Building blocks
Hemp-lime blocks, lime bricks, sand-lime bricks, unfired clay bricks, aerated concrete blocks, natural stone, fired clay bricks …
Important criteria:
- Excellent moisture-buffering behavior
- Permeable to water vapor
- No toxins
- No elevated radioactivity
- Excellent environmental performance
Wood and wood products
Untreated solid wood, glued laminated timber (using wood glue or natural glues), wet-process natural fiberboards, cement-bonded particleboards …
Often it is possible to do without the use of toxic wood preservatives, surface treatments, or glues. They can contain hazardous substances that are harmful to human health and/or detrimental to the environment. Some people may also react to natural substances in wood, such as terpenes (especially in softwood) or acetic acid (especially in hardwood like oak or beech). In those cases, it is best to use wood that has been pre-dried and is low in resin.
Thermal insulation
Renewable, animal-based, or mineral-based resources
- Made from renewable resources such as flax, hemp or wood fiber (blown-in, natural fiberboard), wood chips, wood wool, jute, cork, reed, seaweed, straw, natural grass, cellulose…
- Made from animal-based resources such as sheep wool
- Made from mineral-based resources such as calcium silicate, perlite, foam glass …
The manufacturing of insulation materials recommended by building biology require little energy. And after their use, they can be easily reused or safely returned to the natural cycle. They make for an excellent indoor climate, even in summer (well-balanced ratio between thermal insulation and thermal storage, excellent moisture-buffering behavior, permeable to water vapor, no hazardous substances). And they help reduce heating energy consumption.
Windows and doors
Esthetics, thermal insulation, natural daylighting, noise and solar control
Windows and exterior doors are very important for the esthetics and appearance of buildings and spaces. It is not for nothing that they are also called the “eyes of a building.” It is important that they insulate well (triple glazing), let in plenty of daylight, and provide excellent noise and solar control and also protection against wireless radiation, such as from cell towers, as needed. The environmental performance of windows made from domestic solid wood and also aluminum-clad wood windows is excellent. From a building biology perspective, the often mandatory anti-blue stain treatment should be rejected.
Drywall construction
Solid wood; gypsum boards; mass timber panels; clay boards; boards made from renewable resources like fibers from flax, hemp, wood, miscanthus, seaweed, or straw …
Drywall construction is becoming increasingly popular, especially since it is fast to build this way and does not add moisture. Clay boards become ever more popular, also as a basis for wall heating systems. Clay has an excellent moisture-buffering behavior and environmental performance. Panels made of renewable resources can also be a great alternative. Cement-bonded particleboards or mineral boards are especially well suited for rooms with high humidity.
Wall design and finishes
Plasters and finishes made from lime, clay, and silicates; natural wood finishes made from resins, stains, oils, and waxes; lye and soaps; natural pigments
Surfaces play a critical role in the appearance of buildings and rooms. Natural and handcrafted materials and subtle natural colors are often perceived as more pleasant than synthetic materials and bright artificial colors. And this is very important: Natural materials age with dignity, while synthetic materials often quickly appear shabby and unsightly.
Building biology professionals know: Surface treatments can ruin an otherwise “healthy” building: wood treated with toxic wood preservatives turns into toxic waste. Doors painted with a hazardous substances-containing varnish become sources of toxins. Plasters finished with synthetic resin varnishes lose their moisture-buffering characteristics.
Floor coverings
Solid wood, cork, clay, linoleum, stone, carpeting, terra cotta …
For a comfortable living or work environment, floors are important. They can be warm or cold to the feet and soft or hard. Acoustics can be positively or negatively affected by floors. And while you walk across a floor, it can make you feel safe or unsafe. Furthermore, the durability of flooring materials can vary greatly. While flooring made of hardwood can last for centuries, some carpeting or laminate flooring is already unsightly or broken after only a few years. Frequently, floors still contain many harmful substances and lead to health symptoms – careful product research and accurate advice are therefore needed.
Correct flooring care is especially important: Water is the enemy of wood. Fat-soluble cleaners and (“scratchy”) microfiber cloths should not be used on wood flooring. Dry cleaning methods like vacuuming, sweeping, and dry mopping and preventive care like rejuvenating polishes will be better because they are gentler on flooring materials.
Building services systems
Electrical wiring system, heating and hot water, cooling, ventilation, plumbing
- Electrical wiring systems: minimize electromagnetic fields and wireless radiation, shielded wiring, energy-saving appliances, photovoltaics…
- Heating and hot water: renewable energies, heating with wood or biomass, radiant heating systems, such as wall heating systems or grundofen masonry heaters…
- Cooling: Build and live in such a way that active cooling can be avoided or no electricity or fossil fuels are required for it.
- Ventilation: correct manual ventilation. Often simple ventilation concepts are all that is needed, such as motors for tilting windows or air supply vents in combination with air exhaust ventilators. Decentralized ventilation systems, ventilation systems with heat recovery and humidity recovery…
- Plumbing: Stainless steel pipes, drinking water safety, water-saving fixtures, rainwater use…
The installation and costs (including operating and maintenance costs) for building services systems rise constantly. So it is a good idea to simplify building services systems.
Solutions that are simple, promoting health, intelligent, saving energy, and affordable are what is needed.
Furniture and furnishings for sleeping and living
Furniture made from wood, bamboo, or natural fibers like rattan or willow; ceramic, linoleum; natural stone; glass; upholstery made from cotton, flax, hemp, jute, kapok, coconut fiber, sheep wool, horse hair, natural latex, or straw (also in combination)…
It is worth it surrounding yourself with healthy handcrafted furniture. It is often only slightly more expensive than mass-produced furniture, but it is so much more beautiful and durable. Glues, finishes, or flame retardants can all cause health problems.
Many people don’t sleep well because they feel either too cold or too hot in their bed, or the mattress comfort does not meet their individual needs. To be able to select the right furniture and products (mattress including slat system, duvet, pillow, etc.), it is important to take your time and seek professional advice.
For the selection of building materials and products as well as building methods not only health- and sustainability-related criteria are important, but also building codes, building science, structural requirements, and fire safety need to be considered, among others. The building materials and products listed here may also contain such additives like glues, solvents, or preservatives that can be harmful to human health and/or the environment. We recommend you research up-to-date information (technical bulletins, safety data sheets, full disclosure, laboratory test results…) and/or seek professional help, for example, from a Building Biology Consulting Office IBN.