Going Green in Baltimore Home Renovations
It’s hard to pick up a newspaper today without reading another
alarming headline about the impact global warming is having on
our planet. This growing concern has caused a number of our
clients to ask how they might be more environmentally-conscious
in their home designs and renovations.
I have to be honest and tell you that it takes a lot of green to
“go green,” so it often becomes a choice our clients make for
ethical reasons rather than financial ones. Environmentally-
friendly materials and products can bring long-term energy
savings, but the initial costs of green materials may be nearly
double that of traditional building supplies. Yet it is important
to remember that going green can entail something as simple as
lowering your thermostat setting to something as elaborate as
installing a water filtration system to recycle household grey
water.
Regardless of the scale of your renovation and despite the fact
that the notion of going green is still relatively new, it is
possible to go green in every room of your home thanks to a
growing number of environmentally – conscious products, materials
and installations. Demand from the commercial building sector has
resulted in the growth of visionary companies, including Going to
Market and Bettencourt Green Building Supplies to name just a
few, which specialize in green and develop and promote several
different environmentally-friendly materials and green products
for the home.
At this point in time, however, many green materials have not yet
made it to the consumer market and retailers do not necessarily
see that green can be an incentive to their customers, so you
have to look harder to find these materials – either by looking
carefully at content labels or by specifically asking for them.
They are out there, though, so since bathroom renovations are
popular for many homeowners today, let’s take a look at the ways
you can go green in the bathroom without sacrificing the luxuries
consumers look for in this private getaway space:
* Floors: There are scores of rich floor surfaces available,
ranging from those made of renewable bamboo and cork to carpets
and tiles made from recycled materials such as rubber, glass, and
plastic.
* Walls: A growing number of manufacturers are developing
natural-based paints and clays as an alternative to latex and oil
paints as well as mold-proof sheet rock. There are also many
other environmentally-friendly wall surface materials to choose
from, including translucent glass tiles, formaldehyde-free fiber
panels made from agricultural waste products, and man-made stone
products.
* Vanities and Counters: Thanks to commercial farming and
harvesting techniques, elegant wood vanities don’t have to come
at the expense of old growth forests, and soy-based glues are
replacing formaldehyde adhesives in furniture plywood. Recycled
lumber is available – at a price – for both cabinetry and floors.
And a growing number of manufacturers are creating beautiful
stone and tile counter surfaces made of recycled content – even
paper.
* Plumbing Fixtures: In addition to low – flow and dual-flush
toilets (which provide stronger water flow when needed), many
toilets and tubs manufactured today feature porcelain that is
made of up to 50 percent post-recycled content as well as
super-slick surfaces that will save on frequent use of bleach
cleaners. If you are doing a major plumbing make-over and
remodeling several baths at the same time, look into water timers
that can divert cold water to a recycling system until the warm
water has reached the faucet (thus savings many gallons a day),
or change your plumbing feeds altogether to a direct piping
system such as PEX.
* Heating: Long-considered luxurious extras, things such as
radiant floor heating and heated towel warmers are actually
environmentally-friendly design choices. Unlike traditional room
radiators which line (and tend to heat) the outside walls of a
room, radiant floor heating warms the entire room and everything
it touches, from floor tiles to tubs and shower floors. Many of
our clients are surprised to learn that electric radiant heat pad
floors are not exorbitantly expensive and ultimately offer more
energy-efficient heating.
* Lighting: Although halogen lights are always a better choice
than traditional incandescent lights, they do tend to produce a
lot of heat, so look for Xenon, compact fluorescent and LED
lights (which produce low voltage from tiny semiconductor chips).
One of the common complaints about these lights is their color,
but advances are constantly being made to make these light
sources appear softer and warmer.
* Fabrics: Of course, when selecting towels and rugs, you can’t
go wrong with the plush, natural content of 100 percent cotton
fabrics, but bamboo spun into a soft fabric is another
alternative. Also, there are a number of mold-proof hybrid
fabrics that were originally designed for outdoor living that are
moving inside as shower curtains and liners as well as
upholstered seating for moisture-laden bathrooms.
* Proper Installation: Don’t forget about opportunities to go
green with some of the mundane, but necessary, bathroom
accessories including fans and vents. By installing separate and
timed fan and lighting switches (including a separate fan in the
shower stall), you can run only the fans that are needed and
eliminate wasted electricity and heat. Also, don’t forget to
insulate exterior walls properly and install double-paned windows
that resist moisture and minimize heat loss.
* Choose a “Green” Contractor: Talk to your contractor about
your desire to go green. Question him or her about their interest
in green materials and construction techniques. In general, check
your contractor’s commitment to recycling and eliminating wasted
materials. Ask that old fixtures and cabinets be recycled, if
possible, and that demolition debris be separated so recyclable
materials can be reused.
* Repair, replace, sustain: Although most of what I have
discussed to this point refers to new materials, I would be
remiss if I didn’t address another important facet of going
green: the value of repairing and/or refinishing existing
materials to help reduce the amount of waste going into our
landfills. Renovations that sustain the things we already have
through facelifts and some good old-fashioned TLC are as valuable
to the environment as those that involve the latest eco-friendly
products. For example, floors and other hard surfaces, including
cabinets and countertops, can be refinished if they are
structurally sound. Energy-saving elements, such as compact
fluorescent light bulbs, can be incorporated into existing
fixtures rather than buying entirely new pieces. Regular
maintenance on existing appliances and systems can ensure they
operate at maximum efficiency and minimize energy use. When you
make a commitment to use things until they are no longer
operational, you can contribute as much to our environment as
those who choose the latest green products.
For the truly environmentally-conscious homeowner, the
opportunities to help the environment are growing every day and
it is getting easier to be green.
Kaja Gam offers interior design in New York. Recently featured
on HGTV.com, Kaja is famous for designing rooms that are
comfortable, functional and make a distinct statement about
your personality. Sign up for Kaja’s free e-zine today at
http://www.kajagamdesign.com
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Posted by Carlos Sagastume on October 3, 2007. Filed under HUD Homes.
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