How To Remodel A Home Using Sustainable Resources

Jim Graham
January 15, 2022


Remodeling your home can be a great way so you can implement a new design style. There are lots of different options and ways to remodel your home, if you want to use sustainable materials, you are in the right place. Here at Sun and Earth, we will be discussing an article about how to remodel a home using sustainable resources. If you think it will be beneficial for you, we encourage you to keep reading below to find out.

Remodeling a home is a sustainable move because this will allow you to reuse some materials that are already in your home. As stated by Natural Life Magazine, around 40% of energy and materials used all over the world are used by buildings and structures. If everyone will use sustainable materials during their home remodel, it can help reduce the world’s energy consumption.

Homeowners of eco-friendly homes can help prevent the following:

  • Have a negative effect on the environment when using newly harvested materials.
  • Off-gassing of toxins caused by using new materials when building a home such as new carpets, new mattress, new furniture, particle boards, etc., so you must remember to only use used materials as they have already off-gassed their toxic chemicals.
  • Add to the amount of ever-growing construction and demolition waste and scraps.

If you have a limited budget but want to remodel your home, you can refresh the materials instead of replacing them. When you remodel sustainably by reusing and recycling materials from your home, you can also save money. Recycling and repurposing items and materials can help prevent unnecessary expenses for your homes. As a homeowner, you can use sustainable materials during the remodeling of your home because it will help reduce the emissions from the production, manufacturing, and transfer of the resources which will help the environment. A lot of green resources and materials are durable, sturdy, and more effective than non-sustainable materials.

Before remodeling your home, you can check everything to see if there are materials that work with sustainable living. This is done by checking your home’s EPC or Energy Performance Certificate. This certificate will let you know your home’s energy use and carbon dioxide emissions. The grading system ranges from A to G, with A being the most energy-efficient, and G having the least, so as a homeowner you will know how green your home is.

What areas of your home are green?

You must check the different areas of the home to know which ones are using sustainable materials. You can check first the insulation of the home; it is usually not green unless you have opted for sustainable resources like recycled materials. Keep in mind, insulating the home can help save money as it helps lower the electricity bill. Energy is usually wasted if the home is poorly insulated, upgrading your home’s insulation to be energy-efficient is good as it lowers your electricity costs and is beneficial to the environment.

The windows must be checked and updated. Double-glazed windows are energy efficient. Wood-framed windows are also sustainable. They can help insulate your home and are usually easier to repair and can last longer. You must avoid un-plasticized polyvinyl chloride or metal. UPVC was popularly used to frame windows, but it emits harmful toxins into the air and the surroundings, so you must choose energy-efficient and sustainable options for your home’s windows.

Which areas of your home are harmful to the environment?

One important home item to check is your home’s air purifier. This is used to clean the surrounding air and reduce the odors in your home. However, they produce ozone at minute levels. Ozone is found in the upper levels of the atmosphere and is responsible for protecting the earth from the harmful UV rays of the sun. Breathing in this ozone can cause respiratory problems.

Carpets and rugs are also harmful because they harvest toxins such as formaldehyde and release them into the air afterward. The glue used to install the carpet in different areas of the home can produce toxic gasses that can be harmful to humans and pets.

After purchasing an old home, the usual route for homeowners is to demolish it. However, if you want to do the sustainable thing, then you can just opt to deconstruct it. Demolishing a home can harm the environment due to the material waste it produces. When remodeling a home, you should make sure to have a strategic plan in place on what to deconstruct and decide which items and materials to keep and reuse for your home remodel project.

Going for the sustainable process ahead of time can help lower your costs and save money by reusing materials and reducing waste products. You can check each part of the home and see what you can reuse and recycle. Some items in the home can be repurposed such as cabinets, doors, light fixtures, and molding.

If you have time and a limited budget, you can perform the remodeling of the home on a per room basis. For example, you can start with the upgrade of your kitchen appliances to make your kitchen more sustainable. You can check the available space and see if there are rooms that need to be repurposed into usable space. Smaller spaces are more affordable and have less impact on the surrounding area because they use fewer resources and the toxins they release are less compared to bigger homes.

When repurposing a space, you can add a dryer and washer to the kitchen or bathroom, or even in a closet or the hallway, so that you can maximize the available space. You can also consider an open concept home so you can have a single room that can be used as a dining, kitchen, and living room.

Remodeling per room

  • Kitchen

The kitchen can be eco-friendly so you can facilitate healthy living and energy efficiency. Non-toxic materials must be avoided if you want a sustainable kitchen.

The cabinets and flooring are known to have urea-formaldehyde that emits toxic gases that can affect the health of those living in the home. Coating, glue, paint, and sealant also contain toxins that must be avoided. When remodeling a kitchen, it is best to go for classic style as it can help reduce the remodeling costs and prevent the waste buildup when these materials are replaced regularly.

  • Energy-efficient devices

Use energy-efficient appliances in the different areas of your home. You must also place them in a strategic place. For example, you can place your refrigerator in the kitchen where it will not be exposed to direct sunlight as it can affect its energy-saving capabilities.

  • Bathroom

Around 27 percent of household water consumption is in the toilet. You must install and maintain efficient water and plumbing system in your home. The shower and faucets can be removed and exchanged with low-flow devices so you can save more water in the process.

If your goal is to save more water, you can use low-volume and dual-flush mechanism toilets. For sinks, you can opt for ceramic and nontoxic cement for sinks. When remodeling your home, you must check the products and appliances and make sure that they are sustainable. You must use materials that do not release toxic chemicals into the air. You must stay away from VOCs or volatile organic compounds because they off-gas toxins into the air and they contribute to air pollution.

Products made from sustainable materials last longer than man-made products. For example, a wool carpet can outlast a synthetic carpet for around 45 years. Natural linoleum can also last longer than vinyl flooring. You can use granite or marble as a countertop.

  • Using eco-friendly paint

When it comes to the paint that you used for your home, it is recommended that you use water-based paint that contains natural pigments. It has a smoother finish compared to oil-based conventional paints that are commonly used for homes. Water-based paint has low or no levels of VOCs. VOCs are toxic because during the drying process of the paint these toxins will evaporate and cause indoor air contamination, which leaves an unpleasant smell in the room that can be harmful to those individuals.

  • Utilizing solar energy with solar panels

Solar panels can produce electricity by utilizing solar energy. It is sustainable because it creates electricity that can be used by different households without contributing to the production of greenhouse gasses. It helps reduce the home’s impact on climate change. It is also cost-efficient because it can lower electricity costs for homeowners. Homeowners who opt to install solar panels in their homes can lower their electricity bills.  Solar energy can be used for light tubes for daylighting, which helps reduce the need for artificial light.

Solar energy can also be used for heating. It can be used to heat the water in the home and even your pool. You can also consider using a solar landscape and patio lighting that can be installed in the lawn and it is easy to relocate when needed.  

If you need a company to help you with the remodeling of your home using sustainable materials, you must choose Sun and Earth. We are a member of the NM Better Business Bureau and a Member of the Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce. If you need metal roofing, sustainable roof coating, and air conditioning, we can help you. Please check out our Facebook account here for more information. You can also check our portfolio here. If you have any questions or inquiries regarding our company or our services you can send us a message by filling up this contact form here.

If you are based in Las Cruces, New Mexico, you must check out Sun and Earth. If you want to request a quote for any of our services, please contact us. You can call us at (575) 521-3537. We are located at 3314 East St., Las Cruces, NM 88005. Please reach out to us if you are interested in our services. What are you waiting for? Contact us today! Make sure to choose a company like Sun and Earth for your new home building or home remodeling using sustainable materials.

Subscribe to newsletter
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.


Remodeling your home can be a great way so you can implement a new design style. There are lots of different options and ways to remodel your home, if you want to use sustainable materials, you are in the right place. Here at Sun and Earth, we will be discussing an article about how to remodel a home using sustainable resources. If you think it will be beneficial for you, we encourage you to keep reading below to find out.

Remodeling a home is a sustainable move because this will allow you to reuse some materials that are already in your home. As stated by Natural Life Magazine, around 40% of energy and materials used all over the world are used by buildings and structures. If everyone will use sustainable materials during their home remodel, it can help reduce the world’s energy consumption.

Homeowners of eco-friendly homes can help prevent the following:

  • Have a negative effect on the environment when using newly harvested materials.
  • Off-gassing of toxins caused by using new materials when building a home such as new carpets, new mattress, new furniture, particle boards, etc., so you must remember to only use used materials as they have already off-gassed their toxic chemicals.
  • Add to the amount of ever-growing construction and demolition waste and scraps.

If you have a limited budget but want to remodel your home, you can refresh the materials instead of replacing them. When you remodel sustainably by reusing and recycling materials from your home, you can also save money. Recycling and repurposing items and materials can help prevent unnecessary expenses for your homes. As a homeowner, you can use sustainable materials during the remodeling of your home because it will help reduce the emissions from the production, manufacturing, and transfer of the resources which will help the environment. A lot of green resources and materials are durable, sturdy, and more effective than non-sustainable materials.

Before remodeling your home, you can check everything to see if there are materials that work with sustainable living. This is done by checking your home’s EPC or Energy Performance Certificate. This certificate will let you know your home’s energy use and carbon dioxide emissions. The grading system ranges from A to G, with A being the most energy-efficient, and G having the least, so as a homeowner you will know how green your home is.

What areas of your home are green?

You must check the different areas of the home to know which ones are using sustainable materials. You can check first the insulation of the home; it is usually not green unless you have opted for sustainable resources like recycled materials. Keep in mind, insulating the home can help save money as it helps lower the electricity bill. Energy is usually wasted if the home is poorly insulated, upgrading your home’s insulation to be energy-efficient is good as it lowers your electricity costs and is beneficial to the environment.

The windows must be checked and updated. Double-glazed windows are energy efficient. Wood-framed windows are also sustainable. They can help insulate your home and are usually easier to repair and can last longer. You must avoid un-plasticized polyvinyl chloride or metal. UPVC was popularly used to frame windows, but it emits harmful toxins into the air and the surroundings, so you must choose energy-efficient and sustainable options for your home’s windows.

Which areas of your home are harmful to the environment?

One important home item to check is your home’s air purifier. This is used to clean the surrounding air and reduce the odors in your home. However, they produce ozone at minute levels. Ozone is found in the upper levels of the atmosphere and is responsible for protecting the earth from the harmful UV rays of the sun. Breathing in this ozone can cause respiratory problems.

Carpets and rugs are also harmful because they harvest toxins such as formaldehyde and release them into the air afterward. The glue used to install the carpet in different areas of the home can produce toxic gasses that can be harmful to humans and pets.

After purchasing an old home, the usual route for homeowners is to demolish it. However, if you want to do the sustainable thing, then you can just opt to deconstruct it. Demolishing a home can harm the environment due to the material waste it produces. When remodeling a home, you should make sure to have a strategic plan in place on what to deconstruct and decide which items and materials to keep and reuse for your home remodel project.

Going for the sustainable process ahead of time can help lower your costs and save money by reusing materials and reducing waste products. You can check each part of the home and see what you can reuse and recycle. Some items in the home can be repurposed such as cabinets, doors, light fixtures, and molding.

If you have time and a limited budget, you can perform the remodeling of the home on a per room basis. For example, you can start with the upgrade of your kitchen appliances to make your kitchen more sustainable. You can check the available space and see if there are rooms that need to be repurposed into usable space. Smaller spaces are more affordable and have less impact on the surrounding area because they use fewer resources and the toxins they release are less compared to bigger homes.

When repurposing a space, you can add a dryer and washer to the kitchen or bathroom, or even in a closet or the hallway, so that you can maximize the available space. You can also consider an open concept home so you can have a single room that can be used as a dining, kitchen, and living room.

Remodeling per room

  • Kitchen

The kitchen can be eco-friendly so you can facilitate healthy living and energy efficiency. Non-toxic materials must be avoided if you want a sustainable kitchen.

The cabinets and flooring are known to have urea-formaldehyde that emits toxic gases that can affect the health of those living in the home. Coating, glue, paint, and sealant also contain toxins that must be avoided. When remodeling a kitchen, it is best to go for classic style as it can help reduce the remodeling costs and prevent the waste buildup when these materials are replaced regularly.

  • Energy-efficient devices

Use energy-efficient appliances in the different areas of your home. You must also place them in a strategic place. For example, you can place your refrigerator in the kitchen where it will not be exposed to direct sunlight as it can affect its energy-saving capabilities.

  • Bathroom

Around 27 percent of household water consumption is in the toilet. You must install and maintain efficient water and plumbing system in your home. The shower and faucets can be removed and exchanged with low-flow devices so you can save more water in the process.

If your goal is to save more water, you can use low-volume and dual-flush mechanism toilets. For sinks, you can opt for ceramic and nontoxic cement for sinks. When remodeling your home, you must check the products and appliances and make sure that they are sustainable. You must use materials that do not release toxic chemicals into the air. You must stay away from VOCs or volatile organic compounds because they off-gas toxins into the air and they contribute to air pollution.

Products made from sustainable materials last longer than man-made products. For example, a wool carpet can outlast a synthetic carpet for around 45 years. Natural linoleum can also last longer than vinyl flooring. You can use granite or marble as a countertop.

  • Using eco-friendly paint

When it comes to the paint that you used for your home, it is recommended that you use water-based paint that contains natural pigments. It has a smoother finish compared to oil-based conventional paints that are commonly used for homes. Water-based paint has low or no levels of VOCs. VOCs are toxic because during the drying process of the paint these toxins will evaporate and cause indoor air contamination, which leaves an unpleasant smell in the room that can be harmful to those individuals.

  • Utilizing solar energy with solar panels

Solar panels can produce electricity by utilizing solar energy. It is sustainable because it creates electricity that can be used by different households without contributing to the production of greenhouse gasses. It helps reduce the home’s impact on climate change. It is also cost-efficient because it can lower electricity costs for homeowners. Homeowners who opt to install solar panels in their homes can lower their electricity bills.  Solar energy can be used for light tubes for daylighting, which helps reduce the need for artificial light.

Solar energy can also be used for heating. It can be used to heat the water in the home and even your pool. You can also consider using a solar landscape and patio lighting that can be installed in the lawn and it is easy to relocate when needed.  

If you need a company to help you with the remodeling of your home using sustainable materials, you must choose Sun and Earth. We are a member of the NM Better Business Bureau and a Member of the Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce. If you need metal roofing, sustainable roof coating, and air conditioning, we can help you. Please check out our Facebook account here for more information. You can also check our portfolio here. If you have any questions or inquiries regarding our company or our services you can send us a message by filling up this contact form here.

If you are based in Las Cruces, New Mexico, you must check out Sun and Earth. If you want to request a quote for any of our services, please contact us. You can call us at (575) 521-3537. We are located at 3314 East St., Las Cruces, NM 88005. Please reach out to us if you are interested in our services. What are you waiting for? Contact us today! Make sure to choose a company like Sun and Earth for your new home building or home remodeling using sustainable materials.