LVT most commonly looks like hardwoods; however, you can also choose LVT that mimics the look of porcelain, travertine, slate, stained concrete – pretty much any style you would want for your new floor.  Instead of one big sheet, the product will come in whatever form that the LVT is imitating.  ”Hardwood” LVT will be shaped in individual planks to closely match the look of hardwoods.  When mimicking tile, it will be shaped in squares or rectangles, and it even has a line you would install to mimic the grout!  These individual pieces will be glued down using pressure-sensitive glue.  There are even some thicker, heavier styles of LVT with a gripping mechanism on the bottom, which allows it to be installed by merely placing them on the floor.

Luxury Vinyl Tile is most commonly used as the flooring of choice in the basement.  LVT is a great choice here because it is virtually waterproof so it can withstand the water from an outside pool, hot tub, or even a flood.  LVT is virtually indestructible, so it can withhold high traffic (often installed in Wal-Mart), kids playing around, get-together’s, etc.  I installed it for a customer who called me two days later, thankful because she had dropped a large glass container full of lemonade that shattered across the floor.  She winced because she was afraid she had damaged her new floors, only to find there wasn’t a single mark.

From a maintenance perspective, LVT is a great choice because it can be cleaned with anything, never needs to be refinished, resealed, or re-grouted, and should you damage a piece/plank, it can easily be replaced.  It is softer than the flooring types it mimics and also is better at muffling sound.  As far as pricing goes, LVT starts off at a very affordable rate.  However, the more indistinguishable you want it to be, the higher the price.  The higher end wide plank hardwood looks may end up being about the same price as the real thing, but will end up saving you money in the future on repairs and maintenance.  No matter what you envision for your home, there will an LVT product out there that will meet your design and budget needs!

LED stands for Light Emitting Diode.  They have become popular because they are the most energy efficient way to produce light.  LED lights use about 90 percent less power than conventional light bulbs (halogen, incandescent, fluorescent, etc).  They are more durable and have a long service life.  Believe it or not, but they can last up to 25 years or more!!!  This is about 40,000-50,000 hours.

Have you ever noticed how much harder it is to keep a room full of canned lights cool?  LED lights can solve this problem, because they do not emit heat the way conventional lights do.  This allows you to stay more comfortable while saving on your utility bills.

For safety and environmental concerns, they don’t contain any mercury or toxins, don’t generate radio frequency so as not to interfere with radios or TVs and are resistant to vibration and shocks.  They are cool to the touch so as not to burn you.  Again because they do not generate heat, they are safer to be placed near drier bushes and plants.  Their waterproof quality allows them to be safe to be used near water hoses and sprinklers.

The trendiest place to use LED lighting right now is with cabinetry.  Because they do not generate as much heat as conventional lights, they can be used in places that were not possible before.  They are commonly used for task lighting, under cabinet lights, inside cabinets and drawers, and under the toe kick.

Another place where LED lighting is making headway is in outdoor spaces.  There are the obvious energy savings, but beyond that, they are a great choice because they do not emit any ultra violet light and therefore do not attract bugs!  They can withstand harsh weather conditions and are available in a variety of configurations.  They are commonly used in vibrant colors for holiday decorations.

They are also commonly used for night lights, stair and walkway lighting, pendants and replace lamp bulbs.

So what’s the catch?  They are expensive.  It goes back to the adage, “You get what you pay for.”  It is estimated that between replacement costs of bulbs and energy savings, LED lighting will pay for themselves within about 3.5 years.

If you would like more information, there is a free app about LED lighting call “Learn LED” from Phillips.

If there are any home improvement topics you would like me to cover, please feel free to email them in to me at lgreen@greenremodeling.com

The most recognized classification for green products is whether they are made from recycled materials or are themselves recyclable.  Manufacturers are finding many inventive ways to use recyclable material to create interesting things.  Take for example glass countertops.  There are companies that take particular bottles for their coloring (Heineken for green, Skyy Vodka for blue, wine bottles for red) and use them to create beautiful unique countertops.  These countertops are quite a fitting choice for a basement bar or wet bar area. In many cases you can also remodel your home using items salvaged from existing or demolished buildings such as bathtubs, sinks, and cabinetry. Doing this lowers the demand for having these items manufactured and in turn lowers the strain on the environment from the factories making these items.

Sustainability is a big part of classifying a product as “green”. Sustainability in the remodeling world has multiple definitions.  It can refer to the replenishment of the resource from which the product is made.   This is called “sustainable harvesting”. Many hardwood floor manufacturers have programs to plant a tree for every tree they cut down. Bamboo has become a popular green flooring choice for this reason. Bamboo grows at an incredible rate, reaching maturity in 3-5 years, as opposed to trees which require more than double that time. It is more durable than traditional oak hardwoods and is also a bit more resistant to water. Another popular “green” flooring choice is cork.  It is considered sustainable because one tree can be harvested multiple times. It is a natural insulator, dampens sound, and is hypoallergenic.  Because of its softness, it is great for those who have children or back/knee problems.

Sustainability can also mean being extremely durable with low maintenance requirements.  This longevity keeps it from needing to be replaced in the near future.  Examples of this would be HardiePlank Siding and LVT flooring.  HardiePlank siding will not rot or warp like it’s real wood look-alike and is made to last for many years.  LVT flooring is virtually indestructible, can be cleaned with anything, is water resistant, and does not require any maintenance such as refinishing.  Another example would be using LED light bulbs.  They can last for 20+ years before having to be replaced.  They also use very little energy to create the same output as traditional light bulbs which is another aspect of being a green product.

Reducing energy consumption is another attribute of a “green” product.  Not only does this lower the impact on the earth, but it also lowers utility bills.  There are many products which are aimed at reducing energy costs such as Eco Wraps (an insulating wrap placed around your house before the finish is applied), Low-E Windows, Energy Star Appliances, etc.

A product can also be considered “green” if it does not produce or contain any contaminants.  As of the late 70’s paints with lead have been banned; however, many paints and stains used today still contain harmful substances called VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). VOCs are toxins that are released into the air as the paint cures. They can cause symptoms ranging from asthma attacks and complications, decreases in enzymes in the blood which help the nervous system function properly, and cancer.  The good news is that paint manufacturers have begun to make products with low or no VOCs. They are water-based, which makes for easy cleanup since it is not considered hazardous waste, has little to no odor when applied, and has no ozone depleting contaminants.

As you can see, there are many great products that can be used in your home that can be considered “green”.  Many do not cost you any more than you would pay for a non-green product and can in fact save you money in the long run. Just being aware of the product’s qualities can help you make a more informed “green” decision.

My wife and I took the plunge last summer. After years of talking about remodeling the kitchen, we decided to do it. It’s quite an experience — the dust, the noise, and all the strangers coming into the house. And of course, we had to live without a kitchen for a few months.

But it was worth it. We love the results! We spend most of our time in the kitchen and adjoining family room, so we get to enjoy the new space every day.

A kitchen remodel tends to have a high rate of return on investment. In most cases, it will almost pay for itself when you sell the home.

Even so, “Don’t think in terms of appreciating the value of your home,” cautions Bob Markovich, the Home Editor at Consumer Reports magazine. “You really should be doing a kitchen remodel for you.

Basement Finishing – Does it Help the Value of My Home (Atlanta0