In the vast ocean of the world wide web, home improvement stores and decoration magazines it’s no easy task to select a wall finish! It’s even harder to select truly environmentally friendly finishes with many manufacturers making claims which appear to be a green choice on the surface but “greenwashing” in reality.

In the process of selecting a product which fulfills our needs and is both green (inflicts minimal/no harm to the environment) and sustainable (made of responsibly harvested/completely renewable resources) we sometimes end up making a compromise.

Well, here are some wall finish options for the eco-conscious consumers who don’t want to compromise!

1) Concrete Tiles

• Durable
• Energy Efficient – help reduce heating and cooling bills
• Have noise insulation properties
• Versatile – can come in many shapes and textures
• Reduce waste as they can be produced in exact quantities for your particular application
• Renewable – after the life cycle is complete they can be crushed and recycled again.

Concrete Collaborative offers these beautiful concrete tiles in natural tones available in any desired size and thickness. They are good for residential and commercial applications and can be used indoors and outdoors.

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2) Cork Wall Tiles

• Harvested from the bark of Cork Oak tree – which means they do not require the removal of the tree, just  it’s bark
• Have great noise insulation properties
• Have natural anti-microbial properties
• Insulation properties help keep the space warm in winter and cool in summer
• Resilient to scratches as cork ‘springs back’
• Can be resurfaced and re-sanded

Straw Sticks & Bricks offers a wide range of Cork wall tiles which are easily installed!

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3) Reclaimed Wood Panels

• Beautiful – weathering enhances the beauty of wood and provides it with a great texture and color
• More durable than new lumber
• Use of reclaimed wood prevents logging, transporting, processing and milling of new wood, thereby preserving resources

TerraMai offers a selection of reclaimed wood panels which are certified ‘recycled’ by the FSC or Forest Stewardship Council and I love the fact that you can find the source and history for every product they offer on their website!

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4) Clay Plaster

• Clay is a naturally occurring geological substance and is one of the oldest building materials
• Remains organic throughout it’s life cycle and can compost back into the earth
• Healthier alternative to paint or wallpaper as it is non-toxic
• Mold resistant and absorbs odors
• Easy to repair and clean

American Clay offers over a 100 standard colors and the option to customize one if you don’t see what you like on their website! They also offer a variety of textures some of which are shown below.

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As a general rule of thumb, consumers can avoid falling prey to false information by researching any claims made by the manufacturer for the product they select. This means checking:

• How was the product manufactured?
• How was it transported/shipped?
• How will it be installed?
• What will happen to it after its life cycle?

Happy shopping!

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