A Guide to Green Kitchen Remodeling
Photo Credit: Vetrazzo.com
If you have been thinking about upgrading your kitchen to be more eco-friendly, then spring is the time to do it. Green kitchen remodeling has risen in popularity as more and more homeowners realize the money-saving perks that go along with green kitchen remodeling. While many eco-friendly kitchen improvements require more up-front costs, homeowners will save in the long run. Additional money can be saved through federal tax credits available to those who install certain Energy-Star approved appliances.
Creating a green kitchen involves using environmentally friendly building materials and installing energy-efficient appliances. Just a few years ago, many eco-friendly building materials, such as bamboo flooring, were not as accessible as they are today. But as the green demand grows, accessibility becomes easier and prices begin to drop. All of the “big box” home improvement stores, such as Home Depot and Lowe’s, carry a vast selection of green building materials.
Countertops
Many stone countertops contain petroleum-based plastics or non-renewable quarried stone. Popular green countertop alternatives include concrete, ceramic and recycled glass.
Concrete countertops are eco-friendly because concrete is a widely available and renewable resource. Additionally, concrete countertops resist all types of damage including chipping, cracking and scratching, and they don’t require much maintenance.
Ceramic tile manufacturing doesn’t create pollution, so the tiles are therefore considered an eco-option. They are durable, easy to clean and cost-efficient. Some of the disadvantages include that the surface is not smooth, and regular maintenance is required.
Recycled glass countertops are eco-friendly, as they are made from sustainable, recycled resources and can be recycled. Recycled glass countertops are highly customizable and provide an option to create a distinctive, one-of-a-kind countertop.
Cabinets
Instead of replacing your cabinets, resurface them. Resurfacing your kitchen cabinets will keep the old ones out of landfills. If you do choose to replace your cabinets, give the old ones to organizations such as Habitat for Humanity that will re-use them and thus keep them out of the landfills. Green cabinetry options include those made from reclaimed or recycled wood.
Windows
For ultimate energy-savings, select low-E glazed windows and triple-paned glass windows. Consider a bay window over the kitchen sink. A bay window allows a great amount of natural light into a kitchen and can provide a perfect area for placing small plants.
Skylights
Adding a skylight to your kitchen can reduce the need for lighting in the daytime. The most economical skylight option is a tubular skylight, also known as a sun tube or sun tunnel. It resembles recessed lighting fixtures and blend well with any home décor. Because of its small size, a tubular skylight is more energy-efficient than conventional skylights. The small size means that there is less heat loss in the winter and less heat gain in the summer.
Lighting
Replace old, inefficient light fixtures with low-voltage, energy-efficient fixtures and bulbs. Place fixtures strategically for the most lighting coverage. One of the most versatile types of low-voltage lighting fixtures is the pendant lighting fixture. Pendant lights and mini-pendant lights can be used over an island or the kitchen table. With the right bulb type, such as xenon or halogen, pendant lights can provide just the right amount of light for a room. Halogen bulbs can last for about 10,000 hours.
Flooring
One of the most eco-friendly flooring types is concrete flooring. While most practical for new construction homes, concrete flooring is accessible for all homes. The benefits of residential interior concrete floors are vast, from durability to a wide range of styling options. Concrete floors are an eco-choice for two reasons. First, less energy is used in the production of concrete than any other flooring type. No trees need to be cut down, and concrete is recyclable. Second, concrete floors work to reduce energy consumption. Because they can make one feel cooler, there is less of a need to use the air conditioning. During the winter, concrete floors absorb the heat from the sun, helping to keep your home warm.
Other green flooring choices include bamboo and cork, which are less expensive than concrete. Bamboo is available in a variety of colors, including earth tones and caramelized colors. It is also water-resistant, making it a smart kitchen flooring option. Cork is durable, provides thermal and acoustic insulation and is rot and fire resistant. It also has a soft texture, making it very comfortable to stand on.
Written by Marcy Tate
Marcy is a blogger at Networx, Your Home Improvement Network. She has been working with kitchen remodelers for over a decade learning about affordable green kitchen remodeling.
Comments
Those are some very good suggestions. Bamboo flooring sounds very quaint.
Till then,
Jean
Those are great options but how warm or cool the concrete floors are depends largely on the design of your home. In theory the concrete slab my house is built upon should be warmed by the sun during the winter. In practice not enough to keep the first floors from being very cold even with carpeting.
Your article on this blog is great.
Well done! I’m a big fan of your blog and be sure to keep up the great work.
Spring cleaning is always a difficult chore. Nobody really likes doing it but it is just one of those things that has to be done. Nice tips on doing it the “Green” Way!
Condo blues, thank you for sharing that info. It;s always good to hear from homeowners who have first hand experiences. I wonder if adding extra padding could help with the cold.