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Ancestral Home & Design

Materials guide

Choose materials by what you can verify.

Fewer hidden ingredients, better building performance, and products suited to how New Hampshire houses age. These are criteria, not brand endorsements. Nobody pays to be mentioned here.

Jacob's selection standard

  • Full ingredient disclosure
  • Third-party emissions testing
  • Fit for the room and climate
  • Repairable and maintainable
  • Installed with compatible adhesives and finishes
01

Paints & wall finishes

Look for
Products with disclosed ingredients, zero or very low VOC content, and no added formaldehyde. Mineral, lime, and clay finishes can be strong options when the wall assembly supports them.
Be cautious with
Heavy fragrance, vague 'green' claims, and coatings selected without considering moisture, substrate, or cure time.
02

Flooring

Look for
Solid wood, tile, natural linoleum, cork, or verified low-emitting products. Review the finish and adhesive as carefully as the surface material.
Be cautious with
Unverified composite cores, high-emitting adhesives, and wall-to-wall synthetic carpet in moisture-prone areas.
03

Cabinetry & millwork

Look for
Solid wood, exterior-grade plywood with disclosed binders, and factory finishes with credible emissions testing. Ask for full substrate specifications.
Be cautious with
Undisclosed particleboard or MDF, especially in kitchens, baths, nurseries, and bedrooms.
04

Insulation & assemblies

Look for
An assembly designed for New Hampshire's climate, with moisture control, air sealing, and ventilation considered together. Material choice follows building science.
Be cautious with
Choosing insulation by R-value alone or tightening a home without planning for fresh air and combustion safety.
05

Ventilation & filtration

Look for
Right-sized bath and kitchen exhaust, balanced fresh-air ventilation where appropriate, and filters matched to the equipment's capacity.
Be cautious with
Oversized filters that restrict airflow, recirculating range hoods presented as exhaust, and equipment without a maintenance plan.
06

Water systems

Look for
Test first, then specify treatment for the actual result. Private wells may require a different approach from municipal water.
Be cautious with
One-size-fits-all filters, treatment selected before testing, and systems without accessible replacement parts.
07

Furniture & textiles

Look for
Solid wood, wool, linen, cotton, and products with transparent foam, finish, and stain-treatment information.
Be cautious with
Added fragrance, unnecessary stain resistance, and upholstered pieces with no material disclosure.

Comparing products for a project?

Bring the room, the product list or the spec sheet. Jacob will help you compare them against these criteria.

Request a consultation

Or call (603) 930-8057