Sustainable Beach House Remodel Tips

Who doesn’t want to live in a sustainable beach house? If you think that this is an impossible feat, then this article is going to prove you wrong. While it isn’t easy, it’s entirely possible. 

In today’s climate, everyone is trying to cut down their carbon footprint and live a more eco-friendly life. 

If you want your home to be sustainable for years to come, then you’ll need to make some changes.

Here is some sustainable beach house remodel tips to help you contribute to the eco-friendly way of life:  

• Conserve the natural greenery

Does your landscape have natural greenery? Work with your designer or architect to design a floorplan that conserves the trees. In this way, your beach home will have a smaller footprint.

The trees will shelter your home from the strong winds, provide shade, and keep your house cool free of cost while minimizing the effect on the area’s biodiversity.

In case you want to go for an extension in the future, you can add more stories. 

Another great way to lessen the impact on the environment is to have a smaller base and create space upwards.

• Install glazed doors and windows

Installing large and low-emissivity windows is an excellent idea as they are energy-efficient. In this type of window, a glass that releases low levels of heat inside your home is used. The glass comes with a slim, transparent coat to reflect long-wave infrared energy. It prevents unwanted absorption of heat.

Large and low-emissivity windows will also give you the view you want. Consider angled windows as they will let more light inside your beach home. 

• Use timber

Good quality timber is pests and water-resistant, making it a good choice for building beach homes. Go for strong and low-maintenance timber. Cedarwood is a great option. It will give you an attractive grey finish. You can thus leave them in their natural state without repainting them.

Timber will also offer the desired warmth and a touch of nature in your design. But if timber is too high maintenance for your liking, go for floor veneers. They are low maintenance and resemble timber, and are as durable as timber.

• Pick the right paint.

Whichever building materials you choose to use, coating the home with the best quality paint is not an option. It will safeguard your home from extreme weather, corrosion, and humidity. Cheaper quality paint will not last long, and you will have to go for yearly repainting. 

To lessen the environmental impact, consider environmentally friendly low VOC paint. Volatile organic compounds are toxic chemicals that get mixed with the air when emitted. 

Low VOC paints emit a negligible amount of volatile organic compounds and thus safeguard the environment. It is better for your health as well.

• Harvest rainwater

For those residing in a coastal region, dealing with frequent and heavy rainfall is expected. Consider installing a rainwater harvesting system to harvest and store the rainwater. It can be used for different purposes later on, such as washing.

• Save energy

Homes built near the beach enjoy access to an abundance of renewable energy sources. Harness natural resources such as sunlight and wind.

Installing solar panels and a wind turbine can help lessen grid energy consumption. Also, consider installing sensor-based lighting systems. They turn off automatically when you don’t use them.

• Replace old appliances 

If you are using old appliances, they can consume a lot of energy. Invest in new ones with a high Energy Star rating. It will save you money, water, and energy in the long run. 

• Go for green flooring.

Consider replacing your traditional flooring with green and toxin-free flooring options such as linoleum, cork, and bamboo. They are eco-friendly and will give you a clean, contemporary look. They can also withstand heavy foot traffic. 

Another great option is rubber flooring. They are durable, low-maintenance, and environmentally friendly. You can go for ones that are made from recycled tires. Just ensure to get in touch with a reputed rubber flooring installer.    

Besides using them in your interior, consider using them to remodel your deck. Using these eco-friendly flooring materials will help lessen the toll that traditional wood puts on the environment.

• Choose open-plan layout

An open-plan interior lets you design one large space that can be used flexibly. Since there will be no walls and partitions, you will be letting the sunlight and air stream freely inside your home.

An open-plan layout also improves traffic flow by allowing you to move freely around your room. Besides, it is better for communication and makes entertaining your guests easier.

• Create multifunctional rooms

You can build a more sustainable beach home by creatively building multifunctional rooms. For instance, you can build a  sitting area that will also serve as a dining space, sitting area, and reading nook.

Wrap-Up

Sustainable building is not just about making eco-friendly homes. A sustainable building is one that can withstand all kinds of stresses of nature, man, and his activities without losing its original identity of performance. Sustainable homes are designed to last longer. 

If you plan to build or remodel your home, this article will come in handy and help you remodel it so that it would be energy efficient. Remember that building sustainable homes are more than just creating sleek designs or fancy structures!

About The Author: Karen Lopez is a freelance content writer at marketing digest. With her keen interest in home décor and remodeling, she loves contributing insightful articles about the latest renovation trends in residential and commercial spaces. In her free time, she enjoys listening to Jazz music and watching Netflix.

Photo by Addy Mae on Unsplash