Coconut Grove, Coral Gables & South Miami Real Estate

Archive for the 'Green Living' Category

Green Living Kitchen Renovation – Part 2 – Cabinets

In this segment of my Green Living series we are going to discuss “Green Cabinetry”.  Many people are now considering more environmentally-friendly cabinets over conventional cabinets because the are better for your home, better for your family and better for the environment.

What makes a cabinet “green”? 

There are two main criteria.

1. They don’t place a strain on the environment and/or
2. They don’t pollute indoor air quality. 

Some cabinets release toxic gases into the air.  Gases can come from the substrate used in the manufacturing process of the kitchen cabinets or they can come from the sealant applied to the exterior of the cabinets.  The fiber board or particle board used in the majority of kitchen cabinet boxes is created from a substance which is known to out-gas formaldehyde for the entire time it is in your kitchen.  Additionally, the majority of clear finishes used to seal the wood on cabinet exteriors emit high levels of VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) which produce harmful levels of gas in the air.  Here are some sources for formaldehyde-free kitchen cabinets.

In addition to the out-gassing, you want to consider the materials your cabinets are made of.  Is it an environmentally sustainable alternative? 

One popular option is recycled wood.  Recycled cabinets cut down on deforestation and if they are made from solid wood they would eliminate the threat of particle board problems.  These can sometimes be obtained from salvaged businesses and often older kitchens are made from solid wood.  You just have to be aware of the sealant that is applied to the exterior of the cabinets.  You may want to consider re-surfacing the cabinets with low VOC or no VOC water based finishes.

If you are looking for new cabinets but still want to be conscience of deforesting and sustainability, stainless steel or any other metal cabinets are an alternative.  If your heart is set on wood, there are several vendors available that are known to be formaldehyde-free and/or ESP (Environmental Stewardship Program) and FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified.  Both ESP and FSC are organizations that assist consumers in easily identifying environmentally-friendly products.  Either one of the websites above provide a list of certified vendors.

Coincidentally, while researching article I discovered that my local paper, the Miami Herald, had recently published an article on Local Businesses “weighing the pros and cons of going green”.  It outlines the challenges that local businesses have with making environmentally conscience decisions.  One of the cabinet vendors, Greenworks Cabinetry, has 8 locations in the South Florida area.  Good to know.

For more general information, you can visit the US Green Building Councils Green Home Guide website for ideas, advice and certified green professionals.

I really enjoy sharing ideas and options for “Greener Living” so if you have any suggestions or know of additional resources, I would love hearing from you either via comment below or you can send me a note here.

Or, just subscribe here if you would like these blogs sent directly to your inbox.  After subscribing, you will receive an email requesting activation. 

 

Green Living Kitchen Renovation – Part 1 – Countertops

If you’re planning on updating or remodeling your kitchen, why not consider green alternatives?  It not only enhances the environment you live in but it will help “The Environment” we all live in.  

Did you know that kitchens are the most energy-intense room in your house?  Updated kitchens are a dime a dozen but a kitchen that can claim to be “green”, meaning cost and energy efficient and made of recycled or sustainable materials, will stand out when it is time to sell.  Being a realtor here in Miami I see plenty of spectacular kitchens, but whenever there is mention of a home with “Green” features, my colleagues and I take special notice.  It is enticing to buyers.  Therefore nothing but good for you in the short and long term.

I wanted to start this series with countertops for two reasons.  First the aesthetics, changing a countertop can change the entire look of a kitchen.  Secondly, since this is where we store and prepare our foods, what a countertop is made of can have a significant effect on the toxicity levels of items that go into our bodies.  Often price is a concern for someone that want to include sustainable products.  The list below provides the full spectrum of prices ranges.

Some of the more popular options are recycled glass, concrete countertops, paper composite and laminate.

• Icestone is “100% recycled glass in a cement matrix”.  This product has a marble like appearance and comes in 31 colors.  Downside is that hot pots could possibly burn the sealer on the countertop.
• Paper composite is a combination of waste paper, recycled paper, cellulose and resin.  It has a consistency of hardwood and can handle hot pans up to 350 degrees.  Richlite and Paperstone are two vendors that provide this product.
• Last and actually least, when it comes to expense, is laminate.  This is not your Grandmothers laminate countertops.  There are now green certified laminates that are sourced from recycled plastic, non- toxic glues and formaldehyde free substrate.  VT Industries offers products made with no VOC adhesives, 100% post consumer recycled cores and GreenGuard certified.

I really enjoy sharing ideas and options for “Greener Living” so if you have any suggestions or know of additional resources, I would love hearing from you either via comment below or you can send me a note here.

Or, just subscribe here if you would like these blogs sent directly to your inbox.  After subscribing, you will recieve an email requesting activation.

Green Living – 3 Ways to Recycle your Electronics and Get Paid for It

Did you know that you can’t just drop off your old computer, cell phone, and other electronic devices at your local Goodwill or Salvation Army?  Well I didn’t, so where do I get rid of the old clunker?  Turns out electronic waste or “e-waste” is a very specialized field as these items can release toxic chemicals into the atmosphere, land and groundwater. 

After a bit of investigating I ended up at one of my favorite resources, The Lazy Environmentalist.  This website has a wealth of information and in just the format I like, lazy.  I think it is important to be responsible, but in this very hectic world if it takes too much effort most people just won’t do it.

Below are their top three recommended company’s that will not only recycle your electronics but also offer compensation for the stuff you just no longer want.  All of these companies provide free shipping to their facilities and pay you for what you send.  How easy is that?

• Gazelle.com- Send Gazelle your used cell phones, digital cameras, MP3 players, laptops, GPS units, camcorders, gaming consoles, iPhones and more, and the company will pay you for them, or even better, donate the proceeds to your favorite charity.  Additinally, where possible Gazelle refurbishes them and makes them available to its partners for resale.
• Buymytronics.com- Buymytronics.com is on a mission to recycle used, new, and broken electronics.  To make it worthwhile, the company pays you for them within 48 hours of receiving them. Send founder Brett Mosley and his team your old cell phones, cameras, game consoles, camcorders, and iPods, and they’ll send you cash.
• Greenphone.com- You don’t have to sell your soul to prevent global warming, but you can certainly “sell your cell.” Visit Greenphone.com to find out how much your used cell phone is worth and then print the free postage label and mail your phone to the company. Once Greenphone.com receives and verifies its condition, the company will cut you a check.

I really enjoy sharing ideas and options for “Greener Living” so if you have any suggestions or know of additional resources, I would love hearing from you…

Just subscribe here if you would like these blogs sent directly to your inbox.  After subscribing, you will recieve an email requesting activation.

The 3 Top Farmers Markets of South Miami

One of the great things about living in South Florida is the abundance of fresh produce.  We are blessed to have several options throughout the year for locally grown and organic foods.  Here are my three favorites.

 

 

The Coral Gables Farmers Market is a small outdoor European-Style Green Market.  It is in it’s nineteenth season and is held every Saturday from early January through the end of March.  It is located in the town center with historic Coral Gables City Hall in the background.  There is something for everyone with cooking classes, Tai Chi in the park, gardening workshops and children’s activities.

 

The Coconut Grove Farmers Market is provided weekly by Glaser Organic Farms and offers year round produce and organic products.  Every Saturday you will find and extensive selection of locally grown, organic, raw and vegan foods.  Additionally they have prepared food area where people gather to enjoy some of the best tasting raw and organically prepared items.  Who knew eating healthy could taste so good?

 

The Pinecrest Gardens Green Market is open every Sunday and runs from December through the end of April.  Offering numerous vendors with organic and conventional foods, plants, arts, crafts and fresh produce.  Once you’ve had your fill of the market you can wander into the Pinecrest Gardens and see why it was voted one of the top 20 parks by Miami.com.

If you or someone you know is looking for a real estate professional who specializes in South Miami neighborhoods, give me a call at 305-987-2644 or send me a note here.

Green Living – How to Save Money one Bulb at a Time

Did you know that an ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) uses 75% less energy than an incandescent bulb and lasts about 10 times longer?  So what does that mean to you?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates a savings of about $30 over the lifetime of one bulb thereby paying for itself in about 6 months.  Although the initial investment may be higher, in the long run, the savings can be significant. 

I don’t know about you, but just knowing that I will only be climbing up that ladder a 10th of the time is savings enough for me.