Green Homes Issues
There are lots of other roof options, too. They include metal, tile, wood shakes, and many more. You’ll have to look at each and decide what you want out of a roof and how sustainable it needs to be.
You should also look at the way your home uses water. Toilets are big water hogs, and replacing yours with a more efficient one is a good decision. Use a low flow toilet, composting toilet, or similar device to reduce the amount of water you personally use. Some people also use gray water or rainwater capture systems to help them use less water or make better use of the water they have.
Finishes have an effect on the sustainability and the health of your home. Painting can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air for years after they’re applied. These are dangerous for people with chemical sensitivities, and may be carcinogenic. Choose natural or low VOC paints and finishes instead.
Flooring is another area that doesn’t get a lot of attention, but is important. Most people have nylon based carpet, which is fast to wear out, toxic to produce, unattractive and hard to recycle. Instead of carpet, consider bamboo, tiles made from recycled glass, wood flooring from sustainable or recycled sources, or real, old fashioned linoleum.