Choosing Eco-Friendly Building Materials for your Remodel

If you are about to remodel your home, one of the best things you can do for the environment and your family is to focus on eco-friendly building materials. Not only are these materials better for the environment, but they also do not contain the various chemicals and additives that are commonly used during the manufacturing process of other building materials. This can help improve the environment inside your home at the same time that you are helping to protect the environment outside your home. Fortunately, finding eco-friendly building materials is becoming easier all the time, due to the high demand for these products.

Reuse Whenever Possible

As you plan your remodeling project, be on the lookout for opportunities to reuse existing materials instead of purchasing new ones. For example, if you are remodeling your kitchen, think about repainting or refinishing your existing kitchen cabinets before you automatically assume you should rip them out and replace them. If your cabinets are still solid and sound, and still serve your needs in the kitchen, you can save money and reduce the amount of materials that end up in the landfill by simply repainting them with a low VOC paint. This can give your kitchen a fresh new look, and save you money that could be used on another portion of your remodeling project. You can also add a whole new look to your kitchen cabinets by adding wood trim or crown molding to the room. If you do decide to replace your kitchen cabinets, donate the old cabinets to a charitable organization such as ReStore, or find a way of utilizing the cabinets, perhaps in your basement workshop or garage.

Environmentally Responsible Flooring Options

Stick with natural materials whenever possible when selecting flooring for your home remodeling project. Easily renewable materials such as bamboo and wood species that are plentiful and grow quickly are great options for flooring. Reclaimed old wood flooring is also a great option. Not only is reclaimed wood an environmentally smart option, but it often has a beauty that is unsurpassed in flooring. Avoid flooring materials made from synthetic materials such as vinyl, and choose natural materials instead.

Replacement Windows for the Eco-Friendly Home

Another thing to keep in mind when remodeling your home is the energy efficiency of the materials you choose. Choosing insulated windows is a great way of reducing your overall energy consumption due to home heating and cooling needs. Replacing your existing windows with energy efficient windows will also save you money in the long run.

Environmentally Friendly Walls

Since most home remodeling projects include freshening up the walls, it's also important to choose eco-friendly products for this area as well. Always choose latex and acrylic paints as opposed to alkyd and oil paints whenever possible. You can make even better environmental paint choices by selecting products that are marked on the label as being as low VOC. If you choose to use wallpaper, select brands that use non-toxic and water-based dyes and inks, and choose products made from environmentally friendly fibers as opposed to vinyl wall coverings whenever possible.

When it’s finally time to decorate, shop at resale stores and antique shops for large iron wall decor, furniture, lamps and accents, even a pop art inspired metal leaf wall art.Not only will your home sport a one-of-kind look, opting for used items rather than new is the most eco-friendly choice you can make.