Choosing environment-friendly options while maintaining our home serves an important role in sustaining a greener planet. Although home maintenance and upgrading involve a multitude of things, we will discuss only two in this article:
- Basement waterproofing and
- Installing retractable screen doors
Retractable Screen Doors
These doors are an optimal choice in an age when green homes are a trend. Retractable screen doors screens can be pushed back into the door frame, unlike traditional screen doors, which always block the outside view and fresh air.
Why Should You Choose Retractable Screen Doors Over Traditional Screen Doors?
There are manifold benefits of retractable doors over traditional screen doors. Have a look at some of the benefits discussed below:
You can roll them up whenever you like:
The foremost benefit is that they can be rolled up whenever you desire, unlike traditional screen doors, which are never out of sight and always block natural light.
Retractable doors are versatile:
Retractable door systems are versatile and available in different designs. You can choose the right one based on:
- Your budget
- Requirement of your home
- Aesthetics of your home
They can be customized:
You can customize retractable doors as per the needs and aesthetics of your home.
They enhance safety:
Retractable internal steel doors increase the safety of your home. They allow you to communicate with unknown people through a barrier, and you do not need to expose yourself to a potential safety hazard.
Environmental Benefits of Retractable Screen Doors:
Apart from the benefits discussed above, these doors are ideal for homeowners who want to save energy and play their part in preserving the environment. The benefits of retractable doors on our environment are discussed below:
Enable airflow:
Retractable screen doors allow the fresh air to circulate through your home. Especially in the summer, you can keep the front door open. Cross ventilation will let the air circulate through your home and lower the temperature. Meanwhile, the screen provides:
- Protection against harmful UV radiation and
- Additional shading.
In this way, the need for an artificial air conditioning system to maintain the temperature of your home is alleviated.
Save Energy:
Retractable doors help you save energy during extreme weather conditions. They also ensure adequate ventilation, decreasing your home’s temperature.
- On cold summer nights, they allow the cool breeze to pass through your home.
- In winter, the retractable screens of these doors act as a shield against cold air, safeguarding you from the harsh weather.
Therefore, you do not need an air conditioner all the time, and as a result, you can save:
- A lot of energy.
- Electricity costs.
Reduced Emission of Greenhouse Gases
Greenhouse gases from aerosol sprays and air conditioners cause ozone depletion, which leads to global warming. Retractable doors can prevent this by:
- Reducing the use of aerosol sprays:
Aerosols used in insect repellent sprays release:
- Compressed gasses
- Hydrocarbons into the air
Screen doors prevent insects from entering your home, reducing the need for these sprays.
- Reduce artificial air conditioning needs:
Air conditioners also release greenhouse gases into our environment, such as:
- Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and
- CO2 (carbon dioxide)
Reduced usage of air conditioners means reduced emission of greenhouse gases and, ultimately, reduced global warming.
Basement Waterproofing
Most of us neglect our basements until they finally get destroyed. To maintain its integrity, we recommend getting your basement waterproofed. By doing so, we can harness many of the benefits that basement waterproofing provides.
Environment-friendly strategies to maintain basement
Following are some environmentally friendly strategies for protecting your basement from water damage.
- Downspouts and Gutters
Heavy rainfall can add humidity to your basement. To protect it from damage, you need to collect this water and channel it away. Traditional gutters and downspouts can serve this purpose. Extend the downspouts far from your home so that they do not damage your basement.
- Grading
Direct the slope away from your home and not towards it to avoid water accumulation. If the grading is not done properly, even the water that gutters throw away will come back.
- Waterproofing
While waterproofing your basement, make sure to go with eco-friendly choices. For instance:
- Install a sump pump
- Install an efficient drainage system
- Place drainage tiles in the base of your basement floor
The drainage tiles collect water and subject it to the sump pump, which then channels it away from your property.
While sealant sprays are excellent for repairing cracks in the interior basement walls, these might not be environmentally friendly.
Environmental Benefits of Basement Waterproofing
Now let’s discover the benefits of basement waterproofing.
It improves the air quality:
Molds and mildew love damp basements. These musty basements then present health hazards to you and your loved ones. Some health issues that result from damp basement foundations include:
- Asthma
- Allergies
Waterproofing the basement:
- Facilitates moisture removal from your basement
- Improves the air quality
In this way, these microorganisms do not thrive in the environment of your house, and you stay safe from such health problems.
Improved Energy Efficiency:
A damp and moist basement remains cool in winter and hot in summer. Therefore, you have to switch on the air conditioner for longer durations, and undoubtedly, it can cost you an arm and a leg. A waterproofed basement can lower the humidity levels in your home and help you save energy. Decreased use of heating or cooling system means reduced emission of greenhouse gases, and reduced global warming.
Conclusion
As a human, one can play a role towards a healthier, pollution-free environment by installing retractable screen doors in your home. You can also contribute towards a sustainable planet by waterproofing your home’s basement. Apart from many other benefits, both these strategies reduce the use of air conditioners and decrease the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere. Ultimately, the chances of global warming are also reduced.
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