"Go Green" what does it mean?

As far as paint goes, when a paint manufacturer says that they have gone "green" they are simply stating that they have developed paints that carry far fewer toxins than its ancestors. So in a nutshell there is not really a "Green Standard" except for the 1998 U.S Environmental Protection Agency Limits established for VOC's (volatile organic compounds). There really is not a single overriding standard for what constitutes a "green" paint or coating today according to PWC magazine.
There are really two types of green claims. There are third party certifying organizations such as Green Seal, GreenGuard, and Master Painters Institute. These third parties have developed their own standards, which leaves consumers having to do their own due diligence. Then you have standards of the manufacturers which equals to there own in house standards. The next question you may ask is what is the difference? The difference is that the third party certifying organizations have an advantage over the manufacturer's just because of the independent verification and research qualifications they have to meet to verify and support their claims.
Consumers still need to do some research when deciding to "Go Green". Some paints will have double certifying information and some will only have to meet manufacturer's standards. So it is left to the consumer to figure out which standards are more echo-friendly. www.allpaintpros.com

Wallcovering making a comeback?

Are wallcoverings back? Manufacturers, the media and even Oprah seems to think so. For the most part me and other contractors feel the same way. I believe that technology is helping to bring back the wallcovering industry in a major way. New digital prints are giving way to customizable design's for consumers. Now consumers have a chance to expand their design ideas, the possibilities are endless. There is a down side, the cost of digital printing may be little high which may have an effect on the growth of this trend. For the most part this is not the same crusted flower pot designs your Aunt Lucie has in her bathroom. These are more up to date modern designs. You can even find some wallcovering companies offering green alternatives. Wallcoverings are great alternatives and should be considered when you are deciding to redecorate your home or office. For more information go to www.ngpp.org and check us out at www.allpaintpros.com