We all know it’s important to do our part to conserve, but the complexity of green living can feel overwhelming. Do you need to live in a yurt and only eat seasonal vegetables you grew in your garden? Inspiring, but probably not realistic for most of us. Is there more you can do than popping a recycling bin under the kitchen sink? Our short answer is “yes.”

Remodeling an existing home is inherently more eco-friendly than new construction because you are upgrading rather than replacing, repurposing rather than building new. Sustainable remodeling goes a step further by prioritizing home improvement choices that improve energy efficiency, resource conservation and a healthy indoor environment.

In an effort to help maximize sustainability in your remodel, we’ve compiled four eco-friendly tips:

1. Enhance your home’s energy efficiency

Begin with a home energy audit to find leaks. Remodeling is a great time to add insulation, seal drafts, install new windows, and replace old appliances and HVAC units with energy-efficient options. The reduced energy consumption is great for the planet, and it means lower utility bills every month for the life of your house.

 2. Improve indoor air quality

Poor indoor air quality is linked to chronic respiratory problems. Some of the most common air pollutants in our homes are asbestos, chemicals, combustion, formaldehyde, lead, ozone, particulates, pesticides, radon and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). According to Realtor.com, wall-to-wall synthetic carpeting can contain up to 120 toxic and carcinogenic chemicals, which have been linked to a number of flu-like symptoms. Healthier flooring options include natural-fiber carpets, hardwoods, natural linoleum, cork, ceramic tile, marble and stone. Choose paint, sealer, stain, caulk, grout, adhesive and paint thinners with zero VOCs to minimize unhealthy off-gassing.

 3. Conserve water use

Save water by installing low-flow plumbing fixtures, high efficiency or tankless water heaters, and high efficiency toilets and dishwashers. In Colorado’s semi-arid climate, it’s water wise to install drought-tolerant landscaping with a drip irrigation system.

 4. Select the right materials

The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) suggests that sustainably-minded materials are natural and nontoxic, locally made or sustainably harvested, recycled and recyclable, energy-efficient to produce and durable. In Northern Colorado, using reclaimed or local beetle kill lumber is a great option. If planning an addition, staying within the existing footprint of your home will reduce the heavy equipment and quantity of building materials needed for the job, too.

For more ideas about sustainable remodeling, check out the USGBC’s Green Home Guide (http://greenhomeguide.com). Even if you incorporate just a few sustainable strategies during a remodel, you will contribute to a healthier living space, a happier planet and more green in your wallet.

Click here to view the Spring 2013 issue of Fort Collins Magazine!

If you’re considering a home improvement project, come out to the HBA Home Show this weekend and be inspired!  March 15 – 17 at the Larimer County Ranch Complex. We’ll be there Friday from noon to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 6pm.

3 ways to win CASH

Register on the site http://homeshownortherncolorado.com  and at the show Saturday and Sunday.

A new appliance could be in your future.

Register at the show. One lucky show visitor will win a new dishwasher offered by Specialty Appliance Center.

Hope to see you all there!

Design

Redesigning key aspects of your home is one of the most simple  and cost-effective ways to increase your guest’s comfort and your own peace of mind.  Add a Murphy bed to an office and you suddenly have a convertible guest room. Rearrange some furniture and minimize clutter for a more open floor plan, and your home can suddenly feel larger and less crowded. Use lighter paint colors and more natural lighting to the same effect. Explore storage and cabinetry reconfigurations as well -  a well designed island  in the kitchen can increase seating while maximizing storage space.

Build

The most obvious way to add more space for guests is by  building an addition.  A new sunroom that includes  a nice pull-out couch can increase the bang for your buck by creating a dual-purpose space. Adding a pop-top to your garage can add square footage without stealing yard space. If you do have the lot space, consider building a separate structure on your property to serve as a mother-in-law suite. This is ideal if you are often find yourself with guests on an extended visit, and gets rid of the task of hauling blankets and pillows between the couch and closet.

Remodel

You can work within the existing footprint of your home to make better use of the space you already have. Finish the basement or unused attic space to gain guest rooms and/or recreation space, or relocate interior walls to divide or open up a room. Steal unused space from one area for another purpose. The space under stairs, for example, can become sleeping quarters for younger kids, a playroom or a place to stash toys away. Compartmentalizing a bathroom by putting two sinks in one room and the toilet and the bathtub or shower in another is one more great way to maximize existing space where it really counts.

Creating more space in your home for guests makes the experience more enjoyable for everyone involved, not to mention the value it adds to your home. Making changes that improve sleeping arrangements and ensure that guests and homeowners alike have sufficient privacy can make long-term stays more feasible.  Many homeowners are surprised to discover how easy it is to find extra space when you look at your home with a fresh set of eyes.  Whatever you decide, there is no time like the present to put your plan into action.

  FORT COLLINS, Colorado — February 18, 2013 – HighCraft Builders of Fort Collins, Colorado has been awarded “Best Of Houzz” 2013 by Houzz, the leading online platform for residential remodeling and design.  The 15-year old design-build firm was chosen by the more than 11 million monthly users that comprise the Houzz community.

The Houzz “Best Of Houzz” award for 2013 is given in two categories: Customer Satisfaction and Design. Customer Satisfaction award winners are based on homeowner members who rated their experience working with remodeling professionals in 12 categories ranging from architects, and interior designers to contractors and other residential remodeling professionals.  Design award winners’ work was the most popular among the community of 11 million monthly users, also known as “Houzzers,” who saved more than 124 million professional images of home interiors and exteriors to their personal ideabooks via the Houzz site, iPad/iPhone app and Android app.

“We love being a part of the Houzz community, and are honored to be recognized as an exceptional design-build firm in both Customer Service and Design,” said Dwight Sailer, co-owner of HighCraft Builders. “We love hearing from people outside our area with questions and feedback about our own projects, and believe Houzz to be a great tool in making the design-build process more visual for our clients.”

“Houzz provides homeowners with an in-depth, 360-degree view of building, remodeling and design professionals through images of their work, reviews and an opportunity to interact with them directly in the Houzz community,” said Liza Hausman, vice president of community. “We’re delighted to recognize HighCraft Builders among our “Best Of” professionals for design and exceptional customer service as judged by our community of homeowners and design enthusiasts who are actively remodeling and decorating their homes.”

With Houzz, homeowners can identify not only the top-rated professionals like HighCraft Builders, but also those whose work matches their own aspirations for their home. Homeowners can also evaluate professionals by contacting them directly on the Houzz platform, asking questions about their work and evaluating their responses to questions from others in the Houzz community.

About HighCraft Builders

HighCraft Builders is a Design-Build Remodeling Firm located in the heart of Old Town Fort Collins.  HighCraft specializes in remodels and renovations of all types and sizes ranging from kitchens and baths to whole house reconstruction. HighCraft offers fixed-priced contracts, guaranteed completion dates and a five-year warranty. For more information, call 970.472.8100 or visit www.HighCraft.net.

About Houzz

Houzz (www.houzz.com) is a leading online platform for home remodeling, providing inspiration, information, ‘advice and support for homeowners and home improvement professionals through its website and mobile applications. Houzz features the largest residential design database in the world, articles written by design experts, product recommendations, a vibrant community powered by social tools, and information on more than 1.5 million remodeling and design professionals worldwide who can help turn ideas into reality. @houzz_inc

Peanut Butter 

Items will be collected from Friday, November 16th through Friday, December 21st, 2012.  Collection bins will be available in the HighCraft studio for donations.  Thank you for your support!

Many of us take the preparation of this annual feast for granted. Sure, we might help a bit by opening a few jars and carving the bird, but big deal. We’re far-removed from the front lines of feast prep, and we kind of like it that way.

We want to thank the remarkable cooks who shop for, prepare and host incredible Thanksgiving meals for gatherings of friends and family – especially those cooks who pull it off under less-than-perfect conditions.

We’re talking about cooks with kitchens so cramped they have to go outside to change their minds, and using appliances so old you swear they came over with the pilgrims.

These are conditions that cause the best, most patient cooks to shake their fists in the air and cry out in frustration, “I can’t make another Thanksgiving dinner in this blankety-blank kitchen!”

A poor kitchen layout can turn making a simple meal into a dreaded ordeal for the beleaguered cook. Bad lighting and unpredictable appliances can turn Grandma’s trusted recipe into a culinary disaster. Poor traffic flow creates log jams at the sink and turns cleanup into a tedious, isolating chore. Inadequate pantry and refrigerator storage means more last-minute trips to the store for a busy chef. Lack of counter space makes it hard to perform simple tasks like rolling a pie crust. It doesn’t matter how you slice it, cramped kitchens make grumpy cooks (and we argue lumpier gravy).

More often than not, kitchens that feel cramped and dated have adequate square footage and simply suffer from a case of poor layout. This can often be resolved with a minor remodel.

According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2011-12 “Cost vs. Value” report, the average return on a major kitchen remodel in the Mountain Regions of the United States is nearly 66 percent, and a minor kitchen remodel will recoup 72 percent of your costs. When you invest in making your kitchen nicer for your favorite cook, it increases your re-sale value as it earns you brownie points. Score.

When considering a kitchen remodel, look for underutilized space, such as a breakfast nook, blank wall or adjoining closet. You might remove a wall to combine the kitchen and dining room in one open, larger entertaining area. If you have space, add an island with bar stools, beverage sink and storage. Rearrange existing cabinetry and appliances to make efficient work triangles that facilitate flow. Think about purchasing energy star appliances, proper task lighting, and natural flooring and countertops to address health, safety and comfort issues.

So go ahead and put your money where your mouth is. The smile on your favorite cook’s face is worth the investment.

Click here for more information and to RSVP!