When renovating your home, you have to think about many things. From working out your budget, how long the works will last and whether you will have to find a new place to live for a couple of weeks to coming up with a new design and finding trustworthy contractors, a lot of aspects play a big role here.
However, you should look for ways how to make this whole renovation endeavour greener as well, seeing as how having a sustainable home will not only help protect the environment but it will also potentially increase its selling price if you ever decide to put your property on the market.
Keep on reading for some eco-friendly upgrades to your home.
Deconstruct instead of demolishing
You are probably familiar with the 3 Rs of the environment – reuse, reduce, recycle. Well, this is an approach you should also take when it comes to home renovation. Don’t just take a hammer to your walls and knock everything down. Stop and see which elements you could save and use for other projects.
Deconstruct your home as much as possible. For example, maybe the flooring tiles can be salvaged and used in another room or maybe you don’t need to replace them at all. This will help you save money in addition to saving the planet.
Sell or donate everything you don’t need
After you’ve deconstructed everything, you will see which items can be repurposed. Perhaps you have various lighting fixtures, cabinets and appliances that you will no longer need. In that case, you can either set up a garage sale or put up ads online to see whether anyone is interested in purchasing them. That way, they will not end up in a landfill.
What is more, if you have items no one wants to buy, you should donate them to various charities such as Habitat for Humanity. These organizations welcome all unwanted material and build homes for the underprivileged. Not only are you being eco-friendly by doing this but you are also helping those in need and giving back to the community.
Buy pre-owned, reclaimed and sustainable materials
Just like you can donate to Habitat for Humanity, you can also purchase pre-owned materials from them. Of course, there are many similar retailers that do this, but Habitat will donate 100% of the money you spend there.
From cabinets to chandeliers, there are many items you can find like this. Then, consider reclaimed wood which can be used for flooring, walls and countertops. This environmentally sound choice is growing in popularity due to its amazing looks.
Finally, if you want brand new materials like high-quality construction timber, ensure they are sustainably produced. Cork, steel and bamboo are all sustainable materials so think of a way how you can incorporate them into your new design.
Look for energy-efficient hacks
When renovating your home, you will most likely get all new appliances. These should all be energy-efficient, so look for labels that show this information. To help you save money, you also need to ensure your insulation is top-notch and that there are no gaps around your doors and windows where the warm/cool air can escape.
Then, you also need to think about water consumption and installing low-flow faucets, showerheads and toilets. Lastly, you can also invest in solar panels and get to experience all of their benefits in the long run.
There are so many other sustainable things you can do when renovating your home, from ensuring the contractors are eco-friendly to installing extra windows and skylights and opting for non-toxic paint. Just do your research beforehand and this project should go smoothly.
Written by Alexis Walker
About the Author
Alexis is a Sydney-based part-time writer and a full-time mom of two. Her words carry the richness of her traveling and parenting adventures, and offer advice and inspiration to those who desire to improve their lives. Outside of the office, she takes pleasure in spending precious time with her youngsters and absorbing the happiness they constantly radiate. You can find her on Facebook and Twitter.
You may also like
Promoting an Eco-Friendly Lifestyle from the Comfort of Your Home
Choosing Energy-Efficient Windows for Ultimate Sustainability
Things to Consider When Choosing Energy-Efficient Windows for Your Home
Choose the Perfect Solar System for Your Home: 6 Things to Consider