As you’re cleaning around the house or doing a little repair work, it’s possible you’ve noticed it. Rust has formed again on a hinge. Plastic fittings around the sink have started to crack. A fixture in your garden that was perfectly fine last year has lost its rigidity and now feels brittle in your hands. These little replacements can really add up in terms of money and time.
Photo by Timur Shakerzianov on Unsplash
The key to making long-term sustainability decisions at home lies in a single transition: using materials that will last longer than the alternative. The decision is more about durability than style.
Durable Materials vs Trendy Materials
It is quite simple to pick an item simply because of its appearance when brand-new in the store. Most items have a high-gloss finish and are constructed of lightweight materials that seem convenient at first. But, after one or two years of use, you probably will start to notice some signs of wear (scratching, fading, warping) on most items.
Think about a faucet in your kitchen. Although you may see a plated plastic faucet that looks like it is still “brand new” on the first day, within a short time, from use alone, it will begin to show scuffs. A solid brass or stainless steel faucet (which is generally more expensive at the start) should withstand the wear and tear of years of turning, splashing on it, and cleaning it before it begins to look old.
When you are thinking about what material to choose for a product in your home, consider how that product will look five years later rather than five days. Choose products that will stay easy to clean and hardware that does not rely upon an extremely thin layer of coating.
Short-Term Fixes vs Long-Term Solutions
Quick fixes are common in many homes. Often, a homeowner creates a quick solution to a problem, and the quick fix becomes a permanent solution. Temporary patches on pipes. Sealants are applied to various parts of a house that require frequent replacement. Each of these quick fixes solves the immediate problem, but often never lasts.
Outdoor components are an excellent example of “quick fix” solutions. The majority of metal outdoor parts will corrode much sooner than expected, as they are exposed to the elements. To avoid having to maintain an item again, simply upgrade your material to one that is more durable. When you look at upgrades that have to stand the test of time, such as a stainless steel chimney cowl, you will prevent corrosion from occurring on your part, it will keep its original shape, and it will resist harsh weather conditions for many years.
In addition to this, another useful practice is to delay replacing an item until you can determine if you will experience the same problem with the replacement.
Hidden Components: Paying Attention To Them Matters
In addition to the materials we can see, some of the most critical materials in our homes are the hidden components. Examples include pipes behind walls, brackets under countertops, or fasteners that support structural components.
To illustrate this point, consider a cabinet shelf. Although a cabinet shelf appears strong, if the brackets supporting it were made from thin, low-quality metal, they could eventually warp. In contrast, upgrading the brackets to thicker, powder-coated steel brackets can help prevent sagging and reduce the likelihood of needing to remove and repair the cabinet in the future.
The same principle applies to other hidden components, including plumbing connectors and roofing fixtures. Spending a bit more on higher-quality materials during installation can result in not needing to access these areas again in a couple of years.
Fewer Replacements = Less Waste
Individuals usually do not realise the amount of waste that is produced from replacing common household items (for example, a cracked plastic laundry basket, a broken outdoor light fixture, a peeling laminate countertop) because each item produces relatively small amounts of waste. However, when all of these replacements are combined, they can produce significant amounts of waste.
The use of long-lasting materials will generally decrease the number of times an item needs to be replaced. For instance, metal frames for laundry baskets, glass enclosures for outdoor lighting fixtures, and solid wood shelving units have much longer lifetimes than cheaper alternatives.
It does not necessarily mean you need to buy very heavy, very expensive products. Rather, you should focus on using materials that are able to withstand being used repeatedly. For example, if you replace a solid wooden cutting board with multiple thin plastic cutting boards, you may be saving waste over the course of several years.
Cost vs. Durability
It is normal to stop and think about a decision at some time when you are choosing between a cheaper alternative, which may be less durable than an option priced higher. The first thing that drives your decision on whether or not to go for the cheaper option is usually the cost, not the durability.
Avoiding Materials That Require Constant Maintenance
Some materials do not fail in the sense that they have to be replaced. They are the type of material that is going to require your constant maintenance. This could include wood that has to be sealed every year, a painted metal piece that has to be repainted periodically, or a stained concrete floor where the grout always seems to stain.
The most obvious example would be your outdoor furniture. Your furniture will probably look very nice as soon as it is put outside. However, it will probably require some sanding and re-sealing before the end of summer. Powder-coated aluminium, treated hardwoods, etc., will withstand both sunlight and rain without requiring much (if any) maintenance.
Closing Thoughts
Beginning with small changes to how you live sustainably at home is possible without having to make large changes to your lifestyle. The first step to sustainable living is to recognise when something in your home is no longer working properly and then replace it with a product that is built using stronger and more durable materials for your future purchase.
Buying products that last longer and do not break easily due to normal usage reduces the amount of time you spend repairing things and replacing them. A feeling of security develops in your home as fewer small problems occur requiring your attention.