You’re ready to renovate your home, but are you really planning for the future with your new additions? The rapidly changing climate means you need to plan for more than just the future needs of your family; you’ll also need to make sure your improvements are optimized for global warming. Reports to the Victoria state government indicate substantial changes in the coming decades. Temperatures are slated to rise, with twice as many hot days per year. Overall rainfall is forecasted to decrease, though extreme downpours will make the rain which does fall more likely to create flood scenarios. As a homeowner planning home extensions or renovation, it’s wise to make informed choices about building materials and design which reflect the more extreme weather anticipated by government officials and scientists.
How to Plan for Global Warming with Your Renovation Project
Whether you’re planning a home extension or just upgrading existing spaces, you’ll need to take more than aesthetics into account. Everything from exterior colors to window choices can have an impact on the sustainability and energy efficiency of your home as the weather continues to change.
Working with professionals who understand the unique demands of renovating with global warming in mind can help you to make more informed decisions, as can a bit of research on your own regarding building materials and design. During early discussions with your builder, be sure to emphasize your focus on these vital concerns. For home additions and extensive renovations, you can create a more efficient space simply by considering the orientation of new rooms. North-facing spaces, for instance, will benefit from more natural light throughout the day. To reduce the sun’s impact on north-facing spaces, consider the addition of wide eaves. South-facing rooms will be cooler during the evening and nighttime hours, creating ideal bedroom conditions. Consider the energy benefits of double-glazing when replacing or adding windows as part of your overall plan.
How the Right Building Materials Increase Energy Efficiency
Renovating and even adding extensions to an existing structure means you’re limited in some ways when it comes to energy-efficient design. Unless you demolish the structure in order to completely rebuild, you won’t be able to change the orientation of your home. What you can do, though, is make informed decisions about building materials and new design. Even some seemingly small choices can have an impact on your home’s energy efficiency and temperature. Opting for light, cool exterior color schemes can reduce the amount of radiant solar energy absorbed by up to ninety percent when compared to dark, dull shades. Your roofing choices can also have a substantial impact, with light-colored metal offering reflecting heat to keep your home cooler.
Finding the right building materials and making the best design choices for your renovation or home extension project can require quite a bit of research. One of the best ways to give yourself the leeway you need to make the right choices for your project, is to work with a professional building inspection company. An experienced building inspector can ensure all of the building and renovation work being done on your property is up to standard, overseeing the project through periodic stage construction inspections. When you’re not tasked with the heavy responsibility of directly managing the build, you’re able to spend more time choosing materials which will create a more efficient home as global warming continues to affect the Victoria climate.
Don’t miss the opportunity to create a space optimally suited to a changing climate. Take the time to properly research your options, making choices aimed at creating a space optimally suited not only to the future of your changing family, but also the changing environment.
