Indoor Air and Environmental Quality

Low VOC paints, glues, and finishes

Throughout the homes, low volatile organic compound paints, glues and finishes have been used to reduce "off-gassing" that can irritate lungs and affect breathing, especially in children.

Steam-based insulation propellant

Steam, rather that VOC emitting propellants, is used to spray the foam insulation into the wall cavities. After 24 hours, the foam is completely inert and offers superior air quality to fibreglass batt or cellulose insulation.

Hard surface flooring rather than carpeted interiors

By using low-VOC pre-finished wood and tile flooring, the air quality of the home for the first few months is much improved. By eliminating wall to wall carpet in the homes, not only is the new carpet off gassing gone, but carpets can be a toxic sponge holding all sorts of irritants that become airborne with traffic or vacuuming. Hard surfaces are much easier to clean and maintain.

HEPA filtration unit

High efficiency particle arresting, or HEPA, filters remove over 99% of airborne particles, allergens, and molds. They were designed for hospitals where superior air quality is essential. When combined with homes' VOC source elimination and ventilation features, the HEPA filters give these homes one of the most complete indoor air quality strategies available.

® LEED, which stands for Leaders in Energy and Environmental Design, is a global sustainable building rating system that was developed and operated by the building community through the various Green Building Councils throughout the world. The process was open, consensus-based and made up entirely of volunteers. LEED's mandate is to encourage and accelerate the global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices through the creation and implementation of universally understood and accepted tools and performance criteria. The Canada Green Building Council has set a target of influencing 1 million green homes by 2030.