Home renovations are an integral part of a homeowner experience. They can refresh your space, improve comfort and make you fall in love with your house all over again. However, renovations are also a perfect time to consider introducing some eco-friendly elements into your home. Sustainability is a must in the 21st century and it can help reduce the negative impact humans have on the environment (and save you some money on in the long run). Since now is the best time to go green, here are a few sustainable tips to keep in mind during your renovation.
Opt for local materials
Many materials like Italian marble or exotic wood are great for home building and can often be quite affordable yet high quality. However, if you live in the USA, transporting marble from Italy will require a lot of air, sea and ground transport which creates carbon emission and pollutes the environment. That’s why more and more people choose locally-sourced materials that can be produced, processed and finished pretty close to your home. This will reduce the need for long transportations and reduce your home’s carbon footprint.
Choose sustainable materials
If you’re planning to replace some materials during your renovation, make sure to study the type of materials you’ll be using in your new and improved home. Forget about fast fashion and keep an eye on eco-friendly materials—those that are repurposed, recycled, natural and non-toxic. Even many architects in huge urban communities like Hong Kong and Malaysia choose to build with wood. If you find an expert Kuala Lumpur architect and see their work, you’ll notice the frequent use of wood and green features. New generations of architects advocate sustainability and deliver it using advanced solutions perfect for 21st century. Due to its low impact on the environment, prioritizing eco-friendly materials is a must in this day and age.
Repurposing is a must
Even if you choose green materials, you can make your home even more sustainable with repurposing. This choice is both sustainable and fashionable (repurposed items have a lot of charm and history). Finding old cabinets, flooring and wall decorations can further improve the look and feel of your space and allow you to go full green.
Be smart with demolishing
Deconstructing your home instead of demolishing it is always a much better solution. While some materials need to be replaced, others can be repurposed instead of being thrown away and ending up in a landfill. If you don’t need your materials, you can always sell them or donate to help someone else make a sustainable choice.
Repaint for eco-friendliness
The quickest way to refresh your exterior and interior is to give your walls a fresh coat of paint. However, today you can find many eco-friendly paints on the market made of organic, raw materials. These provide you with ultimate coverage without pollution and toxic off-gassing.
Introduce a living wall
If you want to literally and figuratively green up your environment, you can consider installing a living wall. This feature will not only be a statement element in your space, but also improve air quality and insulation of the environment. Plants also have an ability to boost your mood so it’s a win-win situation.
Smart up your home
If you want to pursue a more sustainable lifestyle, you don’t have to do it alone. Invest in some tech that can track your water and electricity usage, warn you about leaks and help you make more efficient choices in the kitchen, bathroom and living room.
Upgrade appliances
If your appliances are outdated and can’t provide you with the same level of service anymore, it’s time to ditch them for new and improved Energy Start models. These are not only aesthetically attractive and efficient but also waste much fewer resources. Most new appliances have eco modes that use little electricity and water, so you can save money and protect the environment at the same time.
Consider solar
If you really want to make a big step towards being sustainable, you can install solar energy panels on your roof. While these require a larger initial investment, they pay for themselves in a few years and provide a huge relief for the environment.
Sustainability is trending and for all the right reasons. So, if you want to renovate your home today, make sure to include at least a few of these eco-friendly features into your new home and help our struggling environment.
