Sustainable Remodeling

Start small

If after doing your research you realize that you just can’t sustainably remodel your entire house at the moment, think about it in phases. If you want to start with running a more efficient household, focus on

• Energy-efficient appliances.

• On-demand water heaters.

• High-efficiency insulation.

• Solar technology.

The next step of your green remodel can tackle things like using

• Sustainably harvested woods.

• Reclaimed lumber for system rebuilding.

• Reclaimed fixtures.

• Rainwater collection as part of your home plumbing system.

Refresh instead of replacing

Recycling is a huge aspect of living a green lifestyle. Repurposing items and materials prevents unnecessary purchases for your home upgrades. Saving natural resources and reducing the emissions from the manufacturing and transportation of these materials does the environment a huge favor. Many green products and materials are also more durable and effective compared to non-sustainable products.

Deconstruct instead of demolishing

Demolition has an immense impact on the environment due to material waste. Before remodeling your home, think strategically about what to deconstruct and what items to keep. Thinking sustainably ahead of time can save you money by minimizing your long list of materials to buy and reduce waste. Walk through your home and see what you can re-use. Lighting fixures, molding, cabinets, and even doors can be repurposed.