3 Sustainable Home Upgrades That Will Stand The Test Of Time
According to studies, homeowners spend an average of nearly £600 yearly on various home upgrades. Not everyone can afford to upgrade their home every few weeks. Plus, with that much going into improving your home, you don’t want to have to do it over again in a short period, as that will cost you more money. You want each upgrade to last as long as possible. In other words, longevity should be your goal to help make each home upgrade more sustainable – both in terms of being long-lasting and being better for the environment. The following tips will help you make sustainable home upgrades that will stand the test of time.
1. Replace your carpets with stone or wooden floors
If your interior floors are covered with carpets, you might want to strip everything and return to your original stone or wooden floor. If your floors are not made with hardwood or stone, it’s time to start investing in that upgrade. If properly cared for, a natural stone floor is guaranteed to last the entire lifespan of your home, meaning you wouldn’t need any flooring upgrade for a long time. Similarly, a high-quality wooden floor (like oak, for example) can last for about 25 years with proper care and professional installation. Both options are made with natural materials and are far more sustainable and long-lasting than carpets. Compared to stone and wood, a floor carpet can last between 5 and 15 years. The fibres used for these carpets go through a lot of processes to be fit for homes, including washing and dyeing. Even worse, they can emit toxic gas after disposal, showing their adverse impact on the environment.
2. Focus on lasting upgrades for your windows
Today, replacing your doors and windows is relatively easy with several companies available that are capable of doing it within minutes. But a window replacement can cost you anywhere between £550 and £3600 per window. Needing to repair or change your windows a few months after your upgrade can be frustrating and expensive. Sometimes, issues with glazing, deterioration, and insulation could be some of the reasons why you might need a relatively new window replaced or repaired. That’s why it’s important to focus on upgrades that will last, especially the ones that tackle the common problems associated with faulty windows. For example, you can invest in UPVC windows as they’re highly durable and offer better resistance to deterioration caused by the weather. They also provide excellent thermal insulation while being sustainable. You can also get similar benefits by upgrading to doors made from glazed UPVC or composite.
3. Turn to energy-efficient roofing solutions
Effective insulation is the cornerstone of an energy-efficient roof, helping to keep your home warm and cosy while lowering your energy bills. But you want to choose sustainable roofing materials that are capable of improving insulation while lasting a lifetime. Metal, slate tiles, and roof shingles are considered three of the most sustainable roofing options with better longevity. So, if you’re thinking about upgrading your roof, consider picking from any of these three. Plus, they absorb heat better, keeping your interiors warm for longer. Even if you can’t afford to replace your entire roof, consider changing or upgrading some portions in the meantime.
