Your home is a big investment….probably one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make so properly maintaining your investment is vital to keeping up it’s value. But homes are much more than an investment…they are where we take shelter and spend much of our time in and are our living environment and to a degree determine much of our quality of life.

The health of a home is a lot like our own personal health. If it is regularly checked and maintained, the chances of problems arising are less. With proper home improvement & maintenance, if and when problems do occur, there is less chance that they will blossom into major problems.

So here are some of the things that should be checked periodically:

Water leakage:

Water leaks are really serious trouble and should be remedied immediately before they become major issues and cause some serious damage. Water leaks can not only lead to toxic and costly mold issues but can also damage walls and sub flooring and other items in your home.

Water leaks can be caused by prolonged rain, heavy snowfall, old water hoses from appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, icemakers, air conditioners and garbage disposals.
Water leaks can also be caused by frozen or corroded pipes, clogged drains, damaged and cracked seals from extreme heat or cold, heavy usage and a multitude of other reasons as well.

Some of the items to check for leaks are obviously the areas most prone to leaks from heavy use such as the caulking and grout in the bathrooms around the toilets, tub and shower area, under sinks in the bathroom and in the kitchen. Any water damage marks on ceilings or walls will obviously indicate a water leak from somewhere and should immediately be checked out and repaired.

Inspect your plumbing water lines and waste lines for leaks, damage or corrosion. If you notice problems, hire a licensed plumber for further inspection and repairs. You should also check around your water heater for any pooling water. Water heaters should ideally be periodically drained to remove any sediment. In areas with hard water, you should drain every 3 months.

Vent exhaust ducts for the clothes dryer and cooktop to the outside and keep the drip pans from your air conditioner clean and the drain lines unobstructed and flowing properly. In the kitchen you should clean the dust from refrigerator condenser located at the rear of unit.

Keep indoor moisture low (ideally between 30-50% relative humidity). Consider purchasing an inexpensive humidity meter, available at local hardware stores. Periodically inspect your foundation walls and floors for cracks that might allow water seepage, especially if you live in an older home or an area with poor soil drainage. If you have a basement or crawl space prone to leaks or flooding you might want to keep a sump pump handy.

You should also inspect your roof and roof flashing periodically for missing, worn or broken shingles and any flashing that may have separated from adjacent surfaces allowing water leakage. A licensed roofer can inspect these areas and make necessary repairs. You should also inspect your gutters and downspouts and remove any debris to assure unobstructed water flow away from the foundation.

Additional Items:

Some exterior items that should be on your home improvement & maintenance checklist are the veneering and siding. With brick, watch for deteriorating bricks or masonry. For siding, watch for warping or rot. Check caulking around doors and windows, glazing around window panes. Make sure your cooling and heating unit is free from obstructing debris. On the heater change the filter and check the coils for any buildup.

You should also get periodic termite inspection done. Check for any evidence of termites or wood eating insects. Watch for accumulation of tree limbs, branches, debris that can attract wood eating insects. And if you have a wood burning fireplace never store wood in or near the home as the wood often contains termites.

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Home improvement & maintenance is often required when you want to remodel your home or do some decent renovations in your home. Remodeling is a way to move up in the housing market without moving out. It is also one way to enhance the attractiveness of your home if you are planning to sell. Homeowners who chose to remodel and stay in their homes have the freedom to reflect on their own personal preferences and have fun with design and color.

Home improvement & maintenance is more popular now than ever before but home improvement & maintenance is about more than merely changing how your home looks -it’s about changing how it feels. Home remodeling is all about making you feel more satisfied with the place you live in. A newly remodeled home can represent a great accomplishment…not to mention the pleasure you get from living in the home of your dreams.

Many homeowners who are somewhat handy and wish to go with home improvement diy projects have more choices than ever. Home remodeling is a big decision, and often a substantial expense. Home improvement diy projects can help offset some of the expenses involved with remodeling houses….that is if you’re handy!

Many factors come into play when planning remodeling houses. Home remodeling is a process of restructuring or making improvements in your old house. It involves either complete makeover or adding a few things for a better looking house. When doing home improvement & maintenance it is also a good time to think about increasing the energy efficiency of your home.

This is something to consider during major renovations as well because of the small incremental cost and inconvenience associated with adding energy efficiency materials to an existing project.

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Home Equity Loan or Home Equity Line of Credit to Double as a Home Improvement and Debt Consolidation Loan

With any remodeling and construction projects you do on your home there are many payment options available for most home improvement remodeling projects. For example, you can get your own loan such as a home equity loan or credit equity line or ask the contractor to arrange financing for larger projects. For smaller projects, you may want to pay by check or credit card.

For the larger projects a home equity loan, or a credit equity line also known as an equity home line of credit, can be a good solution because the interest rates are often better than other types of loans or credit and, depending on the amount of equity you have in your home, you might also be able to use it as a debt consolidation loan at the same time to pay off high interests credit cards and other high interest debt so you can be relatively debt free with just the equity home line of credit at a lower interest rate and improve your home and bring up its value at the same time.

What is the Difference between a Home Equity Loan and a Home Equity Line of Credit?
A home equity loan is a loan that is secured by your home. It is also sometimes referred to as a closed-end home equity loan or a second mortgage and is a fixed amount of money that must be repaid over a fixed term just like your original mortgage. You get the entire loan amount upfront all at once. You have predictable, consistent monthly payments.

A Home Equity Line of Credit (or HELOC) in many ways is similar to a credit card. It is a a form of revolving credit in which your home serves as collateral. You can borrow as much as you need, whenever you need it, by writing a check as long as your total borrowing does not exceed your credit limit. Because it is a line of credit, you make payments only on the amount you have actually borrowed, not the full amount available. What makes a Home Equity Line of Credit so popular is that interest paid is usually tax deductible under federal and most state income tax laws.

Whether you use a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit for a home improvement project or as a debt consolidation loan or both it’s a great way to make your debt tax deductable and improve the value of your home at the same time.

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One of the first stages of a kitchen remodel or any type of remodel is the demolition process. One of the ways you can go green and avoid adding to landfill is to employ gentle deconstruction methods to remove items and if possible recycle them. While not everything is in recyclable condition, many items are.

Consider the salvage opportunities first. Trained deconstruction crews can gently remove materials that can be reused rather than disposed of in a landfill. This provides opportunities for homeowners, builders, architects etc. to purchase needed materials at reasonable prices that otherwise may not be available.

Gentle Deconstruction Results In:

• Lowering-building removal costs
• Saving money on dump fees and trucking
• Reducing the environmental impact of construction debris in landfills
• Saving landfills with items, which can be put to another use
• Preserving materials which otherwise would be destroyed
• Providing homeowners with valuable materials for remodeling houses
• Creates accessory jobs and employment in the Recycling Business

There are also some great organizations like Habitat for Humanity for example that builds homes for less fortunate families in real need of shelter that you might consider donating items to.

By donating and reusing items instead of just demolishing them into construction debris landfill you could be helping families in need and creating less of a harmful impact on the environment at the same time. This is a wonderful way you can begin your efforts to go green.

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A complete set of kitchen cabinets can start at around $800 at the bottom of the line for discount kitchen cabinets and go all the way up to $100,000 for a high quality set. Kitchen cabinets have an enormous spread in pricing – from $80 a lineal foot for laminate faced, self-assembly to $300 a lineal foot for hardwood doors, glass insets, and ceiling trims. Because of this spread in price, it is important to set a top amount that you can afford. Then you consider the cabinet designs available up to that price point.

Another option is kitchen cabinet refacing. Kitchen cabinet refacing involves removing your kitchen cabinet doors and drawers and resurfacing them with wood or laminate veneer. The newly refaced doors and drawerfronts are then mounted using new hinges and pull.
For the best look, the interior edges of the face frame should also be faced, or at least completely sanded and refinished. This process is much less expensive than replacing your kitchen cabinets, yet provides a fresh updated look.

Here’s a before and after example:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

The cost of having the average kitchen refaced by a professional kitchen cabinet refacing company can run between $2500-$5000 depending on the size, number and layout of the existing cabinets, and is considerably less than replacing the whole kitchen. Kitchen cabinet refacing can usually be done in about 3-5 work days.

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If you’re planning any remodeling and construction project that would involve digging of any kind one thing you or your contractor will need to do before commencing on your project would be to phone the Call Before You Dig office in your state as power, water, gas and other types of lines are embedded across most all city areas and even rural areas have heavy concentrations of underground lines. Most states require calling first before digging to avoid hitting any underground lines. Some of the lines are only inches below ground surface and could easily be hit.

Once you call the Call before You Dig office in your state they will notify involved companies and utilities who will come out to your remodeling project site and mark where the lines are for you. This process will take about two to three business days so you should include that in your remodeling project timeline. This is a free service usually.

The following list is courtesy of Underground Focus Magazine . As phone numbers may change, please bring any needed updates to their attention via email: ufmagazine@underspace.com.

ALABAMA
Alabama One Call 1-800-292-8525

ALASKA
Locate Call Center of Alaska, Inc. 1-907-278-3121

ARIZONA
Arizona Blue Stake, Inc. 1-800-782-5348

ARKANSAS
Arkansas One Call System, Inc. 1-800-482-8998

CALIFORNIA
Underground Service Alert North, 1-800-227-2600
Underground Service Alert South, 1-800-227-2600

COLORADO
Utility Notification Center, 1-800-922-1987

CONNECTICUT
Call Before You Dig 1-800-922-4455

DELAWARE
Miss Utility of Delmarva 1-800-282-8555

FLORIDA
Sunshine State1-800-432-4770 One Call of Florida, Inc.

GEORGIA
Utilities Protection Center, Inc. 1-800-282-7411

HAWAII
Hawaii One-Call 1-800-282-7411

IDAHO
Dig Line 1-800-342-1585
Palouse Empire Underground Coordinating Council 1-800-822-1974
Kootenai County Utility Coordinating Council 1-800-428-4950
Utilities Underground Location Center 1-800-424-5555
One Call Concepts – Idaho 1-800-626-4950
Shoshone County One Call 1-800-398-3285

ILLINOIS
Julie, Inc. 1-800-892-0123
Chicago: Digger 1-312-744-7000

INDIANA
Indiana Underground Plant Protection Service. Inc. 1-800-382-5544

IOWA
Underground Plant Loc. Service, Inc. 1-800-292-8989

KANSAS
Kansas One Call Center 1-800-DIG-SAFE

KENTUCKY
Kentucky Underground Protec., Inc. 1-800-752-6007

LOUISIANA
Dottie System, Inc. 1-800-272-3020

MAINE
Dig Safe – Maine 1-888-344-7233

MARYLAND
Miss Utility of Delmarva 1-800-282-8555
Miss Utility 1-800-257-7777

MASSACHUSETTS
Dig Safe – Massachusetts, 1-888-344-7233

MICHIGAN
Miss Dig Utility Comm. System 1-800-482-7171

MINNESOTA
Gopher State One Call 1-800-252-1166

MISSISSIPPI
Mississippi One Call System, Inc. 1-800-227-6477

MISSOURI
Missouri One Call System, Inc. 1-800-344-7483

MONTANA
Utilities Underground Loc. Center 1-800-424-5555
Montana One Call 1-800-551-8344

NEBRASKA
Diggers Hotline of Nebraska 1-800-331-5666

NEVADA
Underground Service Alert of NV 1-800-227-2600

NEW HAMPSHIRE
Dig Safe – New Hampshire  1-888-344-7233

NEW JERSEY
Garden State Underground Plant Loc. Ser. 1-800-272-1000

NEW MEXICO
New Mexico One Call system, Inc. 1-800-321-ALERT

NEW YORK
Underground Fac. Protection Org. 1-800-962-7962
New York City – Long Island One Call Center 1-800-272-4480

NORTH CAROLINA
North Carolina One-Call Center 1-800-632-4949

NORTH DAKOTA
Utilities Underground Location Center 1-800-454-5555

OHIO
Ohio Utilities Protection Service 1-800-362-2764

OKLAHOMA
Call Okie 1-800-522-6543

OREGON
Utility’s Underground Location Center 1-800-424-5555
Douglas Utility’s Coordinating Council 1-503-673-6676
Josephine Utility’s Coordinating Council 1-503-476-6676
Utility’s Notification Center 1-800-332-2344
Rogue Basin Utility Coordinating Council 1-503-779-6676

PENNSYLVANIA
Pennsylvania One Call System, Inc. 1-800-242-1776

RHODE ISLAND
Dig Safe – Rhode Island, 1-888-344-7233

SOUTH CAROLINA
Palmetto Utility Protection Service Inc. 1-800-922-0983

SOUTH DAKOTA
South Dakota One Call 1-800-781-7474

TENNESSEE
Tennessee One Call System 1-800-351-1111

TEXAS
Lone Star Notification Center 1-800-669-8344
Texas Excavation Safety System 1-800-344-8377
Texas One Call system 1-800-245-4545

UTAH
Blue Stakes Location Center 1-800-662-4111

VERMONT
Dig Safe – Vermont, 1-888-344-7233

VIRGINIA
Miss Utility of Virginia 1-800-552-7001
Miss Utility 1-800-257-7777
Miss Utility of Delmarva 1-800-441-8355

WASHINGTON
Utilities Notification Center 1-800-332-2344
Grays Harbor & Pacific County Utility Coordinating Council 1-206-532-3550
Utilities Underground Location Center 1-800-424-5555
Chelan-Douglas Utility Coordinating Council 1-509-663-6111
Upper Yakima County Underground Utilities Council 1-800-553-4344
Inland Empire Utility Coordinating Council 1-509-456-8000
Utilities Council of Cowlitz County 1-360-425-2506
Palouse Empire Utility Coordinating Council 1-800-822-1974

WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Miss Utility 1-800-257-7777

WEST VIRGINIA
Miss Utility of West Virginia, Inc. 1-800-245-4848

WISCONSIN
Diggers Hotline, Inc. 1-800-242-8511

WYOMING
Wyoming One-Call 1-800-348-1030
Call Before You Dig Of Wyoming 1-800-849-2476

CANADA
Alberta: Alberta One-Call Location Corp. 1-800-242-3447
British Columbia: BC One Call 1-800-474-6886
Ontario: Ontario One Call Centre Ltd 1-800-400-2255 or 905-709-1717
Ontario: Waterloo Region Bud System 1-800-265-2288
Ontario: Call “Bud” 1-905-527-7977
Quebec: Info-Excavation 1-800-663-9228

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When doing any sort of remodeling or construction project, if it’s not a diy project and you’re not the contractor or doing it yourself, you’ll most likely end up hiring a contractor or tradesman to work on your remodeling project. There are a lot of horror stories floating around of remodeling project nightmares and litigation with contractors that probably could have been easily avoided with better communication. Communication is critical in making sure that what you’re trying achieve is clearly understood by your contractor. For an example, in some parts of the country it is standard practice for some drywall contractors to screw in the ceiling drywall but nail in the walls.

If your remodeling project is in a humid part of the country, with all the fluctuations in humidity, you’ll have the nails start popping out within a couple of years whereas screwing the drywall eliminates this problem but if you just assume that your contractor knows you prefer him to screw in the drywall instead of simply nailing in the drywall and it doesn’t go the way you assumed it naturally would there could be a problem.

Another example is the exact height or placement of something. I remember one project I had to put in a through the wall air conditioner into a room and to me it seemed logical that the contractor would line up the top of the air conditioner with a hung picture on the adjacent wall because aesthetically that would flow much better and it never even occurred to me that he wouldn’t automatically know to do that.

I had only left the room for a few minutes but when I came back the hole was already cut and it was nearly 6 inches below where I assumed it would be but I hadn’t specified this with the contractor so he put it where HE thought it would be most logical to put it.

Photos are another great way to get your point across. For example if you are trying to design your landscape you might take a photo of your house to the nursery so they can give you their suggestions about what might be most suitable to what you’re wanting to achieve. Or if you are having issues with the building inspectors and something isn’t passing inspection bringing a photo to them can be very helpful for clarification.

Don’t just assume your contractor knows what you want. Make sure you specify everything EXACTLY how and where and when you want it. Putting all the exact details in writing is not just good practice but an absolute must. That will save you lots of frustration, do overs, and possibly even litigation.

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If you are in the real-estate industry, are potentially remodeling or purchasing a home, you may be at risk for asbestos exposure. Throughout the 20th century, asbestos was highly regarded as the ideal form of insulator and piping due to its resistance to fire and heat. Viewed as invaluable in industrial products, asbestos also gained popularity because of its reluctance to conduct electricity.

Homes and buildings built prior to 1980 still have the chance of harboring asbestos materials. This type of risk reaches out to residential, commercial and public buildings.

When buying or selling a home, consumers frequently relay questions to their agents regarding building materials that contain asbestos. Due to the potential health effects of exposure to asbestos fibers, it is recommended that homebuyers determine if asbestos containing building materials are present. An asbestos inspection is a fairly common inspection done for older homes suspected of containing asbestos.

Frequent inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause a severe lung ailment known as mesothelioma. This form of asbestos lung cancer accounts for three percent of cancer diagnoses in the United States. Although significant mesothelioma treatment progress has been made, patient prognosis is usually poor. Research has indicated it can take anywhere from 20 to 50 years for this illness to develop, making physician diagnosis a tough task.

Normally, asbestos appears in roof shingles, dry wall, attic insulation, popcorn ceilings, joint compounds and electrical wires. These types of usages can be found in all parts of a home, including bathrooms and kitchens. Although not all asbestos is considered dangerous, a professional can determine the proper course of action in dealing with the contaminant. Asbestos that is disturbed or damaged due to age is known as “friable” asbestos. This is a serious concern because its toxic fibers can easily circulate and become inhaled.

The removal of hazardous materials in homes, work places and public facilities must be performed by a licensed abatement contractor who is trained and licensed in the handling of toxic substances. The Environmental Protection Agency has further standards in asbestos removal. These inspectors will assess the situation and oversee the work of all contractors involved and determine whether suspicious materials are present. The type of professional will depend on the type of product and what needs to be done to correct the problem.

Once the removal is complete, green insulation alternatives should be given consideration, such as: Cellulose, Cotton Fiber and Lycnene. These options are not only replacements for asbestos, but can even reduce energy costs in the home annually.

For more information about asbestos a good resource is www.asbestos.com

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Many people are wondering now, with the economy the way it is at the moment, just how the remodeling industry is going to fare. With remodeling costs up and housing prices down, the return on investment recouped from a remodeling project is considerably less than it used to be. So how will this affect the remodeling industry?

With the loan industry tightening up, and credit harder to qualify for, many people are finding it as difficult to qualify for a home equity loan or home equity line of credit as it would be to qualify for a new mortgage. Still, however, for many people, remodeling is still a better option than moving.

Think about this: there are approximately 130 million homes in the US and their average age is over 31 years old. As these 130 million homes continue to age, maintenance, repair, renovation and remodeling will be required.

With global warming continuing to increase, the need to make a home more energy efficient is a major priority both for personal comfort and for resale appeal. Things like putting in insulation and energy efficient windows, and air conditioning for homes that weren’t built with AC are becoming necessary.

Other things, such as the need to fix a leaking roof, or other items that are in disrepair will still be remodeling and home improvement projects that homeowners will have to do. The bottom line is that work that needs to be done usually gets done and as homes continue to age there will also continue to be plenty of things that need upkeep, repair and remodeling.

Remodeling though is not always just about maintaining your investment, often remodeling and renovating are emotionally motivated. The home is a very personal place and reflects your personality and design and way of living. Also with gas prices and the economy the way they are at the moment, many are doing more entertaining at home instead of going out.

Some of the biggest trends in remodeling now are actually exterior remodeling, including the addition of decks, patios, outdoor living rooms with fireplaces and Jacuzzi’s, outdoor entertainment centers complete with even flat-screen TVs believe it or not and then obviously outdoor kitchens are a really hot trend at the moment and even pizza ovens too.

No matter what stage the economy or housing market is in, remodeling is something that will always need to be done by many many people for many reasons and is definitely here to stay.

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Many homes, especially the older ones, weren’t built with central air. Today with global warming having air conditioning is not just a luxury but actually a necessity. Many climates that used to be mild are now experiencing record heat waves on a regular basis.

Homes that didn’t put in air conditioning frequently didn’t pay much attention to insulation and energy efficiency either resulting in more difficulty in keeping the morning cool air temperatures inside the home as the day wears on. So now, especially since it’s summer and things are heating up, many are looking at installing air conditioning and other cooling and insulating options.

Installing central air conditioning can be a major expense. Installing dual and triple zone air conditioning can be even more expensive. My sister and her husband both work from home and they didn’t have air conditioning in their home when they bought it so one of the first things they did was to have central air conditioning installed.

Unfortunately they let themselves be talked out of installing dual air conditioning and decided to just have one unit for the entire home. What they found out was the temperature between the first and second floor is about 20 degrees different and they spend all of their time upstairs in their offices so things are kind of miserable. They have to turn the air on so cold downstairs that you need a jacket just so that the upstairs air temperature will be bearable. And their electricity bill is through the roof in the summer.

So what are their options at this point? Well they could redo the central air conditioning to make it dual zone at considerable expense, they could use the energy efficient window film to help cut down on solar heat at a minimal expense but it probably wouldn’t keep things as cool as they would like or they could install a window air conditioner but they can be noisy and block light and also don’t really cool that well.

So here’s a midrange solution that can work very well for any home: Ductless Air Conditioners.

Ductless air conditioners, also sometimes known as mini split air conditioners because they are similar to a regular ducted central air conditioner, but on a smaller scale, are more expensive and than window air conditioners and do require an HVAC professional to install it but are far less expensive and less complicated than installing central air conditioning.

If you currently do not have air-conditioning, or if you have a central system that does not cool well, adding a ductless air conditioner provides better comfort than a window unit. It is quieter and more efficient and has more cooling capacity.

The compressor unit is located outdoors and a cooling unit is mounted high on a wall or ceiling. You only need a hole in your wall about 3 inches in diameter for the coolant, electricity and drainage lines. Since the compressor is outside the ductless air conditioners are very quiet.

There are a lot of options for air vents and they can be mounted on walls or the ceiling.

Normally you will need one air handler per room but if your home has open areas you may be able to get away with using one air handler to cool multiple rooms.

(quad zone) (dual zone)

This is a very cool solution that won’t break the bank and can be done fairly easily and quickly without a lot of mess or expensive renovating.

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Modern oil-based paints, made with synthetic resins called alkyds, have less thinner and give off fewer odors and toxic fumes than their oil-based predecessors. Still, thinner is an essential component of alkyd paint. Because the thinner content of latex paint has always been much less than that of alkyd paint, there has been a dramatic shift over the years toward latex.

In fact, some oil-based paints are now restricted or illegal in certain regions. The already low solvent content of latex paints (a maximum of 8 percent) has been reduced to zero in some cases. These paints are marked “zero VOC” (for “zero volatile organic compounds”). While this is good news for the environment, zero VOC paint can be difficult to work with because it dries very quickly.

Being a responsible consumer when it comes to paint can be hard. Unlike organic greens, there really isn’t an “organic” paint. Green Seal certification doesn’t necessarily tell you what is in your paint. Regulatory agencies don’t require paint companies to divulge all of their ingredients. So how can you as a consumer make careful choices when you don’t know what’s in the can?

In the US, zero VOC is gaining attention. (VOC refers to Volatile Organic Compounds). What this means is that per federal regulation, there is a reduction in the amount of material coming out of your paint as it dries. This is a good thing for the environment, as it is well known that these substances react with nitrous oxides in the air to form ozone.

The EPA determined that the off-gassing from architectural coatings is estimated to account for about 9% of the VOC emissions from all consumer and commercial products. It is important to understand that using the EPA’s test method for VOC’s, any paint with VOC’s less than 5 g/l or less can be called zero VOC so even paint labeled zero VOC may not actually be truly zero VOC.

The colorant that is typically added to these paints has VOC’s, meaning that the paint you take home may not be zero-VOC, even if the base is.

The lesson is that it is insufficient to consider only VOC’s when making paint purchasing decisions. The environmental footprint of a zero VOC paint can include all kinds of synthetic materials to control flow, skinning, settling, etc., that ultimately don’t support a vision of sustainability and “goodness” for the environment.

There are zero VOC paints available that use only simple ingredients such as clay, marble, titanium dioxide, soy resin, a phosphate salt, cellulose, mineral pigment, with small amounts of dispersing aids and preservatives. So do a little homework first and find true environmentally friendly paint as there are several really great companies out there.

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Everyone wants a home that is bright and cheery and filled with light. Not only is natural light healthier for your body and energy system than artificial light but it also cuts down on the energy costs of using more artificial lights in the home. Having lots of windows to let in the natural light also gives the feeling of bringing the outdoors in and can help give the sense of more space by visually extending the room.

However, one of the downsides to having lots of natural sunlight is the amount of heat generated by the sunlight. Sunlight absorbed into your windows makes up to 40% of your summer energy costs.

Not only does sunlight heat up the room but the UV rays can alter the color and cause fading of expensive curtains, furniture, carpeting and hardwood floors. Also UV rays coming throught the window can be absorbed through the skin while indoors. All of this might cause you to just forego the beautiful views from outside and draw the drapes and run the air conditioner to keep the heat down leaving you with a dark dreary house in the end.

There is another solution: Energy saving window film! Energy saving window film is a thin, transparent sheet that can be applied to the interior of a window to change its heat and light transmitting characteristics. With easy to apply, invisible insulating window film, you can block harsh rays and still enjoy daylight and the scenery.

Energy saving window film is a non-reflective, non-tinted film that fits all single-pane windows and is applied without adhesive. This is an easy do it yourself project that doesn’t require a specialized installer.

The sun-blocking and insulation properties of window film can mean substantial savings on your energy costs. Depending on the type and brand of window film, they can block between 65% to around 80% of solar heat coming into the home through a window in the summertime and help reduce winter heat loss by keeping between 35% to 40% of the heat inside the home during the winter time.

Another added benefit is that insulating window films also block between 98 – 99% of UV rays that can fade carpets, drapes, furniture and wood floors. Non-reflective, non-tinted film also has the side benefits of glare reduction, increased shatter resistance, and absorption of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Temperatures near the windows are reduced as well, which increases occupant comfort.

This is a cheaper quick fix solution than replacing all the windows in your home with energy efficient windows if you can’t afford to do that at the moment. So enjoy your bright cheery home now and let the light in.

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No flooring product has zero impact on our planet, but some green materials are better than others. I’ve listed a few of the eco friendlier options you might use in your home with both the pros and the considerations that need to be pondered.

Bamboo is one eco friendly option. Bamboo is a fast growing grass that can be selectively harvested annually. It is extremely durable and harder than red oak and maple, has 50% less contraction and expansion than wood and is a renewable resource.

However, Asian sources require significant embodied energy for transport so that is something to consider. You should also take care to look for bamboo products that have no formaldehyde added. But bamboo is still a great choice over hardwood flooring and can be stained in darker colors than just the blonde color that comes to mind for more traditional looks.

Cork is another eco friendly renewable resource material made out of the bark of the cork oak tree. Only the bark is used so the tree does not have to be cut down. What’s great about cork is that it often contains recycled content, is easy to clean if properly sealed and gives great foot support.

Just look for products that have no formaldehyde added and avoid cork-vinyl composites. Also consider its origin and remember that transportation requires embodied energy for transport so try to find products sourced as locally as possible.

Rubber is another new eco friendly flooring material available these days. Virgin rubber is derived from rubber trees, a renewable resource; recycled rubber reduces the environmental burden of discarded tires.

The down side is that almost all rubber, except virgin rubber, has a significant odor from continual off-gassing and has indoor air quality impact so if you use the recycled rubber instead of the virgin rubber it needs to be used in well ventilated areas.

But its benefits are that it uses recycled material, helps reduce landfill, is easy to clean, offers good foot support, is very durable and can be installed without adhesives.

Linoleum uses the same ingredients today as when it was invented in 1863 — linseed oil, cork dust, wood flour, tree resins, ground limestone and pigments, all pressed onto a jute backing. The ingredients are renewable items and often are recycled content, which is good for the planet.

Sometimes the linoleum is made to look like hardwood flooring as in the picture below:

Linoleum is durable, easy to clean and offers good foot support, however, it is most often made in Europe, resulting in significant embodied energy for transport. Make sure to look for “natural linoleum.” Vinyl flooring is sometimes generically called “linoleum” but is not the same thing.

Stone is another option to consider for the kitchen. It is a natural resource and a very durable material. Stone, however, is a finite resource, can result in using significant embodied energy if the stone is mined or fabricated overseas and, if the stone requires sealing, the sealers can produce potentially harmful VOC emissions.

Look for locally mined and fabricated stone or even reclaimed stone and look for stone that does not have to be sealed. I’ve seen some really amazingly beautiful things done with reclaimed stone so don’t be afraid to explore this option.

The above picture is of reclaimed limestone.

Planning a kitchen remodel?

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