| Kitchen remodeling involves a lot of planning, tons | | | | offer, it is still important to look around yourself |
| of materials, and most importantly, plenty of | | | | and find sustainable floor materials, green cabinets |
| patience, but when you decide to go green, there | | | | and counters and ways to make your lighting and |
| is twice as much to consider. This does not mean | | | | appliances eco-friendly. |
| that there is twice as much work, but if you are | | | | When shopping for kitchen appliances, there are a |
| new to green practices and brands, then you will | | | | lot of guides and information out there to help |
| need to take time to research green methods | | | | consumers select those appliances that are |
| and find the perfect sustainable products. If you | | | | energy efficient or made from sustainable or |
| want to go green when it comes time to remodel | | | | recycled materials. Make sure that you do not |
| your kitchen, this is meant to be a guide to help | | | | just purchase those materials that are energy |
| you keep track of all those things and questions | | | | efficient, but also look for energy efficient ways |
| that need attention. | | | | to install them. As far as hard materials used to |
| Kitchen design plays a huge role in what you can | | | | remodel your kitchen go there are many new |
| do with your remodeling project, so before you | | | | types to look at, including cork flooring, bamboo, |
| even begin to pick and choose layouts that you | | | | reclaimed wood, and re-purposed concrete, tiles |
| like or products that you would like to see in your | | | | and linoleum. The same goes for the wide variety |
| kitchen, determine the area that you have to | | | | that is available in counters and cabinets, so your |
| work with and what will fit. Every kitchen | | | | choices are not limited, with recycled stainless |
| remodeling project should start by drawing a | | | | steel, stone, plastic and paper composite all very |
| kitchen map, so that you can see the space that | | | | smart possibilities. |
| you have available now, and what you want your | | | | Finally, one of the most basic green principles that |
| kitchen to look like when you are done with it. | | | | a lot of people forget about when doing their |
| The next part of your preparation involves | | | | kitchen design, is to look locally for products and |
| researching those contractors that have | | | | eco-resources. A lot of the times, the time and |
| committed to green business practices, and | | | | energy that it may take to get a specific |
| creating rooms that use sustainable products and | | | | eco-friendly product to your home is actually very |
| principles. In most cases, these experts will be | | | | wasteful. Not only is local shopping good for the |
| able to recommend what will work best in your | | | | environment, because it reduces your carbon |
| own home and area, as well as be familiar with a | | | | footprint, but it is also good for the local |
| lot of the brands and companies that offer | | | | economy. The best thing that you can do during |
| eco-friendly building materials and products. Even | | | | the entire process is to ask questions and inform |
| though they will have a lot of tips and direction to | | | | yourself about what is available. |