Last week was the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day. Honestly it came and went without much fanfare - and I'm not sure why. The green movement is here to stay and hopefully inspires all of us to realize that the choices we make inside our homes impact everything around us. We have a responsibility to our kids to set the example and encourage them to live a more environmentally responsible and healthful lifestyle.
The stuff: They used beech salvaged from Lake Superior for the formaldehyde-free cabinets. "It's such beautiful wood, and it's so cool that it has that history," she said. The countertops are composed of granite and onyx remnants, and the breakfast bar is made of oak certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. While the Spenglers installed energy-efficient, triple-paned windows, they repaired and refinished their existing hardwood floor.Glass Countertops Provide Custom LookHardware Line Offers Many ChoicesThe stuff: The cabinets are built without formaldehyde, with doors made from sustainably grown poplar wood fabricated into veneers. The recycled paper countertops "feel as hard as stone," Eric said. Multicolored recycled glass covers the center island. Instead of putting in a new floor, the Hattings refinished their existing maple one. All the paints and finishes are low-VOC. While they paid a little more for some of the green materials, Eric said, the end result is a kitchen that "is more visually appealing and re- uses materials."The motivation: Owners Eric and Shelly Hatting designed their new kitchen, then looked for green products. "We've always liked the look of the materials," said Eric. "The fact that they were formaldehyde-free and mostly recycled sealed the deal."www.aristonappliances.us
- Old single pane windows are a portal for allowing cold air in, and warm air out. Replacing leaky windows with double paned ones will instantly improve your insulation and save energy. But keep in mind, replacing the windows on an old historic home would actually decrease its value by changing the integrity of the structure. In that scenario adding storm windows on the outside of those old single pane windows instantly improve your home's insulation value.
Author: Lori Gilder
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