Renovation Nation
By Melissa Camacho,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Homes go green beautifully -- and affordably.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
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What's the Story?
RENOVATION NATION shows viewers how homes can be renovated to support a greener lifestyle. Handyman/This Old House host Steve Thomas offers affordable do-it-yourself tips on how to "greenovate" a home and live a more eco-friendly lifestyle. He also meets with eco-sensitive homeowners and builders who are making the choice to go green, spotlighting unique and creative homes, guest houses, and other structures to help inspire those who want to build a greener home.
Is It Any Good?
From building and using recycled furniture and fixtures to passive cooking, audiences are reminded that it doesn't always take a lot of money to meet green standards while upgrading a home. Thomas makes that point clear by consistently talking about energy-efficient materials and designs during the renovation process, pointing out how these choices lessen the burden on the earth's already shrinking reserve of natural resources. He also focuses on how aesthetically beautiful many eco-efficient spaces are -- a fact that's likely to make the choice to greenovate much more desirable to homeowners.
While Renovation Nation isn't particularly exciting, it offers viewers interested in renovating their homes a chance to see that they can do so without having a negative impact on the environment -- or their wallets. Best of all, it presents eco-friendly building as a truly viable option for anyone. Kids may not be particularly drawn to the series, but for those thinking about building green now or in the future, it's a great choice.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether there any projects or renovations they can tackle to make their home more eco-friendly. Families can also discuss the media's increasing focus on living a greener lifestyle. Do you think TV shows like this one will encourage people to make more earth-friendly changes in their lives? Can people really learn how to renovate their homes by watching shows like this one?
TV Details
- Premiere date: June 4, 2008
- Cast: Steve Thomas
- Network: Planet Green
- Genre: Reality TV
- Topics: Science and Nature
- TV rating: TV-G
- Last updated: February 24, 2022
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