Home, chemical-free home

Free and clear

Concerns about chemical exposure can complicate the many decisions that come with building a house, so it's crucial to hire professionals who can manage the process. Architect Harris, builder Jeff Krueck and interior designer Celeste Wegman took on such a project on Bald Head Island, N.C.

"A mix of sustainable and healthy products, such as bamboo floors and formaldehyde-free fabrics, introduces fewer chemicals in the environment. There's no one part that makes this a healthy house," Harris says. "It takes all the pieces working together."

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All natural

Because of the owner's health issues, "we couldn't use anything with a polyurethane base, including treated wood and plywood," Krueck says. Instead, he installed solid wood throughout the house, from subflooring to kitchen cabinets to the beam that supports the second story.

"We built the entire house using timber framing, just like they would have 100 years ago," he says.

Wegman aired out the dining-room chairs for months before coating them with a sealant to prevent offgassing.

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Environmentally safe

Not all chemicals hide behind walls, so Wegman had to do her homework when selecting interior finishes.

"This was a labor-intensive project," she says. "We researched everything to make sure it was healthy."

She learned about American Clay, an all-natural plaster that resists mold and contains no offgassing volatile organic compounds (VOCs). She used it to coat the walls. "As a bonus, its suedelike texture adds depth to the interiors," Wegman says.

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True hues

In the master bedroom, Wegman painted the shiplap siding with a low-VOC paint that doesn't give off a new-paint smell.

"Everyone's first comment when they walk in is, 'It doesn't smell like a new house,'" she says. "I think that's one of the best compliments."

Solid-wood furnishings were custom-manufactured with white glue rather than yellow, which contains irritating chemicals.

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Squeaky clean

For furnishings, Wegman looked to combine comfort and health. Working with furniture designer Barclay Butera, she had all fabrics triple-washed before custom-making sofas and chairs. Even the carpet, which Wegman had custom-woven, went through a rigorous triple-cleaning process before installation.

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Worth the effort

A healthful house costs about 10% to 20% more to build, Krueck says. But for clients with chemical sensitivities, it's money well-spent. Once healthful building takes off in commercial construction, residential demand will increase, he says.

"If you're given the choice to be even a notch healthier, who wouldn't take it?"

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