2009 Canadian Home Workshop Show
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE RESOUCEFUL GREEN RENOVATOR
Toronto, ON (January 14, 2009) — Are you projects green enough? Being green and reducing your eco-footprint has been a huge focus lately. But what about your home building and renovating practices? Contractor and custom woodworker, Michel Roy gives great tips in Canadian Home Workshop magazine on how to increase the health of your living space and the planet:
- Wherever stone is called for, use eco-friendly options. Countertops or tiles made from recycled glass terrazzo, paper pressed in resin made from cashew shells and cement products incorporating recycled paper and fly ash are all durable, handsome solid surfaces.
- Watch out for adhesives that emit VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). There are low and zero VOC construction adhesives, as well as tile and flooring adhesives available, such as GREENchoice construction adhesive.
- Don't put paint down the drain. Clean brushes and rollers in a bucket and dispose of the solids after the solvent evaporates. Let unused paint harden before disposal at your local hazardous-waste depot, or bring it to a paint recycle centre.
- Separate your construction debris for proper recycling. Clean wood and drywall are completely recyclable, so try to make sure scraps don't end up in the landfill. Even pulled nails can be recycled.
- The 100-mile diet can work for the house too. Locally manufactured or sourced products, such as lumber and stone, don't require long-distance transportation as internationally sourced products might. Buy locally when you can.
- Keep the rain out of the house and the recyclables out of the landfill. There are a number of engineering roofing products that incorporate recycled plastics or rubber tires to emulate cedar shakes or slate roofing.
- Energy Star-Rated windows will keep the cold out in the winter and the heat out in the summer. Simply installing sun-blocking window films or insulating drapery can boost the energy performance of old windows.
- Green up your yard. Drought-resistant grasses, wild flowers and trees lessen the urban heat island effect, contribute to better air quality and are much less toxic than a backyard covered in asphalt.
- Install an on-demand water heater. By eliminating the larger tank of water that is continuously kept hot, you will reduce the amount of gas or electricity you use.
- Insulate a standard hot-water tank and the water pipes that lead to and from it. The insulation can reduce how often the tank has to switch on to heat.
The Canadian Home Workshop Show takes place Friday, February 27- Sunday, March 1, 2009 at the International Centre, 6900 Airport Road, Mississauga, ON. It is the largest show of its kind in Canada - a one-stop place to find everything that's new in innovative tools at great prices.
For further public information, please call 416.218.3545 or visit the show website at http://www.canadianhomeworkshop.com/show
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Media Contact:
Ruby Fruitman/Sonya Luchetta
Fruitman Communications Group
Ph: 905.780.0880 or (cell on site) 416.230.4991
ruby@rfcg.ca
