5 Eco-Friendly Home Renovations that are Durable and Pocket Friendly
If you think that your home needs renovation, because it could do with an upgrade or you wish to renovate it before putting it up for sale, then perhaps you should consider an eco-friendly approach to home renovation. You have a choice in ideas, concepts, materials, and designs that not only offer functional esthetics but do so at affordable rates.
1. Eco-friendly flooring
Eco-friendly flooring renovation options, such as bamboo and cork flooring, recycled metal and glass tiles, linoleum flooring, and recycled clay tiles, can add to the décor of any room. They are easy to paint and offer many unique attributes. Cork, for example, has anti-microbial properties and also keeps insects at bay. Bamboo grows fast and is easily harvested in a sustainable manner. It can be customized in ways that traditional wood flooring cannot.
2. Solar power
A home renovation is a good time to install solar panels on your property. Installed on the roof or in the yard, these panels generate clean energy that can help you run appliances at home. Once, the panels have paid for themselves via the free electricity they generate, you can save valuable dollars for years by reducing your dependence on fossil-fuel based electricity supplied by the grid.
3. Rain garden
A rain garden in your yard is an easily implemented renovation. Rain gardens consist of plants and shrubs in depressions sunk in the ground. A naturally low-lying spot in the yard is a good place for a rain garden. They trap and soak rainwater, which would otherwise cause erosion, pick up pollutants, and then flow into water bodies such as lakes and rivers. Rain gardens help replenish the water table. They are easy to maintain and add to curb appeal.
4. Low emissivity glass
Low emissivity glass for windows and patio doors regulate home temperatures naturally and help bring down home air conditioning costs all through the year. This renovation consists of a simple replacement of clear glass with low emissivity glass for windows and doors. Low emissivity glass with a transparent metallic coating lets sunlight stream in from outside while blocking heat. Your rooms will remain cool without the HVAC having to work overtime. In winter, the coating on such glass prevents heat within from radiating to the colder space outside. Again, you save on heating costs.
5. Reface cabinets
Refaced cabinets for kitchens and bathrooms are not just money savers; as an eco-friendly option, they help maintain indoor air quality and ensure that you do not ingest harmful chemicals over time. Use water-based finishes for coloring the wood. These finishes are free of volatile, organic compounds.
An environment-friendly home upgrade is also a budget-friendly one. What is more, you can accrue savings for years. Evaluate your needs and explore eco-friendly alternatives.