Friday, February 13, 2015

Quick FAQs About Sustainable Design (aka Green Homes)

Gaining in popularity is the concept of Sustainable Design and green homes.  More citizens are embracing the idea of making changes to their life that support a more sustainable future.  Not surprisingly, they want their homes to reflect this commitment. 

While many share this commitment, not everyone can afford or wants to move neighborhoods into a new sustainable designed home.  Going green doesn't have to involve big costs. For those who are looking for ways to lessen the environmental impact of their home through smaller, more manageable, remodeling projects we suggest you begin with your closets (well, we are a custom organization company after all!). 

Below are some quick FAQs about Sustainable Design and how we at Closets For Life are helping to lessen our impact on the environment.  We represent just one example of how green design can be incorporated into your home in smaller, manageable ways. Once you begin to look, you will find eco-friendly options offered by many local companies who share your commitment to our planet.

What is Sustainable Design?
Sustainable Design and Green practices are designed to reduce the overall impact of the built environment on human health and the natural environment by:
  • Efficiently using energy, water, and other resources
  • Protecting occupant health and improving employee productivity
  • Reducing waste, pollution and environmental degradation
What are some simple changes I can make to make my home more eco-friendly?
There are many easy and affordable steps you can take to lessen your home's environment impact especially when it comes to consuming less energy.  Installing a programmable thermostat, incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and planting a tree near your house for shade are just a few. 

You mentioned that my closet can be a great place to make sustainable choices. Why?
As we mentioned earlier, sustainable options are available everywhere, including your closets. All custom organization projects by Closets For Life can be built using Roseburg Skyblend particle board. Roseburg SkyBlend is a specified green particleboard panel that is manufactured by Roseburg . It is SCS and EP certified to be 100% pre-consumer recycled wood fiber particle board and has no Urea Formaldehyde added during the manufacturing process.

In addition, Closets For Life uses Interscapes Inc. to manufacture our cabinets and shelving. Interscapes, established in 1987, is a full service architectural woodworking firm serving general contractors throughout the upper Midwest. Closets For Life, along with Interscapes, is lessening its impact on the environment by recycling 99% of the waste it produces. We are saving 1820 cubic yards of waste per year. This waste no longer ends up in landfills. Instead, it is now being shredded and ground up for use as animal bedding. You can view a video about Interscapes green manufacturing practices by clicking here.

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We hope you have found this article helpful.  If you are interested in learning how to incorporate sustainable design into your next custom organization project, please contact Rick Lyrek at Closets For Life for your free in-home consultation.Closets For Life can be reached by phone at 952-484-0416 or by email at rlyrek@closetsforlife.com.  You can also visit our website at www.closetsforlife.com.

Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Closets For Life is a custom organization company that works with residential clients as well as designers, builders, remodelers and architects to create innovative solutions for all organizational needs including closets, mud rooms, craft rooms, kitchens, garages, home offices, Murphy beds, wine cellars and more.


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