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Eco-Friendly Curb Appeal

By Megan Cohen

Team Planet Green

By Team Planet Green
Silver Spring, MD, USA | Fri Jun 27, 2008 08:42 AM ET

The bold aesthetics of the ultra-modern South London dream house on World's Greenest Homes stands out in its traditional-looking neighborhood. Try these green options to boost your own home's curb appeal, and grab plenty of positive attention from passers-by. It doesn't have to be a big financial investment or time commitment, either: although some of these projects, like painting your house, aren't going to happen overnight, there are others, like eco-smart DIY window treatments, that offer pretty much instant results.


  • Swap any outdoor lights on your porch or paths for pretty solar-powered outdoor lighting that charges all day and shines all night, providing a gentle glow without taxing the power grid.


  • A new coat of eco-smart exterior paint will keep everything looking ultra-neat, and a smart color choice can impact the amount of energy your home uses for climate control. If you live in a warm area, paint with a light color, especially on the roof, to reflect heat away. If you live in a place where there's more cool weather than hot, choose a dark shade that will help absorb sunlight and keep things cozy.


  • Change up your look by grabbing a cool, salvaged front door that would otherwise make its way into a landfill. Keep your old door in circulation by passing it on to a homeowner in need: you can find an individual who can make use of it through a website like freecycle or craiglist, or seek out a non-profit in your area that can take donations of old building materials.

  • For any windows in your home that face the street, grab some gorgeous, eco-friendly blinds or curtains made from sustainable materials, or make your own bold recycled shades or curtains and hang ‘em with a little nature-inspired flair.


  • An attractive designer wind turbine can turn your roof from "meh!" to 'whoa!' while providing a substantial portion of your home's power. Although form mostly follows function with turbines at this point, some increasingly elegant and beautifulsolutions have started making their way to the market, so you can seek out a model that's as easy on the eyes as it is on the earth.


  • Forward-thinking landscaping choices, like a xeriscaped area, a rock garden, or even a low-maintenance no-mow lawn, can save water while adding a different look to your yard.

 
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