It is well known that Houstonians take pride in their outdoor living areas and in being good to the environment. Which is why if you already own a home, you may be looking to upgrade your patio there are a number of choices that you can make with conservation in mind. But being environmentally friendly is more involved than simply choosing plants that don’t need to be watered much. Here are some ideas to for overhauling your patio.

1. A smart irrigation system is one that is programmed to shut off the water when it rains and also adjusts the amount of water it delivers based on factors such as the temperature and how much your plants need on a particular day.
2. Outdoor lighting is one area that can certainly use attention and be made more eco-friendly. LEDs are a nice choice to replace your traditional flood and porch lights. Steer clear of incandescent and halogen lighting for outdoors. Although you’ll pay more for LEDs, you may never have to replace them because they last so long. They use very little electricity, which will “lighten” your utility bill.
3. If you have an outdoor kitchen you should consider Energy Star appliances that’ll keep your electric bill in check and give you the peace of mind that you’re reducing your carbon footprint.
4. To be sure that your sliding glass door isn’t betraying your energy conservation efforts, replace it with an energy-efficient model. Ensure that it is heavy-duty and that it fits tightly. Look for the Energy Star label.
5. Consider limiting the amount of plants you have to maintain, particularly if you’re short on yard space. Your annuals and vegetables will look nice in a container of travertine or pavers that matches the decor of your patio area.

Houston’s climate allows for many measures that can ease the strain on our planets resources. This coupled with the sense of social responsibility among our city’s residents has already pushed many to make wise, green decisions when it comes to our homes.

When you decide to have your next home built in Pennsylvania, check out the builders who are constructing environmentally-friendly homes.

Because there is such a focus on building more environmentally-friendly homes these days, many of the home builders that serve the housing market in Pennsylvania offer them. When Pennsylvania home builders use the technology that is available today to build homes that are better for the environment, it allows you to save money in the long run. This means you will have more money to spend on other, more rewarding items, such as decorating your new home.

Homes that have this advantage allow the temperature inside the home to remain steady for a longer period of time. In addition, the carbon emissions from a home that has been built with this type of technology are less over the long term. You will also realize a significant energy savings during the time you live in your home.

Homes that are built to these exacting standards also contain a number of aesthetic additions to showcase the various unique aspects of each house. For example, you might find hardwood bamboo floors throughout the home instead of wall to wall carpet. Bamboo is a renewable resource that grows quickly, looks great, and is a durable and long-lasting alternative to other woods. Wall-to-wall carpeting has been associated with harmful toxins that continue to be shed long after being installed in a home.

When building new homes in Pennsylvania, the builder can also take advantage of the natural landscape. A home built close to the woods, for example, can enjoy the natural buffer against the wind that they create. The shade provided by these trees also means that the home will enjoy a cooler interior during the hot summer months.

Having an environmentally conscious home in Pennsylvania will also be a strong selling point if you should ever want to move in the future. These homes are often peppered with unique details throughout. It is also obviously that they have been built with pride and care. This is in addition to the fact that careful thought was given in order to find the most environmentally efficient way to utilize the land and integrate the home.

See also:
Protect Your Home from the Weather
Art Goes Green and Verticle
Tips for Making Your Home More Energy Efficient

If you have an old dresser, don't throw it away... Dress it up!

If you’re willing to put in the work, you can transform a worn-out older piece into a modern marvel at a relatively low price.

Although the steps that will be laid out here apply to a dresser, the idea is the same for any piece you might be thinking of revitalizing.

1. Choose the metal leaf that fits your needs, which your can purchase from any craft store. Aluminium is less expensive than silver and since it’s easier to handle novices like working with this leaf.

2. Relocate your dresser to a space that you easily work with metal bits of leaf that are easily blown around (kind of messy too).

3. Remove the hardware from your dresser and use wood putty to fill the holes if you’re planning of installing new drawer pulls.

4. Sand the entire dresser then coat with a spray paint – including primer – of a color you enjoy. The color will be seen through any cracks in the leafing. Allow the paint to dry.

5. Where you are going to apply the leaf, paint first with a coat of water-based sizing. After the sizing color becomes transparent, after about 20 minutes, it’s ready for application.

6. Lay a sheet of leaf on the surface of the piece and tap down with a gilder’s brush. Slightly overlap the next leaf when applied, and brush off loose bits of leaf.

7. Seal the surface by brushing on acrylic clear coat to protect from abrasions and water; allow to dry.

8. Replace or install new hardware and enjoy!

Be prepared and better protect your property from wind and rain damage.

1. Trees are the most heavily burdened during a storm, as heavy winds and saturated soil can result in their being completely uprooted. To reduce potential damage to your trees. don’t allow the ends of main branches to become loaded down. A thick canopy provides more wind resistance which can lead to broken branches and even blown over trees.

2. Inspect your property for any loose debris that can quickly become projectiles in heavy winds. In addition to clearing your yard of clutter, attend to your rain gutters as well.

3. If your area seems to be plagued by power outages due to storms, ensure that the batteries on your irrigation timer don’t need replacing, A bad battery coupled with a power outage will result in timer settings being set back in 10 minutes a day for each valve. The mess will be extensive if you’re on vacation when this happens.

4. Desert regions with cactus and succulents find the season difficult, especially in the months of July and August. Rot is a common cause of plant damage caused by the way in which these plants photosynthesize. In areas with high nightly temperatures and humidity, smaller cactus plants and succulents are unable to metabolize. Don’t water your small plants save for cool nights.

5. Trees initially planted in a box may have roots that are still bound and therefore more vulnerable to damage. Ensure their branches are not rubbing against anything and that stakes are secured for new trees. Dead wood or split branches.

Going green has a new meaning, using your available space for growing fruits and veggies.

Whether you choose to display indoor or outdoor, be your choice ferns or vining tomatoes, your display should be installed vertically-mounted on a wall or fence. This will make your garden a work of art.

Those popular for vertical garden installations use a combination metal frame, PVC sheet for rigidity and to protect against water damage, and a felt layer made of synthetic fiber. Instead of plants snuggled into soil pockets, the roots grow laterally along the material.

A drip-irrigation system is placed atop the framework. Water drips down the structure and the felt acts as a sponge which absorbs the water for plant use.

Ideally you’d choose plant them is where you can express yourself in art. Intricate patterns and styles will give your display a wow factor that is sure to impress.

There are many famous examples of vertical gardens across the states, but San Francisco seems to be the focal point of vertical gardening. One hotel entrance boasts a courtyard wallscape that contains tightly planted eheveria. Tillandsias are spaced widely along flanked panels The effect is marvelous foyer that screams taste and beauty.

Find a vertical gardening store and you can purchase twenty-inch squares of small planting cells that slope upward in order to contain soil and water. These cells will enable you to form any pattern of panels to transform any space, indoors or out. The panels accommodate irrigation fittings and run just under ten dollars a piece.

Builder: VIP Homes
Community: Sonoran Wells
Location: Apache Junction, Arizona
Price: From $149,400

Plan Name: Aspen
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2
Garage(s): 3
Square feet: 1,626

Home highlights: Quality construction, energy efficient features, gourmet kitchen, spacious garages, elegant interiors, luxurious baths.

Home/floor plan description: The Aspen is a single story beautiful home. This new home features, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, large living room and a covered patio. Optional upgrades are available.

Community description: Sonoran Wells is located on the South side of Broadway 1/2 mile east of Ironwood. Several floorplans from 1600 to 3200 sq ft are being offered, with the ability to customize and add an optional finished basement.

visit the community | VIP Homes

Sales office:
Address: 501 W Broadway Ave Apache Junction, AZ
Phone #: (480)982-3622

See Also: Green Homebuilders & Green Homes for Sale

*This informational resource was not sponsored by VIP Homes.

*Pricing and availability is subject to change at anytime without notice. Please contact a VIP Homes sales associate for the most up-to-date information about VIP Homes, their new homes for sale and their communities.

Builder: David Weekley Homes
Community: 12 Oaks
Location: Holly Springs, North Carolina
Price: From $252,605

Plan Name: The Geovanni
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2.5
Garage(s): 2
Square feet: 2,302

Home highlights: Gorgeous 3 bedroom home, large family room & separate dining room, gourmet kitchen with center island, stainless steel appliances, cascading cabinets & breakfast room.

Home/floor plan description: The Geovanni is a gorgeous 3 bedroom home, featuring a large family room & separate dining room. Gourmet kitchen with center island, stainless steel appliances, cascading cabinets & breakfast room. The new home has a private master suite with dual vanities, tiled garden tub and separate shower and walk-in closet.

Community description: 12 Oaks is an exclusive golf course community in Holly Springs. In the community homebuyers will find luxurious single family homes on picturesque homesites. Residents will enjoy Nicklaus Design Golf Course, Casual Dining at The Oaks Café, Fitness Center, Resort-style Pool, Lighted Tennis Courts and various other recreational opportunities.

visit the community | David Weekley Homes

Sales office:
Address: 15401 Weston Parkway, Cary, NC 27513
Phone #: (919) 659-1500

See Also: Green Homebuilders & Green Homes for Sale

*This informational resource was not sponsored by David Weekley Homes.

*Pricing and availability is subject to change at anytime without notice. Please contact a David Weekley Homes sales associate for the most up-to-date information about David Weekley Homes, their new homes for sale and their communities.

Builder: Elliott Homes
Community: The Estate Series at Riverwalk
Location: Laveen, Arizona
Price: From $164,950

Plan Name: The Palomino
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2
Garage(s): 3
Square feet: 1,780

Home highlights: single story home, energy-efficient, attractive designs, charming front porch leads to a spacious foyer overlooking the great room and backyard.

Home/floor plan description: The Palomino features a large master suite with walk-in closet. The home has 3 bedrooms, oversized great room, 2 baths, 3 car garages and optional covered patio, kitchen island, den/work area and much more.

Community description: The Estate Series at Riverwalk offers amazing single story, Ranch-style homes built on oversized wide lots. The community provides homes that can save home owners up to 60% of their utility costs when compared to homes “built to code”.

visit the community | Elliott Homes

Sales office:
Address: 5519 West Kowalsky Lane Laveen, AZ 85339
Phone #: 602-237-2603
E-mail: d.anglin@elliotthomes.com

See Also: Green Homebuilders & Green Homes for Sale

*This informational resource was not sponsored by Elliott Homes.

*Pricing and availability is subject to change at anytime without notice. Please contact an Elliott Homes sales associate for the most up-to-date information about Elliott Homes, their new homes for sale and their communities.

Builder: Meritage Homes
Community: Lexington Green at Providence
Location: Davenport, Florida
Price: $245,990

Plan Name: Winterset
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2
Garage(s): 2
Square feet: 2,309

Home highlights: single story home, energy efficiency package, large kitchen that overlooks the breakfast nook and family room.

Home/floor plan description: The Winterest features a large kitchen that overlooks the breakfast nook and family room. Layout includes a formal living/dining area. Fantastic for family entertaining.

Community description: Lexington Green at Providence is a gated golf-course community of new homes located in Davenport, Florida, just south of Orlando near the popular Kissimmee / St. Cloud area. The community is surrounded by beautiful lakes, great shopping, golf, and local fare. New homes in the community are available with stylish designs and custom options.

visit the community | Meritage Homes

Sales office:
Address: 1316 Oakcrest Court Davenport, FL 33837
Phone #: 863-420-9983

See Also: Green Homebuilders & Green Homes for Sale

*This informational resource was not sponsored by Landon Homes.

*Pricing and availability is subject to change at anytime without notice. Please contact a Landon Homes sales associate for the most up-to-date information about Landon Homes, their new homes for sale and their communities.

Builder: Landon Homes
Community: The Enclave at Lakeview
Location: Little Elm, Texas
Price: $189,990

Plan Name: The Edgewater
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2
Garage(s): 2
Square feet: 1,732

Home highlights: single story home, energy efficiency package, great room designs, formal dining, covered patio and option for third car garage.

Home/floor plan description: The Edgewater is a single story home with beautiful room designs and offers 3 large bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. The home features a large family room and a covered patio.

Community description: The Enclave at Lakeview is a master planned community and includes four amenity centers, with pools, parks, trails, and more. Frisco’s key business, shopping and entertainment areas are just 10 minutes away. Residents will enjoy lot of recreational activities with 4 swimming pools in the community, kiddie pools and spray park, community lake, hike and bike trails and playgrounds and picnic areas.

visit the community | Landon Homes

Sales office:
Address: 2713 Hammock Lake Drive Little Elm, TX 75068
Phone #: 972-987-4300

See Also: Green Homebuilders & Green Homes for Sale

*This informational resource was not sponsored by Landon Homes.

*Pricing and availability is subject to change at anytime without notice. Please contact an Landon Homes sales associate for the most up-to-date information about Landon Homes, their new homes for sale and their communities.