Will Sandford
Most people think their homes are the safest places on Earth. However, too often, especially in the past, people have been using hazardous materials, such as lead and polyvinyl chloride, in property construction. These materials can have a devastating effect on one’s health. Lately, we have become more aware of the importance of making homes healthier, and this has become a significant factor when selling or buying a home. That’s why using eco-friendly materials and improving the health profile of buildings is crucial for increasing the property value. So, you see, the benefits of home improvement projects that are making the property greener are twofold: improving your health and increasing the price of your property. Let us see all the important aspects of the greening up endeavor.
From the floor up
When renovating the home, it is always a smart idea to start from the floor up. Especially because some flooring materials and their ingredients or finishes tend to emit harmful toxins, and can damage your health when you are exposed to them for a long time. Also, they can cause immediate problems for people who already suffer from allergies and other respiratory problems. In fact, according to a report issued by several government agencies, formaldehyde, which is often found in flooring materials, could cause adverse health effects for all people exposed to it, and not just patients with allergies. The report especially addresses the harmfulness of laminate flooring produced in China. Vinyl flooring can be the cause of major health issues, too.
This raises a lot of concerns, not only when it comes to health, but also for the value of the house when it’s listed on the market. Because of that, it is smarter to opt for eco-friendly and non-allergenic flooring materials, such as cork, recycled wood, bamboo and linoleum.
Insulating the property
One of the best investments homeowners can make is proper insulation. This saves a lot of money in the long run, because it lowers the bills, but also significantly raises the price of the property. But it is not only the matter of using any insulator, because some of them can release toxic fumes. One of the most popular insulation materials, polyurethane foam, contains various harmful chemicals that can be released during its life cycle.
More acceptable eco-friendly insulation options include sheep’s wool, cotton, Aerogel, rigid polystyrene, and Icynene.
Increasing the amount of natural light
Insufficiently lit home doesn’t only affect your mood, but your health, as well. It also leads to poor sleep quality, anxiety and problems with vitality. On the other hand, exposure to natural light causes the release of endorphins (“feel good hormones”). This directly affects your mood and improves your health. Furthermore, sunlight provides you with vitamin D, which strengthens your bone structure and has a meditative effect.
As one of the countries that have shown increasing trust in climate change science and eco-conscious practices, Australia is a good example of appreciation of natural light indoors. In fact, companies that sell skylights in Sydney have their hands full installing roof and dome skylights throughout the city and its suburbs.
Installing HVAC system
Indoor air pollution is a growing problem that has been ignored for too long. It comes from hazardous ingredients in construction material, such as lead and formaldehyde, as well as volatile organic compounds often found in paints.
HVAC system not only helps with keeping the house cool and warm when needed, but also lowers the level of airborne pollutants. Also, it lowers the heating/cooling bills and requires only semi-annual maintenance, which is always a plus when listing your property for sale. For further savings, you can acquire a programmable thermostat, because they allow you to set a cooler temperature during the night and warmer during the day. Finally, if you want to purify the air even more, getting an air purifier is a good decision, that doesn’t require a large investment.
Adding a garden
When remodeling a house, you shouldn’t only think about its interior, but also the exterior. Having a garden contributes to the total price of the house, and to the health of your family. A garden in your backyard can improve your health in many ways, including the access to fresh and homegrown vegetable and herbs, as well as improved happiness and mental and physical wellbeing.
If you are living in an area where the weather is tricky and shifting, you should consider an all-weather garden, which can hold up the rain, snow and harsh winds. This is an amenity that always puts a smile on the homebuyer’s face, and some extra money in the home seller’s pocket.
Increasing property value is important even if you are not planning to sell anytime soon. One day, should you decide to do so, you will have no choice but to do all these things at once and at a greater price if you want to earn more. However, these projects do so much more for your family than simply increasing the value of your home. They are creating a healthier environment to live in, which is, you’ll agree, always a priority.
