10 Ways to Remodel Greener for Contractor
Let's get to the nitty-gritty of what it means to remodel green. Being green starts long before you think about where you want to put the tub, and the effects last into the future long after you're gone. Remodeling can be a wasteful process. The least we can do is proceed thoughtfully.These 10 tips will help get you past the hype and "greenwashing" surrounding environmentally conscious remodeling.
2. Be mindful of scale. As Sarah Susanka teaches us in The Not So Big House and other books, a well-designed space does not need to be huge to serve our needs. If you can remodel your existing home to do more instead of moving to a larger home, you save energy, reduce waste and often increase happiness.
3. Think about the future. Before you pick up a hammer, think about possible future needs, too. The bathroom pictured here includes a sleek grab bar for safety that doubles as a soap dish. The homeowner didn't need a grab bar at the time but knew that she would need one eventually, as this is her forever home.
The more we remodel with all ages and potential uses in mind, the less likely we are to remodel in the future. The less we need to build, the greener we'll be — and that's coming from a builder!
4. Manage light and heat. Solar panels won't always make for a smart financial investment, because of the time it takes for them to pay for themselves, but the sun's direct light and heat are free, with no investment greater than a little forethought.
Bring daylight into your home, and it will lift your spirits for more reasons than the reduced electrical bill. Sunlight brings heat with it, too. Remodel your home to take advantage of the sun when you want it and keep it out when you don't.
Adding reflective roof coatings, installing tubular skylights and creating thermal mass are just a few ways to work with the sun.
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