Looking for affordable ways to make sure your home renovation is green and good for the planet? You’re not alone. Eco-friendly renovations are on the rise for a number of reasons.
Homeowners want to prioritise materials that don’t use unnecessary resources. Choosing eco-friendly choices can also help to minimise your exposure to environmental irritants and pollutants, including VOCs (volatile organic compounds).
With this in mind, we’re looking at some of the simple ways you can prioritise environmentally friendly choices in your home renovation. We’re looking at the role of sustainable hardware, and when you should opt for original reclaimed hardware versus sustainable replicas.
Perhaps the starkest realisation that often hits home when starting a renovation is the amount of waste that it generates. When you’ve got a skip sitting outside your home slowly filling up with plaster, old tiles, rotten wood and other building materials, you start to think more about the impact of your choices.
Rather than choose materials that will be destined for the skip in a few decades, wouldn’t it make sense to prioritise long-lasting, sustainable and eco-friendly choices? Even small changes can have a huge impact on the carbon footprint of your project. Some changes could include:
An unexpected benefit of these choices is that you will often limit your exposure to harmful compounds that will release VOCs over the years. These are common with plastic materials that will break down over time and release volatile organic compounds – not something that you want in your home.
Sourcing reclaimed items for your period property is perhaps one of the most enjoyable parts of the renovation. Rather than opting for cheap and mass produced hardware for your home, you can scour architecture salvage yards for the perfect finishing touches.
Look for durable materials like brass, copper and bronze, as these are sure to stand the test of time. Recycled glass is another excellent option, provided it isn’t damaged.
When replacing doors, you can look for salvaged hard wood doors before you go searching for a modern new one. We recently shared our tips for navigating salvage yards if this is a daunting area for you.
Sometimes choosing reclaimed items just isn’t an option. Perhaps you need multiple of the same item, or you’re concerned about durability. This is particularly common with door knobs, as you might want to coordinate them throughout the whole house, or you might be looking for matching cupboard knobs.
When reclaiming isn’t an option, we recommend reaching for authentic replicas. You can still opt for sustainable and long lasting materials like wood and brass, but you’ll have the reassurance of knowing the mechanisms are new and not likely to break down any time soon.
Brass is one of the most beautiful materials for door hardware. As it ages, it develops a beautiful patina that only adds to the charm. It can also be polished to a high shine if this is the look you prefer.
This is a warm-toned metal that brings a touch of vintage charm to any space. You don’t have to get precious about caring for it, as small scuffs will only add to the appeal.
Wood is another popular choice for doorknobs. Choose from ebonised wood for a monochromatic finish, or opt for beautiful hardwood in a rich and warm red tone.
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