Eco-Renovation # 2: Five Simple Ways To Keep Your Renos As Green As Posible

For the second installment of our Eco-Renovation series (the first one on environmentally kind painting tips is here), we've culled a list of 5 great tips for all kinds of different home improvement projects, all of which aim to make them that much more earth-friendly. Enjoy, and we hope you put them to good use during your next project!

1) Reduce, Reuse, Reshingle?

If you're a fan of natural wood shingles, try re-shingling with reclaimed redwood shingles, a product made with the stumps of old growth trees. They are available at most major hardware stores, although you may pay a bit of a premium over regular wood shingles.

2) Say No to Poison Lumber

Most people don't realize that that greeny tinge in pressure treated wood is given to it by a toxic blend of pesticides that is injected into the lumber and can often leech out into the surrounding environment. If you're building a deck, or some other exterior wood project, consider asking for CA-B Pressure Treated wood, which is pressure treated, but without the harsh chemicals.

3) Go EnerGuide

This may seem like a no-brainer, but the simple act of making your next appliance upgrade an EnerGuide certified one will help the environment tremendously over the long term... and save you money as well.

4) Insulate Au Naturel

Rather than using fiberglass insulation, which is bad for air quality and difficult to dispose of, consider using all natural cotton-based insulation instead. Again, there is a slight premium associated with preferring this variety, but the R-Values are comparable and the ecological footprint much smaller.

5) One Man's Trash...

When you're ripping out old building materials for a renovation, remember that what you no longer need, someone else may be able to make use of. Bringing un-wanted building supplies to a Habitat for Humanity's ReStore location near you is a great way to give some renewed life to what was essentially your trash. There are two locations here in Ottawa, the locations of which are listed on the local HFH chapter website here. 

Do you have any other great green reno tips that you'd like to share with our readers? If so, drop us a note in the comments!