Sustainable Building Material
Three Different Green Construction Goals
Any green architect worth his salt would tell you that the list of sustainable building material is long, and includes recycled denim insulation, some types of wood, Trass, Linoleum, sheep wool, concrete, panels made from paper flakes, baked and rammed earth, clay, vermiculite, flax linen, sisal, sea grass, cork, expanded clay grains, coconut, wood fiber plates, calcium sandstone, locally obtained stone and rock, and bamboo.
Here are three common goals of homeowners that use sustainable building material for green home building:
- Building for resource efficiency
Building for resource efficiency can be accomplished by using sustainable building material that has identifiable recycled content, including postindustrial content with a preference for post-consumer content. If the material is not recycled, then it can be natural, plentiful or renewable. Salvaged, refurbished and remanufactured materials are also used in building for resource efficiency.
- Siting and structure design efficiency
Even if a building is constructed with sustainable building material, it must be properly sited to achieve maximum energy efficiency and other green benefits. Locating buildings in areas of existing development where infrastructure is already present, and conserving resources by renovating rather than constructing new buildings will help minimize a project’s environmental footprint.
- Affordability
The cost of the sustainable building material must be considered before the final selection is made. One of the green building design materials that is gaining popularity is travertine, which is commonly used for flooring. Besides being affordable, travertine is also versatile – because of its rustic look its often used for patios and other outdoor living areas. It also lends itself to wall tiles in the bathroom, and backsplashes in the kitchen.
Using sustainable products helps to protect natural resources like forests, water and clean air. Sustainable construction is a smart way to build for the future. It is environmentally responsible and can ultimately be the most cost-effective option.