Take a look into the range of options like: Driveway Paving Materials, Driveway Sealers, Driveway Gates, Driveway Pavers, Asphalt Paving, Repairing a Driveway, and Concrete and Gravel Driveways. If you are considering widening a driveway, extending, a driveway, or putting in a new driveway all together, your contractor will use some form of gravel underneath the surface that your choose. Gravel is typically quarried and instead of buying it as ‘virgin’ material, you can save money and the environment by using construction demolition debris that is slated for a landfill. The key to getting this reclaimed ‘modified’ material is to make a few calls to local demolition contractors and divert the waste material to your property on the days prior to the paving project. Naturally, coordinate the timing with your paving contractor or ask them to take on your request directly. Over 30% of landfill waste is from construction debris, so do you part to reduce the waste, and the cost of the modified should be the same cost if not cheaper than newly quarried gravel. For large patios, you can take the same approach. When it comes to water run-off, consider ‘pervious’ asphalt that is a relatively recent innovation. The paving surface lets the water run through it rather than just running off of it. For light traffic areas, also consider eco-pavers that combine the hard-scape surface with grass in pockets of the masonry to allow water to return to the ground table.
The right home improvement products, techniques, and services:
Contractors, home improvement stores, and specialty shops in your area may not yet have a complete familiarity with the ‘green’ opportunities, products, system integration, and overall savings potential. So, you may get some resistance, since people in general are typically more comfortable recommending something that they are already familiar with rather than something new. To help break the inertia, use the information across this website like our Return on Investment Master ROI Table. Also feel free to post a question in our forum on the message board about a particular need for your home relative to your area. Our team has spent multiple years aggregating research from public and private sector performance reports and from manufacturers and homeowners across the country in order to provide you with the perspective you may need to see the initial payback and long term advantages. Environmental enthusiasts and leading institutions like the American Institute of Architects and the National Association of Realtors, see the value and link into our resources to support their members.
The Green Home:
For your overall home improvement, you can save money, improve your family’s health, and save the planet. Find out for free how much it will cost to do different types of home improvement in your home from a qualified and member approved contractor in your area. Get a FREE Quote . Plus, regardless of the size and scope of your home improvement project, save money and keep your home clean with the top rated chemical free and concentrated Green Home Cleaning Products.
Home Improvement Basics:
When it comes to home improvement basics, look for interior home improvements like creating a clean, safe, and healthy home through sustainable ‘green’ furniture, home décor, zero VOC and Interior Paint, plus ENERGY STAR Appliances and Electronics. For energy and utility savings you can focus on insulation and air sealing, windows, doors, lighting and skylights, water saving plumbing opportunities, and high efficiency heating and air conditioning systems. On the outside of your house, look for exterior home improvement opportunities through landscape design and gardening plus solar energy, wind and other power sources. If you are undertaking a major home renovation, an additions, or building a new home, then take the lead to ‘go green’ in as many ways as possible to save money and the environment.
