Non Toxic Environments Home Health & Wellness

Sealers, waterproofers, water repellants...so many terms, so many different products!  What are they and why do we need all of them?  This episodes dives deep into the world of sealers to familiarize you with the terminology and descriptions so that you choose the right one for your job.  Concrete driveways, stone showers, stained patios...we talk about them all! 

You've all heard me say that no project ever goes perfectly smooth. Mother Nature can drop 10 inches of rain.  Sub-contractors ignore your request to use the healthier product.  Folks, these things happen all the time. It's not a question of 'what if', its a question of 'when'.  So when the time comes, it requires quick action by the homeowner and/or general contractor to make sure things get back...

Last week, Jay and I talked about some of the more common myths and misconceptions we deal with regularly.  This week, we're focusing on the individuals we would call our influencers...the legends, if you will.  You may have heard of some or many of these folks, but we'll talk about why they were so important to us as we molded our careers.  There you have it...Myths and Legends. Please let us kno...

I know I've harped on the topic of internet research before, but this episode takes it much further.  This week, Jay and I discuss many of the myths and fallacies of the green and healthy building process and hopefully, shed some new light on them for you.  We'll talk about plumbing, flooring, VOC's and more.  This was such a fun episode for us and I trust you'll enjoy it as well.

Roofing and waterproofing.  A couple things that Jay and I get asked about regularly, but have yet to address here on the show. Since we're in the throws of a rainy spring, now is a great time to start this discussion.   Whats the best roofing material for your home and is it affordable?  If I'm planning a lower level in my house that will be a livable space, how do I keep it dry?  Great episode f...

** ATTENTION ** This is the most important podcast we've ever done ** While the world deals with the COVID-19 virus, we asked our friend Dr. Lisa Nagy from the Environmental Health Center of Martha's Vineyard to come on the show to talk about her experiences and recommendations for protecting ourselves during this pandemic.  What we got from Dr Nagy was a massive checklist for us all to be followi...

We're obviously in the midst of a world wide health crisis and I know dozens of experts in the alt/health community are podcasting and YouTubing all about protecting our personal immune systems.  My expertise is in the health of your home, so this episode is all about making your less less susceptible to viruses through the use of healthier materials and better design.   Caliwel Home/Office Paint...

Hello my friends.  Just a quick update to let you all know that the work is still going on here and we are ready to help.  Jay and I will be back next week with a full episode of the show, so please be safe and well talk again soon. GDC/Building For Health

So often we have clients that are stuck spinning their wheels because of the fear of too many toxins and pollutants.  They use the phrase "what if" when discussing their homes.  What if is has asbestos...what of it has lead...what if it has formaldehyde... Folks, just about every home will has its own set of problems to deal with and these can almost always be remediated and fixed.  Jay and Andy t...

So many awesome questions being sent into the show these days, so Jay and Andy use this episode to discuss some of them.  Piano's and radiators, lingering paint odors, and a followup question to a previous episode about countertops.  

Granite or quartz? Laminate or Solid surface?  Choosing the best material for your project requires an understanding of the function, costs, aesthetic and of course, the human health impact.  In today's podcast, Jay and Andy talk about all the most common, and some less common, countertop options for your home project.   

Its that time of year.  We're getting antsy.  We want to take on a project in our house but it can't be too big, since spring is around the corner and we'll all have yard work to do.  So maybe that's why bathroom remodeling projects are always so popular this time of year.  In this episode, Jay and Andy discuss some of the more common materials used and the ways to avoid mold and other toxicity is...

Inside of every home, there are obvious dangers and toxins that we can address, but what about those that aren't so obvious. Jay and I call those the hidden menaces in our homes and today, we tackle some of those.  As the saying goes, "life is a journey".  Well, living in a healthy home is a journey and one which has a different destination for everyone. We are not in pursuit of perfection, folks....

Well folks, I'll warn you that this episode contains some extremely horrible audio.   Between my cold and difficult audio connections, this one might be tough to get through.  But we really wanted to get this episode out there for you because its got some excellent information.   Thank you for your patience!  

Excellent discussion today with Matt Grocoff, an American environmentalist and sustainability advocate, writer, speaker and founder of the THRIVE Collaborative.  He is known for his work on net zero energy and net zero water buildings and for the rehabilitation of the oldest home in North America to achieve net zero energy.  Matt shares his own personal story about his home, along with the massive...

Oh its so nice to be back! Well, Im back anyways.  Jay is still on hiatus but will be on the air with me next week.  Today I'm talking about industry trends for 2020 and beyond, so please have a listen!

We're saying goodbye to 2019 and we just cannot begin to express our gratitude for making this such a wonderful year.  Through this show, we've reached so many new people and have been able to assist on hundreds of new builds and remodeling projects around the world. And while this all seems great...2020 is going to be EPIC!  I share a little bit about this in today's show.  

The year is winding down and the holidays are upon us.  Today. Jay and I take some time to give our thanks to those who help us, and help all our listeners.  Make sure to listen through the episode, because we also announce a new giveaway! You definitely want to take advantage of this.

We know how temperatures and humidity can affect the home and home projects during the warm humid summer months, but winter poses just as many problems.  Jay and I discuss these to help you avoid those pitfalls and keep your sanity while trying to get the house ready for family and friends visiting for the holidays. 

Thank you all for listening to the show...Jay and I are on vacation for a couple weeks to recharge.  Today's episode is just a short synopsis of the year and what to expect from NTE in 2020. We'll be back to you in a couple weeks!!    

By request, Jay and I tackle a few questions from the mailbag this week including, polishing concrete floors, sealing out smoke from the adjacent apartment and paperless drywall usage.  Keep those questions coming in folks!   Ask us a question right here: mailto:andy@degreeofgreen.com  

You've heard this from your contractor, or maybe read it in an online chat group.  "That glue will never work" , "that paint only peeled because its one of those eco-friendly paints"...   Today, I'm talking about common misconceptions of the healthy building industry and I try to shed some light on these topics and allow you to breathe easy, knowing you DID make the right decision. 

How many time have you heard THAT line...Its not real, its just in your head.  Well today, Jay and I are taking on this topic directly and we'll actually prove that this statement is partially true.  Just because something smells bad, doesn't mean it IS bad.  I expect this episode to get a lot of feedback, so please let us know what YOU think.  

In the second part of this topic, Jay and I discuss the costs of the interior furnishings and finishes and how they can add up quickly.  Once again, we prove that building healthy does NOT increase the cost of your home.  Building with high quality, long-lasting materials does.  We discuss drywall, flooring, cabinetry and more.  

As long as I can remember, there have been three myths about healthy building that are still believed to this day: Its too expensive, the products and systems don't last as long, and you have very little options to chose from.  This episode is part 1 of 2 that will be dealing with the cost myth.  Healthy building is not more expensive, folks.   Quality is more expensive and most healthy homes are...