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Green home designs: what not to do

Green home designs are actually what you would call green homes because they use environmentally friendly and reusable materials. These houses are leaning towards renewable and more durable materials.

Green materials include those that are stored or restored in an existing structure. There are many options available today. The use of materials containing volatile organic compounds or VOCs is avoided when painting, repainting or stenciling.

Today’s green houses incorporate the use of bamboo, eucalyptus and cork because they are sustainable and renewable, with special mention to cork because the extraction of the cork does not cause any damage to the trees when done correctly. It is better to choose wood that is authenticated or certified by environmental groups.

When installing home flooring, the use of low or zero VOC, non-toxic sealants is recommended. Also consider non-toxic finishing products, polishes, cleaners, refinishes, and adhesives. Maintaining the ecological design of the house allows for better interior quality because the new house emits less toxins and becomes a more conducive and healthier place to live. Although even after opting for non-toxic materials, there is still no guarantee of 100% good health and safety because other toxic chemicals are encountered on a daily basis. But the whole concept of building a green home is to ensure that no contribution is made to further degradation of the planet and to provide a safer dwelling for the family at the end of the day.

Creating a green home takes this into account. It is also recommended that many glass windows and doors be included in the designs, as well as the ceilings and walls to allow natural light to enter the home. Skylights, in addition to conserving energy consumption in the home, are a good way to ensure that moisture does not accumulate in a room.

When designing the kitchen, try to incorporate the use of concrete countertops. It will add a modern look to the area. Vetrrazzo is a type of recycled glass and is also a common choice for green countertops. Recycled glass comes in various colors and adds a very attractive touch to the kitchen. Aside from countertops, it can also be used as a backsplash. Another exquisite alternative would be recycled glass tiles.

On the other hand, when choosing appliances, some considerations to take into account are energy efficiency, functionality, style, and of course, budget. Choose the most energy efficient appliances when buying new. Old appliances can also be recycled. Local recycling departments are sure to provide good advice on what can be done to recycle them.

Consumers should be wary of simply sending their old appliances to landfill. A refrigerator, for example, has about 95% of its parts that are recyclable. Old kitchen appliances are not as energy efficient and will, in fact, cost a considerable amount of money over time. As much as possible, it is recommended to recycle all old kitchen appliances.

In keeping with eco-design, eco-insulation should also be designed or use eco-friendly insulation materials. Green home designs use a large amount of roof and wall insulation throughout the home. It’s best to choose recycled denim or cotton insulation that is made from recycled jeans. Wool is also a good kind to wear and so is Icynene, a water foam spray. New materials, such as airgel, are made from silica to form frozen silica fume or an ultra-porous form of silica that is about 99% air, making it incredibly light yet incredibly strong and an effective insulator.

In addition to helping the environment, opting for a green home design can be very economical in the long run. Because beyond the initial investment, it’s the savings over time from more energy-efficient appliances and reduced exposure to harmful chemicals that make it worthwhile.

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