7 Steps to a Green Home Renovation
Renovating a home takes a lot of hard work and dedication. During this process, you essentially need to be decisive about something that you have minimal experience in. Apart from the simple and expected chores, it would be best if you also took the time to research ways to make the experience better. A great way to do this is to focus on making this a green home renovation. Even though achieving sustainability can sound a bit intimidating, you can always find small ways of making a difference.
1. Eco-friendly materials only!
Firstly, if your home renovation is more extensive than simply redecorating, chances are you'll use some common building materials. Luckily, in the spirit of organizing a green home remodeling, you can easily substitute some of these materials with more eco-friendly alternatives.
- PlyFix
Using eco-friendly building materials, such as PlyFix, is a great way to ensure that your making the right decision. PlyFix is a material that you get from recycled bottles which is mind-blowing in and of itself. It's pretty durable and versatile. You can use it for anything from furniture to insulation. It's also great for dividing rooms if that's something you need.
- Reclaimed wood
Another great sustainable way to approach green home renovation is to use reclaimed wood. You can use it for anything inside your home, including furniture and flooring. Since this is reused wood, make sure to check for its quality and condition before purchasing it. It needs to be long-lasting, especially if you're thinking of repurposing it by transforming it into flooring.
- Recycled plastic
Aside from PlyFix, many other materials are made from reused plastic. Seeing how plastic is one of the worst things our planet has to endure, finding as many ways to reuse it in your home is how you can contribute significantly. What comes as a surprise for many is that plastic is a solid and robust material with many purposes.
2. Sustainable packing and decluttering
A substantial part of any home renovation is preparing your belongings for this period. There are many ways to pack and declutter your home sustainably. The most important thing will be creating a timetable that'll be achievable and that you can easily follow. If you're in a rush, you won't have the time to think about all the little and big ways you can contribute to the planet. Instead, start planning as soon as possible. Look for different packing materials such as biodegradable packing peanuts, mushroom packaging, or green wrap. Some of these green alternatives offer even better protection and more support than Styrofoam and plastic wrap, to name a few.
Think about transportation
Another big part of any home renovation is transporting your items to and from your home. As you're well aware by now, ordinary vehicles are pretty bad for the environment. However, seeing how you can't transport bulky items on foot or utilize public transport, you need to find another way. And that other way is hiring a moving company. Movers can be useful in this process since they both transport and store items regularly. However, make sure to look for a moving company that's conscientious of the way they handle things. Instead of many shorter trips back and forth, a moving company will transport all your stuff at once. It won't only help you get a green home renovation; it'll also save time.
3. DIY projects make green home renovation easier
When it comes to the interior of your home, you can play around with how you'll decorate it. There are many different ways to utilize the items you already have and transform them beyond recognition. Browsing through ecozoi.com and other trustworthy sources is a great way to educate yourself and find great ideas all at the same time.
4. Upgrade your windows
This is a quick and efficient way to improve your life, reduce your energy waste, and even save some money. Think about it, if you install high-quality windows that'll do a great job of maintaining the temperature in your home, you'll save energy both during the colder and the warmer days. Additionally, this is a much simpler process than you'd think. You can insulate and seal the corners, and you'll already notice the difference. However, if you want to go all the way, you can exchange them for a more sustainable and durable option.
5. The three Rs
In the world of sustainability, the words reduce, reuse, and recycle are known all too well. Make sure to follow all three of them during this process. It's not enough to only make your home more eco-friendly and think about the result. You also need to make sustainable choices all throughout the process. Aside from these three things, you should also always consider the options of donating and selling what you don't need. You'll help the people that need some items that are no longer of use for you, or you'll earn some money. Either way, it's better than merely throwing something out.
6. Purchase items conscientiously
Naturally, during a home renovation, you'll need to purchase many different items. Buying and using eco-friendly products might not always be the easiest thing in the world. However, it's worth it. Try to find anything from energy-efficient appliances for your kitchen to eco-friendly cleaning products that won't harm you or the environment.
7. Accept that perfection is impossible to reach
Finally, even though it sometimes seems harsh, your path to a green home renovation should not be filled with anxiety and regret. Once you've educated yourself and given it your best shot, try to relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Not everything will go smoothly; you'll find that you lack in some areas along the way, and that is fine. As long as you learn from your own mistakes and try to do better next time, it's all you can ask of yourself.
