If there’s anyone who knows the value of renovating your home, it would be a real estate agent. After all, a real estate agent’s job is to ensure that their client’s property gets sold on time and for the right price. Of course, you should work only with trusted companies who hire talented people; check out this recruitment real estate article so you’ll have an idea of how a good brokerage chooses its team.
That said, we talked to real estate agents and here are some green renovation ideas that can improve your home’s value. This particular list focuses on the front entrance, but you can apply many of them to other parts of the house.
Use Energy-Efficient Lighting
The entrance of your home needs to be both functional and stylish. One of the ways to combine the two is to install energy-efficient lighting. The simplest transition is to go from incandescent or fluorescent to LED, but you can also look for solar-powered automatic lights.
With proper placement, light fixtures can make your home feel more welcoming. You may also want to consider using warmer-toned lights. The former creates a more homey ambiance, as opposed to the stark and rather clinical look of traditional white bulbs.
If you have any landscaping near the entrance, proper lighting also helps you showcase the design and layout. Of course, ample lighting can provide visibility at night so you can remain safe as you enter and exit your home.
Paint Your Door With a Low VOC Paint
Another quick upgrade you can do to your front entrance is to change the color of your main door. There are many ways to do this, including changing the fixture outright. Painting your existing door is also a good way to give it a new look without spending a lot of money.
If you choose to paint your door, choose a paint with a low or no amount of VOCs. This acronym stands for volatile organic compounds, which are chemicals that are produced once the paint evaporates. When they mix with the air, VOCs can lower air quality and even cause various health conditions and diseases.
With low- or no-VOC paints, you won’t have any issues. This is because the petroleum-based solvents used in regular paints are replaced with water. As such, there are minimal or zero harmful emissions produced when the paint dries.
Install Solar Panels on the Awnings
Does your front entrance get a lot of sunlight? You can prevent the area from getting too hot by installing a roof or awning above it. A good option is galvanized steel, which is not only more affordable but also absorbs less heat compared to asphalt shingles. What’s great about galvanized steel roofs is that they’re also recyclable.
To amp up the green factor of your front entrance’s roof or awning, you can design it so that it can accommodate solar panels. This can cut down your electricity costs, depending on how much power it can generate. Do note that you may need special permits to do this, so consult with your local authorities before you proceed with this kind of project.
Try Simple Anti-Termite Solutions
As any real estate agent will tell you, buyers shy away from homes that are or have been infested by termites. You can use chemical insecticides to get rid of these pests, but you should be careful about using them to prevent injuries. It’s also important to choose eco-friendly alternatives.
The best solution to fight termites, however, is to make your home as termite-proof as you possibly can. For your front entrance, try not to place an abundance of plants and trees close to the door. Try placing some stones or crushed rock in your landscaping, and keep the greenery a bit farther from structures. Speaking of greenery, make it a habit to prune foliage so you can easily spot termite trails and nip them in the bud accordingly.
Look for Reclaimed Hardwood
For doors, flooring, and other wood elements of your front entrance, look for those made from reclaimed hardwood. This simply means that the wood was recycled, reducing the number of trees cut down from forests. You can also look for the FSC or Forest Stewardship Council certification, which means that the wood was harvested sustainably.
For flooring, in particular, you may also want to consider bamboo. It’s a lighter, softer material, and also more affordable. To make it termite-proof, you can have it treated to minimize the amount of sugar and starches.
Find Eco-Friendly Furniture and Decor
Lastly, if your front entrance has enough space for furniture or decor, choose eco-friendly ones. Whether it’s a small planter or a wreath on your door, make it a point to look for products that are made from recycled or sustainable materials.
Take it from the experts of selling homes—giving your home some green renovations will increase its value. Meanwhile, it can also increase your comfort while you’re staying in it. Win-win all around!
