How to Choose the Best Sustainable Materials for Your Exterior Renovation

Kevin has gone through an extensive home renovation with his son, which he has both thoroughly enjoyed, and dreaded every morning. He is now the proud owner of half his dream house (the other half has been waiting for spring). You can read more of Kevin's work at PlainHelp.

Posted on Tuesday 14th May 2019
House with green exterior

When it comes to renovating their homes, most people focus on interior renovations, spicing up their living space and making the most of every inch they have. However, your exterior space needs some attention as well, especially if you want to make it stylish and inviting. Using natural materials and sustainable solutions is a way to make these renovations extra special, so here are some of the best materials you might want to use.

Reclaimed Stone

This is one of the most versatile and practical materials in the world, and it’s an all-around solution for your exterior. Whether you want to fix your façade or add some style to your backyard, stone is the perfect choice with a number of benefits. It could add some style and elegance to your home, turning it into the coolest home in the entire neighbourhood.

Finding reclaimed stone might seem like the hardest thing in the world, but it’s actually much easier than you think. It all comes down to visiting a few warehouses and browsing the Internet, and you’ll surely find enough stone for all exterior renovations. You could also talk to your friends who have done these things in the past, and ask them for advice – you can never know who might be able to help you the most, so don’t be afraid to ask around a bit.

Bamboo

This is one of the most unusual and visually attractive materials out there, and is, therefore, more than perfect for your outdoor area! Bamboo hasn’t always been the most popular choice for home builders, but it’s been making a major impact on the construction scene in the past decade or two because of its sustainability and eco-friendliness. That’s why you need to take it into consideration as well and think about using it in your next renovation projects as well.

The best way to incorporate bamboo in your exterior is by focusing on your deck or patio – this is where you can spend time with your friends and family, hanging out, recuperating after a long day at the office, and even taking a nap, which is why this area needs to be as natural and relaxing as possible. Being surrounded by bamboo will make you feel more special than you can imagine, especially if you go all in and build yourself some bamboo flooring and add a few bamboo decorative pieces here and there as well. Keep in mind that this material is quite sustainable too, so you can relax in your backyard knowing that you’ve done something good for the planet.

Reclaimed Timber

This is another popular idea lots of people have been in love with for quite some time now. Instead of using brand new timber, you can opt for reclaimed materials and still get the same quality, but for a fraction of the price. In addition to saving a ton of money, you’ll also help our planet a bit and protect it for future generations. Finally, you’ll get that vintage look everyone wants to achieve, so working with reclaimed timber really is the way to go.

You can use this sort of timber for all sorts of projects, from spicing up your deck and building a new one, to exploring the amazing benefits of timber cladding that can really introduce a new level of visual appeal to your exterior. This will also boost your quality of life and help you regulate your indoor temperature more easily, and that might save you a ton of money in the long run, which is always good.

Reclaimed Bricks

Again, instead of using new bricks for your exterior updates, you can opt for reclaimed ones instead – you’ll not only do wonders for your budget, but also for the visual appeal of your home, so this is another win-win situation for you. In addition to that, reclaimed bricks will give you that cool classic look all of us are looking for, as well as protect your home against fires and other disasters, so don’t be afraid to use as many of them as possible.

From exterior walls and new patios to garden pathways and other ideas, reclaimed bricks are among the most versatile and useful materials out there. The only thing you need to do is find a reliable supplier who can provide you with enough bricks for your projects. In the end, don’t forget to learn how to restore the colour to your old bricks too, and you’ll be able to give them an amazing look all year long.

Choosing sustainable materials for your exterior renovation isn’t as hard as people think, and it’s all about getting organised – make a plan, define what you’re trying to achieve, come up with a budget, and start looking for your reclaimed eco-friendly materials as soon as possible.

test image for this block