Go Green and Cut Your Kitchen Remodel Cost

Green remodeling does not have to be more challenging or expensive; you just need to know a few guidelines to cut your kitchen remodel cost while remaining environmentally friendly and energy efficient:

• Use any recycled materials including agricultural waste.
• Use materials that can be reused, recycled or reconditioned to minimize your future impact and kitchen remodel cost.
• Avoid pollutants. Wood products sometimes contain formaldehyde. Paints, adhesives, sealants, and caulks can contain volatile organic compounds. Always choose the low or no-VOC option. Choose flooring without polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
• Non-processed materials that are found in nature (wood, stone, etc.) help in avoiding chemicals and toxins.
• Some of the above materials might grow from plants; choose the plant with the shortest regrowth cycle. Rapidly renewing plants include bamboo, cotton, and cork.
• Something that needs to be replaced frequently will use more resources and increase your kitchen remodel cost; go with the more durable option.
• There is such a thing as noise pollution-choose noise absorbing/reducing materials.
• Choose FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified wood; it is harvested from a well-managed, sustainable forest.
• As natural as your material choice may be, always consider where it’s coming from, and how much energy was used to transport it. The transport method may also factor into your kitchen remodel cost.

Reducing, reusing, and recycling is the most effective way to lower your kitchen remodel cost. Conserving building materials is a great way to save money and be environmentally responsible.

Even if you’re not going to reuse your old cabinets, appliances, countertops, hardware, plumbing, and light fixtures, you can sell or trade them on the Internet or donate them to charity. So try to remove them carefully, rather than go at them with a sledgehammer. Repurposing is guaranteed to have a significant effect on your kitchen remodel cost.

E-Bay is a great example of a material exchange that allows individuals, nonprofits, and businesses to buy and sell used/surplus building supplies. There are also building supply specialty sites and nonprofits that could offer the same.

Some reuse stores (selling barely used items or old models) allow anyone to purchase, as opposed to those that only let nonprofit agencies or low-income homeowners in. They usually donate the profits to an organization that supports affordable housing.

Save trees while keeping your kitchen remodel cost down by looking in resale, antique, and salvage stores for your green remodel supplies. Using reclaimed lumber is often less expensive than buying new.

Call Cornerstone Builders of Southwest Florida to create your green kitchen masterpiece! Contact us here today!