Did you know..
The definition of conservation: an occurrence of improvement by virtue of preventing loss. Every homeowner is a temporary guardian of their piece of the earth. Homes are built to last, and that means that we, as homeowners are responsible for conserving our property for future generations. Whether you intend to stay in your home for decades, or will be moving in the next year, maintaining and improving your home is the very best method of conservation.
Not that this means that you should keep those 1941 green Formica countertops that are in perfect condition! It means that using everything for its ‘full useful life’ has meaning. Those Formica countertops can go into a garage workbench, or a garden potting shed. Many things can be donated, such as working plumbing fixtures, doors, etc.
But there is a catch. Remodeling, as a method of conservation, needs to be done right. Poorly thought out, and/or poorly constructed remodels or additions do not serve the long term conservation of the property, conversely, they do the opposite.
So, maintain what you have, renovate it when appropriate, remodel it correctly, reuse material whenever possible, and use long lasting, sustainable materials for replacement.
Going green, isn’t just about buying the latest and greatest green product, it’s really about what we learned from our grandparents. Take care of what you have, don’t waste anything, and if you are going to do something, do it right!
Robbyn E Glisson, PE, Home Improvement Consulting, Helping Homeowners do it right!
www.rglisson.com
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