A Quick Guide to Minimal Impact Renovation

Pretty much everyone needs to make changes to the home at some point. However, we can cause a lot of damage if not careful. Minimal impact renovation aims to reduce how much you affect the environment around you during a project. Here’s a quick guide to how you can do this.

Choosing Suitable Materials

One of the most critical decisions when trying to reduce how much you impact the environment is the materials you use. Often we use wood or plastic. Plastic is a very harmful substance, and not all wood is sustainable. Sustainable wood such as bamboo is being used in many modern projects. You can also reuse existing materials. However, DuraPost offers a clean and stylish look while staying eco-friendly by using materials such as composites and aluminium.

Replacing Older Appliances

Did you know that appliances like washing machines and fridges are some of the worst for harming the environment? The older they are, the more likely they are to cause issues. Today, modern appliances must meet strict regulations, or they can’t be sold. But these are fairly new. You can take the time to replace older appliances with new ones that are more energy-efficient. This is an investment, but your monthly bills will be reduced, as will your carbon footprint!

Minimal Impact Renovation with Insulation

Further to efficiency, heat is one of the biggest issues we face today. Too much is causing global warming, yet we also need heat to survive. Getting the balance right is tricky, but simple changes during a renovation can reduce how much heat your home loses. Loft insulation older than 20 years probably needs to be replaced since about 25% of heat escapes through the roof. However, you can also insulate the walls to keep the heat inside a room for much longer.

Multifunctional Spaces at Home

Sustainable living can be as simple or as complex as you choose. Depending on how far you go into the green rabbit hole, you can make small changes or major ones. However, many changes together can add up to a substantial contribution to a greener environment at home. For instance, multifunctional spaces such as open-plan living kitchens and diners, help maximise space. But they also help make the most of natural sunlight for free heating and lighting.

Supporting Local Wildlife

Most people don’t give a second thought to local wildlife when completing a renovation project. However, you can have a major impact on wildlife when you make structural changes, cut down trees and hedges, or even make landscaping changes. It helps to be aware of what surrounds your property before diving in. As a consolation, you can include wildlife in your plans by creating inviting spaces with ponds, bee boxes and hedgehog hotels to encourage local critters.

Summary

Choosing the right materials helps sustain a minimal-impact renovation when making changes. Insulation upgrades will also reduce reliance on gas for heating. And why not take the time to consider the local wildlife? An inviting space will encourage animals to gather and do their work!