Wall Coverings

Carnegie's Biobased Xorel - Strie is a wallcovering made from biobased polyethylene and polypropylene. The fibers are derived from sugarcane, a crop showing carbon sequestration abilities. The wallcoverings are not topically treated with perfluorinated chemicals or antimicrobials and have received C2C Material Health Platinum certification, SCS Indoor Advantage Gold, it has a DECLARE label and is Living Product Certified. Additionally, Carnegie offers a takeback program. The Strie wallcovering contains 89% Biobased Content and has been awarded the USDA Certified Biobased Product Label in the BioPreferred® Program.

Note: the CASNR does not distinguish between a petrochemical or biobased polyethylene and so will show the same number - the HPDC document helps you identify the source.

Extra-Organic's flax wallpaper is made of 65% flax fibers and 35% viscose fibers. The product is Oeko-Tex certified. It can also be customized with embroidery of any color. It has excellent heat insulation properties and is tear resistant. It also has sound absorption and UV resistance performance qualities without additional petroleum-based coatings. The flax fibers are visible at the surface of the wallpaper. It is applied with a biobased glue that is pure methylcellulose which adds to the overall health and sustainability of the product.

bioMASON grows tiles using technology similar to hydroponics - units mixed with microorganism are fed an aqueous solution to harden the tiles to specification. bioMASON’s process eliminates the need for firing by replacing the curing/hardening process with biologically controlled structural cement.

Thermacork's Decorative wallboard is made of 100% cork and can be designed and molded to any custom design. Under the effect of pressure and superheated steam, cork granules expand and are agglomerated avoiding any type of added adhesives. The product comes in 2"-2 3.4" thickness which gives it acoustic properties and allows it to work as thermal insulation as well. Cork is a 100% biodegradable material. The product installation is via an adhesive, please check with the manufacturer for a recommended healthier adhesive.

Forbo's Bulletin Board is made of linseed oil, granulated cork, pine rosin binders on a jute back. It contains 43% pre-consumer recycled content (cork & tall oil) and is biodegradable at the end of its life. It comes in a variety of colors that coordinate with their Marmoleum flooring products. It has excellent acoustic properties.

Forbo's Bulletin Board has been noted for its longevity and durability to heavy use. When first installed it can have a strong scent, however, it is not harmful as it's just the scent of linseed oil and will fade over time.

Classic Core® is a combination core panel construction where cross bands of thin MDF are utilized in place of veneer cross bands.

Classic Core® can be manufactured with bonded crossbands which do not contain added formaldehyde. PureBond Classic Core® may contribute to LEED® 2009 credit IEQ 4.4 and conforms to CARB II exempt emission requirements called for in LEED V4. It contains 95% Biobased Content and has been awarded the USDA Certified Biobased Product Label in the BioPreferred® Program.

Lunawood Thermowood avoids chemicals in its manufacturing processes, relying solely on a treatment with high heat and steam that enhances the wood's durability. This allows for an extended lifetime and a surface that requires no finishing and less routine maintenance, regardless of climate. However, applying paints, oils, and other finishes is possible (please see HML's list of healthier finishes for recommendations). Since the processing eliminates natural resins, no resin will secrete through any applied finish or paint.

Per EPD, this product meets HML's criteria for low embodied carbon.

Hardwood veneer sheets from Columbia Forest Products are LBC Red List Free, bound with a soy-based adhesive to a NAUF core, meaning they won't offgass or shed harmful substances in interior spaces. The broad range of hardwood grades and varieties make this a highly versatile product. The expected lifespan per manufacturer is approximately 50 years with appropriate care. This product is available unfinished, please consult our Healthier Finishes for finishing recommendations.

Urban Evolution offers wood panels for interior projects. The veneer and slate wall panels are LBC Red List Approved, to avoid isocyanates present in the resin of the MDF though, the solid wood panel systems should be preferred where possible. Solid slat wall planks, slat wood wall panels, and veneer panels may be ordered unfinished by request, allowing for finishing on-site using a product vetted by HML. See the Healthier Finishes Collection for options.

Søuld creates eelgrass acoustic boards for ceilings and walls which achieves C2C Gold and Material Health Platinum certification. Eelgrass is a renewable marine plant and local in Denmark, traditionally used over decades for roof thatching.
Søuld has a take-back program to recycle panels and offcuts. They are available in three thicknesses 18mm, 35 mm, and 40mm options. Select FR-free if possible.

Note: A synthetic binder is used. Panels are to be 100% recyclable.

Per Søuld's EPD, this product meets HML's criteria for low embodied carbon.

Plexwood veneers are from virgin wood such as birch, oak, pine and beech. The veneers can be applied to substrates for planks/ tiles for flooring and panels for wall, ceiling and furniture applications. They use a water-based glue for application to the substrate with no formaldehyde or VOCs. Look for a substrate with a biobased binder such as from soy or lignin.

Seastex are wall or ceiling tiles made of a 100% byssus fiber core, a byproduct of the mussels industry. The product has a stainless steel frame and a fabric covering. The product is free of adhesives, binders and VOC's. Fabric can be selected by the customer, Seastex recommends Camira's Main Line Flax, which consists of Virgin Wool and Flax.