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Sustainable materials are something that you hear more and more of when it comes to buildings, your own home and even smaller structures. As we are responsible for our planet, we need to look after it and by using non-renewable fuel and materials; we are causing much more harm than was previously thought. Nowadays, we are more inclined to opt for the sustainable route rather than one that will pump tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere or use materials that are detrimental to the environment.
If you’re building your own home or an addition to your home, such as a garage or an outhouse, then you should choose sustainable materials so it not only lasts for a long time but it’s strong, durable and is environmentally-friendly also. If we can all pitch together to change the types of materials we used to use for building use, then we can all make a marked difference on the environmental impact. By using sustainable materials for your home, you can enjoy government tax breaks in many cases; you can sell energy back to the National Grid and reduce your carbon footprint and consumption of natural materials by a huge amount.
Instead of chipping away at the slowly-depleting materials that were first really used en-masse during the Industrial Revolution, we know just how quickly that burning coal, the production of concrete and using non-renewable energy to create buildings and structures has on the environment, we must change now. By using recycled materials, refurbishing old ones and using the best sustainable materials that are available, we can help stop the devastation that we see from the Polar ice caps melting and gaping holes in the atmosphere. During the construction of new buildings or the refurbishment of old ones, we should look towards the future and build them with green energy in mind.
How Sustainable Materials Should be Used in Construction
Building a home is a fascinating time for people and one that many are taking charge of instead of buying older homes or trying to drum up the capital for a mortgage on a new-build. When it comes to designing the concept it’s important to think about each material and its sustainability when it’s first harvested or created. Are you taking steps to replenish what you’re taking from the earth or are you ensuring that you’re having the least amount of impact on the environment as possible?
Sustainable materials are ones that have the least amount of energy consumption – and hopefully green energy is used first – as well as a lack of emissions, waste and making sure that the material continues to be created or grow rather than deplete its stocks. This will mean that your dream home you’re building will be clean, green and sustainable. It won’t have used huge amounts of CO2 in its production and that’s why using locally-produced or grown materials to build your home is a great idea so that the transportation costs and impact won’t add to the overall energy spent on the build.
For some examples of sustainable materials, look for clay, cork, adobe, bamboo, hay and straw. Buildings and structures can be made from these materials easily and it means that once you take your share, it will soon replenish or can be restocked with the most minimal of impact on the environment and carbon emissions. In order to have a healthier, happier and eco-friendly home, choose the best in sustainable materials so you can meet the governmental requirements for building homes that are much more efficient than what we have currently.
One great aspect about these materials is their durability. You can ensure that your construction will use materials that have been researched and are known to be friendly to the environment and if they do need to be replaced in so many years that it won’t have a deficit when it comes to stocks. For example, if you used materials such as hay or straw for insulation, you can replace that in a few years as it would have had millions of tonnes regrown in fields all over the country. This means that each time you use it, much more is being produced. Compare that to oil, gas or coal and it’s easy to see why there is such a buzz about using sustainable materials for construction.
The key factors to look for when choosing sustainable materials are that it’s from easily-grown matter; it’s recyclable; and locally available. The toxicity, aesthetics, weather resistance and durability all need to meet the requirements of those non-sustainable materials so there is no argument for using non-renewable sources of construction material. Many people import materials from far and wide and the transport costs and impact on the environment make it incredibly poor when it comes to the overall construction. Buying locally and using materials that can be replaced in bulk is a much more efficient way to build a house.
When you’re thinking of building a new home, it’s important to look at every aspect to see what materials you can use that are sustainable. It’s not just the exterior walls or the roof. The floor, furniture, pipework and almost everything that is needed in a house can be evaluated to see if there is a better solution. Of course, budget comes into play but with the future at stake, there is little argument that sustainable materials shouldn’t be used.