HOME IMPROVEMENT

You could hire a pro to do home improvement, but doing home projects yourself is advantageous in that you will do the project exactly as you want it, you could take the project as a bonding session with loved ones, a project could be a great pastime and a great stress reliever, and you will save money.

Consider doing a 'green' DIY or do-it-yourself home improvement project – this is the new global trend. Doing green energy projects is advantageous in that it means you will use less energy, meaning you will lower your carbon footprint and do your part in saving the environment from global warming, you will spend less money on energy bills, and you will increase the value of your home.

The green home improvement project could be the installation of solar roof panels. Energy from the sun can be stored for use at night. After the installation of solar panels, you will not have to spend any other money.

The green home projects could be the installation of dual pane windows. These keep heat in during winter months and keep heat out during summer months, meaning you will not use a lot of energy on heating and cooling respectively.

The green energy projects could be wood, bamboo, or marmoleum flooring. Using exotic hardwoods such as White Tigerwoods and Brazilian Cherry from well-managed man-made sources means less heat loss in the house. Bamboo is a glass and not a tree and it is therefore a renewable resource. Bamboo floors save energy and have great aesthetic value. Marmoleum flooring from linseed oil, a binding agent from pine trees, and renewable products such as ground limestone, renewable products like wood, and jute saves on energy and is also advantageous in that it is stain resistant and is biodegradable.

The green home improvement project could be the use of cool roofs. A white roof or one that is made from other light colors will reflect infrared rays, meaning you will use less energy on heating and cooling. The material for cool roofs could be asphalt, metal, or tile.

You could paint the rooms in your house with low VOC (volatile organic compound) paint for your green energy projects. This not only reduces air pollution, but it also has health benefits in that it will protect you from respiratory problems. Remember that indoor air quality is mostly 10 to 100 times worse than outdoor air quality.