Green Home Remodeling in Gainesville: Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Design Ideas

There’s a growing trend in the United States in green home remodeling, and Gainesville has become a hub for sustainable and eco-friendly design ideas and products. Sustainability is important to consider when you’re thinking about a home renovation. Because Gainesville is growing rapidly, there’s a greater demand for natural resources in our local community.

Environmental-conscious homeowners have the unique opportunity to build their dream homes while minimizing their carbon footprint. Additionally, energy-efficient products lead to cost savings for homeowners down the road. Read on to learn about the different types of local sustainable home renovation design ideas and products!

Eco-Friendly Design Ideas and Products

Green home remodeling is characterized by a comprehensive approach to sustainability. Sustainable home renovation often involves the usage of the following:

1. Home designs that maximize natural lighting
2. Energy-efficient appliances
3. Eco-friendly building materials
4. Solar panels
5. Locally sourced materials

1. Home Designs that Maximize Natural Lighting

Many houses in Gainesville have features that maximize natural lighting. This includes the usage of products like:

• Light tubes
• Skylights
• Expansive windows

Natural lighting not only decreases electricity consumption but also fosters a sense of harmony with the surrounding environment within the home. Additionally, letting in sunlight during cool, winter days helps warm up your home.

2. Energy-Efficient Appliances

Installing energy-efficient appliances and water-saving fixtures is another important aspect of a robust, green home remodeling strategy. Water-saving fixtures include:

• Low-flow toilets
• Water-efficient dishwashers and washing machines
• Faucet aerators

These appliances will greatly reduce your home’s water consumption while still serving your practical needs—another way to help the environment while reducing your monthly utility bills.

3. Eco-Friendly Building Materials

Eco-friendly building materials are also used in green homes. These products include:

• Flooring like bamboo, cork, and reclaimed/recycled materials
• Low-VOC paints and finishes
• Sustainable insulation

Sustainable Flooring

Bamboo flooring is often considered one of the most sustainable types of flooring. Cork, concrete, stone, and reclaimed hardwood are also popular choices. One or a combination of all of these flooring types can be used in a green home depending on the room. For example, cork floors aren’t ideal for wet locations like kitchens and bathrooms, but stone is.

Low-VOC Paints and Finishes

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are harmful chemicals that produce gas in the air. Paints and finishes are often high in VOCs and will release them when they’re applied to surfaces. Low-VOC products are much safer and put out less gas into the environment.

Stains and finishes are often used on wood or other porous materials. Most mainstream finishes contain high amounts of toxic chemicals. However, there are non-toxic options available. Using these less toxic products will increase your home’s indoor air quality and is an easy addition to your sustainable home renovation.

Sustainable Insulation

Cellulose insulation is one of the most commonly used types of insulation in green homes. It’s used instead of Batt insulation, which is the common fiberglass insulation you see in home building and remodeling. Cellulose is not only an effective insulator and easy to apply, but it is also made of recycled wood and/or paper.

Cellulose resembles finely shredded newspaper and is usually a gray color. It’s applied using an insulation blower and often comes in bales. Cellulose effectively fills any wall or attic cavities to encourage maximum energy efficiency.

Solar Panels

Solar panels are popular here in Gainesville. Because of our latitude, we receive significant sun throughout the year—providing us with a renewable energy resource. Installing solar panels effectively offsets your home’s energy usage. Although they’re not required for a sustainable home renovation, they’re a great element to add to your eco-friendly design strategy. Solar panels can be easily installed over any type of roofing material, including asphalt shingle, metal, or tile roofs.

5. Locally Sourced Materials

Lastly, locally sourced materials are an important aspect of an effective green home remodeling strategy. When building materials have to be shipped over long distances, it increases their carbon footprint. As much as you can, try to source your materials from local sources—either within your state or immediate area. This means avoiding the bigger box stores when you’re purchasing your materials. Working with a green home remodeling contractor will allow you to source more materials locally.

McFall Is Your Clear Choice for Green Home Remodeling in Gainesville

Environmentally friendly remodeling is crucial as we head into the future. A sustainable home renovation allows you to decrease your carbon footprint while using natural resources sustainably. We encourage you to implement sustainable and eco-friendly design ideas in your next home renovation!

When it comes to incorporating sustainability into your next renovation, the team at McFall Builders has you covered! With 40 years of experience in home remodeling and roofing, we are your go-to contractor in the Gainesville area. We’re able to take your project from concept to completion.

Feel free to check out our portfolio for more inspiration and ideas, and give us a call for help with your sustainable home renovation.

• Green Home Building