Homeowners are going green and saving money with energy-conserving solutions and practical eco-friendly home products. Examples include energy-efficient appliances and furniture made from rapidly renewable resources, wall coverings made from 100 percent post- and pre-consumer waste paper, and water-saving shower heads.

Green design is an important element for homeowners to keep in mind as they consider a remodeling project. Green design reduces the impact on the environment and saves resources, and promotes a healthy lifestyle free of toxic materials and allergies. The increasing availability of new technology, innovative products and efficient materials is making it easier to achieve a green home.

Following are a few ideas for homeowners looking to incorporate green products and materials into their homes:

Appliances. Choose high-efficiency water heaters, low-flow toilets and shower heads, faucet aerators, energy- and water-efficient appliances. Also consider bulk-product dispensers for body care products.

Flooring. Reuse existing flooring and sub flooring when possible. For new floors, look at flooring made from natural or rapidly renewable materials. To refinish wood floors, use safe processes with green and safe materials. Don’t use carpeting in high moisture areas or where spills could occur. Consider area rugs instead of wall-to-wall carpeting.

Lighting. Supplement natural light with efficient electric lighting like compact fluorescent bulbs.

Paint. Use low or zero volatile organic compound (VOC) paints, finishes, adhesives, grouts, caulking and sealants.

Furnishings. Choose cabinetry and other furnishings made from recycled or reclaimed materials. Select compact furniture that incorporates storage. Consider reused, salvaged or antique furniture.

Water usage. Conserve water usage and set water heater temperatures no higher than necessary.

Green design is about improving your home and ensuring a better tomorrow for yourself, your family and your world. When remodeling your home, make it smart and sustainable to improve your quality of life for years to come.

By: Hilary Basile

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Caffeinated Content

Years ago the importance of over insulating your house was minimal. Yes, it would take a little more oil to heat the house but, at the same time, adding additional insulation was very expensive. I’m addressing oil because in a lot of areas natural gas was not available at that time. Most homes had, and still do have, oil burning furnaces. Today, however, all this has changed. Insulation is now inexpensive; while the price of fuel oil is soaring.

Nevertheless, there are solutions to this problem. You don’t have to completely demolish your home in order to beef up its’ insulation value. Instead, you can simply add insulation to your existing home in a variety of ways. First there is loose-fill insulation. This type of insulation is usually blown into any walls, floors, attics or any irregular or inaccessible crawl spaces that you can find. Blown in loose-fill insulation can even be used to fill in empty spaces that were left when the original insulation was installed.

Next, blanket insulation is fairly easy to add to the exposed areas in the attic. These blankets can be cut to fit any size space. However, you must wear safety clothing and use protective equipment when working with this type of insulation. There is also spray-foam insulation. This type of insulation can be used to fill in spaces that exist under switch plate covers and around window frames. You will be amazed by the quantity of cold air that can seep through an electrical switch plate cover.

So, as you can see, lowering your energy bills can be achieved by simply adding extra insulation in your existing home. Any time and physical work that you devote to this job will result in a warmer, more comfortable place for you to be.

By: Jonathan R Richards

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Home Improvement

Have you ever tried to find a brick pointing Manhattan NY expert? If you have never been involved in a new construction or remodeling – home improvement project, then you do not know how hard it is to find a dependable and hard working constructor who can help you renovate and repair your house or property. If you are thinking to make some changes in the exterior design of your house, then you should check two basic things; the constructor and the materials.

First of all you need to ask yourself what kind of exterior design you want. Do you want something smooth, something durable, something spectacular or something that needs frequent maintenance? This is the first thing you need to decide on: a brick pointing Manhattan NY project can be much more daunting than opting for vinyl siding in Queens. Educate yourself; find the pros and cons of every material and discuss with an expert who can give you a more complete idea of every material and design.

For instance, many individuals are not aware of the health issue associated with asbestos, or the problems that wood panels can have after a few years. Some others do not know that vinyl siding in Queens can affect the commercial price of the property. Small details like these can make a huge difference in your choice and decision; therefore you should be well prepared and well educated. Home improvement constructors and designers exist in abundance in the State of NY but not everyone is qualified to meet your needs and requirements.

Consulting with an experienced constructor can help you avoid structural nightmares. Brick pointing Manhattan or vinyl siding in Queens is not easy and cannot be done with a little sweat and money as many people think; you need someone who can carry out a project and create a flawless result. It is your house and your property and is your money, thus no games or mistakes are allowed. Make sure that you do some primary research prior to any agreement so that you hire the best possible home improvement expert.

By: Sturat Mitchel

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Homes are for families, it’s where families live together, it’s where kids grow up, and it’s a place where the parents can call home. It’s really everyone’s house even if the dad earns a living to make the payments. Whenever home improvements are done they must be done with the family, and it helps if everyone in the entire family is involved in the decision-making process.

For instance if major expenditures are going to be done on the home then why not get the whole family involved and really discuss how best to improve the live-ability of the house. Did you know that most home improvements do not yield a very big increase in the price of the home when it’s sold?

It’s true, and that’s because when people buy a house they often involve everyone in the family. For instance if the kids like the backyard, and the pool, and the living room, and the mom likes the kitchen, laundry, walk-in closet, and Jacuzzi like bath tub, then chances are they will coax the father into buying a home even if he really wanted a three car garage with additional area for a workspace.

If buying a home takes into consideration everyone in the family why shouldn’t the improvements of the home do the same? Putting marble tops in the kitchen may make a very nice for one or two members of the family, but the other members maybe could care less. Please remember with home improvement choices that it’s best to use the family consensus decision-making process. I hope you will think of this.

By: Lance Winslow

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