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Remodeling Special Advertising Section additions kitchens & baths universal design Green Remodeling and Universal Design: A Natural Pairing By Larry Taff, MCR, GCP, UDCR & CAPS 2012 NARI Green Project Recognition 2012 NARI Universal Design Project Recognition Your Life. Your Home. We know the art of universal design. In fact, we've been incorporating its principles into our projects since the 1980's. When it comes to making your home safe and comfortable with life's changing needs, our award-winning certified staff can create the home you need. Whether modifying your existing home or building a new home, we are the universal design experts that can assist you with your project. We create spaces that are universally YOU! (608) 241-2967 View our award winning projects at tzofmadison.com 26 BRAVA Magazine June 2013 The word sustainable is synonymous with green remodeling. It is making homes more energy efficient through insulation products and techniques, updated heating and cooling systems and new windows. It also refers to the types of products that can be selected for your home. From ceilings and floors to cabinets and countertops, sustainable products are available in countless colors, styles and forms. Remodeling with sustainability can make your home a healthier, more efficient investment. A term that is not normally paired with sustainable or green remodeling (but should be) is Universal Design (UD). These kinds of improvements offer many parallel benefits. Like sustainability, UD provides for a long-term well being. Its practice can create a safer, healthier home. Many UD and sustainable improvements have a favorable cost vs. value ratio, making them a sound investment. Homeowners would be wise to consider both when renovating their home. A remodel would cease to be sustainable if it had to be torn apart 20 years later for a more open, accessible plan. UD elements dovetail seamlessly with their sustainable cousins. Flooring is a good example. A key UD tip is to keep high traffic areas clear of furniture and rugs and to seek out flooring that is durable. Many sustainable flooring products meet these criteria. Take a look at cork, bamboo or reclaimed hardwoods—these surfaces are durable, easy to move across and to clean. Lighting is another example. UD recommendations are to have brighter, more concentrated lighting to make tasks easier to see and to reduce glare. One efficient solution is LED lighting. They create a bright, crisp light. When remodeling, check out products that satisfy the dual goals of sustainability and Universal Design. These types of investments pay for themselves over the long run in money saved and provide an overall safer, healthier home for you and your family. Larry Taff, a Green Certified Professional and Universal Design Certified Professional is President of TZ of Madison, Inc. which specializes in residential remodeling and is a three-time award winner of the NARI Contractor of the Year Award in Residential Universal Design. Visit tzofmadison. com for more information.