Written by Mary Butler

Home remodelers seeking high-end finishes are becoming synonymous with another kind of customer: the green remodeler. Here’s why eco-conscious construction can be as good for your soul as it is for your home’s resale value.
Once upon a time, the words “straw bale” and “luxury home” never went together in the same sentence. But, thanks to Al Gore’s Inconvenient Truth, times certainly have changed. A recent home and garden spread in the Austin American-Statesman details such a home.

The 4,000-square-foot steel and straw bale residence profiled is set on four scenic acres and offers such amenities as a saltwater pool, an outdoor kitchen, and covered pavilion. Among its green features is a 21,500-gallon rainwater collection system that provides all the water the household cooking, bathing, and drinking. The water for the pool and sprinklers comes from a well. The straw-bale construction keeps the home warm in the winter and cool in the summer–for instance, the air conditioning doesn’t kick on until the temperature rises above 98.

Currently on the market, this home is listed for just under $1 million. Can you say ka-ching?

Luxury Homes and the Green “Trend”

A 2008 survey of 1,281 luxury consumers with an average income of $155,700 and age of 47, conducted by Research and Markets, revealed that, indeed, luxury consumers are looking beyond their pocketbooks to larger issues, including protecting the environment, global warming, and avoiding water and air pollution. “A lot of marketers are skeptical about the green trend,” says Pam Danziger, author of the Research and Markets report, “Shopping: Why We Love It and How Retailers Can Create the Ultimate Customer Experience.” She believes the trend should gain momentum in the future and the affluent community may take the lead in green living.

Could it be a good thing that environmental living–while it saves you money in the long run–typically isn’t cheap? Perhaps that helps make being green more fashionable, but as you make remodeling decisions, don’t think of green remodeling as a trend. Eco-conscious building should be here to stay, and while it’s simply easier to make a less expensive, non-green choice in building materials, here’s a good reason not to.

There’s little, if any doubt, that green living is better for you and the planet. But now there’s even less doubt that it’s also good for resale.

Written by Mary Butler

Today’s low-flow toilets and showerheads are more than strong enough to get the job done, thanks to advancements in water-saving plumbing technologies. In fact, many modern water-wise products do a better job than their water wasting predecessors.

Okay, so shopping for toilets isn’t exactly as thrilling as buying solar panels or picking out new kitchen cabinets or tile. But you’ve got to do it. And just like all the other decisions you wrestle with as you remodel your old home, you want to make the most ecologically responsible choice you can. Lucky for you, there are people who are passionate about so-called low-flow toilets and have done most of the research for you: they’re called plumbers.

The Low Down on Low-Flow Toilets and Showerheads

Water pressure went political back in the early 1990s when the National Energy Policy Act required toilets use no more than 1.6 gallons of water per flush, versus 3.5 to 7 gallons of water. You can guess why. Water is a precious resource. But since then, many people who value high water pressure have gone out of their way to avoid low-flow plumbing fixtures, most notably toilets and showerheads.

Thanks to advances in low-flow technology, there’s really no reason anymore to scour the salvage yard or shop eBay for an old-school toilet. In fact, new water-wise toilets may even work better than the water wasters.

Top-Rated Low-Flow Toilets

Here’s a rundown of the features offered by several of his top-rated thrones:
•    Flushmate® is “pressure-assist” technology that uses pressure from the water supply line to boost every flush
•    Glazing that is resistant to bacteria growth, staining, and lime build up
•    Enhanced gravity flushing. Gravity flushing dates back to the days when toilet tanks hung on the wall. But today’s toilet makers have engineered the technology to work more effectively and have added special cleaning systems to ensure that one flush is all you need.
•    Duel-flush technology allows you to opt for a heavier or lighter flush

Low-Flow Showerheads

If you’re wondering about low-flow shower heads, unfortunately, they are not as widely reviewed as low-flow toilets. But you can easily find a low-flow, high-pressure option at any hardware store.

Be sure to comparison shop and read online reviews before buying. Companies are more than happy to prey on your desire for decent shower. High-powered shower heads range in price from hundreds of dollars to much, much less, including one $12 option that offers a pause button so you can save even more water while you soap up.

By Sonya Stinson • Bankrate.com

Unless Ty Pennington and the crew from “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” take on your renovation project, you’re likely to get weak-kneed looking at the estimate for the work or learning the terms of your home improvement loan.

If high prices, tough credit or falling home values have suddenly brought your fantasy makeover plans back to reality, the good news is that it’s often the more modest upgrades — not the grand additions — that offer the best return on your investment.
Another plus is that the sluggish remodeling market might make it easier to find available contractors and get their assistance with financing your project, even if they offer little wiggle room on the bill. Carol Friedhoff, a Certified Financial Planner in Dublin, Ohio, notes: “A lot of the builders are having to make extra concessions, trying to come up with creative financing.”

6 renovations with major payoffs
1. Exterior siding replacement
2. Deck addition
3. Simple kitchen upgrade
4. Energy-efficient windows
5. Bathroom facelift
6.  Crown molding
“Contractors are much hungrier for the business now, much more responsive and more willing to negotiate on scheduling and things like that,” says Kermit Baker, director of the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies.The February 2008 Leading Indicator for Remodeling Activity report from the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University projects that homeowner spending for home improvements will continue to decline, slipping at an annual rate of 2.6 percent through the third quarter of 2008.
“I’m guessing there will be some negotiating on pricing, too, but their labor costs have probably not gone down and their material costs have by and large gone up.”
In other words, don’t expect a big break on the price, but do look for more accommodation in other areas such as financing.
Homeowners are taking their time deciding whether to remodel, says Michael S. Hydeck, president of Hydeck & MacKay Builders Inc. in Pennsylvania and treasurer for the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. “The backup for projects and jobs is a lot smaller than it was a year or two years ago,” Hydeck says. “Most people are thinking and waiting.”
Waiting might not be such a bad thing, according to Friedhoff, if it means you can save enough money to pay cash for your project instead of having to borrow. “There’s a lot less risk, and you don’t have the possibility of owing more than the house is worth,” she says.
If you’re still mulling over your renovation options, here are six projects that can bring you a good value for your money.

1. Replace your siding. Exterior siding topped the list in Remodeling magazine’s 2007 Cost vs. Value report, which compared the construction costs of various projects to estimates of their resale value by members of the National Association of Realtors. Fiber-cement siding replacement came in at No. 1, with an estimated 88.1 percent of the cost recouped, while vinyl siding replacement had the third highest recoupment value at 83.2 percent.
Introduced nearly 100 years ago, fiber-cement siding is back in vogue, with cellulose replacing the asbestos of long-ago versions. The new and improved product is weather-resistant and extremely durable, says Tim Carter, a syndicated columnist who dispenses home improvement advice on his Web site askthebuilder.com.And here’s an advantage over both wood and vinyl siding: “If you do it right, it really holds paint well,” Carter says. “The paint job can last 20 years.”

2. Build a deck. Realtors in the Cost vs. Value survey estimated the average homeowner would recover 85.4 percent of the cost of a new wood deck from resale, giving this project the second highest value in the report. A composite deck addition — a costlier initial investment — was estimated to bring a 77.6 percent return.
Adding a deck is a relatively inexpensive way to gain more living space. “You can probably build a deck for $20 a square foot, labor and material,” Carter says. “If you were going to put a room on your house, you’re probably looking at $150 a square foot.”

3. Spice up the kitchen
. A minor kitchen renovation ranked fourth in the survey, but in the eyes of Grand Rapids, Mich., Realtor, and immediate past president of the National Association of Realtors, Pat V. Combs, this is the project that “brings the best value for the buck.”
Rolling on a new paint color, installing new countertops and putting on new cabinet and drawer handles are three ideas that only take a little out of your pocket but make a big impact, she says.
But if you have your heart set on a total kitchen overhaul at some point, remodeler Hydeck warns it’s probably not wise to sink too much money into piecemeal fix-ups in the meantime.

4. Install energy-efficient windows
. Combs is not surprised that wood and vinyl window replacements were each given about an 80 percent recoupment value in the Remodeling survey.
“People are very energy-conscious right now,” she says. “The cost of heating and cooling a home is important. It’s not just the purchase price (that homebuyers consider), it’s the cost per month to live in the home.”
For energy efficiency, the National Fenestration Rating Council’s voluntary certification and ratings system is the gold standard. To qualify for the federal government’s Energy Star label, a window must first have the NFRC’s stamp of approval on its energy efficiency.
Don’t expect a quick return on your investment if you buy replacement windows, which can run upward of $10,000 for the whole house. If lowering your utility bills is your goal, it’s important to understand that it can take years for the savings to cover the cost of the windows.

5. Give the bathroom a facelift
. Fixing up the bathroom, whether it’s an upgrade or simply for maintenance, is another reliable investment. “People like to pamper themselves, and they just don’t want to be in a grungy bathroom,” Carter says.A midrange bathroom remodel has an estimated 78 percent resale value, according to the Cost vs. Value report.

6. Crown your walls
. Crown molding is near the top of Carter’s personal list of easy, inexpensive upgrades with big impacts.
“It just really dresses up a room,” says Carter, who estimates that a do-it-yourselfer could outfit a room for less than $100.
“The best analogy I can give is that it’s like putting a tie on. When you wear a tie, it’s just a simple linear thing that dangles from your neck, but it’s very distinctive. Crown molding does the same thing to a room.”
Location, location, location
The value of any renovation project you choose depends a great deal on where you live and whether your home is in an entry-level or upscale market.
“Just like all real estate is local, all of these various upgrade projects are localized,” Combs says.

Remodeling magazine’s annual report shows that maintenance-related projects and moderately priced upgrades are providing stable paybacks, even in a slower market.

By G.M. Filisko | December 2008

Despite home price drops in many cities, remodeling projects are holding their own as a way for owners to add value.

Many people are wondering where their money will be safest during these uncertain economic times. When home owners turn to you for your expert advice, counsel them that some things never change: Investing in their home still pays off.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® statistics show that home prices have fallen by an average of 7 percent nationally in the past year. But the value of home owners’ investment in remodeling projects has declined only 3.86 percent on average between 2007 and 2008, according to Remodeling’s 2008–2009 Cost vs. Value Report.

Remodeling produces the Cost vs. Value Report each year in cooperation with REALTOR® magazine. REALTORS® responding to a survey in midsummer said home owners could expect to recoup a national average of 67.3 percent of their investment in 30 different home improvement projects. At the height of the housing boom in 2005, home owners could expect to recoup a national average of 86.7 percent on projects.

Remodeling remains hot in 10 cities, where, on at least some projects, home owners can recover 100 percent of their costs. In Charlotte, N.C., for example, decks, midrange kitchen remodels, vinyl siding, and window-replacement projects all would net more than they cost, in respondents’ estimation. High rates of recovery were seen in both strong real estate markets and weak ones.

Many cities with the highest rates of recovery were smaller—Jackson, Miss., and Billings, Mont., for example—which may point to lower labor and materials costs that are easier to recoup.

Seattle also made the list of cities with a cost recovery of more than 100 percent on decks and minor kitchen remodels. In fact, Pacific Coast cities recorded the best payback on remodeling by a wide margin, as they did in 2007. Although construction costs on the Pacific Coast are nearly 17 percent higher than national averages, the value of renovations at resale more than makes up for those higher prices.

The result is an average cost-recouped percentage that’s 14.8 percent higher than in the rest of the country. The toughest place to get your money back: Midwestern cities such as Chicago, Cleveland, Indianapolis, and Milwaukee.

Top 10 Project Paybacks

Once again, exterior remodeling projects lead the way for recovery on dollars spent in this year’s Cost vs. Value survey. When you compare the national averages, replacement projects that boost curb appeal—siding, windows, and decks—give you the greatest chance of recouping your money. Inside, only kitchen remodels can compare, at least on a national level.

1. Upscale fiber cement siding (86.7%)
2. Midrange wood deck (81.8%)
3. Midrange vinyl siding (80.7%)
4. Upscale foam-backed vinyl (80.4%)
5. Midrange minor kitchen remodel (79.5%)
6. Upscale vinyl window replacement (79.2%)
7. Midrange wood window replacement (77.7%)
8. Midrange vinyl window replacement (77.2%)
9. Upscale wood window replacement (76.5%
10. Midrange major kitchen remodel (76.0%)

By Lee Wallender, About.com

Why Remodel Your Kitchen?

Kitchen renovation is a hot topic. This tutorial assumes a top-to-bottom remodel. But if you’re interested in something less, you’ll find a ton of great information about all aspects of kitchen renovation. Ask yourself:

1.    What Are My Needs and Desires?
Is your kitchen a disaster zone where you can’t even manage to boil an egg? Or do you just want to freshen the place up with new appliances, countertops, floors, and cabinets? Tip: Remember, the key to saving money on kitchen remodeling is separating needs from desires. A need might be: I need kitchen counters. A desire might be: I desire a dishwasher (but it’s not necessary to my life.
2.    Is It Worth Putting Myself Through This?
Do you want work crews in your house for extended periods? Do you want to spend money and put yourself through this turmoil? While one of the more expensive home renovation projects, kitchen remodels retain their value well should you decide to sell your house.
3.    Deep-Down Renovation or Surface-Level?
Be honest. Is this a $85,000 full-scale kitchen remodel or a less ambitious surface-level kitchen renovation? No shame in either choice.
4.    How Can I Reduce the Cost of Remodeling?
Think about this now before you get too involved in the project. From doing it yourself to limiting your need for contractors, there are tons of ways to save money.

KITCHEN DESIGNS

This is the fun part. When you design your kitchen, you get to exercise your creative muscle while your house is still clean and in one piece.
For ease of movement, plan your kitchen workflow around the classic kitchen triangle.
While you have an almost infinite range of possibilities, you may want to utilize one of the five basic kitchen design plans, such as:
•    The One-Wall Design
•    The Corridor Design
•    The L-Shape Design
•    The Double-L Design
•    The U-Shape Design

How to Design Your Kitchen
•    Kitchen Design Software
Inexpensive computer design software helps you with the difficult task of space-planning.
•    Book-Based Design Packages
Available at bookstores, these kits have cardboard punch-outs representing cabinets and appliances. Placing punch-outs on a kitchen grid helps you realistically view your available space.
•    Kitchen Designers
Kitchen designers at home improvement companies or at kitchen design stores typically design your kitchen free of charge. However, they will steer you to their own vendors and to their own work crews. Independent designers will have the most freedom and may give you the best product because they have less restrictions. However, they will charge you either by the hour or on a percentage basis.

HIRING A CONTRACTOR OR DOING IT YOURSELF?

You’re got great ideas. But how to turn these ideas into reality?
•    Hiring a Contractor.
Find a licensed contractor who deals extensively with residential kitchen remodeling. Commissions based on the price of the project range from 15%-25%.
•    Doing It Yourself.
Renovating the kitchen by yourself, you spend no money on labor charges but you may slow down your project as you learn skills necessary to remodeling.
•    Acting as Your Own Contractor.
A tempting option. You hire carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and other sub-contractors yourself and save the contractor’s high commission. But this puts a lot of work on your shoulders.

You should apply for permits now. Permits must be obtained from different agencies. Your city or county may administer the electrical, plumbing, and building permits. Your water company may also need to permit any work relating to water supply and drainage. If a contractor is handling the renovation, he will obtain your permits. If you are doing it yourself, start by calling your local city or county permitting agency.

Written by By Lee Wallender, About.com

Question: Should I Build My Addition As a Second Story or Continue On Ground Level?

Answer: It’s a question debated by all home renovators: “When I build an addition, is it cheaper to build it as a second story or as a continuation of the ground level?”

All considerations being equal, it’s cheaper to build it as a second story rather than continuing onto ground level. Ground equals foundation, and foundation equals big bucks spent digging. And heavy machinery in your backyard (or crews of men digging by hand). Then more digging. Foundation work drives up addition costs in a big hurry.

Bathroom remodeling either fills you with thoughts of clean, gleaming white surfaces or of a half-assembled disaster. Maybe both images are true.
Let’s follow the steps of a bathroom remodeling project.
1. How Far Do You Want to Go?
•    Surface Alterations. At the easy end of the scale, you may like the general layout and size of the bathroom and the structure supporting the bathroom (joists, walls, etc.) are sound. The mantra of the surface-level bathroom remodeler is “cover, not replace.” There is no shame at all in wanting to do a surface-level bathroom remodel.
•    Change Layout. More difficult: the structural elements are still fine and you want to make surface alterations, but you also want to change the layout around.
•    Complete Tear-Out/Remodel. Now we’re at the end of the difficult scale. You want to do all of the above, but 50 years of accumulated moisture has rotted away the joists and wall studs, and the window is falling out.
At this point, too, consider the general timetable for bathroom remodeling and decide if this is something you think you want to go through.
2. Finance Your Bathroom Remodel
Bathroom remodeling is expensive. Bathroom remodeling costs typically range from $15,000 to $18,000 just for a basic, functional remodel.

Even though most bathrooms are small, the cost comes from the intensive amount of sub-contracting you may have to do (i.e., plumbers, electricians) and the expensive elements involved (fixtures, cabinetry, etc.). Of the many methods of funding your bathroom renovation, perhaps the most common way is with a home equity loan. While looking at financing, you may wish to also think about ways to save on your bathroom remodeling costs.
3. Remodel Bathroom Yourself or Hire a Contractor?
At this point, you need to talk a good hard look at the project and decide if you want to do it yourself or hire a pro. Safe to say, if you are motivated and are merely performing surface alterations, you should be able to remodel the bathroom yourself. Not all tasks are created equal. Installing a new toilet is simple; building a new tiled shower should be left to the pros. Assesswhich projects to do yourself and which to leave to the professionals.
•    Contractor Licenses. If you do intend to hire a contractor, one of the first things you’ll want to do is make sure the contractor is properly licensed. Licensure is not a mark of quality workmanship, though. It just means that they have fulfilled the basic minimum requirements of the licensing agency.
•    Permits. Electrical, building, and other permits may be required. Apply for permits early.
4. Changing the Layout of Your Bathroom
If you’re remodeling a bedroom and wish to change the layout, it’s not so bad. You move a closet here, push back a wall there. But with bathrooms, you’re not just dealing with the visible elements, you’re dealing with the underlying structure of plumbing and electrical system. Layout changes, such as switching toilet and shower, drive up the cost of bathroom remodeling in a big hurry, so consider this carefully.
5. New Bathroom Walls, Joists, and Other Structural Elements
Since bathrooms collect moisture, there is a good chance you may have to replace drywall. In the case of bathrooms, you’ll be using special moisture-resistent drywall commonly called “green board” and in the very wet areas like showers and baths you’ll be using moisture-proof backer board. Hopefully, you don’t need to replace anything beyond the wallboard. But if you do–that is, if the wall stud and joists are bad–they may need to be sistered or completely replaced.
6. Shower and Tub Repair, Refinishing, or Replacement
The shower, tub, or shower/tub combination is the heart of the bathroom. For many people, this may be the entire reason for the bathroom remodel.

If the worst thing is a few cracks, it is possible to self-repair your acrylic or fiberglass shower/tubfor very little money. For many homeowners, though, the surface might be stained and discolored, so tub refinishing would be in order.

Got problems that go beyond repair and refinishing? It is possible to install a bathtub liner - sort of like an “overcoat” for your icky tub. Should those methods prove ineffective, you will need to go all the way and build a tiled shower. Alternatively and with a bit less fuss, you can install a pre-fabricated acrylic or fiberglass shower/tub. Pre-fab shower/tubs need no on-site building, because they have been fabricated in the factory – though make sure that you do not buy any unit too big to fit through your doorways.
7. Bathroom Flooring
Moisture is the culprit in bathrooms, so you can’t just choose any kind of flooring. Carefully weigh all of your bathroom flooring options. A perennial favorite is ceramic tile, but laminate flooring and engineered flooring also do the trick. Whatever you do, avoid hardwood flooring, as it does not tolerate moisture well.

Article courtesy of http://homerenovations.about.com/

By Linda Hunter  http://ezinearticles.com/

Making home improvements adds to the aesthetic appeal and value of your home. Many homeowners are becoming more environmentally conscious and are searching for “green” ideas to beautify and improve their homes. Here are some “green” remodeling solutions for homeowners including bamboo products, zero-VOC paint, reclaimed wood flooring, and FSC certified lumber.

What exactly is “FSC certified lumber” and why would you choose to use it? Lumber that has been FSC certified originates from sustainable forests. Sustainable forestry considers the health and well-being of the sensitive ecosystems and is based on the idea that the amount of goods and services yielded from a forest should be at a level the forest is capable of producing without degradation of the soil, watershed features or seed source for the future. Look for the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification when you or your contractors buy lumber. The FSC certifies that lumber bearing its symbol originated in a responsibly managed forest.

If you are planning to install hardwood floors, consider using hardwood made from recycled or reclaimed woods because they make use of timber that was cut decades, or even centuries, ago and the weathered character of the wood can be gorgeous. You may also want to ask your flooring contractor about bamboo which is an attractive, eco-friendly, renewable resource alternative to hardwood flooring. Bamboo is actually a grass rather than tree and grows back quickly when harvested, as fast as a foot a day! Bamboo flooring is available in a number of different finishes and shades to complement your décor. Adhesives used in bamboo flooring sometimes contain a urea formaldehyde resin, although products that contain minimal or no formaldehyde are available.

Surprisingly, bamboo is also becoming a popular option for both countertops and bed sheets. Sheets are usually made from cotton, but now you can buy sheets and pillowcases made using fibers of bamboo plants. The fibers are soft and fine and the sheets have a silky feel without being slippery. Bamboo countertops are constructed from bamboo plywood and offer a look similar to butcher block. Bamboo plywood is available through flooring suppliers or retailers where you can find bamboo flooring.

Installation of both bamboo flooring and countertops can require cutting, sanding, sealing and adhesive application. It’s important to consider how much these installation activities may affect indoor air quality in terms of VOCs (volatile organic compounds), dust, and particulates. VOCs are the chemicals emitted into the air when adhesives, coatings or paint dry. Water-based adhesives contain less VOCs and you will want to look for an adhesive that meets the standard of 150 grams of VOCs per liter as a safe maximum. Choosing tongue-and-groove flooring can minimize the need for adhesives.

VOC levels will also be a concern when choosing paint. These chemicals are added to paint to keep the paint from freezing, to allow the paint to dry slower so it maintains a wet edge, or just to provide the pigment necessary to color the paint. A number of paint suppliers offer environmentally safe paints and coatings with low levels of VOCs. Sherwin-Williams offers eco-friendly latex paint product lines that have the highest indoor air quality ratings for low VOCs and low odor. Their Harmony line features zero-VOCs.

By building with FSC certified lumber, choosing reclaimed wood or bamboo for flooring, and using low VOC adhesives and paints we can all do our part to improve and preserve our precious environment. Homeowners who make the extra effort to utilize these eco-friendly products will both beautify and improve their homes and feel good about living “green”.

by Jill Fehrenbacher

Nasa’s Aerogel material, which it uses to collect space dust – also makes a great insulating material for your house!)

Since we’ve recently discussed energy consumption and indoor air quality on Inhabitat, we figured now would be a great time to talk about insulation. Don’t run away! We realize that insulation is not a sexy subject matter. Nevertheless, insulation is crucial to your energy consumption, comfort, health, and ultimate happiness – so don’t flee just yet…

As you all know, having good insulation is critical to having an energy efficient house, and proper insulation can save you loads of money with your heating and cooling bills. What you may not know, however, is that most mainstream, commercially-available insulation is pretty nasty stuff that you probably don’t want anywhere near the air you breathe all day. Many people believe that nasty chemical insulation (the kind that is in most people’s houses) can contribute to cancer, asthma, and a whole host of other health problems. That’s why we highly recommend checking out some of the newest types of eco-friendly insulation, such as recycled denim, wool, icynene, and nanogel.

Here are some of the traditional choices for insulation…

FIBERGLASS
The most common insulation in the US is fiberglass – the pink stuff that looks like cotton candy. This is the Pink Panther of insulation, and it comes in batts and blankets. It has long held a pseudo-monopoly in residential insulation, but its negative aspects are beginning to catch up with it. It’s a health hazard, has been connected with black mold, and is difficult to work with – yet it is still the cheapest choice in today’s market.
The problem is that fiberglass is similar in structure to asbestos (made up of tiny little fibers) and thus raises similar health concerns. Tiny sharp particles break off into the air and can lodge in your skin, eyes and lungs, causing small abrasions which lead to irritation. The evidence is unclear, but there are many groups who claim the health problems caused by fiberglass are just as bad as asbestos. This is why anyone who installs fiberglass insulation has to wear heavy duty clothes, gloves and a face mask. My personal feeling is, if you need to take this much precaution when installing a material, do you really want it sitting in your house, leeching into the air you breathe for 20 years?

CELLULOSE
This is basically bits of newspaper shredded up and sprayed into a space. It is cheap, effective and easy to install. Recycled newspaper you say? Recycled = eco-friendly, right? In this case, not really. Shredded-up newspaper is highly flammable, pests like it, water loves it, and it can get nasty and moldy.

RIGID POLYSTYRENE
Polystyrene – You’ve likely seen these sheets of cut-to-fit Styrofoam. This product has the best R-value of the bunch, it’s relatively affordable, and takes a physical beating fairly well. Of course, with Styrofoam, there are long standing issues with CFC’s and the other hazardous chemical components that go into the production of these panels.

ONES TO WATCH…
There are a lot of promising new materials being used for insulation these days. Some, like wool and cotton (above), have been used successfully for thousands of years and are finally being rediscovered by mainstream markets for their combination of high R values and simple, natural organic qualities. Other substances like Nanogel and Icyene are patently high-tech and non-organic, yet their special qualities permit new developments in insulation such as spray-in-place quick fixes, and translucent insulating walls.

RECYCLED DENIM (COTTON) INSULATION
This is my favorite choice by far! This organic insulation is made from recycled blue jeans – how cool is that? Bonded Logic’s UltraTouch brand of denim insulation is 100% recycled, and since its good old fashioned cotton, you know its not going to off-gas any nasty chemicals into your house. Better yet, it installs quickly, comfortably and easily – requiring no special equipment and no protective clothing. As these photos attest, you can even get your kids to help install it!

SHEEP WOOL INSULATION
People have known for thousands of years that sheep’s wool has excellent insulation qualities. We’ve been making garments out of wool for centuries, so it is surprising that it’s taken this long for wool to be considered a viable insulation for buildings. Thermafleece is a patented sheep’s wool insulation material for buildings, produced by Second Nature in northern England. Unfortunately for Americans, Sheep’s wool doesn’t seem to be too easy to come by in the US at this moment. Fortunately for us, we can stick with the all-American blue jean insulation.

ICYNENE
There are a several varieties of spray-in foam. They start out in liquid form, and expand and solidify almost instantaneously to fill minute cracks and crevices. These high-tech foams are more flexible than the “Great Stuff” you’ve seen at Home Depot, and also allow trapped moisture to evaporate. Not all of these products are the same, though. Some of these formulas are chemical minefields, while others such as Icynene, are water blown and produce no off-gasses whatsoever. Additionally, these usually cost three to four times more than traditional fiberglass and must be done by professionals.

NANOGEL / AEROGEL / KALWALL
Aerogel is a super-futuristic form of “frozen silica smoke” – made of a special type of super-porous silicon foam that is 99% air. It’s incredibly strong, incredibly insulating and incredibly light. This stuff has to be seen to be believed!

Aerogels have extremely small pores, which makes them one the best thermal insulators in the world. Nanogel® is Cabot Corporation’s trademark name for its family of translucent silica aerogels. The great thing about Nanogel is that it is light and transparent, while being extremely insulating – so you can use it to create insulating windows and skylights, as well as translucent walls and ceilings that will let the light in, but keep the heat out.

The Get Green Expo is a two-day event whose purpose is to educate, inform, and inspire consumers about ways to make our environment, homes and lives safer, healthier, happier places to live.
Our goal is to reach people who are passionate about the environment, their health, saving money and about America.

The Get Green Expo is being produced to benefit the Get Green Foundation whose mission is to support financially local non-profit environmental and conservation organizations.

The Get Green Expo is produced by Virginia-based Royal Productions, Inc., a leader in consumer show production for nearly 40 years. Under the guidance of President David Posner, Royal Productions grew to be the largest consumer show producer in the mid-Atlantic region. Annual events included home and garden, boat, RV, and golf shows.
Over the years hundreds of thousands of consumers have attended and enjoyed Royal Productions’ events and Royal earned the trust and loyalty of nearly 1,000 exhibiting companies. For many of those companies participating in a Royal show represented a large percentage of their annual advertising budgets. The support for years, even decades, by many of these companies is a testament to the hard work, commitment and value Royal has always delivered.
In 2005 all of Royal Productions’ shows were sold to California-based Affinity Group, Inc. These shows continue to grow and prosper and operate under the division AGI Events.
After the sale David Posner began searching for new opportunities. Through the inspiration of friend Karen Ramus of Berg Productions, he was enlightened about the idea of a “green” show. After more than two years of research the result is the GET GREEN EXPO.

For more information visit www.getgreenexpo.org