When selecting new exterior doors New exterior doors will often fit/ insulate better than older types. Replacing might be a good investment if looking to save money in the long run in lower heating and cooling costs. ​You can compare energy performance levels by looking at the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) label. It is also important that you purchase an ENERGY STAR rated product specific to your geographical location.

Doors, to me, are extremely important for many reasons. They are the first thing a person sees and walks through when being welcomed into your home. ​ It is kind of like a first impression into what awaits inside. Though some may view the door as a decorative piece, your homes exterior doors can contribute significantly to air leakage, and can also waste energy through conduction.

In order for a door to be qualified for an ENERGY STAR rating it must:

Installing new exterior doors Most new doors will probably be pre-hung. Pre-hung doors usually come with wood or steel frames. This frame needs to fit tightly into the jam in order to operate appropriately and seal tightly. Before applying the trim, caulk should be used carefully to seal the new doorframe in place. It also helps create an even better seal to help prevent air from getting in or out of the house. New pre-hung doors should have weather-stripping already installed. How to make your old doors more energy efficient Exterior doors can be pretty expensive. Due to this, sometimes it can be better to fix what you already have. Checking the weather-stripping annually to see if it needs replacement is the best way to insure your doors are up to par.

Painting The Town Green!

I have currently been in the market to buy a new home. As I have been touring most of these, I cannot stop thinking about how dull a room looks or how small. Then I quickly remember that a fresh coat of paint can change everything! Paint has so much power when it comes to changing the aesthetics of a room. Walking into these homes, some were painted  very dark colors and I couldn’t help but think about how incredibly hard it could be for them to sell these spaces to new buyers. All they would have to do is change the paint color and it could potentially raise the value of the house. In my mind it made no sense, but I also thought, “dang! So all I will have to do to this house is paint! That sounds amazing!”.

"Weirdly enough, I am one of the
few people that actually enjoy painting interiors. Though my dad
would say that painting...“it is worse than watching paint dry.”

Paint is one of the few materials we use the MOST in our homes. We use it when we get a new space and when we want to make an older space FEEL new.  By using a more sustainable paint material you can make a big impact! You shouldn’t have to sacrifice paint color or quality in order to “go green”. Nowadays, most big name brands carry eco-friendly paint options right on the shelf. This makes it easily obtainable. As with anything, there is still some higher price points in the market with specific variables justifying their value, however, green products has now had enough time to be developed so  prices are becoming comparable to your regular, every day paint that has been around for years.

Reasons NOT use conventional paint...

​The easiest way to tell if a paint is Eco-friendly or conventional (without looking at the label) is to open the can and take a whiff. A conventional paint will smell of noxious chemicals. Those chemicals are Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s), which hold all of the ingredients in the paint together. When it is applied, it releases a variety of greenhouse gases and other harmful chemicals into the atmosphere. While applying this indoors, it creates unhealthy air quality and with extended exposure, can lead to respiratory and metabolic illness, headaches, etc. They can emit portions of VOC’s, biocides and plasticizers for more than a year after its application.

​What is Eco-Friendly Paint?

There are three types of eco-friendly paint. Low-VOC paints, Certified Green paint, and Natural Paint.  Low VOC paint, while better than conventional paint, is not up to par. The VOC’s may be lower, but there is no requirements for them not to contain hazardous air pollutants and colorants.  Certified Green Paint is a better option. This can include zero-VOC paints that also use VOC-free colorant. It is free of vinyl and includes no toxic biocides. These can be recognized by the environmental certification seal on their label. ​  Natural Paints are the most eco-friendly. They are primarily made from milk proteins and on-toxic pigments. This option however is not as durable as other options and color options are limited.

​A Few Brands to Get You Started

 Emerald Interior Acrylic Latex Paint o Certified by GREENGUARD, low in VOC’s  KILZ Original Low VOC Primer o Low VOC ​  Natura Paint by Benjamin Moore (my personal favorite) o Zero VOC, asthma and allergy friendly, and gives off zero emissions after four hours of dry time

What is sustainability?: Sustainability is the avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance.

Humans lack of knowledge and effort have been the main causes for the diminishing supply of natural resources that the Earth has to left offer to come ( FACTS). Therefore, it's our job to prepare for long term  and find ways to be more eco-friendly even down to the spaces we inhabit everyday. This is so that the Earth can stay livable beyond the lives of our great grandchildren. Everyone has heard of recycling and most try to do their part; with that being said, my goal is to inform you on ways to be more eco-friendly in your home that may have not crossed your mind in the past. I want to use this platform to give you ideas that allow you to find what works best for you and your family in creating a daily routine that encourages sustainable living!

To Get started... Here are some areas to consider evaluating in creating a sustainable household:

Your.....Building materials Insulation  Windows  Heat, ventilation, air conditioning  Lighting  Appliances Furniture  Flooring  Paint Plumbing fixtures  Maintenance habits ​Waste

Meet our FIRST EVER STUDIO INTERN!

"Hey there! I’m Megan and I am ARC Design Studios’ first ever intern! Oh I know, It is very exciting for me as well! I am a small town Michigan girl who loves fashion, food, fitness, and traveling. I enjoy golfing, but I’m not very good at it (but who is?), being a dog mom, and look forward to owning a miniature pig in the future. ​ I am going into my senior year in the Interior Design program at Western Michigan University and I’m extremely looking forward to be working with Amanda to further my knowledge and help with real world projects. I am also double minoring in Event Management, and Business Analytics. This program has given me opportunities to be a part of IDSO (Interior Design Student Organization) and IIDA (International Interior Design Association). ​

Amanda and I met through Western. She was one of my professors (my favorite one, in fact). She is a major influence in helping me learn and grow into the designer I am and aspire to be. I have always held an interest  in creating an environment that is capable of making myself and others happy. As I grow older I am interested in designing an environment that can encompass comfort-ability and happiness while being sustainable.

"Growing up, my mom designed for General Motors and my dad did construction which was sort of a starting point in learning about design."  I watched him draft floor plans by hand regularly and was able to see his vision come alive time and time again as he built houses and garages and what not with his bare hands. It amazed me how something that seemed so small such as a drawing could come to life in such a short period of time. I knew right away I wanted to be in residential design. I am heavily interested in the architectural side of things, but also love decorating and helping people choose colors, furniture, counter tops etc.

"Don’t we all have a little HGTV in us?"

I have had my wedding planned out since I was a little girl. I thoroughly have enjoyed pinning things on Pinterest and going through all of it with my girlfriends on our many wine nights. I knew I might want to make it a career when I began working at a golf course and was able to work side by side with the food and beverage director helping and coordinating with the brides every wish. I eventually began working at TPC Michigan. I have spent the last four summers here. A goal of mine in the near future is to hopefully obtain the Head Event Coordinators’ position and be able to plan weddings, golf outings, and many other parties for a living.  I look forward to being a part of ARC Design Studio. I feel that this is a good fit in helping me grow as a designer." ​-Megan