Green Home Renovation

Green renovations are a true breath of fresh air sweeping across the residential landscape. They give homeowners a chance to boost the energy efficiency, value, and comfort of their homes. These are some amazing long-term benefits. Yet, figuring out where to start and which projects to take on can be a real challenge. You have to grasp the costs, have some know-how, make a schedule, and worry about other details. To come on top, start planning well ahead of time. Get your priorities straight and set clear goals. There is no other way to carry out a green home makeover with flying colors.

Turning a new leaf

It all starts with a mindset. Namely, it is a good idea to look at the bigger picture and then slowly work your way to small details. So, take a holistic approach to home renovation. Use a reality check right off the bat. Get to know your goals, limits, and abilities. The end results should be a more energy-efficient home, which is in tune with the natural environment. Bear in mind that improvement projects can also boost the value, comfort, and functionality.

Next, take a good look at your living space, inspecting its strengths and faults. Identify upgrades that would make a big difference. Consult an expert if you cannot deal with these key aspects that determine the success and impact of the renovation. Do your homework and find trusted builders that understand your needs and are able to stage the project to meet your goals. Some tasks you might be able to handle yourself, but things like wiring and plumbing, you cannot afford to mess up.

Tools and tricks of the trade

In all likelihood, you will not need to tear down walls and demolish the entire home. Instead, rethink and deconstruct it. Re-face whatever you can and replace only what you must. Along the similar lines, take a stroll around and make an effort to find things you can re-use and salvage. This is both a money-saving and an eco-friendly tactic. What is more, you should donate or sell everything you do not really need. Take this chance to declutter and give back to the community.

Furthermore, it is time to gear up. Look what is in your toolbox. Establish if you need only the basic tools
like clawed hammer, adjustable wrench, combination pliers, and screwdrivers or also advanced tools and major pieces of equipment. You can enhance your productivity with instruments such as measuring stop devices. They turn your saw and material feeding systems into a real automated workstation. You can also rent some expensive tools instead of buying them.

Materials and appliances

You do not have to buy the shiniest and newest products. In fact, stick to pre-owned materials or those with recycled and post-consumer content. Implement organic paragons in the league of reclaimed wood. You can use them to replace or refurbish your tired flooring, countertops, and walls. The beauty of materials like this is that they are also visually pleasing. Hence, they are increasingly popular in the realm of interior design.

Likewise, keep your eyes open for other products like terrazzo, a green countertop with recycled glass cast into concrete. For starters, apart from flooring, see if you can update the bricks, tiles, cabinets, molding, and lighting fixtures. Moving on, shop around for energy-efficient appliances. Take into account the biggest consumers first, such as refrigerators, ovens, and dishwashers. An Energy Star logo is a reliable testament to a product’s sustainability.

Finally, remember that insulation is the cornerstone of a home’s energy efficiency. Therefore, beef up the envelope of your home by focusing on the weakest links like doors, attics, and windows. They tend to account for the lion’s share of the unwanted temperature loss, increasing heating and cooling requirements and inflating your utility bills. Reinforced insulation stabilizes the temperature fluctuations and makes your home more livable and comfortable.

And if you want to go the extra green mile, check out the concept of passive solar design.

Home, green home

There is a wide array of sustainable upgrades and renovation ideas to take into consideration. To get the show on the road, avoid getting bogged down in details. Take energy efficiency to the next level and revamp with respect and concern for the environment. Use reclaimed, recycled, and toxin-free products. Spend your money wisely and try not to blow the budget. You can rest assured that an effective green renovation pays dividends, and in more than one way too. Thus, don’t miss a chance to embrace the green way of living and breathe new life into your environment.

About The Author

Article written by, Amelia Atkins: author at Smooth Decorator and a fresh architecture student. The love for architecture and design runs in her family and she knew what she wanted to do from a very young age. You can often find her with a notepad in hand, just looking at the clouds, dreaming about the next skyscraper.