What does it mean to re-build green? As with any other home improvement project, the answer comes down to the scope of work and budget. The material choice is where you get to decide how “green” is your garden, or in this case, the kitchen, bath, or other living spaces.

Recycle Materials
Any environmentally conscious change you make to an existing house can be considered “green.” The goal, as you proceed, is to deconstruct (not demolish) the existing space, reuse or recycle materials wherever possible, and try to reduce the amount of waste that goes to the landfill.

A “green” remodeling project gives homeowners the opportunity to make upgrades that will help them create a more energy efficient and healthier place to live, says Alisa Kane, green building specialist in the City of Portland Office of Sustainable Development.

“You end up with a clean and fresh slate. You can dispose of (old or contaminated) materials responsibly, then focus on replacing them with durable and efficient products.”

Re-use Vintage Features
Before getting started, look around. Many of a home’s existing features can be revamped, recycled, or replaced. Bath or kitchen fixtures can be swapped for items that maintain the home’s original look and feel, but are more energy efficient.

In the bathroom, for instance, showerheads and faucets have been re-engineered to save water. Dual-flush toilets — press one button for liquid waste, another for solid — also save water.

Choose appliances like an Energy Star-rated water heater or a gas-operated tankless water heater to further save on heating bills, Kane suggests.

In many cases, you are still going to want or need a new product, such as flooring, carpet, or windows. It has become increasingly easier and cost-effective to choose “green” products here as well, says Debbie Kitchin, owner of InterWorks LLC, a Portland-based construction services company.

If possible, yank out old vinyl flooring and replace it first with a plywood sub-floor that contains no formaldehyde, and top it with a natural product like cork or linoleum.

From floor to furniture, choose “certified” wood products. This means the wood comes from sustainably managed forests, Kitchin explains.

Sustainability is another buzzword linked to the “green” remodeling movement. It means products are produced in an environmentally friendly manner, have natural and easily replenished origins, or are built to last. The latter, in some cases, might balance a high initial cost against a lifetime of use.

This is an area where homeowners as consumers carry clout: “Check it out with your contractor, make sure he is using certified woods and other green-friendly materials,” Kitchin says.

Paint is another consideration — choose a formula that contains low-to-no volatile organic compounds. Among other benefits, these paints can also improve air quality. Many paint manufacturers offer this option.

Green-Frendly Materials
To Caryn Urata, a designer with Portland-based Arciform, LLC, “A true ‘green’ remodel takes an holistic approach,” and balances not just the house itself, but its surrounding environs.

This approach considers the lifecycle of products — from point of origin, through the manufacturing, delivery, and installation process, all the way through deconstruction and disposal. “People forget” that every choice they make impacts the environment, Urata says.

One basic tenet of “green” rebuilding is utilizing existing space and materials for maximum benefit. This translates into “less is more,” Urata says. “There are ways you can creatively use the existing space (and) incorporate multi uses into a single room.”

As these decisions are made, Urata moves on to the details most people associate with a home improvement project, this time with a focus on “green” materials and how the living space will be used. Matching products to lifestyle is part of this challenge. “My goal is to present you with the options, and the implications of those options, so you can make informed decisions.”

Regardless of the project scope, remember the simplest changes can sometimes yield the best
energy saving results, she says: Adding extra insulation to the attic, choosing carpets made with natural fibers or easy-to-clean wood floors to boost indoor air quality, “even turning off the lights when you leave the room,” all help use less energy and create a healthier living space.