Insulation may be on your mind now that the temperatures are dropping. Keeping your home well-insulated isn't only key in preserving your home's climate control, but can also help reduce energy costs by preventing energy leaks.
Traditional insulation, however, isn't the most eco-friendly of materials. If you'd prefer a greener option, try some of these options as discussed by This Old House.
*Cellulose, made of shredded newspapers and fire retardant. Cellulose is applied while damp and, when dry, works just as well as fiberglass.
*Cotton, which is an ideal insulation for floors and walls. Cotton insulation can be made from a variety of materials, including denim and other recycled cotton.
*Sheep's wool, a great natural alternative for insulation. According to This Old House, the sheep wool is fluffed and treated with pest control additives before being applied as insulation.
It's finally happened. The green building movement now has a retailer to call its own, Treehouse.
Treehouse opened last week in Austin, TX and is the country's first home improvement center that will sell only sustainable and healthy-living products.
TreeHouse will carry a wide range of carefully selected merchandise including paint, floor and wall coverings, kitchen and bathroom fixtures, cleaning supplies,storage and organization options, solar power products plus a wide range of smart-home technology solutions that will allow customers to run their houses or businesses more efficiently.
Colder months typically bring increased concerns about energy costs, which can vary widely depending on your heating source. The good news? There are two small things you can do to help prevent energy leaks, meaning you'll rack up noticeable savings on your energy bills.
The first? Install thermal shades. These are a great tool, especially if you can't afford to replace your home's existing insulation. Plus, thermal shades are helpful year-round. They block the sun in the summer, keeping your home cool, while also retaining heat in the winter so that you can keep your home comfy and cozy without spending a ton of money.
Thermal shades vary in price and can be found at many sources, including JC Penney. You'll be able to find thermal shades that suit your window type and home decor. Yep, that's right -- thermal shades are functional and they look nice, too. Think of it as an energy-saving win-win!
While perusing our local Home Depot for some fall project items, we found ourselves eyeballing the countertop selection. We're not really in the market for a new countertop, but we like to keep tabs on what's available through the retailer. Imagine our delight upon discovering the ECO by Cosentino line, a recycled materials countertop range.
This line is made of at least 75% post-consumer and/or post-industrial materials and is bound by an environmentally-friendly resin. The company states that their product is different than other recycled countertops because they ensure that the materials they use have reached the end of their use cycle, therefore saving both natural resources and landfill space by incorporating them in their products.
