating climate impact.

Whatever your reasons for seeking contractors that use green products, there is an excellent but little-known resource to help you make your selection: The Red List.

What’s on the Red List?

According to the International Living Future Institute, it lists the “worst in class materials prevalent in the building industry.” How your contractor uses it (or doesn’t), can have a significant impact on your remodel project, as well as the environment.

The easiest and most effective thing you can do with this list is have a conversation with your contractor about your health, safety, and family wellness needs and how to limit harmful materials on the project. This is especially important if you and your family will be living onsite throughout the construction phase.

The Red List demonstrates to the contractor how important using green products is to you and gives them the info they need to best advise you throughout the project and reduce harmful toxins and chemicals wherever possible.

What are the limitations of the Red List?

Simply put, the list isn’t exhaustive. Many big brands develop the materials they use in their products in different plants, and some are unwilling to disclose every material or ingredient used in each product. The company may consider such information proprietary, and it’s understandable for them to protect their intellectual property and assets.

However, these days, even a modicum of transparency—especially regarding environmental impact—can enhance a brand and build consumer loyalty. When it comes to the environment and consumer health, protecting proprietary secrets is increasingly seen as a liability. As a homeowner with a family, knowledge is a better selling point than secrecy. The Red List arms you with that knowledge.

Ask your contractor if they’re already using the Red List.

If your contractor is already familiar with it, chances are good they have at least a passing interest in green products, materials, and resources in the building industry.

In the best-case scenario, they may be actively reviewing and monitoring updates on the list to avoid using, working with, and offering products made with listed items. This requires extra time, research and care to ensure that products they use are both green and a good fit for the remodeling project.

Communication and collaboration with your contractor or design-build firm will be frequent once the process begins, and it may prove overwhelming at times. The earlier you discuss your desire to use safe, green products, the better off you’ll be when construction begins. With the Red List, you’ll both have a powerful tool for making the best choices for your family and the environment.

 

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Paul Kocharhook is the owner of Pathway Design & Construction, a member of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS). If you have a home improvement, remodeling, or residential homebuilding question you’d like answered by one of MBAKS’ more than 2,700 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.

Q: I’m building a crawl space foundation for a small add-on to my home and was told I’d have to ventilate it. Since it is mostly dirt and concrete, is venting it really that important? What are my options?

A: Yes, having proper ventilation in your crawl space is critical for the health of your home, and building codes actually require it for any inhabited structure. There are a few different ventilation methods, and choosing the right one is key to a longer-lasting and better-looking home.

Without proper ventilation, the structural wooden frame can develop mold or rot, inevitably leading to costly repairs. On top of that, any mold in the crawl space will eventually find its way into the structure, exposing you to health risks such as eye, throat and nose irritation, chronic fatigue and headaches.

Due to these health risks, the law requires a certain ratio of ventilation per square foot of crawl space. In most places, you need 1 square foot of ventilation for every 150 square feet of crawl space, but in Washington state, that’s been revised to 1e square foot for every 300 square feet. On top of that, you can use a specialized vapor barrier that will allow you to increase the ratio to 1 square foot for every 1,500 square feet — this may be ideal for your project.

Floodplains, groundwater and radon areas can always complicate things, however, so be sure to check with your engineer and inspector.

In the Seattle area, crawl space foundations are very common because we like to build on hills and because it makes it easier to access utilities. In fact, use of crawl space foundations has increased over the last couple of years, comprising nearly half of foundations in single-family residences in Washington state.

There are three avenues for properly ventilating your crawl space:

Vent boxes. This “brute force” method involves cutting holes into the foundation wall or rim joist and installing a screen to funnel air into the crawl space. While it tends to leave some dead air pockets and doesn’t look great (building codes generally prevent placing all of the boxes on one side of the structure), this is the most common method because it’s the quickest, easiest and most inexpensive choice. Plus, you can always hide the vents with strategic landscaping.

Perimeter foundation vents. Made with a composite material, these sit between the foundation and the base of the wall of the structure, providing airflow to every corner of the crawl space. These vents often come with separate flashing that acts both as a bug screen and rain guard. Because it sits higher on top of the foundation, you don’t need to make cuts and can avoid grade issues, and it’s essentially invisible from the exterior. This method — used in many custom structures — is effective but more expensive.

Mechanical exhaust. Unlike the previous two options, this type of crawl space is sealed off from the outside and mechanically vented to create air exchange. Having a machine always running may not be ideal, but this is the most preferred method in regions with high humidity due to its slower air-drying times.

A healthy crawl space is key to preventing potential structural issues and health risks in any home. You can make this easier and avoid maintenance down the line by choosing the vent system best suited to your home.

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Alex Wallace is marketing manager at Joto Vent System USA, a member of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS). If you have a home improvement, remodeling or residential homebuilding question you’d like answered by one of the MBAKS’s more than 2,700 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.

 

Q: My 1990s beige bathroom is giving me the blahs every time I use it. What’s the best way to chase away the bland?

A: The easiest and most direct way is by adding color. Color can have a powerful effect on human emotion, and the right combinations can inspire joy, soothe the soul and improve your mood.

That’s why we’re seeing brighter, bolder colors in today’s interiors — especially in the bathroom — as designers and homeowners move away from neutrals toward a more vibrant palette. Since the bath is where we typically begin and end our days, it’s the perfect place to go bold with color.

From old to bold

Neutral finishes have traditionally dominated when it comes to bath cabinetry, but that’s begun to change. Rich hues such as sapphire blue, seafoam green or perfect periwinkle are inspiring choices that add personality and a sense of drama to a humdrum space. If you’re wondering how to go about creating a more colorful look, why not start with the vanity itself? A colorful vanity, typically the focal point of the bath, can be a real scene-stealer.

Manufacturers have noticed the burgeoning trend toward brighter colors, and they are increasingly offering finishes that go beyond classic oak, cherry and espresso.

Woodinville-based vanity specialist Strasser has introduced its own pair of colorful finishes for handcrafted, solid-wood vanities: NW Green and Lapis Night Blue. Strasser’s president, Judy Hedreen, says that the company created the new colors in response to growing customer interest in greens and blues.

“These colors are among those that designers and homeowners are turning to for brightening up the bath,” Hedreen says.

Other companies have also started introducing their own variations to meet growing demand.

Greens and blues

Green is having a major moment right now. Paint companies such as Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore have named shades of green as their top trending colors for 2022. Many designers are reporting that green is starting to edge out blue as the most popular color for interiors. Customers are embracing nature’s most enchanting color.

Strasser introduced its NW Green vanity because, as Hedreen explains, “Green is a restorative, rejuvenating color, a hue that can truly enhance a spalike bath environment. It exudes the calming influence of the natural world, so it works beautifully in the bath.”

But don’t count blue out. Hedreen says blue is one of today’s hottest colors for interiors, and it’s no wonder. It’s refreshing, energizing and surprisingly versatile. Dressed up or down, blue can be soft or regal, luxurious or simple and, depending on the shade you use, playful or calming. It helps to naturally draw light and color out in smaller spaces, making it ideal for the bathroom.

Hedreen praises the power of deep blue.

“Comparable to the blue Van Gogh used in his masterpiece ‘Starry Night,’ it’s a dramatic yet approachable color that works with both contemporary and transitional styles,” she says.

Not quite prepared for a large-scale master bath refresh? Consider starting small in a powder room. A compact 24-inch vanity will save money while still making a big impact.

A splash of paint is a great way to test out bold color in the bath before you commit to a full vanity. Pantone’s 2022 Color of the Year, Very Peri, is a fun color to dip your toes, or bathroom, in.

Holly Berecz of Duehr & Associates writes for Strasser, a member of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS). If you have a home improvement, remodeling or residential homebuilding question you’d like answered by one of MBAKS’s more than 2,600 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.