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Sustainability and long-term solutions for creating a ‘forever home’ have become increasingly important thanks to the uncertainty around interest rates and the rising cost of moving home.
For greener and energy-efficient renovations, today’s homeowners are choosing exciting ways to gain extra space and improve living areas while ensuring their investments stand the test of time. Sustainable projects are possible if you know which materials and methods are eco-friendly and resistant to normal wear and tear.
This article explores popular renovations that can be planned, designed, and completed for a stylish and future-proofed home.
Having a sustainable home is about reducing its environmental impact with strategic material selection, energy efficiency and renewable energy use. Incorporating sustainability into your extension is not just great news for the environment, it can also lead to significant long-term savings. With this in mind, invest in the following:
Better insulation: Opt for high-quality insulation for walls, floors, and roofs that minimise heat loss in winter.
Renewable energy sources: Consider incorporating solar panels or ground source heat pumps into your extension design.
Natural light and ventilation: Design your extension to maximise natural light and airflow. This reduces the need for artificial lighting and air conditioning.
Durable materials: Consider updating garage doors with durable, secure materials that are low maintenance, high-quality, and can be colour-matched to your home.
Energy-efficient windows and doors: Choose double or triple-glazed windows with low-emissivity coatings. For doors, opt for those with good insulation properties and tight seals.
Unlike traditional homes, which often use resource-intensive materials and non-renewable energy sources, sustainable design choices can minimise the carbon footprint of the property across its entire lifecycle.
The green building certification programmes like BREEAM provide standards and ratings to define sustainable construction. For instance, they may outline criteria such as using a certain percentage of recycled materials, reducing water consumption or diverting at least half of the construction waste from the property from landfills.
Incorporating renewable energy sources like solar panels and heat pumps allows homes to meet some if not all of their electricity and heating and cooling needs. However, homeowners are also increasingly choosing passive techniques which involve proper orientation, window placement, innovative lighting to take advantage of sunlight and natural breezes for heating, cooling and ventilation.
With 48% of homeowners having taken on some sort of renovation project in 2023, there’s no doubt that extending properties and finding creative ways to add space remains popular. You might opt for a loft or garage conversion which are both excellent ways to add space without disrupting your home's natural footprint.
Once you have worked out which renovation options work for your personal circumstances, suit your property, and adhere to a party wall survey, there are other general points to consider to ensure your sustainable renovation is a cost-effective way to create space and add value to your home.
Garage conversions: These often require such considerations as expanding heating, electrics, and plumbing options in the converted space, ensuring energy efficiency and adaptability for your future needs. The addition of a window may also be needed as both a light source and to ensure good air circulation.
Loft conversions: Special attention needs to be given to insulation, given this area of the home is particularly susceptible to heat loss and overheating. The inclusion of dormer windows or skylights will further assist with drawing in extra natural light and ventilation. The unique angles of a loft also lend themselves to built in storage solutions.
The method you choose to extend your home can significantly impact the longevity and sustainability of your project, so before embarking on your extension, seek professional advice to assess your property's existing structure. This will help determine the most suitable extension or renovation project for a home, whether it's a traditional brick-and-mortar addition, a timber-frame construction, or a modern modular extension.
During the early stages of your project, you will be able to identify further energy-efficient opportunities. These will help you create a sustainable home that is of greater value when you come to sell in the future. Installing high-performance HVAC systems, water heaters, appliances and electronics can help you to consume less electricity, while smart thermostats, automated lighting controls and energy monitoring systems are also helpful tips for conserving energy on a daily basis.
Similarly, in order to future-proof your home’s renovation design, think about how your needs might change in the future whether you’re currently single, planning to have a family in the future, or downsizing once your teenage children have flown the nest. You might want to opt for flexible designs that can be adapted or modified later on, should your personal circumstances change.
Selecting eco-friendly, responsibly-sourced materials is also key for sustainable home design. Opting for products made from recycled, renewable and natural resources reduces environmental impact. With thoughtful material selection, you can design an attractive, eco-friendly home that’s just as practical and efficient as one built with traditional building materials.
Consider the longevity, sustainability, and functionality of all the materials you select for your renovation, from external finishes to interior design elements, such as new bathroom suites, furnishings, and lighting. Pick items that complement your existing property but can be upcycled or bought second-hand. For older homes, this might mean sourcing reclaimed materials to maintain authenticity, or in modern properties, contemporary materials like glass and steel might be more appropriate.
If sustainability is at the heart of your renovation project and the details matter, there are plenty of materials with strong eco-credentials, such as reclaimed, recycled and locally sourced materials that can reduce transportation emissions. You can shop for reused furniture on user-friendly sites like Facebook Marketplace or search in local charity shops.
Creating an eco-friendly, sustainable home with a great renovation is a fantastic way for you to minimise your environmental impact and create a stylish property. Following the most up-to-date and sustainable home-improvement trends will give you that extra space you desire in a formidable home for you and your family’s future.
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