Many people opt for adding an extension to their existing home to create more space or avoid the dread and stressful house move. Building an extension also gives you complete control over the entire build and enables you to create a customised space that is tailored to your exact needs.
With many of us trying to be more carbon-footprint conscious, it’s no surprise that people are now considering how to make their house extension more environmentally friendly. In the quick guide below, we touch on a few steps you can take to ensure optimum energy efficiency and a lower environmental impact in your house extension.
Source eco-friendly materials for your extension build
From building materials through to the final interior décor, there’s a lot you can find in terms of reclaimed materials. By opting for things like recycled bricks or wooden beams, you’ll not only be benefitting the planet by reducing manufacturing emissions, but you’ll also be adding character to your property that you simply can’t buy off the shelf.
If you’re going for a wooden look and feel, always ensure that you purchase from FSC certified suppliers, as this means the wood is sourced from sustainably managed forests.
Shop local
One of the main contributors to climate change is the transport industry, with products often travelling thousands of air and road miles before they get to your home. A great way to reduce your contribution to these CO2 emissions is to shop as locally as you can when sourcing materials for your extension. This could mean anything from local slate for the roof to soft furnishings that are hand-made locally.
Look for energy efficiency
Energy efficiency ratings are key when shopping around for doors and windows for your extension. Another great idea is to add a bifold door to your extension, either internally or leading to your outside space, depending on the layout and positioning of your plans.
While you might be thinking that bifolds will let a lot of heat escape due to the large expanses of glass, they actually have an exceptional U value, or thermal resistance, which shows the high level of insulation they provide. For this reason, at Your Price Bi-folds we choose to work exclusively with Origin bifolds, due to the U value of 1.32W/2mK they provide.
Experienced bifolding door fitters near you
Your Price Bi-folds work throughout Esher, Surrey, London, and Kent to create stunning spaces that homeowners can be proud of. To talk to a local bifold expert, or to get a free, no-obligation quote, get in touch with us by calling 0203 874 5166.
