Interior Elements to Green During an Eco-Friendly Remodel

Whether you plan to remodel your home's entire interior or target your remodel at the kitchen and bathroom, you will find plenty of ways that you can green the project. Before getting started, take time to think about the materials, techniques, and design you plan to use so each element will be as customized to your needs and eco-friendly goals as possible.

Discover a few of the elements you can green during an eco-friendly remodel of your home's interior.

Paints and Finishes

Indoor paints come in several eco-friendly varieties. For example, you can look for paints with low VOCs (volatile organic compounds), paints with natural ingredients, or even paints with recycled content. These types of products could help reduce the environmental impact of a painting job.

Paints such as nontoxic and low-VOC options may also help keep your home a healthy place to live in as well as being eco-friendly. Once you have found an eco-friendly paint that suits your needs, do not forget to plan what color you will paint accessories (such as wood furniture) and even the ceiling as well as your walls and trim.

You can also look for eco-friendly wood finishes to use on any existing wood components or new wood you plan to add during the remodel. This could mean choosing plant-based oils or waxes instead of chemical-based varnishes.

Soft Furnishings

The soft furnishings in your home's interior can also be a target of your eco-friendly renovation. For example, you could choose a replacement carpet of recycled materials or all-natural materials such as wool or jute.

Do not forget to install an environmentally friendly carpet underlayment along with your eco-friendly carpet. And consider choosing natural, organic fabrics and materials for other soft furnishings you replace during your remodel as well. Curtains and area rugs can fall into this category.

Fixtures and Appliances

Any remodel that involves a kitchen or bathroom can provide plenty of opportunities to green your lifestyle. By swapping fixtures and appliances you use every day for more efficient ones, you can save both energy and water. Choosing efficient electrical appliances and fixtures, from your refrigerator to your water heater, can help the Earth and save money on your bills.

Choosing more efficient appliances can be as simple as looking for models with an Energy Star logo on the label. If the appliance uses water, look for a Water Sense logo as well. Both of these markings indicate that the appliance has a high-efficiency level that meets the EPA's standards for an eco-friendly appliance.

Countertops

Building materials such as countertops can be of synthetic materials or all-natural substances. Some common countertop materials such as composites or laminates may have materials held together with glue or resin, meaning that they often are not recyclable.

Fortunately, you can find many more eco-friendly countertops on the market. You can choose from the ever-popular stone countertops, which can be reclaimed at the end of their countertop life, or go for something a little more unique.

Copper, stainless steel, and even recycled glass are all useable as countertop materials, for example.

These are just a few interior elements to consider greening during your next home remodel. Planning a remodel in advance can help you make the best choices to ensure that your project turns out as energy-efficient and eco-friendly as you had hoped.

For more information about interior remodels, get in touch with Genuine Home Builders, Inc., to discuss any upcoming projects you are planning. We offer a variety of home remodeling and renovation services and can help you get from the project's inspiration to completion for your complete satisfaction.