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Top 5: Eco-Friendly Design Tips

We’ve all heard it before: If you want to show the earth some TLC, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. But it can be tough to be eco-friendly when you’re remodeling or redecorating. Throwing out counters or ripping up flooring may be necessary for your design but might feel wasteful. How can you be eco-friendly while you remodel? Here are our top 5 tips.

Re-purpose: What do you own right now that could be used in a new, creative way? Instead of buying new patio furniture, consider re-purposing your coffee table with high-gloss exterior paint.

Re-surface: If your kitchen counter layout won’t change during a remodel, but you’re planning to rip out the cabinets and replace them with new ones, consider re-surfacing. Granicrete can be applied over your existing countertops. Bonus? No demolition mess to deal with, and counters are usually done in three days. Pro Tip: You can even resurface your existing floors or showers!

Reclaimed: Buying reclaimed materials like wood is a great environmentally-friendly choice. Instead of paying for newly-created materials or items, you can reclaim them and save on energy, time, and even money.

Refresh: Spruce up your décor by rearranging it. Add a fresh coat of paint to your existing table. It’s amazing how much small changes can brighten up your space.

Research: When you’re taking on a remodeling or redecorating project, research what eco-friendly options suit your needs, budget, and the environment. If it seems overwhelming, consider starting small; energy-efficient appliances for the kitchen, low-volume toilets in the bathroom, and high-efficiency insulation are all great places to start your redesign!

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New Year, New Resolution: Green is the New Black

2014 came and went. It’s a new year, you’ve made new resolutions, and there’s no better time to start than now! Maybe you’ve made a resolution to be more environmentally aware, or you want to lower your carbon footprint. Shout out to you! We are all about that lifestyle, because green is the new black.

Going green, that is.

Updating your home can be a huge weight on both your mind and the environment. Granicrete is here to help ease both concerns. You already know that we’re a cost-effective alternative to traditional stone, but did you know that we are also eco-friendly? From your 1970’s kitchen to your pink floral bathroom, we’re here to help you go green and update your home in the process!

Let’s start with 5 simple tips for an eco-friendly kitchen remodel:

1. Use existing structures as much as possible. From your kitchen island to your current countertops, Granicrete goes over existing surfaces. Since we overlay our material, we aren’t adding any waste to landfills. When it comes to walls, you may be looking for an open concept kitchen. Although moving walls is a great way to have an open concept plan, keeping the “bones” of your kitchen as is will save you time, money, and hassle.

2. Reuse plumbing and electric. Cabinets can be a hassle to remodel. Shape and size do matter! Paint or replace your existing storage space with cabinetry similar in size and shape so that existing plumbing and electrical wiring can be reused. A simple coat of paint can breathe new life into your kitchen without making you tear out your cabinets.

3. Open up! Glass cabinet doors look contemporary and chic. Update your cabinets with glass doors for easy access to dishes, a trendy look, and a go-green approach to cabinet remodeling. If you want to go completely open, remove your cabinet doors all together! Check out these stunning from Jenna Burger designs for reference.

4. Be aware of your paint choices. Ever heard of VOCs? VOC stands for “volatile organic compound,” and refers to toxins put off by paint even years after application. Sounds bad, right? Don’t worry! You can read more here.  In short, go green by choosing your paints based not only on color, but also Low VOC status.

5. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Your backsplash probably needs some TLC. Show your tender loving care for your kitchen by using recycled glass tiles, concrete, or tin for your back splash. You can get creative with paint, old CDs mosaics, or even Granicrete!

There you have it. Going green has never been easier. From resurfacing with Granicrete or creating a CD mosaic cabinet door, you’re taking steps toward an environmentally friendly home.