Eco-friendly remodeling tips for going green at home

Given the mounting interest in environmental issues, many homeowners are going green and choosing eco-friendly options when remodelling their home. In addition to being beneficial for the environment, green remodelling can also save you plenty of money as well.

Homeowners spend millions on remodelling projects every year. A simple bathroom or living room remodel can cost thousands and a kitchen remodel can be as much as 10 to 20,000 dollars depending on how much remodelling you plan on doing. In addition to the large expenditures of money, many remodelling projects often lead to wasted resources as well.

In addition to saving money, green remodelling offers homeowners and their families many additional benefits.  Making your home more energy efficient  and improving indoor air quality are  not only desirable, but are also key you  you even more money in the long-run, even when it comes to managing your health.

Traditional remodelling projects and materials can be potentially harmful for homeowners who live onsite during construction. From harmful dust to toxins and chemicals in the air and on surfaces, there are many hidden dangers to be concerned about during a remodelling project.

Consider your options and see what green and echo-friendly materials might be available to you for your particular remodelling project. If you are planning on painting, try to choose paints and other products low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Reducing the amount of VOCs in the home will protect the environment as well as the inhabitants.

Another echo friendly and efficient way that you can save money and natural resources is to go shopping locally and for reused or salvaged products. You can get a whole new look and a living room or dining room with antique fixtures, which add an elegant touch to any decor, and they do not take any extra energy or resources to make. If they are purchased locally, their carbon footprint will be even smaller than antiques that are shipped over long distances.

• Look for salvaged flooring, doors or windows to create a unique atmosphere and help your green remodelling efforts.
• When the right salvaged materials cannot be found, look for renewable products or wood alternatives. Bamboo is bountiful, and bamboo floors are beautiful. Engineered lumber is also an attractive wood alternative, and utilizes natural wood that is cut from managed forests.

Planning your remodelling project with green and eco-friendly ideas in mind helps you, the environment, and future generations. The options are as plentiful as the resources and once you start researching, you'll find that there is a lot of local support for such projects. Happy remodeling!