There is no other way to keep a house in a tip-top shape other than maintaining it regularly. And what better way to keep up with home maintenance than to do it the sustainable way? Luckily for homeowners, it is now easier to make sustainable home improvements. Not sure where to start? Here are some things you can do for sustainable home maintenance.
Powder Coat Outdoor Metal Gates and Fences
Curb appeal matters whether your property is old or brand new. If you have old metal gates and fences around the property, you can consider giving them a bit of TLC. Instead of replacing them altogether or simply applying paint, choose powder coating for your metal gates and fences.
Powder coating can instantly give your metal gates that sleek and superior look. This lasts considerably longer than ordinary paint and is an eco-friendly choice. You no longer need to worry about your metal gates and fences for another 15-20 years. Of course, this will depend on the type of powder and treatment performed by your contractor.
Replace Old Flooring with Sustainable Floors
When your old floors are now cracked and give you an eyesore every time you look at them, maybe it is time for a replacement. Thankfully, there are tons of sustainable flooring options out in the market. This will help reduce your carbon footprint while keeping your home looking great.
You have numerous options to choose from when it comes to sustainable flooring. Some of these are bamboo, cork, linoleum, concrete, and wool carpet. Consider your family’s needs and weigh in the pros and cons when choosing new flooring.
For instance, cork floors give more cushioning on your toddler‘s and aging parent’s feet. Linoleum requires little maintenance and can last up to 25 years. If you’re looking for a flooring material for your garage, basement, or patio, then concrete can be your best option.
Use Low or No VOC Paint
Need to find paint for your home? Then make sure you choose low or no VOC or Volatile Organic Compound paint. Such paint options contain fewer gases or chemicals that can be detrimental to your health and the environment.
Using low VOC paint lowers your risk of experiencing symptoms like headache, dizziness, eye, and nose, and throat irritation. One can experience these symptoms after immediate exposure. You don’t want to use paint high in VOC if you’re prepping up your home for an interior paint job.
It is important to note that paint is not the only material that can contain VOC. Even your floors, carpet, upholstery, cleaning products, and other materials can contain VOCs. It pays to do a bit of research before you buy anything to lessen the chances of bringing in more harmful materials in your home.
Hire Local Contractors and Suppliers
Are you in need of new materials in maintaining your home? You should not only focus on buying sustainable products but also source materials from local suppliers. The same goes for hiring contractors to make repairs around the house.
You can reduce the carbon footprint used in delivering your materials by choosing local suppliers and contractors. You are helping local business thrive and find businesses who also advocates of sustainability. You can always communicate your thoughts to your contractor to make sure they only use sustainable products for your home.
You can ask your supplier or contractor a set of questions to check if they meet your standards. Some questions you can ask are as follows.
- How does your business stay compliant with environmental legislation?
- What practices do you do to reduce your carbon footprint?
- What are your buying practices?
Opt for Natural Cleaning Products
Home maintenance includes using different cleaning agents to clean and maintain your home. But homeowners often find themselves using different chemicals that are doing more damage to the environment. As much as possible, use natural cleaning products for your home.
You can find a wide variety of natural cleaning products sold commercially. You also have the option to create your own cleaners to lower your costs and ensure your cleaning agents are safe and non-toxic. Most of the time, you already have materials and ingredients lying around the house that you can use to craft homemade cleaning products.
The earlier homeowners make the sustainable choice, the better it will be for the environment. You may need to invest money in the initial costs, but you can save more in the long run. This is since sustainable home maintenance practices allow you to reduce your waste, eradicating the need for you to pay more to get rid of old materials. You can enjoy the materials for many years and with less maintenance. You also get to enjoy peace of mind knowing you did your part in giving back to the environment in your own way.
