Many people are looking at going green light comes to the design of a home. This is a very noble concept. In addition to saving energy, the ability to save on expenses is possible as well. Of course, there is also the humanitarian benefit of contributing to the improvement of the environment. Yet, there are those who do not explore home improvement options due to assumptions it is out of their price range. The main reason for this is because they do not have a complete understanding of what going green entails.
For many the concept of going green centers on elaborate methods of home designs that can be quite costly. If you were ask the average person what the notion of going green at home is, they would assume that you are referring to something along the lines of installing solar panels on the roof of a house. While it is true that installation of such panels would definitely “green” a home, not all strategies for going green of are that expansive or expensive. Yet, this is what people of assume and, as a result, they do not explore the various other eco-friendly strategies that can be employed. This is unfortunate because there are many low cost green concepts that could easily be incorporated into a home’s design.
For example, did you know there are multitudes of ways a floor can be designed that are eco-friendly? Two of the more common methods of doing this involve using bamboo and cork. Bamboo is, of course, the popular wood that grows in warm climates. Cork is, well, cork! Yes, it is the same type of cork that is used in wine bottles. Instead of completely discarding the cork after use, much of it is recycled into flooring. Both of these methods are growing in popularity and they consumer far less energy to produce than traditional flooring materials such as linoleum.
Of course, there are other benefits to this type of flooring than just the eco-friendly component to it. You see, it also looks quite nice! Yes, this is a very original method of flooring kitchens, bathrooms, and other rooms in the home. Cork and bamboo floors add an air of uniqueness that truly can enhance the look and feel of any interior.
Flooring is but one example of greening a home in a cost effective and easy manner. There are many more concepts that can be explored. Hopefully, in time, these concepts will increase in popularity as they have much to offer those looking for unique home décor.
Get your Daily Dose of Interior Design Inspiration by Subscribing to our Newsletter via 
RSS or 
E-mail
The green movement is in full swing and it has become very popular in home decor. Many home owners find that they can enjoy the luxury of functional fashion while still remaining eco-friendly in their furniture, flooring and everything in between. Among the many items that are going green, roofs have become a great place to start your eco-friendly renovations and there are many benefits for you, your wallet and your neighbors.
Before I go into what the benefits of a green roof are, I would like to explain what a green roof is first. A green roof is actually a cover for your current roof that uses plants such as grasses and lichens to cover the top of your house. It is actually very in-depth when it comes to making your roof green and the process usually involves water proofing your existent roof, applying a root repellent system and a drainage system so there is little to no damage caused by the plants.
After that installers will place a filter cloth on your roof, cover it with a growing medium and then finally secure the plants onto your roof. What you are left with is a pretty green garden on the top of your house that is always a conversation starter.
The benefits of a green roof vary and I will look at them individually.
Benefits for you:
No matter how green conscious we are, there will always be a part of our brain that will ask, “Well, how does this benefit me?”. The answer is really that it will benefit your wallet in the long run. Although green roofs can be expensive to install, they are usually make up their investment within a few years.
- Green roofs form a layer of insulations for the home. This means that home owners will probably use less insulation on their roofs when they build and they will also use less energy to both heat and cool their homes. In fact, studies have shown that a green roof can reduce your cooling costs by 25% during the summer months alone. Those savings are massive when it all starts to add up.
- The second benefit of the insulation is sound proofing. Now this may not seem like a big benefit but if you are in an area with a lot of air traffic, you will quickly notice the benefit of even partial sound proofing that is provided by a green roof.
- The third benefit is the aesthetic appeal. Although it may look strange in the beginning, green roofs are usually the talk of the town and everyone loves details that are unique and beautiful.
- Lastly, a green roof enables you to reduce the number of roof drains that you have and in some cases, it can completely eliminate them. This may not seem like a huge benefit but when it comes time for cleaning those drains, you will be overjoyed with not having to clean any.
Benefits for society:
Before I close off on this article, I think that it is important to look at the benefits for society, since this is often the reason why we go green in the first place.
- Obviously, the fact that you are saving money on your home energy costs is a green benefit for everyone since it will ultimately mean that you are burning fewer crude oils. This means fewer greenhouse gases, which is great for everyone.
- Another benefit of green roofs is the fact that it affects the “Urban Heat Island Effect.” This means that if an urban area has more green roofs, the actual heat island effect is actually lowered. This results in decreased costs for cities when they try to meet greenhouse gas reductions.
- Having a green roof creates jobs for more than one industry, since a green roof uses construction, drainage, roofing membranes, substrate and plants. This opens up a world of industry and will create jobs for everyone interested in those industries.
- Green roofs also have the added benefit of lowering the costs that is needed to handle the effects of storm water. Most green roofs are designed to use storm water and there is very little runoff from a green roof that will fill storm sewers.
- Lastly, a green roof aids in the manufacturing of clean oxygen. With more and more forests and “green” areas being destroyed, the need for plants to produce oxygen continues to grow. Providing a roof that can produce oxygen is an excellent way to ensure that our planet stays healthy and green for generations to come.
So when all is said and done, there are many different benefits when it comes to a green roof. Not only will it save you money but it is eco-friendly and decorative at the same time.
Get your Daily Dose of Interior Design Inspiration by Subscribing to our Newsletter via RSS or E-mail
Do you remember the first zero-emission house that was released more than a year ago in UK? Today I hear that the same guys (the Brits) will get the first net-zero carbon house, that reaches the highest level of sustainability. Dubbed the Lighthouse, the highly eco-friendly house was designed by Potton and was meant to “encourage a way of living that is inherently ‘light’ on the world’s resources whilst combining the practicalities of today’s average homeowner.”
It sits on screw piled foundations (raised from the ground to minimize impact), features a sloping 40-degree roof that captures wind for cooling and ventilation, has triple glazed large windowsto reduce heat loss and also packs photovoltaic panels and built-in systems that would recycle rainwater. Not sure how eco-conscious people are, but I’m glad that a net-zero carbon self built home exists.
Get your Daily Dose of Interior Design Inspiration by Subscribing to our Newsletter via RSS or E-mail
I’m a green fan, and when I say that it means that I care about the environment and I try to do as little harm as I can. Seeing this new penthouse in Lower Manhattan, downtown New York, I realized that I can do more. I can have my own green spot right in my newly renovated apartment.
But back to our 3,100 sq-ft penthouse in New York, which is owned by Matthew Blesso, 35, a real estate developer. The guy managed to turn it into something that “has life”, with the help of two Yale professors, the architect Joel Sanders and the landscape architect Diana Balmori. The investment was close to $1 million but bringing nature into your apartment is not cheap.
What I love the most about it is the stunning rooftop garden with an outdoor shower (how cool is this?), the drip irrigation system, the walnut table, the way they mixed plants and wood (walls, floors, etc). I simply love what they did with the vertical bathroom wall that has peace lily, peperomia and prayer plants in it. It’s like I can smell harmony … don’t you? -via ApartmentTherapy
Get your Daily Dose of Interior Design Inspiration by Subscribing to our Newsletter via RSS or E-mail
What’s not to love about this fresh design from Futé Design? The Croissant Sofa, part of the Bobo collection designed by Kenneth Cobonpue is sure to make a bold statement in any setting. Named for its crescent-looking form, this piece is made in two versions, one suitable for indoors, and another for outdoors. The indoor version is made out of a hand-woven abaca, commonly know as Manila hemp, a tree-like herb resembling a banana plant.
This is wrapped around a steel frame, making it extra strong and sturdy. Similarly, the outdoor version of the sofa is made out of an eco-friendly synthetic fibre on a powder-coated steel frame to withstand the rain, sun, and even snow. The hollow fram is also ideal for cats and other pets to run around in. This sofa is the perfect place to curl up for naps, lounge and relax. Once you sit down, you won’t want to get up!
Get your Daily Dose of Interior Design Inspiration by Subscribing to our Newsletter via RSS or E-mail
Stylish Apartment For Sale in Linnéstaden, Sweeden
Turning an Old Pool Into a Skaters' Heaven : Octopus by NEVERCREW’S
Metz Residence in Minneapolis
‘Anamorphism’ : A Stunning Street Project by Ninja182
Spoil Yourself With The New Globe Bench from Hstudio