Go Green!

Going green means lots of things to lots of people. At Kildare Lumber, we believe that going green simply means changing your impact on the environment through conscious practices and by using the proper products. Going green doesn't require that you spend lots of money - in fact, you can save money in the process!

Here are some simple solutions to help you go green.

Save energy by using proper products and practices

You can cut back on your heating, electric, and water bills with the right equipment and approaches. Here are just a few ideas:

Install proper weather stripping around your doors and windows - This will prevent warm air from leaving your house in the winter months. It's a cheap and effective way to marginalize your energy bills.
Put door sweeps under doors - This will also prevent warm air from getting out.
Make sure that your walls are well-insulated - Good insulation keeps cold air in during the summer, and warm air in during the winter.
Install energy-saving windows and doors - Just like weatherstripping and insulation, they keep your house at a comfortable temperature. Check out our section on windows and doors for more information!
Use compact flourescent lightbulbs - You know those curly lightbulbs? Truth is, they ARE better! They are more energy-efficient, and save roughly $30 over normal lightbulbs over the course of their life spans.
Consider installing a skylight - Skylights look great, and use the sun to light your home during the daytime.
Check your faucets and plumbing for leaks - A leaky faucet drip out several gallons of water a day. If you do detect leaks, come visit your nearest store; it's time to replace a few parts, and save on the water bill.
Do the small things - Turn off the lights when you aren't in the room. Turn off the water when you're not using it. Open the windows. Small actions go a long ways, and are cheaper than paying a higher utility bill.

Follow the three R's

Everyone knows about the three R's - reduce, reuse, and recycle. However, the first two are often overlooked.

Reducing

Reducing doesn't necessarily mean that you shouldn't add that deck on to your home, or hold off on replacing that old front door. Instead, it means using quality products that will last, and won't need replaced every few years. The old saying goes, "If you do it right the first time, you won't need to do it again." The same goes for building and home improvement.

Kildare Lumber Company can help you get the job done right by offering high-quality brands that last longer than the competition, and don't need replaced every other year.

Geo brand composite decking is weather-resistant, and has an estimated 35-year lifespan. For fans of softwood decking, check out pressure-treated or redwood lumber, which lasts much than other softwoods.
Andersen brand windows come with a 20-year glass warranty and are made with low-emissivity (Low-E) glass, which will help you save on your heating and cooling bills. When it comes to windows, just remember that Andersen means quality.
Therma-Tru doors are beautiful and come in different styles and finishes. In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, they're long-lasting and insulated.
Benjamin Moore paints have great coverage and a long lifespan, saving you the trouble and money of having to repaint. Don't forget to use a primer first to increase the life expectancy of your paint.

And remember - a little maintenance can go a long ways. Check your home fixtures every so often to make sure that they're in good shape. A $20 fix now is a lot better than a $1000 replacement in a few years.

Reusing

Finding creative ways to reuse old products or hardware around the house is simple. Everyone has old products that they reuse in creative fashions, including the following.

Be practical - Think of viable uses for old products. For example, use old and scrap lumber for small home items (garden stakes) or energy (wood-burning stove).
Buy brands and products that are made for multiple uses - buying quality paint brushes instead of disposable poly brushes, for example.
Save and salvage what you can still use - Don't throw out all the pieces of your old faucet's P trap, especially if some of them still work. After all, you never know when you'll need that one piece replaced.
Follow product directions - You don't need a tube of caulking for one small seal. Keep the caulking in an ideal environment, and you won't need to buy another tube next time.
Be creative! - Use old paint cans to store nails, make an oil lamp out of a used light bulb, cut down styrofoam to serve as packing peanuts - there are thousands of uses for all of your old hardware!

And, of course, don't forget about recycling! Call your local recycling center to see what products they'll take. Recycling is as easy as a five-minute detour the next time you go out for groceries, and some recycling centers pay for materials, too.