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Business Specializes In Green Building Materials

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Jun 10, 2008 9:31 pm US/Mountain

Business Specializes In Green Building Materials

Reporting
Karen Leigh
WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. (CBS4) ― A few years ago, green building was often viewed as a passing fad, now homeowners are starting to demand it. But one problem for anyone looking to "green-up" their homes is finding eco-friendly materials. Now a Wheat Ridge couple is making it easy to go green at home.

"I think a lot of the manufacturers that weren't eco-friendly are seeing this trend," Dennis Belanger with Natural Interiors said.

Dennis and his wife, Carrie, say the home-improvement market has been under-serving the green movement for years. So they opened a business called Natural Interiors, a store showcasing chemical-free, recycled and eco-friendly products for the home.

Cork floors are one way to go, with a unique look made from a tree's bark that regenerates. When it comes to protecting trees, parents can even get a baby crib made from a "managed" forest.

For an eco-friendly, hip-looking kitchen, Natural Interiors actually has a countertop made from recycled bottles. It's trash that now looks like art. Some counters show the blue of Sky Vodka bottles, and others have the green tint of a Coca Cola bottle.

"From other products like wine or champagne bottles, stained glass, (it could be) car windshields," Carrie said. "Whatever they can keep from going into the landfill."

Painters can make-over their walls in green fashion with clay-based or bio-based paints so there are no harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

"In both cases, there are no known carcinogens," Dennis said. "That's actually a tough thing for most paints to say."

There is also organic bedding, and these days it's not just people going green; pets can sleep on beds made from organic cotton filled with material made from recycled soda bottles.

Dennis warns to double check any item that says it is green because there are some misleading products out there.

The Belangers say their customers come in all ages; from first time homeowners, to seniors. Some people are building from scratch, others are just remodeling.

Additional Resources

Natural Interiors is a company that provides customers with organic and environmentally friendly home products. They promise to help educate and assist people in making healthy choices for indoor living while consciously reducing our impact on Mother Earth. Go to the Natural Interiors Web site more information.



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