2008 Holiday Gift Guide
a discovery company

Top 5 Cool Eco Materials for Your Home

No Image

By Veronica Davis
Richlands, NC, USA | Sun Aug 17 07:00:00 EDT 2008

eco-insulation photo


James Keyser//Time Life Pictures/Getty Images

Scott Hunt, a 45-year-old water specialist that grew up during a severe drought in Australia, uses some very cool materials to turn his 1,700 square-foot home into an energy and water saving paradise. During his transformation, Greenovate is there to watch his $30,000 renovation unfold (if he can stay within his planned budget!). A few of the materials Hunt uses makes it to our list of top 5 cool eco materials for homes.

  1. Our first cool eco material is low/no VOC paint. After a mishap or two, he chooses to repaint the entire house -- Hunt and his friends decide to use a low/no VOC paint. This reduces the amount of VOC's that are found in many households, which is beneficial to air quality and health. Scientific studies have linked VOC's to an array of negative health ailments.

  2. >The paint outside has a ceramic additive mixed into the paint. Smart move, considering it was developed and used by NASA! This additive reflects heat, from inside or out, to reduce heating and cooling costs. It even acts as a sound insulator and fire retardant. There are also a number of paints and other additives that can be used to make your home more efficient.

  3. Helping your home keep its cool (or warmth) isn't as difficult as some would believe. Another fantastic way to do this is with effective insulation. We won't try to reinvent the wheel here, because TreeHugger has covered some of the top green insulation options in pretty good detail, from recycled paper to denim insulation.

  4. Opting for a green countertop can create a beautiful centerpiece for your kitchen, and saves on much needed resources. There are many to choose from that can fit in with any style you may be shooting for.

  5. Our fifth top eco materials for homes isn't something you would normally think of, and it isn't a material used much inside your house. When you're building your home, or working on your curb appeal, consider concrete for your driveways versus any kind of asphalt. It's cooler, uses basic materials, lasts for years, and can be recycled!

Hankering for a home makeover? Manifest your green American Dream with tips from Planet Green TV's Greenovate.

 
  • email
  • digg
  • share
  • print
helpful article? vote for it
{ }
close window

CLOSE X

 

comments on this article

view all post a comment

 
 
 
 
 

how to go green

View All

Votes

How to Go Green: Home Electronics
  COMMENTS

{}

How to Go Green: Home Buying
  COMMENTS

{}

How to Go Green: Home Heating
  COMMENTS

{}

How to Go Green: Electricity
  COMMENTS

{}

How to Go Green: Rental Properties
  COMMENTS

{}

How to Go Green: Weddings
  COMMENTS

{}

 
Greensburg image
 

tv schedule

view all

On Now

On Tonight

 
Channel Finder Planet Green
 

buying guides

View All

Votes

Buy Green: East Coast Beer
  COMMENTS

{}

Buy Green: Thanksgiving Turkey
  COMMENTS

{}

Buy Green: Desktop Computers
  COMMENTS

{}

Buy Green: Laptop and Notebook Computers
  COMMENTS

{}

 

today on planet green

view all

Votes

recent
discussed

Throw a Green Cookie Exchange Party
POSTED  3 Dec 2008.  COMMENTS

{ }

World's Greenest Homes Episode: Eco Manor
POSTED  9 HOURS AGO.  COMMENTS

{ }

Emeril Green Episode: A Meal to Remember
POSTED  9 HOURS AGO.  COMMENTS

{ }

Stuff Happens: No Butts for Mother Nature (Video)
POSTED  11 HOURS AGO.  COMMENTS

{ }

How to Go Green: Cocktails
POSTED  11 HOURS AGO.  COMMENTS

{ }

Go Paperless for Thanksgiving Dinner
POSTED  25 Nov 2008. 4 COMMENTS.

{2}

Buy Green: East Coast Beer
POSTED  18 Nov 2008. 3 COMMENTS.

{3}

World's Greenest Homes Episode: Chicago House
POSTED  25 Nov 2008. 9 COMMENTS.

{13}

Pass Up Fast Food on Road Trips
POSTED  24 Nov 2008. 3 COMMENTS.

{3}

Replace Risky Hot Dogs with Grass-Fed Franks
POSTED  19 Nov 2008. 2 COMMENTS.

{5}

 
 
 

Ads by Google