Green at Home

Not All Green Roofs Are Created Equal

The idea of going green has led many people to completely change all aspects of their lives.  This includes major renovations to their homes.  Installing solar power systems, increasing energy efficiency and changing to a green roof are just some things people are doing.  However, any changes you make are only good if they are done right.  This is especially true of green roofs.  Proper installation is just as important as the materials that are used. Problems With Green Roofs Too often when a person decides to install a green roof they focus too much on the materials being used.  While it is important to use green materials, there still needs to be some focus on the actual installation.  Installing a green roof is only beneficial if the roof is installed correctly so that it works. When there is too much focus on materials and not enough focus on installation, you risk spending money on a roof that won't last through a season.  It may end up with leaks, damage or even cave in if it is not installed correctly.  If this happens you have to get it replaced.  That means you spend more money and use more materials, so in the end ...

Home Going Green Tips: Installing Energy Efficient Windows

Passive solar energy is one of the best ways to conserve energy in your home.  Lest you think that you have to demolish the whole house just to make it part of your house, you have another think coming.  Actually, you only need to install energy efficient windows to enjoy the energy and non-energy benefits of passive solar energy.  Well, of course, you may have to deconstruct windows but the benefits will definitely be worth the time, trouble and dollars spent on the project. DIY or Professional And speaking of dollars, you may want to install the windows yourself so as to save on the costs.  This is all well and good if and when you have the necessary skills, techniques and tools to undertake the job on your own. However, if you are not in any way qualified to make the window installation project on a do-it-yourself manner, just refrain from doing so.  You will only be bringing grief unto yourself - jagged walls, broken windows and personal accidents, all of which will boil down to greater costs when you have aimed to lower your electricity bills. Instead, you should contact a skilled professional to do the job for you.  Keep in mind ...

Outdoor Fireplace for your Home

Having an outdoor fireplace has a charm of its own.  The aesthetic appeal and the natural warmth that an outdoor fireplace brings automatically warms even the coldest of nights.  There are a number of things that one must take into account while designing an outdoor fire place apart from the aesthetics.  We shall discuss some of the key things that you must keep in mind while buying your outdoor fireplace. - Size & Design:  The first step is to decide on the size of the fire box.  A small firebox is more difficult to handle than a large one as the effort required in handling and cutting wood for this size is more difficult and is also a lot more expensive.  Bear in mind that having a big fire box does not mean that you have to build a large fire.  You can always use less wood and build a smaller fire. A fireplace as opposed to a fire pit burns better and produces less smoke as the air is drawn into the fire and blown out through the fire place chimney.  If you are looking at a fire pit design make sure that it has a good smoke stack but remember ...

10 Do-It-Yourself Projects for Living Greener

Living green does not involve spending plenty of money to transform your home into a more eco-friendly abode.  In fact, it takes little time, effort and money to improve energy efficiency that, in turn, will lessen both your energy expenditures and carbon footprints.  These 10 do-it-yourself budget-conscious projects should start you on the right path towards an environmentally-conscious home. 1. Lessen Water Waste - There are many ways to lessen water consumption in the home without sacrificing material comforts.  First, take more showers instead of tub baths, which will also save on heating costs.  Second, add a 2-liter water-filled bottle into an old toilet's water tank to lessen quantity of water used with every flush.  Third, use a glass for brushing your teeth.  Every little drops of water helps! 2. Replace Incandescent Bulbs - Fluorescent bulbs do the job of lighting up your home just as well as incandescent bulbs, so replace the latter today.  Plus, you will enjoy the benefits of 75 percent less energy consumption with 10 times longer life with fluorescent bulbs. 3. Install Programmable Thermostat - You will be able to save on energy costs simply because you can program said thermostat to reflect your immediate needs for heating ...

Searching For Environmentally Friendly Paints!

Whether you are looking to paint your shed or you are tired of blank white walls, you may be all set to search out your favorite colors and go to work, but what does your home improvement project mean for the environment?  The unfortunate truth is that paint can be very problematic for the environment and finding eco friendly solutions is not nearly as easy as it should be.  The problem that you are going to run into, however, is that the things that make paint as durable as it is tend to be very rough on the world, and that can make painting the exterior of any building a daunting task. The first thing that you should be aware of is how paint affects the environment.  Though lead in paint was once a major concern, this type of paint has now been outlawed.  Do be concerned though, of old paint jobs that might have lead still in them.  Be aware of the fact that many paints will produce volatile organic compounds, things that will be released into the air even after the paint dries.  These VOCs have been known to cause cancer in animals and in humans, but even their ...