Using sustainable materials and practices in interior design and construction is becoming more and more common every day. Here at Powell Construction, we continue to have clients ask us what the most environmentally friendly choices are, and how they can implement those in their remodels. There are so many possible ways to improve the sustainability of your home, but here are some of our favorite ways to have less of an impact on the environment.
Use renewable materials, especially ones that renew “quickly”. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Council defines “rapidly renewable” as “building materials and products are made from agricultural products that are typically harvested within a 10-year or shorter cycle”. This includes products like linseed, straw, cotton, wheat, sunflowers, natural rubber, bamboo, and cork. Things like linseed and cork can be made into linoleum flooring, but you have to be careful with these – most bamboo construction products are made from bamboo that is shipped from overseas. Keep reading to find out why that isn’t a very sustainable option.
Use local materials. One of our biggest points of pride here at Powell Construction is that we use almost exclusively local vendors and subcontractors. Many people choose to ship their cabinets or appliances in from facilities in the Midwest to cut costs. But the pollutants that enter the air due to shipping vehicles just isn’t worth it to us. Not only do we want to support our local economy, we like knowing that the fixtures we install in clients’ homes haven’t been sitting in a musty warehouse for months (or longer).
In our office, we have fir floors. Fir is abundant in the pacific northwest, so if you are looking for a local flooring material, that could be a great option. It’s important to ask vendors where their materials are harvested if you’re trying to shop locally.
Install water conscious plumbing fixtures. Our planet is experiencing a global water shortage, but according to the American Society of Interior Designers, if every household in America installed a water-efficient faucet, the U.S. would save 60 billion gallons of water every year. Choosing water saving toilets is a great idea too. It doesn’t add much to the cost, and ensures you aren’t using more than the necessary amount of water to flush a toilet.
Use energy efficient lighting, heating, and other electricity. Natural lighting is always a great option, but you have to keep in mind the energy use and cost associated with heating and cooling spaces with lots of windows. Since most of your home’s heat escapes through windows, it’s important that all windows are of high quality and provide good insulation. Using good window coverings will also provide you with some control over the temperature of the space. Carpet also traps heat well – so if you have a room with lots of windows, consider carpeting it. When it comes to other sources of light, when in doubt, use LED bulbs. They draw much less power than traditional fluorescent lighting. They also contain none of the toxic chemicals older style lights use, which means they won’t harm the environment when they are thrown away – and speaking of that, they have a much longer lifespan than incandescent or halogen bulbs, so you won’t have to replace them as often.
Reduce waste as much as possible. We’ll be the first to admit that there is a lot of waste in the construction industry, but we minimize ours as much as possible. Many people jump straight to using recycled materials in their home, which is an excellent option. The photo below shows recycled glass cabinet knobs we used in a recent kitchen remodel, and not only is that eco-friendly, they add a lot of character and charm. But another good option is to choose materials that can easily be recycled if and when they are replaced. When choosing new materials, don’t just look for things that have been recycled once; choose products and materials that could be recycled again if need be.
Choose durable materials. One of the easiest sustainable choices you can make is to use materials in your home that won’t have to be replaced again. When you are looking for floor coverings, counter tops, or anything in between, look for options that are stain, scratch, and impact resistant. Easy maintenance means fewer changes down the road. This can come down to very minor details, like choosing a more durable synthetic tile over a ceramic one. On a larger scale, choosing custom built and locally handcrafted cabinets that will last for generations is a wise decision. There is no point in putting an ultra durable engineered stone countertop on a cabinet that won’t stand the test of time.
Sustainable construction practices are very important to us at Powell Construction. Prices of wood and other natural resources are rising faster than ever before, in large part due to how long and difficult the renewal process is. Landfills are getting full, and the construction industry produces a lot of waste. Choosing to build sustainably is a team effort, and it’s one we hope you’ll join us in.