At the start of the new year, you may have considered all of the updates you want to make to your home. Perhaps you’re on the hunt for some innovative renovation ideas that are not only good for your house but for the environment, too. Not sure where to start? Consider these eco-friendly, value-boosting updates this year.

• Bamboo Flooring. This type of flooring material is made from the bamboo plant and offers extremely similar properties to true hardwood flooring. Bamboo offers strength, durability and natural resistance to insects and moisture, making it a desirable option for flooring. Bamboo is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional hardwood flooring because it is a grass, meaning it grows much faster than wood.
• Non-toxic Paint. Traditional paint releases low-level toxic emissions into the air even years after application. The cause of these emissions is from VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which have become a standard ingredient in the paint to help its performance. VOCs have been linked to a series of health problems, including asthma, headaches, and watery eyes. Many painting companies, like CertaPro Painters of Oak Park/Chicago Central, IL, are opting for the low-VOC or no-VOC paint options in an effort to be more eco-friendly.
• Terrazzo Countertops. If you are looking for a unique eco-friendly countertop for your kitchen, terrazzo is a beautiful and durable option. Terrazzo is made up of recycled crushed glass that is fastened together using one of two base options: cement or resin. If you opt for cement-based terrazzo, you will need to apply a sealer to protect it from staining. The resin base doesn’t require a sealer but is the more costly option.
• Low-flow Shower Head. While standard flow showerheads produce about 6 gallons of water per minute (GPM), low-flow showerheads produce only about 2.5 GPM. A low-flow showerhead can decrease your water consumption by 40% or even more. Low-flow showerheads are not only eco-friendly by conserving water, but they can also reduce your water bill.
• Composite Decking. A composite deck is made up of wood waste along with recycled plastic, which means the material will reduce the amount of waste sitting in a landfill. Composite decking provides a durable, long-lasting splinter-free and slip-resistant experience and requires low maintenance. Unlike wood decking, composite decking is naturally resistant to decay, mold, and insects.
• Sunroom. What better way to extend your home’s living space than with a custom built sunroom? Walls of glass bring gracious living to any home, transforming an empty patio, deck or porch into an inviting retreat nestled in the natural beauty of the outdoors. Plus, adding a sunroom to your home can help reduce your carbon footprint. This type of addition allows for more natural light, helping to reduce your electricity consumption.

Plan these home updates prior to the arrival of spring so that you can get them done in a timely, efficient manner! For more information on composite decking or sunrooms, contact Leisure Living, the experts in New Jersey sunrooms.