When planning a home and its materials, most people think about countertops, cabinets, showers, flooring, and the like. But what about the materials behind the walls, the things you don’t see every day but that shape your health, comfort, and impact on the planet? At Paltrin, we believe sustainable materials aren’t just a nice-to-have, they’re a foundation for building healthier, more durable homes here in Minnesota.
Your material choices don’t have to be extreme to make a difference. With thoughtful decisions and a bit of planning, you can dramatically improve indoor air quality, reduce your environmental footprint, and create a home that truly supports your values and lifestyle.
What Do We Mean by “Sustainable Materials”?
Sustainable materials are those that are responsibly sourced, durable, and safer for both people and the environment. They don’t have to be exotic or expensive, just smarter.
That could mean:
- Low-or-zero-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints and adhesives that don’t pollute your indoor air
- Insulation made from recycled denim, cellulose, or other eco-friendly sources
- Sustainably harvested wood that meets Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standards
- Flooring and finishes that are formaldehyde-free and built to last
- Materials that can be recycled or composted at the end of their life cycle
At Paltrin, we’re not interested in greenwashing or surface-level sustainability. Instead, we look for products that balance health, durability, and environmental responsibility, because your home should be as safe as it is sustainable.
Your Building Materials Matter – Especially in Minnesota
Here in Minnesota, building envelopes are sealed tight to keep out the cold and hold in the heat. That’s great for energy efficiency, but it also means your indoor air can’t “breathe” unless the materials you use are clean and low-emitting.
Off-gassing from traditional paints, insulation, flooring, and cabinetry can introduce harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, benzene, and phthalates into your home’s air, pollutants linked to everything from headaches and fatigue to respiratory issues and long-term health concerns. Add in the moisture risks from our freeze-thaw climate, and suddenly that cheap drywall or subfloor adhesive can come with mold, mildew, or rot down the road.
How Paltrin Selects Healthier, More Responsible Materials
Material selection isn’t just a checklist for us, it’s a core part of how we build. Whether we’re working on a Passive House, a high-performance retrofit, or a thoughtful remodel, we evaluate every product through three key lenses: performance, sustainability, and indoor air quality.
That means:
- Sourcing framing lumber from sustainable forests or reclaimed stock when possible
- Using adhesives and sealants that meet strict air quality certifications
- Choosing exterior materials that resist Minnesota’s harsh weather without constant maintenance
- Vetting new products through both building science data and real-world field performance
We also partner with suppliers and manufacturers who share our commitment to transparency, so you know exactly what’s going into your home and why.
Your Values, Built In
At Paltrin, we believe the way we build reflects what we believe. Every material decision is a chance to align your home with your values, whether that’s protecting your family’s health, reducing your carbon footprint, or investing in long-term durability.
We see material selection not as an afterthought, but as a meaningful part of the design process. When done well, it doesn’t have to be flashy or expensive, it just has to be smart, and grounded in care.