A taste for country life

Sustainable and healthy living

More space, more affordable prices, proximity to nature. The Corona pandemic and current developments in the real estate market have prompted many people to turn their backs on the city and move out to the urban hinterland or even the countryside proper, as recent studies show. Since more and more people are now working from home, the daily commute to work has become superfluous. This trend is accompanied by the desire for a sustainable lifestyle. Top of the wish list are natural materials and low-emission products that ensure a healthy living environment.

Rural living is linked with the prospect of having your own garden, offering open space and the opportunity to grow and harvest your own fruit and vegetables. Last but not least, city escapees also hope to better cope with the growing number of hot days in their new surroundings. The general goal is a more natural and sustainable way of life. Electricity and heat should be generated as much as possible from renewable sources. Manufacturers of heat pumps, solar systems, wood-burning and pellet stoves are therefore experiencing a veritable boom.

When designing the interior of modern homes, natural materials such as wood, bamboo and rattan are very much in demand. Earthy colors instead of white go well with this. “Natural living” is the term used to describe this living trend. With textiles, too, attention is paid to quality and sustainable sources. Indoor plants have an air-cleaning effect and can thus improve the quality of indoor air. If you own or add a conservatory, you can create a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces.

When it comes to flooring, parquet – either oiled or sealed – ranks very highly among homeowners’ favorites. Also tiles, for example those imitating the look of wood or classic natural stone slabs made of limestone, are very popular. All the more so since all these coverings can be perfectly combined with underfloor heating. When frequently working from home, textile floor coverings are also an attractive choice. Unlike hard floor coverings, carpeted floors are able to significantly reduce impact sound and reverberation time. This makes concentrated work at home much easier.

Regardless of the choice, expert installation of the flooring is of crucial importance. Full-surface bonding to the subfloor is ideal because it ensures that the above benefits of pleasant warmth underfoot and sound insulation can take maximum effect. If necessary, a professional floor layer will prepare the subfloor so that it is absolutely even and ready to receive the flooring.

When awarding a contract, homeowners should make sure to ask the craftsman about the choice of adhesive. It should be agreed that the professional uses an adhesive that carries the EMICODE^® label. This label is awarded by the GEV to ensure that only adhesives, primers and other building materials meeting the strict test criteria receive the quality seal. The EMICODE^® thus guarantees the lowest possible level of VOC emissions. This means that residents can be sure that the health of their homes will not be affected. The right product choice is therefore an important prerequisite to ensure a natural and sustainable lifestyle in your own four walls.

Photo: ©vicnt/123rf.com/GEV

When it comes to flooring, oiled parquet – even in the kitchen – combined with earthy colors is the very essence of natural living for many people. Ideally, the flooring should be bonded to the subfloor over its entire surface. This installation method not only ensures comfortable warmth underfoot from the underfloor heating but also optimum sound insulation.