Eco-Friendly Renovations Blog
Stay updated with our eco-friendly renovations blog for tips, trends, and expert advice on remodeling projects.
Preparing Your Home for Winter: Ottawa Renovation Winter Tips for Comfort
The winters in Ottawa are legendary. When the temperature drops and the wind chill makes it feel much colder, we’ve all experienced it. The cost of maintaining a warm and cozy home can quickly become a significant concern, despite the beauty of the snowy scenery. If you live in Ottawa, getting ready for the cold involves more than just covering your outdoor furniture; it also entails making wise, long-term improvements that will increase your comfort level and save your energy costs. The finest investment you can make in your home’s winter performance, in our opinion at RenosGroup.ca, is a well-done Ottawa makeover. This thorough handbook guides you through necessary restoration tasks that are tailored to the specific needs of the National Capital Region, from large overhauls to minor, strategic enhancements. Windows and Doors When you feel a draft near a window, you’re not just feeling cold air; you’re watching your heating dollars float right out of your house. Windows and doors are often the biggest culprits for heat loss in older Ottawa homes. Replacing Windows for Efficiency If your windows are single-pane, sticky, or visibly warped, replacement is one of the most impactful winter-readiness renovation tips. Modern windows offer significant improvements: Low-E glass coatings are tiny layers that reflect heat into your home in the winter and keep it out in the summer. This makes your home far more energy-efficient year-round. Filling with Argon or Krypton Gas: An inert gas (most often argon) fills the area between the glass panes. This gas is denser than air, which slows down heat transmission and makes the window even better at keeping heat in (U-factor). Better Frames: Look for vinyl or fiberglass frames that are strong and don’t expand or contract in very hot or freezing weather. This will keep the seal tight year after year. When planning your window renovation, consult a local expert to ensure you select windows rated for Ottawa’s extreme cold, often indicated by a high Energy Rating (ER). Learn more about efficient window standards Sealing and Replacing Exterior Doors While a new, insulated steel or fiberglass door is ideal, often the biggest problem lies in the seal. A successful door renovation often includes: Replacing the Weatherstripping: Over time, the flexible material around the door frame (weatherstripping) becomes brittle and fails. Replacing this is a fast, cost-effective project. Installing a Quality Door Sweep: The gap at the bottom of the door is a major air leak. A high-quality, adjustable door sweep can eliminate this. Adjusting the Hinges: Sometimes, a door simply sags over time. A quick adjustment can bring it back into alignment, ensuring it presses tightly against the weatherstripping. The Insulation Overhaul If windows are the first line of defense, insulation is the fortress wall. Many older Ottawa homes simply don’t have enough insulation to handle prolonged deep freezes. A strategic insulation renovation is critical for maintaining consistent interior temperatures and maximizing energy efficiency. Looking for warm, winter-inspired design ideas? Be inspired by our feature on Home Renovation Ottawa: Holiday Cozy Cabin Chic Attic Insulation: The Quickest ROI Heat rises, making the attic your home’s thermal weak point. If you have less than 18 inches of insulation, you are losing substantial heat. The current recommended standard for a new build in the Ottawa area is often around R-60 or higher [^2]. The Project: An attic insulation renovation is relatively straightforward: installing blown-in cellulose or fiberglass over your existing material. The Critical Step: Ventilation: Insulation must be paired with proper ventilation (soffit and ridge vents) to prevent moisture buildup and, crucially, to keep the roof deck cold. A cold roof prevents snow from melting and refreezing, which is the main cause of destructive ice dams, a common and expensive problem in Ottawa winters. Insulation standards reference: Insulation Wall Insulation: The Next-Level Upgrade Insulating existing exterior walls is a more involved home renovation, but it can dramatically change your home’s comfort level. Drill-and-Fill Method: For homes without wall insulation (common in pre-1950s construction), a contractor can drill small holes in the exterior siding or interior drywall and blow in insulation (foam or cellulose), sealing the holes afterward. Basement and Crawl Space Insulation If the floor is cold, it means that heat is escaping from underneath. If you have a finished basement, insulating the walls or crawl space can make a big difference for the ground floor of your home. Basement Walls: Rigid foam insulation boards (like XPS or polyiso) are frequently the best choice for basement walls because they keep moisture out and act as a vapor barrier. This is also important in places where the foundation is shaky. This process is a basic stage in any full basement restoration. Reference—Basement insulation guide: Maintaining Your Home – Basemen Heating Systems: Modernizing for Maximum Performance Your winter comfort is powered by your furnace. An aged system is naturally less effective and more likely to fail when you need it most, even though upkeep is essential. Installation of High-Efficiency Furnaces Think about getting a new furnace if yours is more than 15 years old. Contemporary high-efficiency versions (rated 92% AFUE or greater) use advanced heat exchangers to extract much more heat from the fuel they burn. This renovation project in Ottawa is significant but well worth the cost. Reference: Furnace standards Taking Up Heat Pumps Even in frigid weather, heat pumps are becoming more and more common in the Ottawa region. Even at temperatures considerably below freezing, contemporary cold-climate air source heat pumps are incredibly efficient and can serve as your primary source of heating and cooling. Through initiatives like the Canada Greener Homes Initiative (or similar provincial programs), this technology frequently qualifies for federal and provincial subsidies, which help manage the initial renovation costs. Zoning and Smart Thermostats Installing a smart thermostat is a more straightforward but efficient update. You can control these gadgets remotely, they can learn your routine, and they can automatically adjust the temperature when you’re not present. For bigger Ottawa houses, think about renovating your zoning
5 Ideas to Greenify Your Home
If you’re eager to get on board with sustainable living, there’s never been a better or more important time. Taking small, individual steps are fundamental to improving the health and welfare of our planet. And adopting habits that positively affect our environment can be easily implemented into your everyday life. Here are a few ideas to greenify your home this spring. Reduce Water Consumption We’re all guilty of wasting far too much water – whether it’s ignoring that leaky faucet, leaving the tap on while brushing, or taking long showers. But when you consider that over 700 million people around the world don’t have access to clean water, it makes you realize how much we take it for granted. Reducing your water consumption can be achieved in many different, simple ways. For example, if you have a leaky tap or toilet that you’ve been ignoring, these items alone can waste a whopping 10,000 gallons of water per year. So start by having any leaks fixed, switch to a low flush toilet, and reduce the duration of your showers. Use Upcycled, Sustainable Materials Using upcycled or sustainable materials in your home is another great way to greenify your home. Using reclaimed wood or incorporating old, repurposed and refinished items into your bedroom, bathroom, and general design can give your home a unique character while keeping in line with a more sustainable outlook. Also consider opting for materials like bamboo that are sustainable, ethically sourced and very versatile to use. Switch to Energy Efficient Appliances If you still have old, outdated appliances and fixtures throughout your home, it’s time to make the switch. Appliances account for up to 30% of your home energy use, and considering just how much we use and depend on them; upgrading can help to significantly save on energy usage and your monthly utility bills. Avoid VOC Materials Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are found in many different areas around the home, such as paint, wood finishes, caulking and adhesives. So when you’re shopping around for items for the home, make sure to check the label to ensure it says “low-VOCs” or “zero-VOCs.” Choose Environmentally Responsible Brands When you’re renovating and redecorating your home, spend a little time researching some environmentally responsible brands and businesses that are making an effort to focus on environmentally-friendly products. You can help support their initiatives by using sustainable alternatives that won’t have a negative impact on our planet. When you’re looking for ideas to greenify your home, keep these tips in mind. By making a few adjustments one step at a time, you can drastically reduce your ecological footprint, while creating a healthier, happier, eco-friendly home for you and your family. Contact us, of give us a call at (613)727-9427
Planning an Eco-Friendly Kitchen Renovation
Wondering how you can make your kitchen more eco-friendly? Well, there are plenty of ways – from big changes and additions to simple ones like using non-toxic paint on the walls, minimizing wasteful products, and encourage recycling and composting. But those are just the tip of the iceberg. For more ideas when planning out an eco-friendly kitchen renovation, read on. Install Natural Flooring Starting from the ground up, consider the type of flooring that will be installed. There are plenty of natural options like hard wood, or linoleum that don’t contain the toxins that are found in many other manufactured materials. But one option that is gaining popularity is cork. This is a very sustainable material and is of course, non-toxic. It’s a better eco-friendly option in comparison to other natural woods such as oak since cork trees regenerate every nine years as oppose to oak trees (among others) that can take over 30 years. That’s a big difference! So when considering what floor to place down, give some serious thought to cork, which is available at roughly the same price as other wood flooring. Upgrade to Energy Efficient Appliances Between the amount of appliances that get used in the kitchen, this is where a great deal of energy can be wasted, which adds more stress to our environment. If you’re considering an upgrade, make sure to look for that Energy Star label that will tell you it’s energy efficient. And if your budget can’t stretch as far to replace all of your appliances, then just consider some of the ones that are major energy hogs like the fridge, oven and dishwasher. These three are generally the most wasteful and expensive, so by upgrading you can save money too. Use a Water-Saving Faucet Wasting water is something we are all guilty of. But there are ways to help combat our bad habits. For example, installing a water-saving faucet is a really helpful addition to any eco-friendly kitchen plan. With a flow rate around 2.2 gallons per minute, it helps you conserve water without even thinking about it. Refinish & Refurbish Rather Than Replace Think your cupboards look dated? Well instead of ripping them down and adding that to a landfill, consider saving time and money by giving them a facelift. As more homeowners are looking for ways to cut down on costs, refurbishing older items to look better than new, is more popular than ever. Give them a good sanding and get creative with your (non-toxic) paint. When you’re ready to get on board with an eco-friendly kitchen renovation, take note of these key areas that can transform your kitchen into something beautiful for both you and the environment. Contact us, or give us a call at (613)727-9427
Creating an Eco-Friendly Kitchen
Many people think that the kitchen renos Ottawa homeowners undergo are far too expensive for their own budgets. However if you take an eco-friendly approach to your kitchen renovation you will find it can become quite affordable. Here is the perfect way to create an affordable eco-friendly renovation kitchen for your home: Repurposing Countertops Take a look at your counterops. They may be in perfect condition and do not need replacement. Many people discard their old countertops which is a major addition to the local landfill. If your countertops are in good condition they can be reused. With the addition of newer features throughout the kitchen you can take focus away from the counters. Energy Star Appliances You would be surprised at how much energy your old fridge can use up every day. A new Energy Star fridge will be an investment up front but will then save you money in the long run. It is also the eco-friendly choice as it will reduce your energy consumption. The addition of Energy Star appliances is also a perfect way to update the look of the kitchen renos Ottawa contractors’ offer, even with minimal work to the rest of the space. Natural Light Consider adding a window to your kitchen to bring in natural light to reduce your use of electricity. Install a window over the sink where you are doing much task work as well as a major stretch of counter space where you will be doing food prep. Windows with soft curtains will bring in much needed light. In some kitchens you can even consider adding a skylight. Recycled Cabinets Get creative with kitchen renos Ottawa contractors offer by seeking out recycled cabinets. You can also search local flea markets and garage sales for interesting shelving, side boards and other furniture pieces that can be repurposed to create upper and lower cabinets as well as islands. Think outside the box and consider items in your home as well. You can also use your existing cabinets and reface them with a new coat of paint or a different colour stain. If you do replace your cabinets ask your contractor to save them and donate them to a salvage company to reduce waste. The kitchen renovations Ottawa contractors’ offer can be more affordable when you look at eco-friendly options. Repurposing and less waste saves money and the planet. To get in touch to schedule renovations, you can fill out an online form or give us a call at (613) 727-9427.