Bamboo Countertops

In a previous post, I wrote about the pros and cons of bamboo used as a flooring option.  The pros seem to outweigh the cons, as bamboo is a durable surface material not only for flooring, cabinetry and wall panels, but also for countertops.  When using this fast-growing grass (yes, it’s a grass) for an [...]

Green Makeovers for Kitchens and Baths, Part 1

Whether you’re on a tight budget or not, there are plenty of eco-friendly ideas you can implement to give your kitchen or bathroom a whole new look.  In this first post, we’ll take a look at inexpensive, green fixes for these spaces — from decorative elements, to energy-efficient  and water-saving strategies that will save you [...]

Renew Your Backsplash with Recycled Glass Tiles

Looking to add a dazzling, yet functional, new backsplash to your ordinary kitchen or bathroom?  One eco-friendly option is to use recycled glass tiles since discarded glass takes hundreds, if not thousands of years, to decompose.  Tiled surfaces are durable, long-lasting and easy-to-clean, plus they work well indoors and out.  They’re perfect not only for [...]

Controlling Mold and Moisture

All of the recent rain storms pouring down upon us here in Southeastern Pennsylvania, has lead me to think about excessive moisture build-up and mold issues in the home. Even though mold plays an important role outdoors (to break down dead, organic matter such as fallen leaves and trees), it can cause problems indoors. Mold [...]

Green Cabinets, Part III

Green cabinets are those made from sustainable materials such as bamboo, FSC-certified wood, or reclaimed wood.  Antique reclaimed wood is sourced from old buildings and barns that are condemned, abandoned or beyond repair, and is re-milled to reveal the beautiful, high-quality wood hiding beneath decades of dust, dirt and grime.  By re-using materials already in [...]

Increase Your Home’s Water Efficiency

Water bills too high?  Concerned about conserving water?  A recent government survey showed at least 36 states are anticipating local, regional, or statewide water shortages by 2013.  That’s a bit daunting, but, you’ll be happy to learn that wasting water is easy to avoid.  There are many simple things you can do to minimize your [...]

Turn up the Heat with a Tankless Water Heater

Not only do tankless water heaters take up little space, but they are more energy efficient than standard storage tank units.  Gas tankless water heaters cut water heating expenses by 30% because these models only heat water on an as-needed basis.  Conventional storage tank types consume energy round the clock to keep water in the [...]

Green Cabinetry, Part II

It’s certainly getting easier to find cabinetry made with sustainable materials that have less of an impact on the environment than conventional materials.  In Part I of my series about eco-friendly cabinetry, I highlighted the benefits of cabinets made from a rapidly renewable resource–bamboo. Here, in Part II, FSC-certified cabinetry will be the focus.  FSC [...]

Green Cabinet Options, Part 1: Bamboo

Renovating that old kitchen and looking for some sleek, sustainable options?  In this series of posts, I will shed some light on various eco-friendly cabinetry options for the kitchen, bathroom, office, or media room.  One great green choice is bamboo, a member of the grass family and a rapidly renewable resource.  It grows very quickly, [...]

Recycled Glass Makes Beautiful and Durable Countertops

It’s amazing how crushed glass mixed with a binding agent can create such cool countertops for the kitchen and bath.  The companies that make these solid surfaces not only divert waste materials from landfills, but many use sustainable manufacturing processes as well.  These eco-friendly alternatives to granite and quartz  are offered in a wide variety [...]

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