Go Green: Eco-Friendly Scottsdale Home Remodeling Tips

Eco Friendly Home RemodelingRenovating a home can feel like a fresh – and healthy – start. But what about when you start worrying about issues, such as environmental impact of wasted materials, the release of newly introduced toxins and more.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take with your professional contractor to make your house remodel more friendly to both the planet and your family’s health.

Do you want to “go green” when remodeling your home in Scottsdale? Here are some eco-friendly options to think about during the planning and design phase:

The Time Has Come, the Time Is Now

The time to really start thinking about the environmental aspects of your whole home remodel is during the initial planning stages. When you hire your professional remodeling contractors, be sure to ask them what they typically do with old, demolished materials, as well as how they choose new materials. Here are a few other things to think about:

  • When possible, hire green-savvy pros. If you are remodeling a whole house, you most likely will hire a professional home remodeling company to manage the project. Hiring the right professionals is your first chance to make environmentally friendly choices. When you meet with contractors, ask to see examples of their work and to explain what environmentally friendly approaches they take during the planning and building process.
  • Factor in demolished materials. While you plan how to demolish what you have, consider what you’re going to do with it. Remember, the less waste, the better. Decide if you can reuse or repurpose old materials. For example, can you turn the brick from an old, non-functioning fireplace into a backyard path? Or, determine how to donate any usable materials.

This is also the time to research environmentally-friendly substitutes, many of which don’t cost more than their not-as-environmentally-friendly counterparts. Here are some suggestions:

  • Low, or no-VOC paints. Regular paints release toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs), but non-VOC paints are now readily available. You also can look out for low or no-VOC sealers and caulks.
  • Bamboo, reclaimed wood or cork, instead of carpet or hardwood. Carpet is an especially bad choice if it emits VOCs, as many do. Consider eco-friendlier options to carpet or hardwood, such as bamboo or cork, both of which regrow quickly. Costs are comparable because much of the expense is in the cost of installation.
  • Linoleum instead of vinyl. According to Greenpeace, vinyl is the most environmentally harmful plastic out there, and it’s made with substances that contribute to serious health problems. True linoleum, made from linseed oil, is a better choice.

At Republic West Remodeling, we have honed our process over nearly 18 years in business. It is a very different process than is typical with other home remodeling contractors, and one that aims to get you the dream home you deserve without the pain. If you are looking at remodeling a whole house in Scottsdale, contact us today.

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