Now that green home renovations are becoming more affordable, many homeowners are starting to realize that sustainable home remodeling is a viable option, especially people who are greatly concerned with the well-being of our environment. Below are several sustainable home remodeling ideas to consider on your next home renovation project.
VOC-Free Paint
The dangers of traditional house paint are not a secret. We know that a gallon of paint is replete with volatile organic compounds that can be harmful to humans, pets, and the environment. Fortunately, we have eco-friendly alternatives to traditional paint: low-VOC and VOC-free paint options. These nontoxic house paints can get the job done just the same as any traditional house paint, with the sole difference being that they’re safer for living beings and the environment.
Green Windows
An effective way to make a room feel more open and spacious is by adding more windows which will allow natural light to enter and illuminate the space, reducing our reliance on artificial light and therefore also cuts down our electric bill. But older windows aren’t designed with sustainability and energy efficiency in mind, so be sure to use modern, energy-efficient windows that are made with sustainably sourced materials. Another underrated perk of more windows is the amazing sense of vitality we can get from a room with tons of natural lighting.
Reclaimed Wood Flooring
Just because wooden flooring is a naturally sourced material doesn’t automatically mean we’re doing the environment a favor when we use them. Yes, wooden floors are sourced from trees. But the fact that we need to cut trees down for the sake of making more wood floors kind of offsets the positive impact we should’ve been making on our planet. There’s a better, eco-friendlier alternative: reclaimed wood flooring. Reclaimed wooden floors are sourced from demolished structures, which essentially means that we’re recycling when we use them. And we all know that recycling is good for the planet.
Solar Energy
What better way to go green than with solar energy? If you’re undergoing a large-scale remodel, you may want to consider installing solar panels on your roof. Though the upfront costs are high, going solar is a smart investment as it will allow you to dramatically reduce your monthly energy expenses. But aside from lowering your electric bills, solar energy also enables you to drastically reduce your carbon footprint.
Green Roofing
Green roofing is an environmentally friendly roof system covered with lush greenery and may include its own roof barrier and irrigation systems. Replacing traditional roofing with a green roof enables you to increase the biodiversity in your home garden. Green roofing can also insulate your home during cold weather, convert greenhouse emissions into oxygen, absorb excess heat in the summer, and suck up excess rainwater during heavy downpours. It’s also important to take note that a green roof doesn’t necessarily have to be large and complex in order for it to work, as even a small-scale green roof will do the trick.
Contact Fairbanks Custom Homes for your next green home remodeling project! We serve clients in the High Country communities of Asheville, Banner Elk, Boone, Blowing Rock, and the Linville, North Carolina areas.
