When we say green, we’re not talking about covering your walls with lime, avocado or kelly – we’re talking about making an environmentally friendly choice by selecting “green wallpaper” that is safe for the environment, as well as your home and family! Just as many other products these days are going green, wallpaper is no exception – and in fact the very makeup of more traditional wallpapers makes the necessity of finding eco-friendly or green wallpaper coverings even more important to place on your decorating to-do list, since some of the materials in other types of wallpaper coverings can actually be harmful to the environment and potentially to your health.
Many older wallpaper types are made from a type of vinyl called polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, which can be a potentially harmful, and even toxic, material. These wallpapers are usually either made completely from vinyl or they have a vinyl coating on the top of the paper. Chemicals from the makeup of this type of wallpaper can leech into the air or into the earth and water supply when the wallpaper is discarded in the trash, which certainly is not good for the environment or the air you breathe within your home.
There are greener wallpaper options, however, if you still love the idea of covering your walls with vibrant prints. How “green” any particular wallpaper is will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, though, so it is best to do a bit of research before you buy. Many of the green wallpaper options that are available today are made from organic cotton-based fabrics or biodegradable paper, rather than vinyl, so there are no harmful chemicals to worry about in the products that are covering the walls in your home. In some cases, even those that don’t use all organic materials are producing products that emit lower volatile organic compounds (VOCs), in much the same way that greener paints are doing, so while not perfectly green, at least they are a step in the right direction. And even the inks that are used to create the prints on green wallpaper are often environmentally friendly, with many companies opting for water-based inks.
In addition to improving the air you breathe, another benefit to green wallpaper is that the wallpaper itself is more breathable than vinyl. This means that there is less likelihood of moisture build-up behind your wall covering. Any moisture that gets trapped behind wall coverings can lead to the development of mold, which can become a separate health hazard in and of itself and can negatively affect the air quality in your home.
Eco-friendly or green wallpapers are available in rich, vibrant and stylish designs. Since the product is primarily offered by more forward-thinking companies, the patterns, colors and design selections are often sleek, modern, and natural looking, and they fit in with today’s decorating styles. Chances are that you won’t find any green wallpaper patterns that are similar to those that used to grace your mother’s kitchen back in the day!
Although green wallpaper prices are typically more expensive than most vinyl wallpaper options, the prices continue to drop as more and more companies begin to offer greener alternatives and the products become more mainstream. But despite their slightly higher price, the benefits of green wallpaper appear to far outweigh any added expense.
If you decide to opt for green wallpaper choices for your home (and yes, you can even get green wallpaper that reminds you of the environment, with leaves, trees, and other natural patterns), you should also consider using green wallpaper paste, which will also be made with only environmentally friendly compounds. By using only safe, natural and eco-friendly wallpaper coverings and products, you can ensure that your walls are not only beautiful, but safe for your home and your family.
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