More and more, homeowners around the country are tuning in to the benefits of building their houses with an eco-friendly frame of mind. Not only does a “green” design in your Sea Ranch house help to improve the surrounding environment, but it can also give you an opportunity to revitalize the house itself.
And who knows: maybe the project of redesigning certain rooms in the home will spark new inspiration and lead you to new ways of living. At any rate, going green in your coastal home doesn’t have to be hard to accomplish. Follow along with us as we cover the best and easiest ways to make your seaside property greener.
Use non-synthetic building materials
Above all, you’re looking to avoid materials that emit volatile organic compounds (or VOCs). What are these materials? Primarily, they’re harmful types of chemicals in the air that can lead to health concerns for humans and animals. VOCs are often found in paint strippers, pesticides, construction materials, paint, and more. Improving air quality is a big part of being green, so you should opt for organic, sustainably-made materials in many areas of your home. Items that you can focus on include:
- Sofas, furniture covers, and seating
- Carpets and rugs
- Metallic fixtures
- Non-VOC emitting paints
Build with wood that is made to last
When choosing your timber material, always opt for one that’s pest- and water-resistant. You can also look for a wood that’s low maintenance, especially if you use your home seasonally. Cedar is a good option either way.
Come up with an energy-saving strategy
One way to harness this energy is to install a small wind turbine nearby to gather wind power, which can go a long way toward covering your monthly energy bill. Another popular option is to install a series of solar panels on the south-facing roof of the home. You can also reroute your electrical grid to include a lighting system that turns on and off based on sensors. That way, you save money when no one’s at home, and you can reduce your energy consumption by a significant factor.
Choose a paint that matches the environment
That’s why you want to opt for paints that emit as little toxic emissions as possible. This is especially true if you live in a humid and water-rich environment where paint can flake and peel off into the water, beach, or land. Ask your neighborhood paint expert to choose a paint with low VOC emissions. Plus, make sure you buy paint that matches the building material you have at home. Homes with masonry cladding will need different paint than those with a timber exterior.
Select glazed doors and windows
Choose glazed doors and windows to maximize the amount of light that enters the home. In many cases, it’s easy to install these glazes to your existing glass. The glazes often come as thin, semi-transparent sheets that go right on your existing windows and doors. The glaze will simultaneously moderate the amount of heat and light that comes in. Hotter coastal properties can heat up quite a lot in the summer, and glazed glass helps to regulate those temperatures.
Plus, these glazes help to free homeowners on the coast from relying on excessive air conditioning options. These systems can sometimes harm the surrounding environment with dangerous chemicals.
Refresh your flooring
Another choice that’s becoming more popular for coastal properties is rubber flooring. This material affects the environment very little since it can often come from recycled rubber sources like automobile tires.
Don’t forget about your decking material, too. If you can install some of these eco-friendly features around your home, new flooring is one of the best ways to update your property to have the lowest impact on your area possible.
Get in touch with a local real estate agent today
*Header courtesy of Hanne Liisberg