Green Home Renovation Guides

Thinking of renovating? Help is here!

A typical remodel involves a dizzying array of choices, but help is here. Our Green Home renovation guide series covers common remodeling topics, giving helpful hints on materials and strategies to create a home that's healthy, saves money, and is easy on the environment. The guides are available below in pdf format.

Beginning early 2011, the City of Vancouver is requiring green design and energy efficiency upgrades for all renovations. This series of guides is a resource to help you meet the new requirements and choose green design strategies that best suit your renovation project.

Need a permit?

Permits may be required for many repair, renovation & addition projects in existing homes. Find out what you need before you start.

NOTE: Download the renovation guides below (PDF format).

The Guides

	Overview What is a green home renovation, and why consider one? It's an approach to home improvement that not only makes your home look better, but also work better--all while saving you money on utilities, adding value, and enhancing your health and the environment. Our Overview Guide explains how this works, describes what a green renovation can look like, and provides helpful project tips.
	Bath and Laundry Guide Bathrooms use large amounts of water and energy – for water heating and heating, lighting and ventilation. Use our Bath & Laundry Guide to help make important decisions on fixtures, flooring, and more. For more information, let our resource list steer you in the right direction.
	Kitchen Guide The kitchen is the heart of the home. As a room subjected to daily heavy use, careful consideration during your remodeling project can ensure it's durable, efficient and safe as well as welcoming and comfortable. The Kitchen Guide examines everything from countertops to cabinetry, including the kitchen sink. For more information, consult our resource list.
	Painting Guide A new coat of paint can enliven tired walls and protect surfaces. But the wrong paint can compromise air quality indoors or cause smog outside, and paint projects can release health hazards, such as leaded paint dust. In our Painting Guide you'll learn to choose paints that meet the needs of your project while protecting air quality and reducing exposure to toxic hazards.
	Lighting Guide Lighting is a crucial component of a comfortable, safe, attractive and efficient home. Yet all too often, even in “green” homes, little consideration is given to lighting design. There is a common misconception that energy efficient lighting is inferior. In our Lighting Guide you'll learn efficient lighting comes in a diversity of styles and functionalities which helps to create flexibility for the discerning designer and homeowner.
	Landscaping Guide Your landscape is an essential part of the way your home presents itself to the world. Selecting materials that are low-maintenance, nontoxic, and kind on people and the planet is a responsible choice, and can have beautiful results. The Landscaping Guide provides selection tips on landscape elements from pathways to pergolas.
	Roofing Guide A roof provides essential protection to the rest of your housing investment in this rainy Vancouver environment. But beyond shielding your home from the elements, choices made when replacing your roof can help protect the environment and your pocketbook. Learn how in our Roofing Guide. Consult our resource list for even more information.
	Hiring A Pro Guide This guide outlines tips on hiring and working with design professionals and contractors when working on green renovation projects. A green renovation requires a new approach to the design and construction process; the Hiring a Pro Guide will help you understand this approach.
	Salvage and Reuse Guide Vancouver is a treasure trove of building materials. Remodeling projects often yield materials that can be valuable in the project or to someone else. Additionally, used building materials and architectural salvage from other projects can be readily incorporated into yours. Learn how in our Salvage & Reuse Guide.
	Do-It-Yourself Home Energy Audit Guide This guide provides step-by-step instructions for identifying and improving your home's energy efficiency. A diligent tour of your home with this Do-It-Yourself Guide and its tear-out checklist to record your notes, will help you determine how well your home currently operates and what upgrades are needed to improve its energy performance.
	Green Home Buyer's Guide Buying a home is a significant investment and a choice that will have an ongoing impact on your quality of life – including how you travel to and from work, your family’s health, and your utility bills. The home you buy also has an impact on our environment – from the natural resources consumed in its construction to the greenhouse gasses generated to keep it warm. The Green Home Buyer's Guide will help you understand your options.

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