Home renovation is a great opportunity to make a healthier home for you and your family, reduce your environmental impact, and save money. When renovating your exterior walls, be sure to consider:
- Occupant Health: good air and vapor barriers and proper ventilation will promote indoor air quality within your home; it’s also important to select materials and finishes with low- or no offgassing, and low- or no VOCs (volatile organic compounds)
- Energy Efficiency: proper air tight sealing and insulation will reduce your energy consumption and your utility bill
- Resource Efficiency: durable materials, made from renewable or sustainable products will last longer, saving you money in the long run
- Environmental Responsibility: local materials do not travel as far, reducing transportation-based pollution and green house gas emissions; separation of reusable or recyclable materials from other waste, and proper disposal of hazardous waste (especially lead paints and asbestos siding) are also important measures for saving the environment
If the exterior walls don’t protect the house from the elements, you can expect problems to arise sooner, leading to potential health issues and significant financial costs. Substandard materials and/or improper installation can lead to envelope failure.
When the envelope fails, rain or snow can penetrate the building. This unwanted moisture can lead to mould, and can also weaken the structural materials. Every situation is unique – you should hire a qualified professional contractor to do a complete and accurate investigation, find the problems and suggest the best solutions.
RS Homes has provided custom home building and home renovation in Toronto and the GTA for over 29 years. Contact us at info@rshomes.ca today!