If you plan your next construction project, maybe a new home or some other commercial building, the differences in the final product greatly depend on the materials used.
This article will now expound on the reasons behind sustainable building material usage and how these are also helpful to your building projects.
It will also provide you with everything you know about the best building supplies for green buildings and why, in this present, fast-paced world, sustainability cannot be relegated to the end.
Why Use Sustainable Construction Materials?
Sustainable building materials change the whole construction industry. With the rise of awareness about the environment, the construction of buildings has taken one step ahead and become environmentally friendly in its products and materials not to cause harm to the environment. The following are some advantages of sustainable building materials:
- Reduced Carbon Footprint: Sustainable materials have lower embodied energy, which means it requires less energy for production and transportation and results in less carbon footprint.
- Reduced Waste: The production process created through recyclable and renewable materials produces less waste, ensuring a more sustainable generation.
- Save Energy: Many green building materials result in better insulation. Heating and cooling systems will not be necessary, thereby lessening energy consumption and cutting down energy expenditure.
- Enhances Indoor Air Quality: Nontoxic materials improve indoor air quality, which prevents the presence of harmful chemicals in the environment.
- Provide Health Living/Working Space: Sustainable materials with their natural properties offer more comfort in living or working and provide well-being.
Sustainable Building Construction Materials
Now that you know why sustainable building construction materials are important to your project, let’s talk about the most popular and sustainable ones for their various needs. They are not only environmentally friendly but also good performers for many construction purposes.
Recycled Steel
Steel is the world’s most helpful material in building. It is easier for your project to get close to nature if there will be recycling of steel. It is very recyclable without losing a lot of strength and hardness, which makes it one of the excellent materials applicable for green buildings; it is also fire-resistant and resistant to low maintenance.
Bamboo
Bamboo is one of the most sustainable materials around, grows extremely fast, absorbs carbon dioxide, and requires plenty of water. The uses range from flooring and furniture to even structural elements. It is robust, flexible, and provides a modern look, which suits green building projects ideally.
Cork
Cork is a product of cork oak tree bark. This is a renewable, biodegradable, and recyclable material. Nature’s best insulator and the excellent thermal and acoustical characteristics of cork are why it was the prime choice for flooring and wall coverings for centuries.
Recycled Glass
The glass can recycle the countertops, tiles, and other decorative features. It is tough and low in material usage and waste generation with minimal maintenance. Further, it will give the aesthetic appeal and make a unique character to your design.
Hempcrete
Hempcrete is a sustainable alternative to ordinary concrete. It is made of hemp fibers, water, and lime. Hempcrete is light-insulating and fire-resistant. Moreover, it absorbs more carbon dioxide than the one that pours out when producing it, therefore becoming a very green material in construction.
Importance of Waterproofing in Construction
Structures generally need protection from water damage and its negative impacts, such as mold and decay, among many more costly issues. Whether it is a house, an office, or an industrial facility, it is essential to ensure that your structure has waterproofing materials to endure longer.
These waterproofing materials are of such a type so as not to allow moist air to penetrate the structure which may impair the foundation, walls, and the rest of the primary area. Waterproofing materials come in several types depending on your needs and budget:
- Polyurethane Waterproofing: Polyurethane is one of the most applicable solutions for versatile and durable use. Generally, you can apply it on rooftops and balconies that have more foot traffic. Such a seamless membrane will prevent water from entering the structure.
- Bitumen Waterproofing: Bitumen is commonly applicable on flat roofs and other underground structures. It provides a strong, reliable seal against water while being very resistant to aging and UV attacks. In general, bitumen is in the form of either a sheet or liquid for easy application.
- Integral Waterproofing: Can be performed at the batch stage whereby concrete or mortar may be applied to the foundation and the walls of the basement.
- Waterproofing Coatings and Membranes: Directly applied products that could be sprayed onto surfaces, which, in turn, form a membrane against water. Products may range from elastomeric coatings to liquid-applied membranes and sheet membranes.
This right selection of waterproofing material would play a very significant role in the long term of a healthy building. So, during your on-going project, get help from experts to figure out which one is the best for your building.
Why Green Building Matters Now More Than Ever
Green building refers to the process of designing a structure that will not cause damage to the environment in its entire lifetime. It is not just about using green materials but also about the overall operation of the structure, which minimizes the consumption of energy, the use of water, and waste, creating a healthy environment for human life or work.
The implementation of green building strategies in your construction project will bring about the following numerous benefits, among others:
- Energy Efficiency: Components of energy saving can include being energy-efficient windows, insulation, and HVAC systems, which require less energy and therefore save owners and occupants money from utilities.
- Water Conservation: Most green building designs incorporate rainwater harvesting, low-flow systems, and water-efficient plumbing fixtures to reduce waste of water.
- Waste Reduction: Green building materials are primarily recycled or may be reused after their useful life, thereby reducing the waste in landfills.
Furthermore, it is saving resources and at the same time, your structure will stay in use for a longer period of time. Thus, the future generations will also benefit from energy-saving and environment-friendly materials incorporated in construction in the long term.
Adding Durability through High Technology Building Materials
For more durability and protection, one may consider using high-tech materials in their construction project. Such would be useful for enhancing the long life of your building as well as raising its resistance to stress. Some of them include:
- Carbon Fiber Retrofitting: Carbon fibers are added to retrofit structures like bridges and buildings at risk of such damage. They are light, strong, and resistant to corrosion; thus, they have been touted as ideal for retrofitting and extending the life of buildings.
- Concrete Binder: These are additives or chemicals you can put in concrete to improve its properties and make it strong and resistant to cracking. Proper choice of binder could help the concrete structure attain cost savings during maintenance and serve for more time.
- Industrial Floor Coatings: High-performance coatings applied to floors may offer protection of the structures from continued and erosive impact by heavy traffic, chemical spills, and other stressors; they are going to be a more solid and cleanable surface that can bear the industrial environment.
- Structural Epoxy for Crack Repair: Epoxy is a very tough compound you can apply to repair cracks and other damages in concrete and on other surfaces. It bonds well with the material and restores its structural strength, preventing further damage.
These materials can immensely improve the performance of your construction project, providing both short-term as well as long-term advantages.
FAQs
What is the most environmentally friendly building material?
There are such material as bamboo that are recycled and old steel, hempcrete and, of course, cork show nice sustainable factors: renewable, and low impact on the natural environment, durability.
Why should you use sustainable materials?
It reduces environmental impacts. Lower energy use creates better health and living conditions and ensures the long-term life cycle of the building structure.
What are the three criteria for the sustainability of construction materials?
Sustainable construction materials should meet these three main selection criteria:
- Durability: The material should last long without degradation in order to reduce replacements and waste.
- Energy Efficiency: It should enable energy conservation, either during the manufacturing process or during its usage in a building.
- Environmental Impact: The material should be able to have a minimum negative environmental impact, from the sourcing process through to disposal, including such impacts as carbon footprint and resource usage.
Build Smart with Sealbond’s Sustainable Solutions
Whether it’s anything to do with materials that go that way or waterproof solutions for high-tech structural augmentation, Sealbond has everything that your project needs for the successful completion of that goal. Our wide portfolio of sustainable quality building materials is there for you to build stronger, greener, and more efficient buildings. And, it waits right here, in conjunction with our expert staff, who could take you by the hand at every turn of that journey.
Contact us today for your best building supplies and materials for the next job. Let’s build a strong future together.
