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10 Tips for Earth-Friendly Home Renovation
Whether you're just trading up tiles or redoing the whole house, these ecofriendly design ideas are good for your home and the planet
Houzz Contributor. You can also find me on Lolalina (http://www.lolalina.com/), my blog devoted to all of the things that make a house a home - decorating from the heart, living with intention, and savoring life's simple pleasures.
Houzz Contributor. You can also find me on Lolalina (http://www.lolalina.com/),... More »
Join us this week as we look at 10 simple ways to incorporate earth-friendly practices and materials into your next renovation. Whether you are simply swapping out your counters or backsplash or tackling a whole-house renovation, there is sure to be an idea for you to take away here. Let's get started.
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| 1. Harvest your rainwater. Look closely at the home in the picture. See that barrel positioned beneath the rain gutter? It is a rain harvesting system designed to safely collect and store rainwater that would otherwise go to waste. A hose at the base of the barrel allows the owners to water the garden with stored rainwater. Watch your tank fill up and the water bill go down! Browse rain barrels |
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| Another rainwater harvesting system, this one fed by a rain chain and designed to blend seamlessly with the plantings surrounding the house for a natural look. |
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| 2. Add a green roof. A green roof, which is basically a giant raised-bed garden placed atop a roof, can help cool the air, insulate the interior of your home, and even provide extra room to garden in urban areas where space is at a premium. Sound like a lot of trouble? You can install one on the roof of your garage. You will enjoy many of the same benefits, with lower cost and less effort. 9 Cooling Rooftop Gardens |
3. Build smarter, not bigger. If you are considering a major home renovation, look closely at your available space before adding to the footprint of your home. Could a loft be added above the living room? Could an unused extra half-bath make way for that sunroom you really want? Staying within the current footprint of your home will keep energy consumption to a minimum and likely save you some money as well.
How to Improve the Home You Have
How to Improve the Home You Have
4. Increase natural light and air flow. Properly placed skylights and windows allow more natural light to stream into homes, reducing reliance on artificial light as well as allowing us to regulate the temperature without the aid of air conditioning. Before making any changes, consider the amount of light each room currently gets as well as what time of day you usually use the room. A skylight might prove to be too much in an already warm south-facing living room, but could be just the thing to light up the reading nook at the top of your stairs.
Tubular Daylighting Devices Bring the Sun In
Tubular Daylighting Devices Bring the Sun In
5. Go for recycled paper counters. Richlite is an ecofriendly material made in part from recycled paper. Available in a wide range of beautiful colors and finishes, this versatile material works well with a range of decorating styles.
by Fireclay Tile
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6. Explore recycled glass tile. Why buy "new" tile when you can choose recycled glass tile in such a luscious range of colors? Fireclay Tile is made in California from recycled materials that would otherwise end up in a landfill, and all products emit low or no VOCs.
7. Go natural with cork flooring. Cork is soft, warm, reduces sound vibration, and looks fresh and modern. Plus, cork flooring is harvested from the bark of the cork oak tree, which means no trees are cut down to create these beautiful floors.
8. Get a fresh look with carpet tiles. Many varieties of carpet tiles are made from recycled materials, and all carpet tiles are recyclable. Plus, if you stain one tile you can simply replace it rather than needing to purchase a whole new carpet — a major plus for homes with pets and kids.
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| 9. Seek out reclaimed timber. Before starting a major renovation project, it may be worth your while to explore sources in your area — or even on your own property — for reclaimed wood. Old beams and boards have a patina that new wood simply can't match, and you can feel great knowing you've saved a few trees from the lumberyard. |
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| 10. Invest in solar panels. If you are looking to make a change that will have a big impact, consider installing solar panels. The initial investment can be steep, it's true, but the payoff in energy savings can be well worth it, especially if you plan to live in your home for years to come. Some states also offer rebate programs for homeowners who go solar, which can help offset the cost. More: High Design With Solar Panels Easy Green: Weekend Detox for Your Home |
Comments
tcufrog Another option are solar screens. They prevent at least 80% of the sun's rays from hitting your windows and thus keep your home from getting as hot so you don't have to run your air conditioning as much thus saving energy. They also provide privacy and the sun coming in your windows is softer without sheers.
14 months ago · Like
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Bright Bold and Beautiful Wonderful post with helpful tips!! Thank you!!
14 months ago · Like
Ideabook published on April 14, 2012.
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