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Three ways to renovate without destroying the environment

By Lauren Ellis โ€ข Leave a Comment

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By Laney Clancy

What is sustainable renovation? Here is our guide to sourcing eco-friendly materials, selecting energy and water-saving products, and creating environmentally sustainable spaces.

Sustainability is more than a buzzword, it’s a way to be resourceful and create long-lasting changes for the better. Being aware of environmentally sustainable products and practices when you renovate can reduce your carbon footprint, help you decrease energy and water usage and give you long-term financial savings.

Image courtesy of Dezeen
Image courtesy of Dezeen

What is sustainable renovation?

In this context, sustainability is reducing our impact on the environment. Sustainable renovation is the practice of using materials and products that maintain ecological balance through form and function.

Sustainable materials may include recycled surfaces such as reclaimed timber, secondhand fixtures and eco-friendly choices of certain products, such as paints and tiles. You may also choose to install products that will assist energy and water saving, such as LED lighting and appliances with good energy ratings, plus low-flow showerheads and water-saving toilets.

Image courtesy of Dezeen
Image courtesy of Dezeen

1. Choose sustainable materials

Sustainable materials are those that come from a replenishable source or have been reused, repurposed or recycled.

Timber from old growth forests is not sustainable; compare this with plantation timber or reclaimed wood. The benefit of reclaimed or recycled wood is its beautiful weathered look and sense of history. Don’t forget you’ll need to treat the wood to protect it from rotting and this substance should also be eco-friendly.

Your choice of material may dictate the aesthetic of your renovation or vice versa, but fortunately there’s a big enough range to fit into a lot of different themes. Reclaimed pieces can be used for retro chic, rustic or industrial looks, for example, or it can shake things up in a modern home.

Consider also the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) content in the materials you select. VOCs are chemicals containing carbon that evaporate into the atmosphere and unfortunately little is known about the health hazards. Low or zero VOC paints, urethanes and particle boards are all available, albeit at a higher cost.

Other materials you might consider include recycled plastic and laminates as well as glass and ceramic, both of which can be recycled.

Image courtesy of Dezeen
Image courtesy of Dezeen

2. Aim for efficiency

The bathroom, kitchen and laundry are the three areas where we tend to use the most energy and water so when you’re in the market to purchase fixtures, fittings and appliances for these rooms, make efficiency a key criterion. Not only will this reduce the resources you use, it will save you money in the longer term as well.

Energy star ratings and water ratings (WELS) are a good start but even before you buy items, think of how you can reduce or eliminate the need for them. Creating a temperate environment within the home through good insulation (including to insulate your water pipes) and ventilation will reduce the need for air conditioning and heating. Having a lot of natural light may reduce your reliance on lighting.

Efficiency in heating and cooling also applies to water. A continuous flow hot water system, for instance, will heat water when you need it, whereas a tank system uses energy all day by heating water in the tank whether or not you’re using it. Keep in mind that what a continuous flow system saves on energy it can waste in water as you wait for the water to heat up and reach the outlet. So choose a water wise unit or install a recirculating pump.

If you want to go a bit further, installing green spaces, such as vertical gardens or a green roof, can also support insulation as well as improve air quality.

Image courtesy of Architect Matt Elkan, photograph by Simon Whitbread
Image courtesy of Architect Matt Elkan, photograph by Simon Whitbread

3. Future-proof your home

You can use your renovation to future-proof your home in two ways. The first is by preventing unnecessary repairs in the future, for example leak-proofing your house by checking gutters and the roof and undergoing proper waterproofing for wet areas such as bathrooms and the laundry to prevent damp.

Secondly, you can install sustainable featuresโ€”or plan for them if you cannot afford to include them now. Some ideas include:

  • Rainwater tank to capture clean rainwater. Instead of going down the drain you can use rainwater on the garden or to flush your toilet.
  • Greywater recycling takes soapy water from washing machines and basins for use as above.
  • Solar panels and a set of home batteries like the Tesla Powerwall will store the sunโ€™s energy. It’s possible to live โ€˜net zeroโ€™ (no more electricity bills!) but have the security of being connected to the grid if you ever need it.
  • Roof colour is often overlooked as a way to reduce energy usage. Dark colours can absorb up to 90% of the sunโ€™s radiant heatโ€”fantastic in a cold climate but uncomfortable if not. Studies show that a white, mid-grey, or steel roof can have approximately 30% lower heat gain than a dark roof.

Donโ€™t forget to see what rebates, buy-backs and other incentives are available for sustainable practices.

Lastly, make sure the people you hire demonstrate sustainable practices too. There are certifications for professions such as plumbing that will help you discern practitioners. A certified Enviroplumber, for example, completes six years of training to become a qualified plumber, drainer and gasfitter and has additional training in sustainable plumbing practices such as installing rainwater tanks and fixing solar hot water systems, as well as abides by the Enviroplumber Code of Practice.

With these considerations in mind you’ll be well on your way to creating a sustainable home.

Laney Clancy is the marketing and finance Manager at Pipe Perfection Plumbers in Sydney. She is married to Darren, the owner of the business, which has a team that includes specialist enviroplumbers and more, servicing the Inner West and Eastern Suburbs of Sydney.ย 

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November 30, 2016

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Me and @fantasticfurniture go WAY back! When I fir Me and @fantasticfurniture go WAY back! When I first came to Australia in my 20s, it's where I headed to buy everything I needed for my first apartment at an incredible price! And I've loved watching the range get more and more impressive over the years as my knowledge of furniture has increased. I had no idea how extensive their Aussie Made sofa range was though. I'd love you to check out the options via link in bio as I think you'll be impressed! I think we have a renewed appreciation for Aussie Made and supporting local manufacturing and jobs and this is a great success story. We love a bit of high low decorating, and turns out Fantastic Furniture is a great place to find your family lounge, a special accent chair, an extra ottoman for occasional seating and so much more. 

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Please don't show my boys this room or they'll wan Please don't show my boys this room or they'll want one like it!

How gorgeous is this Brisbane kids' bedroom?! 

@brittwhitestudio worked closely with the boys (aged 7 and 9) to understand their needs with a bespoke bunk bed solution crafted by BRC Cabinets, featuring ample storage as well as an under-stair hidey-hole, a useful reading nook for books and a built-in charger for electronics. Local craftsmen Emmettโ€™s Ropes designed and hand-tied the ropework on the top bunk and the supporting pillar beneath.

Head over to the blog via link in bio to see and read more!

#bunkroom #bunkbed #bunkbedsforkids #bunkbeds #bespokebunkbeds #custommadebunkbeds #sharedbedroom #sharedbedroomforkids #boysroominspo #boysroomdecor #junglebedroom #kidsroomstyle #kidsroomstyling #childrensrooms #theinteriorsaddict #interiorsblog #interiorsaccount #interiorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #brittwhitestudio #highriseliving #apartmentlifestyle #penthouses #apartmentlivingwithkids #newsteadbrisbane 

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Comment your fave: 1, 2 or 3? Just 3 of the kitch Comment your fave: 1, 2 or 3?

Just 3 of the kitchens in the @duluxaus Colour Awards 2023 shortlist which will give you some serious inspiration!

Loads more gorgeous residential rooms to see on the blog this morning via link in bio.

Projects by @studio__bright @kaiko_design and Georgie Shepherd Interior Design. Pix by @arorygardiner @fiona_susanto and @christophermorrisphoto 

#duluxcolour #duluxpaint #duluxaus #duluxcolourawards #duluxcolourawards2023 #moodykitchen #allwhitekitchen #designerkitchen #sagekitchen #boldkitchen #colourfulkitchen #colouredkitchen #theinteriorsaddict #interiorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #interiorsblog #interiorsaccount
We're a bit obsessed with Cara Standen's balcony m We're a bit obsessed with Cara Standen's balcony makeover using @kmartaus stone tiles!

Nineties townhouse in Lennox Head or villa in Greece? You decide! All up it cost $2000 including all materials and she did the work herself.

Read all about it via link in bio now.

Love your work @twin_palms_lennox

#kmartaustralia #kmartdiy #kmarthack #kmarthome #modernmediterranean #balconymakeover #balconyideas #diybalcony #budgetdiy #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Wallpaper in every single room! What do you recko Wallpaper in every single room!

What do you reckon? You'd think it would be overkill but it isn't because so many of the designs are subtle yet still impactful.

Head over to the blog to see how @grafico_walls transformed this blank canvas Melbourne townhouse with their products, which you've probably seen on The Block over the years. And read how Damian Corney has grown this Melbourne business with wife Adele and a growing team. There's also a look inside the very cool Motley Hotel which has used a whopping 4km of their wallpaper throughout!

You can also watch a video tour with Bec Douros as the house featured on Open Homes Australia over the weekend.

Via link in bio now.

#wallpapergoals #wallpaperdesign #australianwallart #australianwallpaper #wallmurals #wallpapermural #wallpapermurals #wallpapereddoor #digitalwallpaper #digitallyprintedwallpaper #customwallpaper #wallpaperaesthetic #wallpapertrends #wallpaperaustralia #grafico #graficowallcoverings #melbournebusiness #melbournesmallbusiness #openhomesaustralia #theblock #becdouros
Kids and fluffy chickens. Does it get any cuter?! Kids and fluffy chickens. Does it get any cuter?! 

Braved the rain second morning in a row to feed the animals at @edenfarmescape because life's too short to worry about a bit of mud and drizzle!

Feeling relaxed ๐Ÿฅฐ
Did you see this cracking little transformation on Did you see this cracking little transformation on @sellinghousesaus last night?

We have all the finer details on the blog today via link in bio. Particularly love the kitchen refresh using the existing blue cupboards which really weren't doing anything for me before ๐Ÿ˜‚

#sellinghouses #sellinghousesaustralia #beforeandafterkitchen #beforeandafterrenovation #beforeandafterlivingroom #renoshow #realreno #interiorsblog #interiorsaccount #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #bluekitchen #budgetkitchenmakeover #budgetdiy #budgetmakeover
How's this for a compact back yard TRANSFORMATION? How's this for a compact back yard TRANSFORMATION?!

Our friends at @mintdesignau have done it again!

Homeowner Briony Marsh says: Itโ€™s totally changed our home lifestyle now we can sit outside on the lounge in the sun or shade, be in the pool, spa, sauna or cooking pizzas and hanging out with friends. It sounds cliched but it really feels like we are on holiday at home!โ€

Head over to the blog to see the finer details, including a sauna and a seriously good looking copper pizza oven. There's a lot packed into this space!

#backyards #smallpools #smallpool #homesauna #pizzaovens #outdoorpizzaoven #landscapedesigner #mintdesign #holidayathome #resortstylehomes #landscapeartist #backyard #exteriorinspiration #exteriormakeover #exteriordesigns #pergoladesign #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Swipe for before & afters of today's real reno. L Swipe for before & afters of today's real reno.

Located inside a 1912 sandstone villa in Adelaideโ€™s Kensington, this bathroom makeover combines classic and contemporary elements that complement the homeโ€™s original, period features. 

Designed by the homeโ€™s owner @designby_Tahirih, who is a property stylist too, the renovation came sooner than expected after water ingress made the makeover of their only bathroom an urgent necessity!

The whole project cost an impressive $20k, project managed herself.

Read all about it via link in bio now.

#realrenovations #realhomes #realreno #heartyourhome #renoaddict #freestandingbath #classicbathroom #classiccontemporary #classiccontemporaryinteriors #theinteriorsaddict  #interiorsaddict #jenbishop #homestaging #laundrymakeover #bathroomrenovations #bathroomremodels
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