5 DIY Projects that Increase the Value of Your Home

Home improvement is the best thing to do if you want to upgrade your home. DIY projects can provide more appeal and value to your real estate, including houses for sale in North Vancouver. Having some home projects and home decorating can also ease your mind to make sure that the value of your home will not deteriorate. Home improvement projects can also allow you to Feng shui your home to get more positive energy to come in. IF you want to have a DIY home, you can just choose some easy DIY project to make the DIY home improvement to be fun and rewarding.

1. Renew Your Landscape and Curb Appeal

If you want your real estate looking polish, you need to go ahead and do some DIY outdoor to add more curb appeal to your surroundings. You can redecorate your front porch as well as your front door. Try to use chalk paint and get some designer tips online to transform your real estate facade. That will add more appeal to your home, and you don’t even have to hire anyone to get things done. You can always find more exterior designs online and go for DIY home improvement.

Another great idea to improve your landscape is to have a herb garden. You can have a modern house number planter using some pieces of wood from your barn. While you’re at it, redesign your barn door as well and make it look prettier. You can paint it with tree stumps design so that it will blend in perfectly to your garden.

2) Replace Carpet with Laminate Floors

Another essential thing to do when it comes to doing some DIY home projects is to replace your carpet floors with the laminated floors. It will change the overall look of your house, and it will surely look brand new. You don’t have to worry about reinstalling laminated floors by yourself. There are many video tutorials from YouTube that you can watch so that you will learn how it’s done. It will save you a lot of money by doing that.

After changing your floors, it’s about time also to repair essential items in the house. You can check your air conditioner to see if it needed service and repairs. You can also try to check your electric wires that may need more attention and have some electrical repair already. The last but not the least is your plumbing that may also need some plumbing repair to ensure that everything is running well within your real estate.

3) Add an Outdoor Space

A DIY patio is a great addition to make your real estate more sophisticated and cozy. Just add a patio umbrella and outdoor table to have your very own outdoor space. It’s great for your mental health as well as you’re family members because it can be the place for you to hang out with each other or just relax by yourself. You can also add a porch swing if you have kids so that they can also have their playground without the need to leave the real estate.

Having an outdoor space will add more appeal to your home. You don’t always have to stay indoors since you can still sit back and relax in your DIY patio. It will also be picture-perfect in case you’re planning to sell your real estate soon. The buyers will be enticed to seal the deal right away because it’s an ideal home. But you can also just keep it for your enjoyment.

4) Make a Home office

A home office is a good idea, especially because of Covid 19, people need home offices. It’s a perfect DIY home project so that you can have your workspace from your real estate. It will ensure productivity since you will get the feel of working from your own office. There are many design ideas that you can check online or just go for your design and avoid hiring interior designers.

You will need to decide about the coat of paint that you want to use for your DIY home office. It can be a simple task that you can tackle this weekend. Make sure to add storage space for relevant documents that you need for your home office. Have your contact paper and picture frame as well so that you will be comfortable in your workspace once it’s done.

5) Renovate Your Kitchen Cabinets

The kitchen cabinets are often neglected since it’s being used as food storage or just to keep some kitchen utensils for cooking. But it’s best if you will also spice up your kitchen by using some faux marble that will guarantee to spruce up your space in no time. Just decide what will be the new theme of your kitchen and align it with the cabinets to make your kitchen better looking.

Of course, saving money should also be prioritized when doing a DIY home project. That’s why you’re doing it yourself. You can check some IKEA hack, Lowes, or home depot so that you can compare the prices of the materials. Then you choose the most affordable yet with excellent quality materials so that you can make sure that your kitchen will look great for a long time.

Conclusion

These DIY projects will increase the value of your home without the need to spend too much. Since you can just buy the materials from a place that you can get it the cheapest, you no longer have to pay for the labor of doing the project. You’re real estate will surely increase the value since it will look as if it’s newly built as well as well maintained. It’s best to just research the materials that you will need and compare the prices from each store so that you will not end up paying more. Once you have everything that you need for your DIY project, you can go ahead and start working so that you can already see the results. It will give you a sense of accomplishment and feel proud about doing the DIY project that looks like a PRO made it.

 

What You Should Know About Wood Primer and How To Use It

 

Wood primer is a type of preparatory undercoat coating applied to wood, especially before applying paint to it. Wood primers are designed to increase the durability and longevity of a paint job and ensures improved adhesion of paints to a surface. It also protects the wood surfaces that you plan to paint over.

Primer is one of the important parts of the painting process. It also adds beauty and visual appeal to paint jobs by providing a polished, uniform, and smooth look to structures. Primer also ensures you use a lot less paint during the painting process.

When Should You Be Using Wood Primer?

This depends on the type of wood you plan to paint. If you are painting an unstained new wood, it is best to use a high-quality oil-based primer or a latex primer. If the wood is stained or painted, it is better to go for a stain-blocking primer. More weathered or old wood requires a high-quality oil-based or latex primer.

Why Does Wood Need A Primer?

Primers contain a blend of chemicals that dissolve onto the surface in order to hide any imperfections. Primers are also designed to ensure the wood receives the paint better in the way of improving and enhancing the existing surface. Primers have adhesive characteristics that ensure the paint absorbs and adheres well. A wood primer also assists with hiding small holes present in the wood and it helps to make knots and stains less visible. A primer will ensure that your paint looks better and lasts longer than it would without the primer.

Tips On How To Apply Primer To A Wood Surface

Before you get started, make sure to choose best wood primer which is well combined, and that you are using the correct technique to apply the primer. You can use either a spray, a roller, or a brush to apply a high-quality primer to your wooden surfaces. If you are looking for the easiest way to apply primer, choose one of the spray primers. With a spray primer, you will need to apply a number of coats to achieve good coverage. Brushing does take more effort and time, but the layers will be more even, consistent and thinner.

Every primer comes with its own set of instructions on how best to use and apply the product. However, here are the general steps on how to prepare and apply primer to a wooden surface:

– Clean the surface, ensuring there is no grease, dust, or grime on the wood.

– After thinning the primer properly, apply the product to the wood using a brush, roller, or spray.

– Allow the product to dry for at least 6 to 8 hours before you apply a polishing paste.

– Use a 180 sandpaper grit to sand over the putty. From here you can apply another primer coat.

Experts recommend using a fine-grit sandpaper to achieve an even surface between each coat.

From here your wood surface is now prepared and ready for a paint application.

 

How to Landscape around Trees

 

landscaping 2There are certain vital principles that you must keep in mind when you are planning to landscape an area that has trees else. The desired results may not be achieved, and your landscaping can go wrong. Therefore, let us look at some of the issues that you must keep in mind when landscaping around the trees.

 

  1. Simplicity is the key

If you are designing the landscape around a large, beautiful tree, keep the design simple. If you make the surrounding too complicated, the overall beauty of the tree can get lost. You can try planting simple ferns around the trees. Another good option can be creating a ground cover with periwinkle or the myrtle vine with tiny violet flowers. You can select other varieties that grow well in the shade and can complement the beauty of your tree.

 

  1. Coordinate colors

When you landscape around flowering trees, you must keep the color scheme in mind when planting the foliage around the trees.  Remember to plan your garden’s colors in different seasons to keep the landscape look like a work of art, a professional from nampa lawn & landscape pros can help you even with changing seasons and the peak blooming period.

 

  1. Keep in mind the lighting

Keeping in mind the light and shade zones around the trees is essential when you are creating the landscape as the level of light may not be uniform in all areas and all times during the day. Some trees like maple, magnolias may allow more light than evergreens. Place plants that grow well in shades closer to the tree, while those which need sunlight in the outer, sunnier areas will allow your plants to grow well around the trees.

 

  1. Challenges with thriving

Large trees, apart from less sunlight, also pose the challenges for the roots of foliage around it. These trees have long roots that go deep into the earth, and hence the plants and around these trees will always face stiff competition for water and nutrients and, therefore, will struggle to survive. Thus you have to select tough foliage that can survive under these conditions. Adding mulch around the plants can also help the roots of these plants will keep these new plants well hydrated even in the presence of the deep-rooted trees.

 

  1. Pay attention to the soil level

Many people create a raised soil level around the trees with a border to plant other things. However, the raised soil around the tree trunk often causes rotting in the bark of the tree and gives rise to infections and diseases that may attack the tree. It is better to create a border that leaves a gap from the tree trunk. If you wish to make a plant bed under the tree, it’s essential to remove the grass before adding fresh soil else. It will be difficult for the tree roots to get air and oxygen, and they may get clogged and will eventually start affecting the tree’s healthy growth.

 

  1. Take care of Tree Roots

When you are planning a landscape around the trees, it is important not to damage the tree roots while planting other plants. This should be done more carefully, especially for trees with shallow roots or those that have roots spread even above the ground. If you cut damage these roots during landscaping, the tree’s health may get affected. So dig the soil around the trees with utmost care.

 

  1. Use Stones & Rocks for Maintenance free landscaping

Though plans and lawn around a tree base may look beautiful, they will take regular maintenance. If you do not wish to spend a right amount of you time in maintaining your landscape, make use of bricks, stone and rocks around your trees, Keep the designing sustainable and do not layer the stones or rocks on a plastic sheet and this is will create a barrier for air and water and impact your trees and plants.

 

  1. Make it a focal point

Using the large beautiful trees as a focal point in your garden and creating landscape around it will give a unique personality to your landscape. If you have a large tree, instead of trimming it down, create the additions like a patio or seating area around it. This will give you a different texture to your landscape while retaining the beautiful trees.

 

5 Essential Things to Do When Moving into a New Home

5 Essential Things to Do When Moving into a New Home

 

Have you recently bought a house and you’re thinking about the millions of things you have to do? Your list is probably blowing up, and you don’t even know where to start. So, what are the first things that you need to do whenever you move into a new house?

Depending on what project it is, there might be more or fewer things to do. We’re not going to talk about repairing any damages to your house; it’s more like those things that everybody should do whenever they buy a new home. Packing and unpacking is not the only major thing to do, getting connected with your new home, learning how it works, and prioritizing what tasks need to be done first is another essential role of a homeowner.

You have a lot on happening already, so you’ll probably need help with organizing everything. To make things easier, here are a few ideas you might use when moving into a new home. Of course, moving requires a lot of effort to be done, but if you take your time and relax, soon enough, you’ll be sitting back and celebrate your new home.

1.      Do a Walk Around the House

What better time is it to do a walk-through of your new home than when it’s empty? So, make sure that you check if it needs any repairs, everything that you paid for does not miss, and that everything works right. Check the fixtures, the lights, the outlets, etc. Before unpacking everything and unloading the truck, set up a plan. Take a look into the living room, the kitchen area, and the bedrooms. Decide how you’ll want your furniture to be placed and make sure that you don’t overcrowd. An open space area gives your home a whole different aspect, and you’ll have more room for yourself.

Also, make sure that there aren’t any problems against the sale contract. If the previous owner decided to sell the house, including the kitchen furniture, and you were surprised not to find it there, call your real estate agent and see what could be done. Other issues that are not covered in the contract will be 100% your responsibility.

2.      Call for a Moving Company

When moving into a new home, the whole moving process might get stressful along the way. With all the furniture and personal things that need transport, you already feel overwhelmed. Have you considered yet scheduling the move? Calling for a moving company will handle every detail of your relocation, including packing, unpacking, planning, and storage.

Would you like to have someone to take care of the process from the beginning until the end? An experienced moving company will carefully plan and perform transports of any size. Be prepared to go when movers arrive, and don’t forget to place the small boxes in your car. You can carry in your vehicle things like kitchen furnishings, bedroom sheets, plants, etc. Planning your move by calling a moving company will help you set everything up according to the plan.

3.      Apply a Fresh Coat of Paint

To most people, it is reasonable that it’s essential to paint your home after you bought it. Although painting can be so messy, and you often need a lot of space to do it, you have to determine what you’re painting. If it’s just the walls, the trims, or even the ceiling, it is so much easier to do it without furniture in. You don’t have to be as careful; you can be as messy as you want to. So, do it right away, pretty much as soon as you get the keys in your hand.

Painting can also be such a pain for most people. Some do enjoy it, but when it comes to painting the entire house, at some point, everyone is like “I am sick of it, I don’t want to deal with it anymore.” So, do it right away, you’ll be so much happier when everything is done and the big part of moving, such as painting, is out of the way.

And on top of that, fresh paint can transform the entire house. After finishing the painting, everything looks so fresh and clean. Of course, you get to choose the color that you most like, the goal is to add a fresh coat of paint. Also, if the house that you moved in has a little bit of an odd smell, or maybe the old owners were smokers, fresh paint also helps with that.

4.      Clean the House

Start cleaning the entire house, and that includes the floor, windows, kitchen, bathroom, the bedrooms, and so on. Depending on how big your home is, it won’t be done in two hours; it can take a couple of days to clean the entire place. If you’re “lucky,” and the old owners didn’t clean the house for whatever reason, it’s essential to do it. Think about that strangers were living in that house, is their dirt, you don’t want to live in it. Get a sponge and clean the entire house, especially if you suffer from allergies.

Even if the sellers cleaned the house before, you don’t know how well they cleaned it. Even if it looks clean, unfortunately, bacteria can’t be seen, so just be on the safe side and clean everything before you settle in. Also, even if the sellers cleaned the entire house, now it’s twice as clean, so you can sleep much better knowing that you live in a clean and healthy environment.

5.      Set Up Candles and Air Fresheners

Put up some air fresheners or scented candles. If you just moved into a new house that has been owned by other people and the house still smells weird, use candles with your favorite scent to make it feel like home. The house will take some time to start carrying your smell, but in the meantime, use scented candles and air fresheners to get to the point.

So, these are some of the essential things you need to do when moving into a new home. Hopefully, it will help in any way and don’t forget, the sooner you’ll take care of the important stuff, it will start to feel like home.

 

How to revamp your backyard

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Your backyard should be an oasis for you.  It’s your private green pasture that you can mold as you see fit, without changing the curb appeal of the front of your home.  Unfortunately, this freedom leaves people frozen in indecision with what to do with it.  This need is reasonable, all that most people need is a push in the right direction.

Here are some tips to give your yard the life and beauty you’ll want everyone to see.

First, Plantlife

The state of your greenery is paramount to your backyard.  You need to ensure that you’re building up from a good base so that you don’t have to try and put in flower beds around furniture.

Consider the flow of your yard

Mow all of your grass to start, make sure you weed and rake if there are stray leaves.  From there, decide what portions of your yard will go mostly unused.  The best places for flower beds are close to the home, no more than three feet out.  With a more substantial yard, you could get more creative, heavily consider what space you have to work.

Go for flowers that are local to your area, and avoid any plant life that might cause allergy issues for anyone in the home.

Shade

If you live in a warmer climate, you understand the need for shade.  In summer, standing in the shadow could mean it feels ten to fifteen degrees cooler.  This effect is due to a lack of solar radiation that you would usually feel in full sunlight.

Look at what kind of shaded structure would work best for you.  Smaller yards may need a sun umbrella or two, but with larger yards, you can put in a structure like a gazebo or build out a structure with a permanent roof.

Furniture

Again, this option has to do with how much space you have.  Define areas with lawn furniture.  You can even put in a patio for lounging, and layer it so that a lower section is for grilling and enjoying drinks.

Go for a furniture style that compliments the rest of your home, while also keeping budget in mind.  It’s easy to spend a lot when it comes to these, so keep an eye out for a Home Depot coupon code or other things that can help you save some cash.

Water Features

Putting in water features can be the most exciting part.  It can be anything, from a coy pond to a Jacuzzi: but keep a budget and a vision in mind.

Moving water is for the best if you’re in a humid area since it’ll stop mosquitoes from breeding, and consider what kind of enjoyment you’d like to get out of it.  If you want to swim, and you have space, plot out a pool!  If pool upkeep is a nightmare for you, consider putting in a waterfall fountain, or something else that fits your style.

 

The most important thing about a backyard is that it matches your style.  So take your time, think deeply about that, and you’ll have no trouble creating a backyard perfect for you!

 

7 Warm and Wonderful Ways to Cozy Up Your Home

 

Coziness is one of the main reasons why people love the winter season. Most places have that warm and fuzzy look with dimmed lights, where you can relax and spend time with your friends or family. Cozy places like this can make you unwind from work, inviting you in another world to feel warm and spoiled. Now, imagine that kind of feeling in your home! It’s like therapy! Your home should be the place where you feel the most relaxed and pampered.

7 Warm and Wonderful Ways to Cozy Up Your HomeThe cold months of winter are here, and all you can think about while you’re at work is to come home to your cozy sanctuary. A long hot shower, a hot chocolate, and a good movie can make you release all that stress accumulated throughout the day. But, although nothing compares to the comfort of your own home, lately, you felt like there’s something about your it that needs improving. You either don’t like the elements of your home anymore, or you just feel the need to add something new, for your own pleasure. Cozy doesn’t have the same meaning for everyone, it depends on how you want to improve your home’s comfort. However, cozy induces feelings of warmth, relaxation, and comfort. Do you wonder what could bring more comfort to your home? Maybe reorganizing your space? Bringing some new decorations? There are tons of interesting ways you can make your home feel so cozy and welcoming. In this article, you’ll find 7 steps to make your home cozier.

Organize Your Home

Have you ever been invited to a place where you couldn’t feel relaxed and comfortable? Maybe it’s because it was filled with too much stuff. A home can’t be welcoming and comfortable if it’s filled with mess. When a place is visually full of clutter, it may disturb your focus. If you think about the hotel rooms, you’ll realize that there’s almost no decor. The purpose is to leave the space cleaner and choose just a few items and put aside the rest of it. Your home will look more open and comfortable. You can look through magazines and see the latest trends in home decoration.

Create a Space for Ultimate Coziness

Your entire home can be cozy, but not everyone can afford it. Some have kids or pets and it might be difficult to keep everything organized. So, design a corner in your home where you can display many candles, small fuzzy pillows, a blanket that can replace a rug, and many other seasonal decorations. Also, you can put a bench where you can relax or maybe you can use it as a table to place all your decorations. Ribbons are colorful, fun, and can be used for different things around your house. You can decorate your curtains by hanging a few ribbons on them, they’ll look more stylish and fun! There’s always a chance to find a discount ribbon in bulk if you do some research on the internet.

Throw Blankets All Over

Blankets are perfect for creating that cozy atmosphere, especially the soft ones made out of cashmere or cotton. Throw a few blankets around the house, so you can easily grab one if you ever feel cold. For maximum coziness, choose a chunky knit blanket and put it on your bed. Also, flannel sheets will give you that soft feeling to your skin and make your bed look much more comfortable. Now, imagine when you get into your bed, after a long working day. Mm, so cozy!

Bring the Elements of Nature in The Decor

For a minimalist look, get inspired by Japanese interiors. Many homes get that cozy look by bringing elements of nature in their décor. The mixture of plants, water, stone, creates a nice contrast and really makes the atmosphere look so calming and have that zen-vibe. If space allows you, get bigger plants, a fountain, and create a garden inside your home. It’ll look awesome and unique!

Introduce Art to Your Cozy Space

So many homes with no art hanging on their walls are simply missing the chance to bring some charisma into them. Art can bring so much coziness into a home but people rarely step out of their comfort zone. This is the element that’ll make your home feel welcoming and interesting. Art is a personal choice, so it should represent you and your lifestyle. Before you hang it on your wall, think about what inspires you the most, it’ll be easier and less scary to introduce it to your home.

The importance of Good Lightning

Do you know those cute cafés with dimmed lights and a warm, comfortable atmosphere? The right lighting can make you feel more relaxed and lift up your mood. It’s an essential ingredient to make your room cozier. If you tend to spend more on the furniture, consider that lightning can completely make the space look warmer. The goal is to create a comfortable, cozy place, and get rid of that boring feeling when entering the room. For extra ambiance, add a few scented candles. The delicious smell will freshen up the room in a moment. But don’t forget to turn them off while you are away.

Decorate with Books

Books can be a super cheap décor method for making your home cozier. You can purchase them from your local store, or just use the ones you already have at home. There are so many different ideas on how to decorate your home with old books that can add a vintage touch. Decorating with books can be fun but it also brings knowledge and life to your home. Transform your living room into a library by adding a wall of books.  Guests will be impressed with your idea! Place books in different areas of your home, on the coffee table, for example, on the kitchen counter, or even in the bathroom. You can decorate the entire home with books, just pick the right colors that complement the rest of the house. However, the point is to make sure that these decorations ideas stand out visually.

Hopefully, these wonderful, warm tips will help you transform your home into a cozy place where you and your family can spend quality time together.

 

5 Tips to Make a Bedroom Look More Expensive in 2020

 

A lot of the times, it is difficult to emulate the picture-perfect bedroom looks you see on the covers of famous interior design magazines. However, with a little redecorating and a strong vision, a plain room can become a luxurious centerpiece of your house. It doesn’t mean that the furniture or accessories cost a lot of money. If you’re on a shoestring budget, check out 5 tricks below, that will make your bedroom design look like it has been decorated with impeccable taste.

Get Rid of Clutter

The first step to making your bedroom look lavish, is de-cluttering. A clean and dust-free environment will not only provide more storage space, but also give your room a major transformation. Removing excessive bedroom items such as unread books, stuffed animals or even ottomans, immediately make the room more spacious and livelier. When you take out all the unnecessary accessories and organize your drawers, a feeling of cleanliness will radiate from the room. It is a process, not a one-off project. You have to constantly vacuum, remove folded clothes from your bed and change sheets in order for the room to shine and look its best.

Style Key Areas

Styling your bedroom isn’t only a matter of style and preferences, but it is a skill. How to make a small number of items look expensive and modern? Another way of achieving an expensive bedroom look with a little money is by styling your nightstand or shelf. There is a difference between a stack of unread books that only collects dust and organizing the bookcase in a stylish way. By putting some bold-colored clocks, colorful vases or metallic trays on your nightstand or a bookcase, you can elevate the space and cut down on visual clutter.

Bedding Richness

For a completely polished look, add texture to the room with a perfect bedding. People tend to neglect the importance of a high-quality bedding and mattress. Adding a pop of color and texture to you bed, really makes a difference, all without making you break the bank. Foam beds provide the utmost comfort and their classy white color goes well with every color and shade you can think of, which makes it a perfect choice for your new bedroom look. Fold the edges of your sheets at the end, layer the pillows and daydream on your perfectly made bed.

Curtains All the Way

When you think of curtains, it might seem that they are too old-fashioned to be incorporated into a modern-looking bedroom. However, if you’re having privacy concerns and want to upgrade your bedroom space, monochromatic sheer white curtains will fit any bedroom like a glove. Classic curtains match your bedding perfectly and add a touch of elegance and luxury to the room. You can match the color of the rods with the aesthetics of the room, but classic white ones are the safest choice to open up the space.

Color Play

Some new colors for 2020 interior design trends are emerald green, terracotta or mustard yellow. Apart from adding greenery to your bedroom, opt for these colors for your accessory statement pieces, such as pillows, paintings or lamp-shades. With a white bedding and white drapes, these are the strong colors that will seamlessly tie into the bedroom decor.

The key is in making the furniture arrangement look expensive, even though it is essentially the same room, only with more style. “Less is more” approach will never go out of style for a bedroom transformation, so these five tips are the perfect simple ways to make your bedroom more appealing. What strategies have you employed so far? Tell us all about it in the comment section below.

 

Everything You Need To Know Before You Switch To Solar

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There is a definite drive from homeowners to integrate more efficient upgrades into their homes. One of the most popular home additions has been to mount solar panel arrays on the roof to help owners go off the grid.

The trend toward a more sustainable and environmentally responsible lifestyle has pushed the popularity behind making your home solar sufficient. Not only can you save a bunch of money on your energy bills, but you can also drastically reduce your carbon footprint when you decide to go solar.

Before you make the switch, there are a few things that you should consider, including getting a new Allstate Home Insurance quote to accommodate your updates. Switching over to solar is not as simple as just mounting some solar panels. Here’s what you will need to know before making the decision to run your home using solar power.

Incentives

One of the largest driving forces behind the solar trend is money savings. Once you get past the initial investment, which can be large, you can enjoy lifelong savings and even make some money back. The great thing about this initiative is that you could even get help footing the installation bill for your solar system.

Check with your municipality and talk to your accountant about available grants or tax breaks for adding solar that you can take advantage of. Making updates to your home to convert it into a more eco-friendly dwelling can actually make you money in incentives.

Warranties

Each solar dealer will have their own guarantees to cover the installation process, but it’s important to understand exactly what their warranties will cover. You don’t want to get stuck with panels that are only warrantied by the manufacturer. Standard warranties should cover your panels for up to 25 years and your inverter for up to 10 years.

Property Value Boost

If you still need more convincing that going solar is right for you, you should know that converting and adding a solar array can increase the market value of your home. Projects like adding solar, a kitchen remodel or developing a home heat recovery system are among the most popular home updates.

Along with saving money on your energy bills, you can expect an increase of up to 4% on your home’s value. This can make for an impressive return on your investment.

Inverters

When you are shopping for the elements of your solar power system you will need to choose an inverter that is best for your array. There are two different kinds of inverters; central or micro. A central inverter will be wired to draw in power from all of your panels at the same time. Microinverters are attached to each individual solar panel.

Size

The most common question that dealers get from homeowners is, “How many panels will I need to run my whole house?”. There are too many variables to answer this question to suit everyone. The number of panels that you will need will depend on the square footage of your home, how solar reliant you want to be and the wattage of your panels.

Any easy way to estimate how many solar panels you will need for your home is to follow this formula. Take your hourly household energy needs and multiply it by the number of hours of prime sunlight that you will get. Then take that number and divide it by the panel wattage.

 

# hourly energy needs  X  Peak sunlight hours

Panel Wattage

  

Conclusion

If you are interested in creating a more self-sufficient and greener home by adding solar, make sure to do your homework before you invest. Get help with funding, learn about the equipment and increase the value of your home with a solar power renovation.

 

5 Home Improvements for Families with Children

 

When you have children, change is to be expected. Not only do you have to adjust your life so it works around your children, but you will also have to adjust your home. When you make changes to your home, you need to make sure you choose wisely. Wrong decisions can reduce the value of your property and can end up costing you a lot more money than the improvement was worth, but when something is done right, not only will your property go up in value, but your family will be happier for it. To help you make the right decision, here are five home improvements you should consider if you have children.

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Convert Rooms

Reinventing a room can increase the value of your home as well as make your life easier. You can convert spaces that aren’t being used, such as a garage, basement or attic space, into something that could be used. You could change them into an extra bedroom, a second living room, a games room or a room that can be used by your child if they have a particular hobby they want to excel in, such as music, craft or exercise.

Consider a Playroom

A playroom is another good idea if you have the space and they have many benefits. This can keep the rest of your house tidy and in good condition because your children will have their own area where they can play and make a mess. If you decide to move home, this feature would appeal to buyers who have or plan to start a family.

Add an Outdoor Play Area

Exercise and fresh air are essential for child development. If you have a good-sized back or front yard, then installing an outdoor play area for your children is a great way to ensure they get outside, and it will be a safe area for them to do so. If you don’t have the time or skill to create your own outdoor play area, you should contact KG Landscape to help you create a safe, fenced play area.

Increase Storage

Nowadays, people like a minimalist look when it comes to their homes. This can be a hard thing to achieve when you have children, but it isn’t impossible. Making alterations that increase the amount of storage your home has will increase the value of your property and will make it look neat, tidy, and modern while you live there. It can also make your home safer, especially if you have young, curious toddlers walking about.

Improve Your Home’s Efficiency

There is no denying that children are expensive, so making changes that help to save you money as well as increase the value of your property whilst helping the environment are always great ideas. One of these changes would be to improve how energy efficient your home is. You can do this by adding installation, adding renewable energy sources, and installing double glazed windows. These are just a handful of things you can do.

To summarize, when you decide to make changes to your family home, space, efficiency, and usefulness are the key things you need to consider. If the alterations will help you, then there is a high chance it would help someone else, which leads to a rise in property price.

 

5 Tips to a Greener Home

Every homeowner wants the best for their family. From cozy living rooms to serene bathrooms, we all want to improve the way we live by considering home improvement projects that help us achieve a more appealing home.

But when it comes to making a home that’s safe and healthy, we will have to look for green solutions. After all, this is the first step to achieving a healthier home.

Let’s check out a few important tips to a greener home.

  1. Ditch commercial materials

Whether you’re mopping up the living room floor or repainting the exterior walls of your home, the materials you use may contain chemicals that not only pollute the air but also cause a wide range of health conditions on your family. You may need to update your shopping list and get rid of brands that are known to contain high traces of cancer-causing chemicals such as glycol and benzene.

If you’re making a change for the better, you might as well look online for shops selling organic materials for your next home improvement project.

  1. Think of a redesign

Often the best way to build a green home is to start from scratch. Fortunately, if you’re planning to settle in a home that’s both functional and eco-friendly, there are local builders who can help you along those lines.

If you live in Baltimore, you’ll find Maryland home builders who can provide custom designs that help reduce your carbon footprint. But if you already have a home, you can always opt for a redesign by using proper insulation, as well as materials and concepts that allow for better cooling and heating.

  1. Upgrade your lighting

If there’s anything that passes as an eco-friendly solution, changing your light bulbs will do the trick. Especially if it has been a while since you last upgraded your lighting, swapping your bulbs with LEDs will really keep your energy consumption low along with your power bills.

  1. Prepare a compost pit

Managing a garden is tough work, but choosing a safe alternative to commercial fertilizers has to be tougher. Sure enough, familiar fertilizer brands could be more acidic and, in effect, harmful to your plants.

Commercial fertilizer might give your garden the lushness it needs, but when it comes to keeping the soil healthy, preparing your own compost using kitchen scraps has to be the better option. It’s organic and it won’t pollute the ground much as synthetic fertilizers do.

  1. Improve your insulation

Whether there’s a blizzard or a heatwave, the thermostat has to be your best bet in keeping your home’s temperature well-regulated. Then again, you will have to pay a price for keeping your home well heated or cooled during extreme weather. By keeping your home well-insulated, you won’t have to set the thermostat high or low.

 

A greener home is possible, so long as you use the right approach. That way, you won’t have to worry about putting your family’s health and safety at risk.

 

A Quick Guide to the Benefits of a Home Heat Recovery System

 

Homeowners are increasingly looking for ways to add energy efficiency to their home and reduce their monthly energy bills. Many eco-friendly home improvements can pay for themselves over time, so they are often seen as a wise investment. Home Heat Recovery Systems give homeowners the chance to radically reduce their heating bill with only a small initial investment. Here we are going to take a quick look at the benefits of installing a Home Heat Recovery System.

They Offer Total Heating for Your Home

Home Heat Recovery Systems heat the air in your home and circulate it through every room. Heating the air ensures an even temperature throughout the house, no more cold spots or rooms to avoid on a cold day. By removing stale air and drawing in fresh air from the outdoors, it removes the need to open a window or door to let fresh air in as your air is always fresh. The system heats any fresh air it adds to your home before it enters circulation, to ensure the temperature is efficiently maintained throughout the house.

They Clean and Filter Your Air

Air quality is a concern for many homeowners, whether from pollen, local air pollution, or from humidity or carbon monoxide. A high-quality Home Heat Recovery System has air filters and dehumidifying cells as a part of its construction. As the system circulates air through your home it is scrubbed for irritants and particles; it is also dehumidified to reduce mould and condensation build up in your home. This can be of particular benefit to Asthma sufferers and people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

They Can Drastically Reduce Energy Bills

When installed in a well-insulated home, the energy savings a Home Heat Recovery System can bring can be quite staggering. By keeping close control over your home’s airflow and heating it only when needed, some users have experienced double-digit drops in their heating bill. It is important to find a reputable and experienced supplier to assist you in finding the right system for your home to help maximise the savings. A BPC Ventilation system is one of the industry leaders. They can source the best components to suit the needs of your home and offer excellent advice on fitting an HHR system. Finding the right supplier can be the difference between your home heating dreams and a costly nightmare.

Home Heat Recovery Systems bring consistent warmth to your home at a reduced cost. After just a short while the savings they bring you will offset the cost of your investment, so in the end, they pay for themselves! Every year, energy prices increase, and governments put more pressure on homeowners to reduce their carbon footprints. With a Home Heat Recovery System, it is possible to future proof your home by reducing your energy costs and consumption now, before any more price increases or costly regulations make heating your home too expensive.

 

Eclectic and Awe-Inspiring Design Ideas to Spice Up Your Home

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Your home design is all about you, your partner and your family. Every element present at home reflects a certain aspect of life. The colors painted all over the walls remind you of peace and serenity. The decor beautifying the walls project decision-making and artistic skills. The materials used inside and outside the house, from flooring to roofing, display style and preferences. Spacing and arrangement either defies customs or depicts centuries-old traditions and beliefs.

When buying a new home, building one or making a facelift, you want to be immersed in the process, from planning the details to the finishing touches. After all, the house is your safe haven for years or even for a lifetime. It is a pleasure to flip through the color palette, the portfolio of home decor and the gallery of design ideas you want your eyes to scour. It is also no wonder if you have been making sketches or notes with design ideas for the kitchen, living room, master bedroom or even the garage.

To help you out, we have compiled a list of unique bits of design that may seem bizarre but are actually awe-inspiring ideas that will make your house stand out from the rest.

Pendant Lighting

More and more restaurants, especially intimate ones, are now adorned with pendant lighting that hangs just slightly over the heads of guests. From a style perspective, pendant lighting offers a great addition to your home. But it provides more than just a decorative accent. It also plays a major role in terms of highlighting a room, adding a different glow while incorporating a decorative style.

Now, how do you plan on adding pendant lights at home? You can try hanging them to illuminate your entryway, a kitchen counter or dining table. Although the lights are usually close, you may also opt for a design that spreads all throughout the space you want to brighten up, like a dining table with a large seating capacity.

Natural Lighting and Ventilation

Sustainability solutions start at home. Measures to lower consumption of energy and water do not just lead to lesser utility bills but also contribute less to greenhouse gas emissions. Apart from using less electricity and water, you can incorporate sustainability measures in your building design.

This means you will need less light during the day and nature’s fresh breeze will surround your home, instead of turning on air conditioning for cooling the house. Ask your home renovations and remodeling service provider or a local Excel Builders to craft a design that allows natural lighting and ventilation to come inside the house.

Big Plants

Desert plants are the usual staple for decor inside the house. But it is 2019, and trends change over time. Small plants, flowering or non-flowering, are also attractive. Nowadays, big plants are eye-catching accessories that can attract attention. Before you purchase bold plants, you need to know the relevant information such as water and sunlight requirements to keep plants healthy and green.

Floral Patterns

While people live in a modern world, everybody loves a design redux for styles that were trendy in the past. In 2019, floral patterns have risen to the occasion. You might think the floral pattern thrived during your grandma’s adolescent period. Well, yes indeed. But filling your home with floral design may be a better replacement for bland or flashy colors that dominated the previous years.

Fortunately, floral print today is redesigned with contemporary lines and is much bolder than in years past. There is a list of fresh design for your floral patterns, from orchids to cherry blossoms, to give your room an updated look. 

Multi-Functional Space

Whether you’re limiting furniture to save space or just practicing less is more through minimalism, a multi-functional space can work wonders at home. You can remodel existing furniture pieces or purchase new ones that offer more than just one function, such as a bed with pull-out drawers or ottomans with added storage.

You can also design two or more rooms in one space, such as an office space in a living room or transforming kitchen counters into a workstation. Success in multi-functional space depends on layout. The design should manifest proper balance between two or more functions, and clearly indicate the division between spaces.

Bar Area

You, your partner, friends and family members can enjoy the spirits and entertainment at your home by putting up a bar. You can display your prized wines, tequila and other liquor you want to enjoy. Hang those wine glasses, put in the rotating stools and roll out those barrels to start partying without going outside.

With a bar area, it’s easy for guests to get cold drinks while the party is hot on the dance floor. The bar does not have to be limited to drinking alcoholic beverages alone. You can also have your morning coffee, brew a late-night tea or whip up a smoothie at the bar.

Biophilia

It is now that we are seeing more and more people that are interacting with nature. By installing sustainable solutions at home or in the office, everyone is more involved today than on previous years when it comes to getting closer with nature. At home, people create gardens to commune with the environment. Now though, design has brought nature closer to you through biophilia. A biophilic setting expands beyond houseplants or floral patterns. It has design and decor that bring the sight, sound and smell of nature indoors.

So, how do you create this biophilia? For one, work with water. The sound of flowing water not only relaxes our senses, it also blocks noises caused by street sounds. Another element is to breathe in the fragrant scent of nature with aromatic candles or essential oils. Aim to create a space devoid of gadgets, equipment and screens. A biophilic setting wants us to awaken our senses and technology works against it. Just have a corner where distractions are absent.

There is a Santa Claus list of eclectic home design ideas you can experiment in your new dwelling or for an upcoming renovation. As long as it speaks to your style, character and beliefs, you can never be wrong with your choices.

 

What’s So Special About Saltwater Pools?

Whats So Special About Saltwater Pools

Saltwater pools are gaining popularity as an alternative to traditional chlorine pools. Saltwater pool owners enjoy key benefits, but it’s important to learn what you’re in for before deciding on the right type of pool for your home.

Here, we’ll clear up some common misconceptions about saltwater pools, and weigh the pros and cons of saltwater pools over traditional pools.

The Basics

In a traditional pool, the chlorine level is maintained by periodically adding chlorine to the pool. However, a saltwater pool generates salt chlorine from added salt by the process of chemical electrolysis, using a salt chlorine generator. This highlights an important fact: a saltwater pool is a chlorine pool, it simply uses an alternate means of chlorination. That being said, a saltwater pool’s chlorine content tends to be much lower than that of a traditional pool. The significantly lower chlorine content in a saltwater pool is much gentler on the skin, hair, and eyes.

 

But, What is a Salt Chlorine Generator?

A salt chlorine generator is a metal cell that carries a low voltage electrical current. The generator is installed inline the pool’s existing pump system so the water is pumped through the generator before being returned to the pool. As the water passes through the metal cell, the current splits the salt into water and hypochlorous acid, which provides the disinfecting function normally achieved by adding chlorine.

A saltwater generator creates salt chlorine from simple table salt (NaCl), eliminating the need to handle chlorine. Because the chemical electrolysis converts the salt back and forth between salt and salt chlorine, and because salt does not evaporate (unlike chlorine), there is a reduced need to replenish the pool’s chlorine content. Still, the chlorine content of a saltwater pool must be monitored and salt must be added, as appropriate, to maintain safe levels.

 

Is It Like Swimming in The Ocean?

Note quite. The salinity of a saltwater pool is about one-tenth that of seawater. In fact, a saltwater pool is less salty than human tears. In the ocean, it’s easier to float on your back due to the added buoyancy of the salt. Saltwater pools don’t provide the effect quite as well.

The reduced salt of a saltwater pool in comparison with the ocean has a few benefits. You won‘t feel the “salty” feeling on your skin and hair quite as intensely after drying off. A pool’s water also does not sting your eyes in the same way ocean water will.

 

How Do I Convert My Pool?

Converting a traditional chlorine pool to a saltwater pool is fairly easy, but can be expensive. First, you would need to determine what size pool you have and install a salt chlorine generator capable of handling the volume. Salt chlorine generators range in cost from several hundred dollars to thousands of dollars. If you are not completely confident in your understanding of the system, you might also want to high a professional to do the installation so as to avoid damage to your equipment. It’s also important to not that the salt chlorine generator will need to be replaced every few years.

Then, you need to determine how much salt your pool needs. Pool salt test strips can tell you your pool’s existing salt level so you can accurately determine how much you need to add. Again, a saltwater pool uses simple table salt which should be easy to find. After you add the salt, you should run the pump (but NOT the salt chlorine generator), for 24 hours to allow the salt to evenly mix with the pool water. After that, you should test the water for appropriate salt, free chlorine, pH, cyanuric acid, total alkalinity, and calcium hardness, before running the salt chlorine generator. This process is referred to as “balancing the pool water.”

 

Are Saltwater Pools Low Maintenance?

Again, we’re here to debunk a common misconception. While saltwater pools require reduced maintenance steps, the water must still be routinely tested and adjusted to maintain proper sanitation. The salt chlorine generator cell must also be inspected at regular intervals for buildup and debris. Calcium buildup is a common issue in salt chlorine generators.

 

Is It Worth It?

The general consensus has been that the benefits of a saltwater pool far outweigh the negatives. The popularity of saltwater pools is on the rise as people appreciate the improved swimming experience:

  • The low salinity of the water means that very little salt remains on the skin.
  • The significantly lower chlorine level gives the water a softer feel, and is gentler on skin, hair, eyes, and even clothing.
  • Not having to physically handle toxic liquid chlorine or tablets has also been a big selling point among pool owners. Owners also appreciate the savings from no longer needing to purchase chlorine.
  • Also, there is generally less loss of chlorine to the environment with a saltwater pool than there is in a traditional pool.
  • Restoring a saltwater pool’s chlorine level can be as easy as simply adding some table salt.

 

While the benefits of saltwater pools are clear, it’s important for a potential owner to know the facts about what they are and what they are not:

  • A saltwater pool is not quite like the ocean. The salinity of a saltwater pool is far lower than that of seawater.
  • Installing a saltwater pool requires a higher initial investment, and fixing any broken equipment can be more expensive.
  • A saltwater pool is not low maintenance. Maintaining a sanitary saltwater pool requires consistency and attention to detail. All other parameters required for a safe pool still need maintenance.
  • Since a saltwater pool simply employs an alternate means of chlorination, many of the same issues that come up with a traditional pool will persist with a saltwater pool.
  • Salt can be corrosive to equipment surrounding your pool.

 

About the author:

Jason Caldwell is a Seattle-based writer and contributor to lifestyle blogs and magazines. His clients include An online swimming pools supply company. When he’s not running up against a deadline, he enjoys planning DIY projects and cooking for his family.

 

 

5 Ways To Make Your New Home Green(er)

You’ve settled on a new home! Whether you’re building or buying, it’s a time of great excitement and hopes for the future. Acquiring a new home goes hand in hand with the desire to live a better lifestyle than before. For many new homeowners, this includes living more sustainably.

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Here are some top picks for eco-friendly improvements that you can incorporate into your new home. Or, if your home already has sustainable features, use them to make it even greener.

1. Insulate the basement.

Most contractors and homeowners now understand the value of wall and attic insulation. However, did you know that up to 40 percent of the heat loss in a building can take place through the basement? Many people, including contractors, are reluctant to insulate basements. This is because in the past, incorrectly installed basement insulation projects created serious moisture and mold issues in many homes. However, by using modern, approved methods for basement insulation, you can avoid these problems. A properly insulated basement not only reduces your energy bills, it also becomes more pleasant, usable space. Just be sure whoever installs your basement insulation is familiar with proper vapor barrier placement and other basement insulation best practices.

2. Make smart landscaping choices.

Good landscaping can make the difference between a good looking home and a stunning one, but it can also affect your eco footprint. Well-placed trees and shrubs can help reduce your energy bills by sheltering your home from summer heat and/or chilling winds. Planting native species that can handle the climate in your area with minimal care can reduce your water bill dramatically, as well as provide food and shelter for native wildlife. Plus, installing water conservation devices such as rain barrels or weather-smart irrigation controllers will also help save water and keep your yard looking great without spending a bundle on water.

3. Choose eco-friendly materials.

Whether you’re building a deck, replacing a floor, or choosing the perfect pavement for your new drive, don’t just choose the first material that strikes your fancy. Do your research and find out what materials may be available that will suit your needs with less impact on the environment. Consider locally made, recycled, reclaimed and natural materials. You may be surprised at how affordable and/or beautiful some of these can be.

4. Lighten your lighting.

Did you know that on average, Americans spend 14 percent of their household electricity dollars on lighting alone?  One of the best ways to shave your lighting costs is to build more daylighting into your home. Skylights and light tubes are easy to install and will pay for themselves over time.  If you are building new, be sure to orient your home and place your windows to take advantage of available sunlight.  Installing LED bulbs is another investment that will save you money over time. Also, be sure to put any exterior lighting on a timer or use motion sensor devices so that the lights will only be on when you need them.

5. Go green with solar.

Yes, it’s a big investment, but nothing displays your commitment to a green lifestyle like solar panels on your roof. A photovoltaic or solar hot water system will pay for itself in a few years. After that, it will provide you with free electricity or hot water for decades. With renewable energy incentives still in place in many areas, and creative financing for solar becoming more common, you might be surprised how affordable it can be, too.

Going green in your new home is not just the right thing to do; eco-friendly choices often are healthier for your family. They can improve your home’s appearance and comfort level, and, smart green choices can save you a lot of money in the long run. Go ahead — make your new home as green as can be.

 

Ryan McNeill is the president of Renewable Energy Corporation, a Maryland based solar company. 

5 Ways to Create Eco- Friendly Inspired Homes

One of the brightest forms of current ecological activity is in the area of metal construction. There are now a whole host of ways that steel buildings can be actively used to enhance and organize all areas of home activity. Versatile and durable, steel constructions are environmentally friendly from the outset. Companies such as Future Buildings now specialize in provided prefabricated steel buildings that are quick to build and create very little waste. Ideal for a whole range of uses, here are five ways that these green designs can enhance a home.

Garages

Steel is the most sustainable of all construction materials and can offer the most environmentally aware approach to home activity. Advanced forms of garages and car ports can be an essential for most families, presenting an ideal amount of space and security. The long-lasting durability of steel is an obvious must for car owners looking to store their vehicle in the safest way. The huge advantage of using a modern steel building for this task is that every design can be individually tailored to each user’s requirements. This can mean a tidy and well balanced garage.

Storage

Practical storage solutions can be an essential element of ecological living.  The best forms of steel constructions can be put up in far less time than more traditional building methods, offering a greater amount of time for designing exactly how best to store items.  Outbuildings and annexes can be a great way of de-cluttering the home itself, ultimately creating more space in and around the house.

Workshop and office

Households and businesses are both beginning to see the advantages of modern steel constructions in the practical form of offices and additional workshops.  A home office can be easily installed on the grounds of a house quickly and conveniently.  Presenting a fully secure location for all working activities, a green office space can make working around the house a well organized – and decisively green – activity.

Garden

The garden is often key to enjoyable relaxation around the home. With the latest forms of steel construction this enjoyment can be heightened even further.  The practicality and ease of use of the latest styles of metal constructions can bring an extra element of forward-thinking to every home garden. Able to safely store gardening equipment and horticultural items, the latest forms of steel construction present the ideal way of looking after the garden in the greenest possible way.  Lighting and heating elements can also be safely installed, allowing the growing and careful cultivation of plants.

Living

The latest styles of steel buildings can be used as beautifully contained guest houses or annexed living quarters. The wipe clean edges of a carefully constructed pre-fab space can help save on cleaning products and detergents. Steel does not rust or require any form of treatment or extra care. The material is certainly the greenest of all available home construction materials, and can make an extra living space both comfortable and perfectly secure. With the most solid of structural supports, a futuristic steel building can make a valuable addition to every home.

The Greenest Roof of All, A Living Roof (aka Green Roof)

As we move further into the 21st century, the general populace is becoming increasingly concerned about the environment and new ways to apply green living to all aspects of our lives. Green living (many ideas available for interested homeowners here). The roofing industry is no exception. There are some products, such as metal roofs, that lower your heating costs. There are others that help by recycling post-consumer products such as tires, milk jugs, waste wood, and various other plastics, though at a slightly higher cost to the customer. There is one option, however, that is by far the greenest both literally and figuratively.

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Called by many, “the living roof,” it’s by far the most environmentally friendly option for your next building project. Not only does it help lower your heating and cooling costs by adding additional insulating layers on to your existing roof, it helps reduce harmful storm water runoff as well. Storm water runoff has recently been discovered to be contaminating no less than 13 percent of rivers, 18 percent of lakes, and 32 percent of estuaries across the United States.

Here are several benefits to having a living roof:

Reduce Energy Usage
The green roof can reduce your heating and cooling costs by adding additional insulation and mass to your roof. The natural evaporation process of rainwater on your roof also contributes to lowering the cooling load on a building anywhere from 50 to 90 percent.

Reduce Storm Water Runoff
By capturing and absorbing rainwater before it has a chance to create runoff in the streets and in the storm drains, it reduces the overall amount of pollution that makes it into the water table. The water that does manage to runoff will have already been filtered by the plants and the soil foundation that they grow from. Streams, rivers, lakes, and ponds can more easily sustain their natural ecosystem without dangerous foreign pollutants.

Helps Absorb Pollutants
Living roofs can help to absorb pollutants such as carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide out of the air and replace them with pure oxygen. This can be especially helpful in the city and can even lead towards cooling the overall temperature of a city by reducing the heat island effect.

Increase the Life-span of Your Roof
Green roofs provide extra layers of protection on top of your water proofing membrane to reduce the environmental wear and UV damage that it would normally endure. Hail and other such dangerous weather would have little to no impact on the integrity of your roof due to the nature of the construction.

Tax Incentives
There are many tax incentives that are provided to both residential and commercial business owners who choose to install living roofs. New York City and Philadelphia are two such cities that provide tax credits for “greening” your roof.

Of course, nothing is ever perfect, so here are a few downsides to living roofs:

Higher Cost
If you’re constructing a new building, the cost of initially installing a green roof can be higher. Wait, aren’t you just planting a garden on your roof? Not exactly. It’s actually constructed in many layers which are as follows:

  • Base (concrete slab, roof decking, etc.)
  • Sub-Membrane
  • Waterproofing Membrane
  • Drain Mat
  • Soil Filter Fabric
  • Actual Soil Layer
  • Plant Layer

Additional Structural Support
Since it’s carrying so much additional weight, you will have to add additional structural support to meet local building codes and safety standards.

The facts should speak for themselves, and the pros certainly outweigh the cons. A living, green roof is the way to go if you’re really wanting to go green!