From accommodating our lifestyles to keeping depreciation at bay, home improvement is the bane of many homeowners. After all, everything succumbs to the ravages of time; houses are no different. So to ensure that our properties remain in good condition, refreshing it with updates and changes is an unavoidable reality that we all inevitably have to commit to.
However, before you begin your renovation or remodeling project, it’s critical that you tackle the task in an eco-friendly manner. To this end, here are environmentally-friendly ways to give your home a makeover and bask in the glow of your eco-friendly overhaul.
1. Opt for reclaimed wood
It’s not hard to see why more and more homeowners are opting for reclaimed wood. After all, not only is it a much more environmentally savvy choice to purchase reclaimed wood for your flooring, walls and countertops, they’re generally much stronger and far more durable than newer alternatives. More importantly, it’s a far cheaper option that will keep you from spending more than that which is necessary on a brand new but similar product.
2. Refurbish and restore
While it’s undoubtedly true that buying brand new is far less troublesome, it’s also an expensive approach that can put more than just a sizable dent in your home improvement’s budget. Instead, try to refurbish and restore whenever possible. From beam renovation to repurposing old and tired furniture and fixtures, choosing to recondition what you have will keep your home’s carbon footprint low and your expenditure even lower.
3. De-construct instead of demolishing
There’s a popular saying; if it’s not broken, don’t fix it; this adage can be applied to home improvement. So if you have any plans on knocking down any walls, make sure that you look around and check what items can be reused or salvaged. Taking the time to do so is not only an eco-friendly approach; it will ultimately save you more money in the long run.
4. Go green
Home improvement projects present a unique opportunity to make not only aesthetic changes but also functional upgrades to your home. And if there’s enough money in the bank, it makes sense to take advantage of the opportunity and go green. From purchasing new household appliances to switching to a more energy-efficient lighting system like LED, a green home will not only help you avoid energy wastage; it can reduce your monthly electricity bills too.
5. Choose paint that is low in VOC
Volatile organic compound or VOC as it is more commonly referred to as is a kind of paint used in many building materials. It is not eco-friendly and does pose many potentially harmful. So make sure that you purchase paint that is free of or low in VOC.; it will save you from a lot of trouble.
When all is said and done, giving your home a makeover with an eco-friendly approach will not only help you keep your community safe. But it will also save you a lot of money in the process. And with these strategies, you’ll get the results that you want with ease.
