Owning a home always requires new renovation projects. It doesn’t matter if you’d simply like to update your home’s design or if you have to fix existing issues, you will need a plan and good investment decisions. So far, the best investment decisions were those that rely on sustainable renovation projects and upgrading the eco-friendliness of your home. So, if you’d like to do some work on your home, consider these eco-friendly options.
Use Recycled Wood
Even though you should use as much recycled wood as possible, don’t use it for structural projects. Rather, you can use recycled wood for your home decor. Wooden decor pieces can really look nice and add a cozy feeling to any room. You can rely on smaller pieces, for example, picture frames, coffee tables, etc. Or you can go a step further and upgrade your floors. You can easily install hardwood floors made out of recycled wood and significantly increase your home’s resale value. Plus, reclaimed wood saves resources and the environment.
Add Insulation
Installing insulation in your home is probably the simplest way to conserve energy and build sustainability. Insulation will keep your home warm during winter and cool during hot summer days, which significantly lowers your energy bills. Plus, it won’t let the walls lose energy. In case you are wondering how much insulation do I need to insulate the house, you simply have to talk to your local professionals. They will help you figure out the square footage, and the type of insulation and even provide tips on how to preserve as much energy as possible.
Upgrade Devices and Appliances
If your appliances at home are older and some of the are not working, it’s time to replace them. However, don’t just get any device or appliance. Rather, look for energy-efficient appliances. These are common today and their prices are not as high anymore, and they will save you a lot of money and energy in the long run. Look for Energy Star-rated appliances, including dishwashers, refrigerators, watching machines, and driers. These are big spenders of energy, and if you look for energy-efficient ones, you can save a lot of money.
Paint with Low VOCs
Repainting your walls is a cheap and easy way to refresh your home. However, in order to make your home more sustainable, you should look for paint that is low in VOCs. These compounds can harm the environment by creating smog and can irritate your lungs and eyes. These chemicals also pollute indoor air which can lead to headaches and dizziness. So, when choosing the perfect shade for your walls, make sure it is also low in VOCs.
Dual Panel Windows
Dual-paneled windows go hand in hand with insulation. Plus, they are insulators on themselves. With dual panels you can conserve a lot of energy and the heat during the winter will be kept indoors where it is supposed to be. Additionally, these windows have soundproofing qualities and they can help damp the outside noise, too.
Use Sustainable Materials
When adding new furniture or upgrading your decor and design, you can use sustainable building materials. Materials such as cork, precast concrete, marble, and bamboo are excellent choices and you can upgrade almost every room in your home with them. You can add bamboo chairs in the living room, marble countertops in the kitchen, and use other materials for other smaller upgrades. Sustainable materials can be durable, they can look amazing in your home, they are eco-friendly and they do not contain any harmful chemicals and other toxins.
As you can see, your home can become greatly eco-friendly. No matter if you are looking to change a few smaller things or upgrade your home to another level, you should still look for sustainable options. Why? Sustainability and energy efficiency can highly increase the value of your home, and they will keep you and your family safe and healthy.
