Build It Naturally

BIN has a new line of water-based wood finishes called Vermont Natural Coatings

2010-12-01T09:31:00.000-08:00

Vermont Natural Coatings indoor floor & furniture finish is derived from WHEY! A by-product of cheese-making!

Choose between a satin or semigloss finish in clear or in a stain color

you choose from our showroom!

Here are a few reasons why Vermont Natural Coatings is a great choice for your wood finish:

* Great for both residential & commercial applications

* Low VOC

* Great coverage

* Quick drying time - under 2 hours!

* Water-based

* Can be applied over oil-based stain & finish

* Can be applied over water based finish

* Non-yellowing

* Contributes to LEED points

The VOC Myth

2010-06-09T08:29:00.000-07:00

One of the biggest green myths out there is that if something is labeled 'zero VOC' or 'low VOC', that must mean that it's green. This is not always true! Volatile Organic Compounds, commonly called VOCs are often used as a "buzz word".

The US government regulates VOC levels because some, not all, react with chlorine in the atmosphere to form smog. They are interested in reducing air pollution, therefore, the regulations measure how much VOCs offgas into the atmosphere. This does not necessarily take into consideration the other toxic ingredients in any certain product, nor does it measure the effects of the chemicals in these products on humans and animals.

Without getting too far into the chemistry of paint, let us just say that the paints we carry are not only low and zero VOC, but they are totally non-toxic. There is nothing in either our American Pride paint, or our Earthpaint, that is poisonous or harmful. The indoor air quality of your home will be much improved if you choose not only a low/zero VOC paint, but also a non-toxic one. Also, be sure that the tints that are used to create all of these gorgeous colors are also non-toxic and low/zero VOC. You can be assured that our's are! They are not petroleum based, toxic colorants, which are commonly found even at places where you will find low/zero VOC paint. Do your homework, and please, ask us! We are here to help and educate, so that your home can be as non-toxic, sustainable, and unique as possible!

All Earthpaint is 10% off for the month of June!

2010-06-02T12:29:00.000-07:00

For the whole month of June, we are featuring Earthpaint, the locally sourced clay based paint from right here in Asheville! All gallons of the Clear Skies Matte paint are 10% off! Why choose Earthpaint you ask? Well, there are lots of reasons...

It has very low VOC levels, and is totally non-toxic. There are no additives to this paint that are bad for you!

Many of the ingredients in Earthpaint are locally sourced, and the manufacturing takes place in Statesville, making the carbon footprint very, very small....Less impact on the Earth is good for everyone!

We can match over 50,000 colors with our color matching software....So your choices are limitless! And if you need help in choosing the perfect color, Build It Naturally has an on-staff interior designer to guide you in the selection process!

We have plenty of gallons in stock, and are ready to custom mix your color for you, so stop by during the month of June for our Earthpaint sale!!!

Get aquainted with BIN in cyber space

2010-05-08T10:11:00.000-07:00

Hi. Welcome to our weekly blog. Here is some information about our online presence.

Build It Naturally has a blog, a Facebook page and a monthly e-newsletter.

Our weekly blog will be used for educational purposes, to tell about exciting new products and to inform about our current sales.

Our Facebook page will have links, photo albums and shorter posts about sales and what's going on at the store. Facebook is also interactive so customers can leave comments, suggestions and ask questions.

The monthly e-newsletter will be going out to all of the customers on our mailing list and will be focused on featuring our staff, in-store events and trade shows we are attending.

We look forward to keeping you in touch!

2010-05-06T15:41:00.000-07:00

Build It Naturally

Dollars and Cents of Building Green...

2010-04-28T12:39:00.000-07:00

There is a perception that building green or using more eco-friendly products is going to be costly or expensive...but not necessarily.

Here are some reasons that going green can actually SAVE you money:

1st) green building materials (especially paints, finishes and wool carpeting) are an investment in your health (saving money on doctors' bills can be factored into this equation),

2nd) most of the green building materials will actually outlast their toxic counterparts by as much as 2-3 times longer (ie: Marmoleum flooring is still down in homes that were built in the 1920's, whereas vinyl flooring in homes from the 1980's would need replacing - that's an extra 60 years longer that an 'eco' floor can last)

3rd) you can always recycled or reuse old materials out of an existing structure, which will cut your costs. Go to a Habitat for Humanity store or build with cob, where materials are virtually free.

But to be fair, building green can also be (like anything), as expensive and extravagant as you want it to be. For example, the carpet lines at Build It Naturally range from $1-$10 per sq. ft. and the reclaimed wood can cost you anywhere from $4.95-$13.95 per sq. ft. depending on the look, specifics, species, etc.

We can help make a space very upscale and eco-chic - and it can be done on a low, medium, high or off-the-charts budget. There is something for everyone - all price ranges and all project needs. So before you decide that 'green is expensive', look deeper into it and you may find that it is will end up saving you money in the long run.

Cork Flooring

2010-04-21T18:25:00.000-07:00

CORK FLOORING:

When I started Build It Naturally in Asheville, NC in 2006, I did my research. After interviewing over 300 people, I discovered that the 2nd highest product of interest was CORK flooring! Who knew that it was so popular?

But it makes perfect sense that is would be so popular. Once you discover just how practical of a flooring material cork is, you'll want some in your house!

The main benefits of Build It Naturally cork flooring are:
* Cork is pre-finished with 3-5 layers of water-based finish.
* Cork is a CLICK system, which makes installation very simple and more affordable. With the CLICK, there is no glue, nails or underlayment.
* Cork naturally has antimicrobial properties. It is also fire-proof and termite-resistant.
* Once installed, cork will last 100+ years. There are 2 churches in the United State (one in Chicago and one in NYC) that both had cork floors installed in the late 1890's. The original floors are still in use today.
* Stain-proof (I did a test with red wine, beet juice and mustard...after 3 days, the stuff wiped right off and didn't leave a stain).
* Comfortable to stand on - can stand on it for HOURS without feeling any paint or stiff joints.
* Dozens of colors, styles and options to match any kitchen!
* Insulating and sound-proofing (has the ability to sound-proof as much as a carpet with an underpad!). Perfect in an apartment between floors or in an upstairs or basement.

We now carry in-stock cork for $3.49 per square foot (regular price is $4.25). This is an excellent choice for a bedroom, hallway, basement or any room in the house.