Green remodeling principles

Are you in the planning stages of a remodeling project and want to do it in the most eco-friendly way possible? Are you confused about the choices and worried that you might make a green giant mistake?

Your green remodeling project does not have to look like your neighbor's, or the showcase model in a magazine. Use these principles to decide which parts of your remodeling project you can green up as much as possible.

1. Buy quality, long-lasting materials.

Remodeling projects can result in 70-115 pounds of waste per square foot, according to the National Association of Remodeling Industry (NARI). Choose materials with longevity, and you benefit in the long-run.

If you are remodeling your house and have no plans to move, buy only what you can imagine living the rest of your life with. Even if you plan to sell a few years down the road, use mid-range quality materials in neutral hues. Buyers will be less likely to toss your updates into the landfill to replace them with something they like.

2. Instead of replacing, improve where you can.

Sometimes you have to rip out everything and start over with a fresh canvas – but not always. Kitchen cabinets are the perfect example. Unless the structure is compromised or the wood frames have water damage, often you can transform the look of your kitchen by re-facing the cabinets.

You can restore and update other features in your home, as well: paint old linoleum floors and laminate countertops, have old windows professionally restored, refinish your bathtub, and recover your furniture. You'll cut down on waste, and save money for other necessary replacements like rusty plumbing or inefficient HVAC systems.

3. Leave chemicals out of it.

What's good for the earth is good for your health. Fresh air indoors is definitely good for both. However, many common and affordable materials in the home bring dangerous chemicals indoors, and continue to off-gas at lower levels for years. Formaldehyde is used in carpeting, insulation and particleboard, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are used in paints and adhesives.

You can buy non-toxic (cotton fiber insulation, organic carpet) or less harmful (low-VOC paints) materials for about the same price as the chemical cocktails.

4. Go native.

Just as you can make your garden more sustainable, and less time-consuming, by choosing native plants for your landscaping, you will leave a smaller carbon footprint by going native with your remodeling project. For instance, buying materials made locally guarantees less carbon emissions for the delivery. Hiring local contractors in your village or small town benefits your community.

Using "native" materials that are proven to withstand the local environment prolongs the life of the home. And, last but not least, using building materials from someone else's remodel or new home construction is a great way to buy local. Check a community bulletin board or classified ads, like craigslist.com, or a company whose sole purpose is to re-purpose building materials.

5. Make a plan for the waste.

Getting rid of your waste responsibly can be time-consuming, but it's worth the extra effort. The greenest way to get rid of your waste is to find ways to reuse the materials. Contact thrift stores and area contractors, or have a garage sale. Contact a scrap yard to see if they accept old wiring or appliances.

You may be able to find a company that will accept donations of certain kinds of materials, like sinks or doors. Do your research ahead of time, because even if you can find such a wonderful resource, they will have restrictions on what they can accept, and how they want it bundled and stored before you make the transfer.

Adding to a landfill is nearly unavoidable, so plan your budget to allow for disposal fees and/or a dumpster rental. Avoid burning or burying anything for quick and easy disposal – generally it is bad for your own health, illegal in most areas, and not a green choice.

Planning and researching save both time and effort

Your choice to remodel green will definitely take some extra effort. Concentrate your efforts in the planning stages so that you can make the hard decisions ahead of time. That will save you a lot of time and head-banging frustration in the middle of the project.

Researching ahead of time might also alert you to helpful tax breaks or incentives for choosing eco-friendly products. Once your remodel is complete, you can enjoy a healthier home, and the satisfaction of doing it as green as you were able.