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Green tips for remodeling?
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Posted by scottygirl23 (My Page) on Thu, Sep 24, 09 at 16:38
| What kinds of things are you guys doing to make your homes more "green" when you remodel? My roommates and I are thinking about doing some remodelling in our bathroom, since it's really old and needs some repairs anyways. there are some great ideas in this Green Done Right video series-- has anyone else seen these? What are your tips for green renovations? |
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RE: Green tips for remodeling?
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| Recycle. Depending on the project, the majority of "waste" from a project is recyclable. Everything from cardboard, strapping, plastic liner/bags you get with various products, to demolition items such as old wiring, plumbing, wood, etc. Another thought is if you are replacing items such as cabinets/vanities, tubs, sinks ,etc. careful removal of those items can be donated to places like habitat for humanity, or second hand stores for re-use. Find salvage yards in your area that take recyclables such as cardboard, wiring, strappings, etc. and donate it to them instead of hauling it to the landfill. Our yard donates money to the school system with donated recyclable items. |
RE: Green tips for remodeling?
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| I agree with sierraeast, but stress the ultimate recycling method called "re-use". It takes some imagination and out-of-the box thinking, but I find that many of the components and materials from even a somewhat dilapitated home can be re-used directly in the renovation. Old wiring and unwanted old plumbing material is probably best sent to a scrap (i.e. recycle) yard, but much of the lumber, panel products, and even some fixtures just need elbow grease and careful handling to get a whole new lease on life. Probably the number one "green" requirement is energy efficiency, and that is mostly attention to detail along with a good understanding of thermal and moisture management principals. My personal contribution to "green" principals is eschewing air conditioning in favor of fans and good whole house ventilation. Then again, I'm up north, so you may want to take that with a grain of salt... Specific items with regard to a bathroom would be a timed fan, insulation and caulking on outside walls (especially around the window) and perhaps a more efficient window. And have a policy to wipe down the shower walls to cut down the moisture load that needs blown outside. |
RE: Green tips for remodeling?
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| thanks for the ideas! tryinbrian-- I like your idea about eschewing air conditioning, although its hard in the summer (I live in DC, and it does get pretty warm!). I think the timed fan, insulation, and caulking on outside walls is smart though -- you must save so much energy that way. And I am for sureplanning to look into seeing what we can reuse, for sure -- that's definitely a great way to go green! |
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