7 ways to reduce toxins during a renovation — your no-nonsense checklist

Renovating your home is an exciting opportunity for a fresh start. There’s new flooring underfoot, crisp paint on the walls, improved insulation and the promise of a space that finally works the way you want it to. But behind the smooth plaster and flawless finishes, there’s another side to home renovation that’s easy to overlook.

Many of the products we commonly use can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particularly in the days and weeks after installation. And while we often focus on lowering energy bills and reducing our environmental impact, creating a truly eco-friendly home means thinking beyond efficiency alone.

A healthier renovation doesn’t rely on expensive gadgets added at the end – it starts with smarter decisions from day one. Get that balance right, and your renovation won’t just look better; it will feel better to live in, too. Here’s how to do it.

1. Balance insulation and ventilation

Improving insulation is often top of the list in any home renovation, and rightly so. A warmer, more energy-efficient home is cheaper to run and more comfortable to live in. But a tightly sealed home still needs to breathe.

“High levels of VOCs can cause health problems and trigger asthma and allergic reactions,” explains Becky Lane, CEO of Furbnow. “But don’t focus on low-VOC materials and ignore how a house functions. If you improve insulation and make a home more airtight but don’t upgrade ventilation at the same time, you can trap moisture and indoor pollutants inside. That’s when mould appears.”

Here's what Becky recommends you do:

• Check your existing extractor fans are powerful enough and are venting externally.
• Improve bathroom ventilation and kitchen ventilation by installing humidity-controlled extractors if needed.
• Ensure air bricks aren’t blocked during renovation works.
• Consider mechanical ventilation if you’re significantly increasing the airtightness of your home.

Becky Lane

Becky Lane is the co-founder and CEO of Furbnow. She is also a board member at the Sustainable Housing Action Partnership – a not-for-profit organisation promoting best practice on the environmental, social and economic aspects of sustainable housing.

2. Check for damp before sealing anything up

Before adding insulation, waterproof coatings or impermeable membranes, it’s crucial to make sure your property isn’t already dealing with hidden moisture problems. Sealing up a home without addressing existing damp can trap water within the structure and that’s when far more serious issues can develop.

“It’s essential that a property is free from existing moisture issues before any remedial work is carried out,” warns George Edwards, managing director of Timberwise. “Applying impermeable treatments without addressing underlying damp can restrict a building’s natural breathability.”

When a building can’t breathe, condensation and moisture becomes trapped within walls, subfloors or roof spaces. “This can increase the risk of timber decay, dry rot and the development of black mould,” George explains. “If left untreated, mould growth can worsen, increasing both structural damage and potential health concerns.”

Black mould is linked to respiratory problems, particularly for people with asthma, allergies or weakened immune systems. Dry rot, meanwhile, is a fungal decay that releases spores into the air and can also affect indoor air quality. For this reason, George strongly recommends booking a professional survey before carrying out works that could alter ventilation or moisture balance.

George Edwards

George Edwards is the managing director of Timberwise, the UK’s largest family-run specialist property care and preservation company. He leads the business in delivering damp, timber and mould solutions with a focus on building health and breathability.

3. Choose solid, minimally processed materials

When specifying materials for your renovation, look beyond appearance and ask how the product is made. Composite boards, laminates and foam-based products often rely on chemical binders that can contribute to ongoing emissions.

One of the most common flooring mistakes homeowners make is focusing on the finishes they can see while overlooking what sits beneath. Wherever possible, prioritise solid, minimally processed materials such as natural timber, mineral plasters and ceramic tiles, and be cautious of heavily engineered products that depend on multiple bonded layers.

In practical terms, that might mean:

• When fitting kitchens, wardrobes or shelving, opt for solid timber or plywood with low-formaldehyde certification rather than standard particleboard or MDF where budget allows.
• If you’re plastering walls, consider mineral or lime-based plasters instead of synthetic gypsum-based or acrylic coatings, particularly in older properties that benefit from breathability.
• In high-traffic areas such as kitchens, bathrooms and hallways, choose ceramic, porcelain or natural stone tiles instead of laminate alternatives that rely on layered composites and bonded surfaces.

4. Reduce reliance on chemical adhesives

Various adhesives are used throughout a renovation – from fitted wardrobes and kitchen units to wall panels and trims. But while they’re often essential, excessive use of solvent-based bonding agents can add to the overall chemical load inside a home.

If a material needs strong solvents or adhesives to exist, that’s usually where problems start. Wherever possible, choose systems that minimise chemical bonding in favour of mechanical fixings or pre-finished components.

Try these actionable swaps:

• Opt for screw-fixed cabinetry rather than fully bonded installations.
• Choose interlocking wall or floor systems where appropriate.
• Ask installers which adhesive products they plan to use and specify low-emission formulations in your contract.

5. Slow down to reduce off-gassing

Renovation timelines are often tight, especially if you’re eager to move back in. But many building materials release the highest concentration of emissions immediately after installation, not years later.

Off-gassing (the release of airborne chemicals or gases from materials) is usually strongest during the first few days, so timing really matters. Decisions such as which room to renovate first can help limit overall exposure. Instead of completing everything at once, consider staggering installations – keep spaces well ventilated during curing, and avoid sealing up rooms too quickly. In the end, time and airflow are two of the simplest – and most effective – tools a home renovator can use.

Try these practical steps:

• Schedule installations in stages rather than all at once.
• Delay fitting skirting, trims or sealing edges until materials have properly cured.
• Ventilate continuously during curing periods.
• If possible, wait a few extra days before moving furniture back in.

6. Be careful with flooring and what sits beneath it

Flooring covers a huge surface area, so the materials you choose – and how they’re installed – can have a lasting impact on indoor air quality. Some engineered boards and laminates rely heavily on adhesives and chemical binders, which may continue releasing emissions over time, particularly in lower-grade products.

Becky Lane advises paying close attention to what sits beneath the finished surface: “Use treated timber and opt for fibrous insulation such as mineral wool rather than spray foam for a healthier build-up.”

Additional flooring recommendations:

• If opting for laminate or vinyl flooring, go for click-fit or mechanically fixed flooring systems to minimise glue.
• Use low-emission or neutral-cure sealants where sealing is required.
• Select solid timber over heavily bonded composites where budget allows.
• Use mineral wool insulation beneath floors instead of spray foam.

7. When decorating, look beyond low-voc paint

Choosing a low-VOC paint is a positive step, but it’s only the visible layer of the decorating process. The products used underneath – from primers and fillers to sealers – can account for a significant share of emissions, particularly in the first few days after application.

Instead of focusing solely on the label on the tin, consider the full specification. Primers and sealers can sometimes release more emissions than the paint itself, so opting for low-emission, water-based products with clear certification across the board is key.

Rather than choosing products one by one, think about the whole decorating job from start to finish. Using compatible products and giving each layer time to dry properly will help reduce emissions in those crucial early days.

Remember, even the highest quality types of paint won’t adhere properly if what sits underneath hasn’t been chosen carefully, so take a little extra time to ensure you get the best finish.

To reduce exposure to VOCs when decorating:

• Choose low-emission primers and fillers to match your paint.
• Stick to compatible products rather than mixing brands at random.
• Allow proper drying and curing time before sealing up the room.
• Ventilate well during and after application

Shop low VOC products

Want to feel fully prepared before starting your own home renovation? Take a look at our guide to planning permission to see which projects require approval, and familiarise yourself with building regulations so you understand the standards your work will need to meet.