Top Green Remodeling Trends for 2016

Undertaking a remodel of your home in 2016 goes beyond planning for style and comfort upgrades. At Modernize, we strive to take better care of the world we inhabit. By considering eco-friendly flooring, walls, and roof additions, you can devise a plan for a green home without losing any flair.

Eco-Friendly Floors

When choosing flooring materials, think beyond traditional and stain-attracting carpet. Reclaimed hardwood, cork, stained concrete, linoleum and bamboo are all chic earth friendly choices that can last for generations, making them a much more sustainable choice. Hardwood floors are usually associated with deforestation, but savvy homeowners are opting for hardwoods that have been reclaimed from old barns and other rural structures. Also, wood floorings certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) have been deemed to have not taken part in excessive harm to the environment.

Concrete can be stained an array of colors, and it never needs to be replaced. Linoleum has a long life as well. Though it fell out of style in the 40’s when vinyl became popular, linoleum is made from more natural materials than vinyl, so it’s seeing a resurgence in popularity.

Cork and bamboo are even newer trends that have taken off due to their durability and unique grain that can be finished in many colors. Cork oak trees do not have to be completely cut down to harvest their bark,  and fast-growing bamboo makes for long-lasting flooring that’s not only beautiful, but naturally water-resistant and anti-bacterial, too.

Beautiful Wall Colors

Scientists have discovered that indoor air is more polluted than outdoor air. This is partially due to the ongoing toxins released in house paint years after application. Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, used to be a crucial part of high quality paints. Luckily, low- and zero-VOCs are now widely manufactured, so smart homeowners can choose an environmentally friendly option.

Zero-VOC paints have 5 grams/liter or less of harmful pollutants. Sometimes adding a colorant can up this count to 10 grams/liter, but that’s still considered very low. Low-VOCs contain 200 grams/liter or less of the unwanted chemicals. These still may emit an odor for a short amount of time. A list of compliant paints can be found here.

Add On Solar

Now that we’ve added “green” flooring and walls, why not extend the environmental awareness to the roof? By using solar panels, homeowners become more aware of the energy they use while generating their own power for their small place in the world. This essentially remodels one’s electricity source and mindset. Adding solar panels can be financially beneficial, too. In many forward-thinking cities, like Austin, Texas, residents get a rebate for going solar, which can oftentimes recoup your up-front investment. And recent developments have made for sleeker solar systems, with no-grid panels, new color choices, and thinner designs. Best of all, they show an awareness of modern and ecologically friendly living.

2016 and Beyond

Following environmentally thoughtful trends feels is a safe step in the right direction while maintaining one’s individuality. Choosing zero-VOC paints and sustainable flooring still leaves open countless color and texture options. Remodeling is a long process, but the earth and your senses will thank you. 

The Home Remodeler Survival Guide

Although there are no official statistics, home remodeling is probably up there among the top 10 of stressful situations. Use these tips to help you get through the process, and then delight in the results of your renovations. And, remember that your home improvements increase the value of your property.

Prep Your Home

Get organized before the remodeling begins, and move essential and valuable items out of the area that is being worked on. For example, if you're cabinet refacing in your kitchen, your cooking and dishwashing areas are going to be unusable for a time. Move the microwave and refrigerator into another room or the garage so they're easily accessible. Borrow or buy a portable hotplate or a camping stove, and make good use of your barbecue grill if the weather is fine. Make sure you move all your utensils, crockery and cookware out of the kitchen.

Protect your floors, whether they are tiles, hardwood or carpets. Cover them with heavy-duty plastic sheets or canvas tarpaulins; your building contractor may have some you can use.

 

Image:detailcabinetrefacing.com/kitchens

Off-Limit Areas

Kids and pets are often extremely curious about building work going on in their homes, but exploring busy sites can be dangerous. Set down rules for children, making sure they know to stay out of construction areas. Either restrict access of pets to these spots or relocate them to a friend's home for the duration.

Turn a Blind Eye

Many remodeling projects involve copious amounts of dust. Shut as many internal doors as possible to seal off rooms that are not undergoing renovations, and ignore the rest of the house. It's pointless trying to keep your home totally clean when it's being refashioned, and you'll add to your stress levels if you attempt it.

Keep Communicating

Any project manager will tell you that a key part of successful endeavors is for team members to effectively communicate with each other. You and your contractor are on the same side, and you need to regularly talk face-to-face or on Skype to resolve any problems and discuss the next steps of the renovations. Be sure to swap cell phone numbers so you can be contacted during the day when you're at work or out on errands.

Be Kind

Remember the whole family is feeling the disruption of your home remodeling. Be kind to one another, make allowances for crabby behavior and take time out to have some fun.

If you need advice on refacing kitchen cabinets in Georgia, contact Detail Design & Remodeling today.

Tips for Energy Efficient Heating and Cooling

Heating and cooling can take up close to 50% of your utility bill. Reducing the amount of heating and cooling through various strategies can therefore reduce the overall cost. There are several simple and cost effective strategies that can be applied to reduce heating and cooling costs in your home.

Heaters

Make sure you have the right heater when heating your home. Small heaters will struggle to heat the room. They will end up being overworked without doing what they are expected to do. Bigger heaters will cause a problem of overheating. You may have to constantly readjust it.

Ensure you get the right heater that fits the dimension of the room. This means you need to take into account the height of the ceiling as well as the breadth and width of the room.

Image:apmcontractor.com/services/heating-cooling/

Programmable Thermostat

Programmable thermostats can help you save significant amounts of money in heating and cooling bills. It allows you to adjust heating and cooling of your home when you are away or asleep. During winter you can reduce the temperatures on the thermostat during the time you are away from home and set it to return to normal temperatures automatically minutes before you get back to your house.

This device can be programmed to adjust temperatures automatically up to six times a day. Some devices are smart enough to recognize a pattern and reprogram themselves. You can override the settings any time you want without resetting the entire system.

Most of these devices are very affordable. They are typically in the 100 dollar range. This is a great investment. Some experts have pointed out it can save between 5 to 10% of your yearly bill. Considering its cost, this is a great investment that will lead to great savings.

Eliminating Radiators Air lock

It is possible for air to be trapped in a radiator over a considerable period of time. When this happens there is very little heating or no heating at all. To eliminate this problem you need to periodically remove the air lock.

It is advisable to perform this procedure every season to keep the heating system running efficiently. The problem can be rectified only if you understand what you’re doing. Otherwise it is best to seek the services of an expert who will do it effectively.

Reduce heating and cooling loads

During summer you can reduce the heating load by taking steps that will minimize the amount of heat that gets into the house. For example, you can close the window covering or blinds to prevent the sun’s rays from heating the interior of the house. You could also plant trees on the northern side of the house to block the rays of the sun.

There are also steps you can take to prevent heat loss during the cold season. For example, unused chimneys can bring in cold air. Unused chimneys and vents should be sealed to reduce the loss of heat. A carpeted floor can also keep the house warmer for longer.

Use Fans Effectively

Ceiling fans are great for circulating air in the room evenly. They are considered to be the most effective fans and can eliminate the need for an air conditioner. It however, needs to be run fairly slowly. This way it can distribute air evenly to all parts of the room.

Window fans can also be effective if used correctly. The most effective way to do this, is to open windows on the cooler side of the house. Place the fan on the opposite side and keep windows closed. This will bring in very cool air which will effectively keep your house cool.

Written by APM Construction Services, a construction and home maintenance company that is the best choice for heating and cooling Columbia, MO has to offer.