Green Home Remodeling

When compared to building a new home, remodeling is green by definition. You save on materials and labor costs and create less waste, leaving a smaller footprint on the Earth. You also get the benefit of keeping the parts of your home that you love.
A fun way  to begin - - - plan your renovated green home by taking a close look at your current home.
In their book, Natural Remodeling for the Not-So-Green House: Bringing Your Home into Harmony with Nature (Natural Home & Garden), architects Carol Venolia and Kelly Lerner suggest drafting a simple site plan. Begin by roughly sketching the floor plan of each room in your home. Sit in a room, or walk around it, and write notes on your floor plan sketch, including what you like and don't like about the room. One room may have a stagnant dark corner where a window, or another window for cross-ventilation, will solve the problem. A different room may be your favorite because of the proportions of the room and the feel of the space - - - a feeling to not lose as you renovate. Or you may have a cozy den that makes you feel secure, and so, remember that. As you become more aware of your own preferences and asthetics, redesigning your home can be inspiring. Take your time with this phase. Being allowed to assess and keep what you like is a luxury not available when building a new home.


Questions to Ask and Answer . . .

Are you aware of covenants and restrictions or local regulations that may restrict your green remodeling project?
Needless to say, you don't want to have to tear out and re-do your renovation  . . . enough said.
Is the basic structure sound?
Look for dry rot and termite damage, particularly in weight-bearing walls and lower edges of the building. Check around windows and ductwork for air leaks  - - - big sources of drafty rooms and high utility bills. Know how old your roof is. You want to end up with a better-designed home and one that is more energy-efficient.
Who will do the work?
Doing some or all of the work yourself is admirable, but try to be honest about your abilities, as having the job done well will make life easier later on.  Global Industrial offers a great selection of tools and useful equipment. And for reliable, certified remodeling contractors in your area, use Service Master's helpful, free information:  Find Remodeling Contractors. Get Up to 4 Quotes Now. It's Quick, Free, and Easy! .

How are the appliances and windows?
If appliances, especially the refrigerator, water heater, heating and air-conditioning units, were bought before 1990, you should consider replacing them. From the pie chart on the Energy Star Products page, you can see that these appliances are responsible for over 60% of the energy used in the average U.S. home. There are many other innovative energy-saving products available, such as programmable thermostats, tankless water heaters, and solar-powered appliances.
      Advancements in window construction have grown considerably in the last decade. Low-emissivity coatings allow less of the sun's heat in, while inert gas-filled spaces between window panes add insulation. Non-thermally conductive frame materials and warm edge spacers help to keep the outside temperatures outside. The energy saved can range from $25 - $110 per year per window!

For your convenience, Amazon.com has assembled a selection of green products from numerous product categories. Go to:  Amazon.com Green to see what they offer.

Do you need more space for living or storage?
Often, good planning and smart design can give you more storage or living area by finishing rooms, such as basements or attics, and upgrading an existing garage to a heated and cooled living space can give you a larger home without expanding the footprint of the building. Some rooms, like kitchens or bathrooms, are best-designed by the person who is going to use them. Think of the kitchens and bathrooms you've known, and the layouts and features that you particularly liked or disliked.  Design like a pro in no time! 3DHA Home and Landscape Design Suite makes it easier than ever to design the home of your dreams .
Are there health-related issues?
New technology and education have not only given us greater energy efficiency, they have made us more aware of the health problems involved with our homes. On the Green Flooring page, there is a short discussion on 'volatile organic compounds' (VOCs).
      It is important, with an older home, to know if you will have to deal with lead paint and asbestos. Paint containing more than 0.06% lead was banned from being used on homes in the U.S. in 1978, and so if your home was built before then you will need to consider how to remove and dispose of the old paint properly. Asbestos is a mineral fiber used in building materials such as insulation, shingles, and textured paints. Airborne asbestos is what is dangerous and so sanding, cutting, and removing asbestos-containing materials, just as with lead paint, is the concern here. 
      For the millions of people with asthma and allergies, mold is a serious, even life-threatening, problem. Check for areas in your home with water leaks, as they are a source of mold, and include the repair of these areas in your remodeling goals.


  P.S. Remember to take before, during, and after pictures. You'll be glad you did!