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Whether you are building a new home or remodeling your existing home, you may be pondering some of the ways that you can accomplish your goals while remaining a friend to the environment. Primarily, the way that you build or remodel a green home is to use sustainable and energy efficient materials.
Renewable Materials
Renewable materials that those that are easily replaced. Wood is considered a renewable building material because new trees can be grown in order to replace the trees that were cut down to create the structure of the home, the wood flooring or other accents on the home.
Reclaimed Materials
Another option for building or remodeling the green way is with reclaimed materials. Reclaimed materials are those materials that are saved or removed from the old home or another home and given new life in the new or remodeled home. The EPA states common reclaimed materials include:
- Marble fireplace mantles
- Antique fixtures
- Hardwood floors
- Wide-plank lumber
- Knot-free wood
Recycled Materials
Recycled materials are also green building materials Rubber and cork are two materials that can be recycled from other items and turned into building materials. Rubber and cork can be used as roofing and flooring materials or even wall coverings.
Energy Efficiency
A final characteristic of a green home is an energy efficient one. Primarily, this is through installing energy efficient appliances that cut down on energy use and waste. In turn, these types of products can also save you money.
In general, green homes tend to use some combination of all of these items. You may salvage the hardwood floors from your old home so that you can install them in the new home.
