Home renovation / Green Building & Sustainable Home Renovation Information & Advice

Worker Installing EIFS Exterior Rigid Insulation Panels
Wall assemblies - renovation

Installing EIFS over Brick for Energy Efficiency Renovations and Retrofits

...homes for energy efficiency renovations. For homes with brick exteriors, installing EIFS presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities. This definitive guide is for both homeowners considering home retrofits to reduce energy costs and seasoned building professionals. Here we will providing a deep dive into the ...

Vermiculite Insulation In An Attic
Healthy indoor air quality

How to Know if Vermiculite Insulation has Asbestos, and do I Leave It Undisturbed or Have it Removed?

...home health and green building techniques in the Ecohome Green Building Guide and these pages below: How to identify and remove asbestos from homes How to protect air quality and keep homes clean during renovations Find the best home air purifier in the Ecohome green building products directory Buyers guide for...

Close-up of a Rustic, Sealed Terra Cotta Tile Floor.
Flooring and stairs

Floor Tile Buyers Guide - Choosing Floor Tiles for Home Renovations and New Builds

Home floor tiles: a homeowner's and pro's guide When it comes to choosing the right floor tiles for a home, the decision goes far beyond aesthetics. The ideal tile balances durability, maintenance, cost, and most importantly, environmental impact. As a builder when I chose tile surfaces for my own home, I used handmade...

A classic modern-style home with a beautiful grey stucco exterior
Exterior cladding

Stucco as a Home Exterior: Pro's & Con's

...homes. A mixture of cement, sand, water, and lime, it is a durable and fire-resistant option that provides a seamless, monolithic look. However, choosing stucco for your home requires a clear understanding of its different types, installation requirements, and maintenance. Whether you're a homeowner planning a renovati...

Exteriors

The Definitive Guide to Building an Eco-Friendly Outdoor Kitchen

...homeowner's and pro's guide An outdoor kitchen is more than just a place to grill; it's a versatile, functional extension of your living space that brings friends and family. Not only will an outdoor kitchen let you get to spend more time outdoors, cooking outside during the heat of the summer gives your home air condi...

A unvented roof design allows for large open spaces and natural light
Insulation and soundproofing

Vented and Unvented Roofs - What's the Difference and Which is Better?

...home Green Building Guide and these pages below: Choosing the right roofing for your green home The truth about attic insulation Batt insulation: pros and cons Avoiding mold and moisture in your home Sign up now and reap the benefits of a free Ecohome Network Membership!

Attic converted into usable living space Image © renovationhusbands.com
Architecture and plan design

Renovating to Convert Unused Attics Into Bedrooms or Living Space

...homeowner's and pro's guide Transforming an underused attic into livable space can be one of the most rewarding home renovations because it is just waiting there for you to come and claim the space. If your home layout allows for it without much structural modification, turning attics into additional living areas can b...

Firefighters extinguishing a home fire
Planning and Design

Home Fire Safety: Prevention, Design features and Escape Plans

Home fire safety: a homeowner's and pro's guide Ensuring your home is safe from fire is one of the most critical responsibilities for a homeowner and a key consideration for building professionals. A home fire would no doubt be emotionally devastating, but with the right preparations and design choices, the risk can be...

A modern, minimalist staircase with wood treads Image © Studio MMA Architects
Concept and design

Choosing a Space-Saving Staircase Design - What is Legal and What Isn't?

...homes and  renovations: a homeowner's and pro's guide Renovating a home to add living or storage space can sometimes require space-saving stair case designs. Attic conversion renovations, lofts, and space above garages can sometimes be made useful, but may not afford you the ability to put in a standard stair case. Her...

A woman connecting the battery of a carbon monoxide detector
Healthy indoor air quality

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning and Prevention: How to Protect Indoor Air Quality in Homes from CO Contamination

...homes because it is an odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas that can reach lethal concentrations inside a home without occupants ever realizing it. For homeowners and building professionals, understanding what causes carbon monoxide in homes, the health risks, and the solutions is critically important for safeguardin...

All About Hemp Wood Flooring, How it's Made, Where to Buy?
Flooring and stairs

Natural non-toxic hemp flooring by HempWood & Tennessee Wood Flooring

...home construction in the Ecohome Green Building Guide pages - also, learn more about the benefits of a free Ecohome Network Membership here.