Eco-friendly Tiny Houses in Canada
Eco-friendly tiny houses are practical and functional at the same time and are built using green materials. They are custom built and affordable and combine cost-effective solutions and design that help minimize the harmful impact on the environment.
Types of Green Tiny Houses
When it comes to features and design, there are different types of green houses to look into. Some incorporate unusual features, arches, and curves while others feature large windows. Minimalist houses are also available with features such as open premises, simple features, functionality, and minimal use of decorative features.
Eco Tiny Homes and Benefits for Homeowners
There are plenty of benefits for homeowners, and one is that eco homes are made from green materials. Insulation is made from materials such as greensulate, cement, agricultural products, eco fiber glass, cotton, mineral wool, or cellulose. In conventional homes, on the other hand, thermawrap or foam board are usually used for insulation. The flooring in conventional homes is made from wood laminate, tiles, and concrete while eco homes are fitted with flooring made from stone, hardwood, corkwood, or bamboo. Some eco homes feature a natural fiber carpet. When it comes to the walls and structural elements, metal, concrete, and bricks are used to build conventional homes. Eco materials for the walls and structural elements include fire honeycomb clay blocks, recycled bricks, steel framing, stone, and straw bales. In addition to eco-friendly materials, green homes are long lasting and offer plenty of benefits such as improved air quality, natural lighting, energy and water efficiency, lower carbon foot print, and water conservation. Finally, the cost of building materials is also lower compared to conventional homes.
Tiny Houses by Canadian Manufacturers
Black Bird Tiny Homes, for example, consist of modules that are transported and assembled onsite. Homes feature functional amenities and energy-efficient and durable materials. They are used for the interior, roofing, painting, drywall, insulation, electrical work, HVAC, and plumbing. They combine corrugated metal siding, composite panels, and windows that are thermally broken, low E, dual or triple pane. Homebuyers can choose from different colors, including charcoal, glass gray, and expresso. When it comes to the doors, they are made from reclaimed fir and fitted with pivot or corner hinges.
Tiny houses also feature lift and slide doors. Interior doors come in different varieties, including pocket, swing, and barn doors. Bathrooms are fitted with bath spouts, shower rails, towel rings, toilet paper rolls, robe hooks, towel bars, floor vanities, and other amenities. Kitchens are equipped with soap pumps, built-in microwave ovens, compact dryers and washers, gas cooktops, induction cooktops, and other features and amenities. The list of lighting fixtures includes lighting step lights, recessed lights, under cabinet puck lights, and outdoor wall lights. There are two types of fireplaces to choose from, gas and wood burning fireplaces. Customers are offered different cooling and heating options as well, including boilers with green and energy-saving features. Eco-friendly boilers are fitted with anti-cycle and modulation controls, electronic ignition, intelligent control features, and aluminum-silicon heat exchangers. Green homes are also fitted with smoke detectors and nested thermostats. Home automation options are also available, including features such as messaging, irrigation, lighting, climate, security, media.
Nomad also features eco-friendly tiny homes that are functional and easy to assemble. There are different models for buyers to look into, and customers can choose from ad-ons such as adjustable tables, sofa beds, exterior storage lockers, bedroom floor cabinets, solar power options, and a lot more. The house itself is made from metal insulated panels. The exterior finish combines PVC trim boards, engineered wood panels, and pre-finished metal sidings. The windows are double glazed and fitted with vinyl frames. The kitchen sink is made from stainless steel while the kitchen counter is made from white laminate. The bathroom floor is fitted with vinyl planks, and the walls are made from pre-finished metal panels. There are different heating options to choose from, including an electrical baseboard, propane, and natural gas. The options for hot water are electric on-demand, propane, and natural gas. A range hood can be installed for ventilation. The bathroom is fitted with a LED wall light, and the kitchen has LED task lighting.
Eco-friendly Ideas for Canadian Entrepreneurs
There are plenty of eco-friendly business ideas for Canadian entrepreneurs, from selling recycled plastics and other materials to selling refurbished appliances or eco-friendly building materials, starting a green fashion business, becoming a green business consultant.
Recycling
The list of items and materials to recycle is long, from small appliances and metal hangers to wrapping and office paper, corrugated cardboard, aluminum cans, magazines, and newspapers. Items that cannot be recycled include light bulbs, aerosol cans, liquids and food, Styrofoam, and glass. If you plan to sell recycled items and products, examples are record bowls, surf packs, iPad covers, automotive parts, soap, toothbrushes, and even stadium seats. Another option is to sell refurbished laptops, computers, iPads, tablets, and phones. Refurbishing gear and electronics saves energy and helps protect the environment.
There are plenty of great ideas for a startup if you plan to start a small business in Manitoba. From editorial and business plan services to event planning, electronics and computer repair, and home energy auditing, these are all ways to make money and possibly turn your hobby into a profitable enterprise.
Green Business Consulting
There are many benefits to becoming a green business consultant, and one is that you can work with large and small businesses, households, and individual customers. You can consult customers on issues such as green household management, energy saving appliances, green marketing strategies. Some green business consulting services offer courses and programs with a focus on sound business proposals and contracts, social media, marketing methods, and more. The list of services to offer as a green business consultant includes energy audits, wellbeing programs for workers and employees, concept and product design. Some green business consultants specialize in sustainability planning and commercial premises design while others focus on things like natural dyes, organic materials and fabrics, organic food, stand-alone and off-grid energy systems. In general, consultants help companies and individuals to reduce waste, enhance air quality, reduce their water, electricity, and other bills, and use eco-friendly products instead of toxic substances and chemicals. There are different training options available in Canada, one being environmental professional certification. Different events are also available, including networking events, webinars, courses, and training.
Organizing Green Events
Another idea is to help customers organize and plan green events such as weddings, anniversaries, conferences and seminars, dinners and galas. Green event planning involves things like going paperless, opting for eco-friendly sites, hotels, and facilities that can be accessed by public transport, minimizing waste, and so on. You may want to offer farm-to-table, green, or organic catering as well. There are catering services that feature holiday and special event menus and items such as fresh fruit and vegetable trays, crab cake bites, mini biscuits, BBQ stacks, and more. Cucumber cups are ideal for special events, filled with goat cheese, seasonal fish, cheese, etc. Or you may offer bruschettas with mushrooms, pesto, olive tapenade, goat cheese, or basil, mozzarella, and roasted tomato.
