Our Standard
HEALTHY BUILDING MATERIALS
The materials standard behind every Shamptown project — what we use, what we avoid, and why it matters for the air inside your Arizona home.
The average new wall assembly contains paints, adhesives, composite wood, and sealants that release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, and other chemicals into your home for months or years. Because Arizona homes stay sealed against heat and dust most of the year, those emissions linger in the air your family breathes every day.
This page documents the standard Shamptown Construction applies to every remodel, renovation, and addition — by default, not as an upgrade. It's also a resource you can use on any project, with any builder: if you only take one thing from it, make it this — ask for the product spec of everything that goes into your home, and favor materials with credible third-party certifications (GREENGUARD Gold, Declare, Cradle to Cradle, FSC) over marketing labels.
THE STANDARD, BY CATEGORY
Paints & Finishes
What we useZero-VOC and low-VOC paints, water-based stains and sealers, and natural-oil wood finishes.
What we avoidConventional solvent-based paints and polyurethanes — the "fresh paint smell" is VOC off-gassing that continues long after it fades.
Insulation
What we useFormaldehyde-free fiberglass, mineral wool, wool, and cellulose — selected for both emissions and performance in extreme desert heat.
What we avoidInsulation bonded with urea-formaldehyde resins, and spray foams installed without proper off-gassing controls.
Flooring
What we useSolid hardwood with water-based finishes, ceramic and porcelain tile, natural linoleum, polished concrete, and cork without polyurethane binders.
What we avoidVinyl plank (phthalates and PVC), and engineered flooring with formaldehyde-emitting adhesive cores.
Cabinetry & Millwork
What we useSolid wood or certified formaldehyde-free panel goods, finished with low-VOC coatings. Reclaimed timber where the design calls for it.
What we avoidParticleboard and MDF boxes bonded with urea-formaldehyde glue — the largest hidden emitter in most kitchens.
Countertops
What we useNatural stone, solid wood, porcelain, and sintered surfaces — durable materials with nothing to off-gas.
What we avoidResin-heavy composite surfaces where binders and adhesives dominate the material.
Adhesives, Caulks & Sealants
What we useLow-VOC construction adhesives, sealants, and thinsets, vetted product-by-product before installation.
What we avoidSolvent-based adhesives and caulks — small tubes, outsized contribution to indoor air pollution.
Drywall & Wall Systems
What we usePure gypsum drywall with low-dust, low-VOC joint compounds. Natural plaster finishes available on request.
What we avoidWall systems with synthetic additives where cleaner equivalents exist at comparable cost.
Moisture & Mold Control
What we useVentilation sized for the room, moisture-tolerant backer in wet areas, and assemblies detailed for Arizona's monsoon-to-arid swings.
What we avoidTrapped-moisture details and unvented wet areas — mold is an air-quality problem no material choice can fix after the fact.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are healthy building materials?
Healthy building materials are construction products that emit little or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), contain no added formaldehyde, and avoid harmful additives like phthalates and PFAS. Examples include zero-VOC paint, formaldehyde-free insulation, solid wood cabinetry, natural stone, and ceramic tile. They protect indoor air quality, which directly affects the health of the people living in the home.
Does non-toxic remodeling cost more?
Often less than people expect. Many healthy materials — zero-VOC paint, formaldehyde-free insulation, ceramic tile — have reached price parity with conventional options. Some categories, like solid wood cabinetry, do carry a premium over particleboard, but they also last significantly longer. We provide transparent pricing for both the standard and any upgrades so you can decide line by line.
How do I know a material is actually non-toxic?
Third-party certifications are the most reliable signal — look for GREENGUARD Gold, Declare labels, Cradle to Cradle certification, and FSC certification for wood. Marketing terms like "eco" or "green" on their own mean nothing. On every Shamptown project you receive the spec and safety documentation for each product installed, so claims are verifiable rather than taken on trust.
Why does indoor air quality matter in Arizona specifically?
Arizona homes are sealed tight against heat and dust and rely on air conditioning much of the year, so indoor air recirculates with limited fresh-air exchange. Whatever your materials emit stays in the living space longer. Monsoon-season humidity swings also create mold risk in poorly detailed wet areas, which compounds air-quality problems.
Do you work with natural building materials like adobe or lime plaster?
Natural and traditional Southwest materials — lime and clay plasters, reclaimed timber, natural stone — fit squarely within our materials standard, and we incorporate them where the project and budget call for it. For background on these materials, see our guide to natural building materials of the Southwest.
GO DEEPER
- Choosing Low-VOC and Zero-VOC Paint for Arizona Homes
- Formaldehyde-Free Insulation That Handles Tucson Heat
- Natural Building Materials of the Southwest
Ready to apply this standard to your own project? See non-toxic remodeling, healthy kitchen & bath, or room additions.
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