Over the past few years, the impact of climate change is only continuing to rise. It affects our daily lives and imposes a change in behaviour for many industries. Therefore, we have to adapt and make sure we come up with more sustainable ways to live.
Some of the most affected sectors are undoubtedly the real estate and construction industries, and with reason. People are now more aware than ever and want to become more responsible consumers. But to get there, one can start at home and while improving their personal space on a daily basis.
Many buyers and tenants are therefore looking for green buildings – places that will have the least impact on the environment. Here are some examples of renovations you should consider if you are trying to target this audience.
1: Avoid floating floors
Although they are an attractive option since they are easy to install and are often price competitive, floating floors are made with volatile organic compounds and are not durable. Moreover, it is impossible to recycle them when the time to replace them comes.
2: Go for eco-friendly faucets and bath accessories
Whether in the kitchen or the bathroom, wasting water is one of the most difficult things to avoid in a home. However, there are easy-to-find products that can help you save water. For example, a toilet using only 6 liters of water or less per flush, a small or medium-sized bath, and hydro-aerators and aerators for faucets. Also avoid multiple-head showers, even if they bring a lot of comfort to your bathroom, they consume a lot of water!
3: Avoid tropical wood
Although aesthetically appealing and generally very solid, tropical timber contributes significantly to deforestation and this industry generates major negative impact on biodiversity. With its transport, the ecological footprint left behind is massive. If you are looking for a similar type of wood, there are several ways to recreate its appearance, especially with natural hues.
4: Choose a thermal coating for windows
Another difficult factor to manage when it comes to avoiding energy loss; a building’s interior temperature stabilization. Whether with air conditioning in summer or with heating in winter, households lose considerable amounts of energy and money to maintain a comfortable interior temperature. By applying a thermal nano-coating on your windows, like the SketchNanoGard, a barrier is created. Therefore, the heat escaping in winter is diminished, while the warming effect of the rays on the glass is greatly reduced in summer, cutting down the heat accumulations in your rooms. On top of this, the coating let’s the maximum of natural light penetrate through your windows. Result: less energy use, lowered energy bills and more comfort, without affecting your view!
5: Avoid oil painting
People wanting to sell their home will often repaint the walls to refresh the look of its interior decor. However, the use of oil-based paint is strongly discouraged. From the its production stage, oil painting emits a significant amount of pollutants. It uses a good dose of gray energy and is not biodegradable.
There are many ways to make a home or building greener. Whether it’s for living, working, or reselling, there’s every reason to do it. From our end, we are sure that this is a smart investment, both for your wallet and for the planet!
