Eco-Friendly Remodeling Options For Your Home

January 12, 2023

American homes use about 10% less energy today than they did in the 1970s, thanks to improvements in energy efficiency and sustainable building practices. According to the EPA, reusing materials decreased overall waste by nearly 35% in recent years. By combining eco-friendly remodeling techniques with high-quality repurposed materials, homeowners can now save on energy costs while maintaining a sustainable lifestyle. Learn more about how you can remodel your home to reduce your expenses while minimizing your carbon footprint!

How Can You Take Advantage of Eco-Friendly Remodeling?

There are a number of ways to remodel your home so it’s more eco-friendly. We’ll look at your options for both interior and exterior remodeling.

Interior

Appliances and Fixtures

Induction cooktops and ranges can reduce the amount of energy needed for cooking by as much as 50% when compared to gas cooktops. Most new appliances like stainless steel refrigerators and washers and dryers are also considered high-efficiency. Upgrading all of your appliances during your remodel will ensure you’re maximizing your home’s energy efficiency.

When it comes to plumbing fixtures, there are great options like tankless water heaters, high-efficiency toilets, low-flow shower heads, and low-flow sink faucets. Not only will they reduce your water usage but they will also reduce your monthly utility costs.

The US Department of Energy found that lights account for as much as 15% of all electricity usage in homes. Antiquated light fixtures can be replaced by stylish LED fixtures and motion-sensor light switches that turn off when you leave the room.

Flooring and Walls

Other ways to use eco-friendly remodeling practices to make your home more sustainable are to use bamboo and cork. These renewable and sustainable resources can be used for both flooring and walls. Neither of these materials contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like most synthetic materials. Additionally, cork is both durable and a natural insulator.

Other eco-friendly flooring options include materials like linoleum. This natural and biodegradable material is made from linseed oil, cork dust, and other natural elements. It’s a sustainable alternative to synthetic materials such as vinyl. If you’re more into carpet than hard-surface flooring, you have the option to use natural fiber or wool carpets and rugs.

Exterior

Siding

Eco-friendly home siding materials include wood, metal, stucco, fiber cement, brick, and stone. Each of these materials is derived from natural resources and doesn’t contain any VOCs. Of these materials, wood and stone are considered the most sustainable. Wood is recyclable, renewable, and can last more than 100 years if properly maintained. Stone will outlast the structure of the home and doesn’t require any chemical treatment to produce. Additionally, stone can be sourced from local suppliers–reducing the need for long-distance transport.

Windows

Choosing eco-friendly windows for your home remodel is important for both energy efficiency and sustainability. Modern eco-friendly windows are double-paned and coated with a low-emissivity (Low-E) glass coating. This glass coating reduces the number of ultraviolet rays (UV rays) that penetrate your home. Additionally, new windows will seal better and prevent air leaks or drafts from the wind.

Roofing

New metal or asphalt shingle roofs provide greater energy efficiency than older roofs. Metal roofs are best for sunny locations away from trees and will last longer than asphalt shingles in the Florida climate. They can also be made from recycled metals. Standing seam metal roofs are ideal as they require less maintenance than exposed fastener metal roofs. Asphalt shingles are ideal in heavily-shaded areas and contain anti-microbial compounds to prevent staining from trees and mildew.

Consider McFall Builders for Eco-Friendly Remodeling in Gainesville, FL

We are a green home contractor here in Gainesville, FL. This means that we utilize environmentally-friendly construction techniques and sustainable materials to maximize your home’s eco-friendliness.

We can take care of your full interior or exterior home renovation project from concept to completion. McFall Builders removes any unnecessary stress and provides you with expert guidance and artistry to create a space you will enjoy for many years to come.

With McFall Builders, we provide a full-service, turnkey experience. We handle everything from start to finish — even up to a final cleaning before turning your home back over to you.