 Rebuilding a home can be a very rewarding task if you are willing to make it a sustainable one. It is actually easier than you may think and there is flexible on what you can do for any budget. Best of all, it can look awesome and save you money in the future. Here is a basic checklist on things to think of when rebuilding a home to be a green place.
- First of all, do a little general preparation for the whole project. Have some sort of idea on recycling demolition and construction waste. Better yet, consider salvaging them for a new use.
- Next, for the foundation, consider how you are doing it. Try to use fly ash concrete, as long as it is permitted in your area, with the guidance of a building professional. Also, you may want to use recycled content rubble for drainage.
- The frame of a home can be made green, too. Substitute solid sawn lumber with FSC certified wood for framing so you can know that it came from well-managed forests that use sustainable practices. You can also use reclaimed lumber so less goes into landfills. There are other options too, such as special studs that your building professional can tell you more about.
- When finishing the exterior, use sustainable decking materials. Use treated wood that does not contain chromium or arsenic. Use alternative siding materials.
- For plumbing, use insulated pipes.
- For electrical work, use compact florescent or LED lights. You can also use motion sensors so that lights and such are only used where people are.
- For insulation, use recycled fiberglass, cellulose or even cotton. Upgrade all the insulation to exceed requirements. This will save energy in the long run.
- For roofing, install 40 year composition roofing.
- For the windows, install high-efficiency windows that are fully functional. On the Western windows, a reflective film will help keep unwanted heat from entering.
- For the HVAC, there are a few things to do. Install the vent range hood to the outside and clean all ducts before moving in so they work well and are free of dust and indoor pollutants. Also, install 90% or greater efficiency gas forced air furnace. You can also install a separate garage exhaust fan to improve the air.
- For inside, there are a few things to try out that will make it sustainable. Use low or no-VOC and formaldehyde-free paint. Substitute particleboard with formaldehyde-free substitutes.
- For flooring needs, select FSC certified wood flooring. Use rapidly renewable flooring materials. Replace vinyl flooring with natural linoleum and install recycled content carpet and underlayment. You may also choose to use exposed concrete floors.
- Finally, to go for a very renewable energy source, consider installing a solar panel. You can also see if there is a renewable energy purchasing program.
In the end, EnviroCitizen.org has found that there are many green alternatives to use when building green, from eco-friendly flooring to solar energy.
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