Green Building Home Projects

Since it is becoming more and more acceptable that global warming is occurring companies are manufacturing green building products in wide varieties of green products for your home improvement projects.

We will start with the windows.

If you mix some vinegar and water and use some old newspaper to clean your windows, you bring those old glass panes to new life. The vinegar won’t harm the environment and you will be saving yourself some money by not buying window cleaner.

You can pick up a window tinting kit at the local automobile shop. It isn’t that hard to install the tinting and it is removable. Put in on your afternoon sun widows and your will see a big difference in the temperature of those rooms.

Insulation

Bonded Logic manufacturers cotton insulation made from pieces of denim clothing. This is a great way to insulate your house with something that you know isn’t harmful to your health and it helps lower the levels in landfills.

It is easy to install. After you have created your room frame, push the denim insulation between the studs. Create a moisture barrier by gluing plastic sheeting to the framing. Use a stapling gun around the edges to make it extra secure. Install your drywall and you are set.

Antique Shutters

Milk paint is a great way to give an antique look while still giving a new coat of paint. Mix 1 gallon of non-fat milk. Make sure it is the non-fat, not low or 2%. Let the milk set out for a couple of days. Strain the resulting curdle with a cheesecloth. Mix the curd and 2 1/2 oz of hydrated lime in a blender that is no longer going to be used for food. Add 2 1/2 cups of water and mix. Stir in 6 cups of chalk for filler. You can use kool-aide to color the paint, add that to the mixture.

After preparing your shutters with some sand paper, paint just like with normal paint. As the paint dries it will naturally crack, giving the antique look. Seal with natural tung oil. Replace the shutters.

Don’t let curdled milk turn you off from this project. Just do the mixing outside and wear a mask. This paint solution doesn’t have dangerous chemicals is it compared to the paint that is being offered in retail. This paint will not hurt the environment if it chips onto the ground.

Irrigation system

Collect rain water and distribute it into your yard. Depending on where you live you can save a lot of money by installing this system. It is relatively cheap and easy to make.

Drill a hole in the bottom of a 50 gallon tank or rain barrel. Attach a spigot from your local home supply store to the hole and run soaker hoses throughout the yard.

When you visit the hardware store look for other green home improvement projects. There is everything from solar security lights to low flow shower heads.