If you're looking for some ideas for home improvement and you're ready to build onto your home with new additions then this is the perfect time to start thinking about how you can green up your life and your living space. You don't have to become a crazed activist to do a little good for your family and your house; but doing a little to save the environment never hurt - especially when it can save your utility costs as well as make your home a safer place to live.
Arsenic, volatile compounds and even vinyl chloride fumes might seem like things you wouldn't normally encounter but these are common chemical additives and byproducts that are associated with common building materials that were used to construct your home. When you consider remodeling from a green standpoint you're making your home safer for everyone living under your roof - especially your pets.
Here are proven green strategies for remodeling and building home additions that ensure a safe environment for your family:
Formaldehyde free insulation: Use recycled fiberglass, rock wool or cellulose insulation as the products are very much environmentally friendly and don't contain any formaldehyde - the common additive in fiberglass batt insulation/
Aim for no-VOC paints (or low VOC), sealants and wood treatments: More and more products are being put out in this format but you can still find traditional paints and sealers that you should shy away from. Most finishing products used around the home emit organic compounds that are extremely harmful and they stick around long after the paint or sealant is dry. Use products that minimize these contaminants.
Avoid MDF (medium density fiberboard): MDF and particle board are common materials used in budget countertop and cabinet construction. They also give off urea formaldehyde (a known carcinogen). If you use these products, sell exposed areas with a no-VOC sealant or paint.
Avoid vinyl: Vinyl is an attractive option for a budget remodel with new home additions but it should be avoided. It gives off vinyl chloride fumes which can be harmful. Carpet is no better, as it gives off compounds relating to bonding agents, static treatments, stain-guards and more.
Choose the right windows: Windows are an important investment in your home because they deal directly with moisture exposure, ventilation, light levels and more. Get thermal windows that trap heat - the more heat the home retains the less the furnace runs. When that furnace is running, forced air is kicking up dust, bacteria, allergens, pollutants and more. With quality windows you can reduce your heating costs and save yourself the chest colds.
Properly ventilate your home: Airtight isn't the best choice and not exactly possible. It's more important to properly ventilate your living space so moisture and other pollutants aren't trapped. With proper ventilation and circulation you'll be cycling the air through on a regular basis with little worry the quality of the air in your home.
Home additions give you the opportunity to make a change in how you approach smart living, not just for the environment but for yourself and your family. Green updates are popular in many homes and the greatest benefit is that you could increase the value of your home by making green updates that would even benefit a new buyer. Before choosing materials for your new home addition project, talk to a general contractor about the safest products to use in your home.
Author Resource:
Paragon Remodeling specializes in providing you with Northern Virginia additions that are safe and built to last. For any project - from windows to a Northern Virginia deck - hire the contractors dedicated to delivering quality. Paragon Remodeling - 8000 Towers Crescent Drive - Vienna VA 22182
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