It is no surprise that extensive construction of buildings and other structures is one of the biggest contributors to waste as well as environmental degradation. Recently however, several advancements have been made in the real estate industry that has successfully led to eco-friendly construction. In fact, you can choose green materials and building products to make a difference.
To reduce environmental impact and even preserve the health of your loved ones, you can make slight changes in your home that lead to big benefits. The more important decisions include the location of your home while the smaller yet equally important choices can include choosing energy efficient light bulbs as well as eco-friendly non toxic paint.
Where can you start?
When choosing sustainable building materials, you have to consider multiple factors and understand every aspect of its environmental impact. Some factors that you must consider include contents of the product as well as the sourcing of its raw materials. The amount of energy used to manufacture, package, ship and use the product are equally important as the green factor of the product itself. Additionally, you should consider the recyclability, durability as well as potential emissions of toxins and chemicals over time.
What should you look out for?
Before you have the considered the above factors, you should be aware of what you are looking for with these materials. When it comes to raw materials and wastage, you should look for bio-based content that minimizes waste and encourages recycling and reusing the components. In terms of energy, ensure that every product you choose requires less energy to function while being used from renewable sources of energy. As important as it is to protect the environment, the health and safety of your loved ones is also paramount.
Consider the indoor air quality of your home and how choosing each building material can affect its composition. You should also aim for sustainable growth by reducing or even eliminated toxic substances and by-products that reduce environmental impact over time.
Eco-friendly building materials
Here’s a quick guide on choosing the right types of building materials from the right sources.
Reclaimed building materials: There is no doubt that building construction uses massive amounts of natural resources. Apart from raw materials, fuel and energy, most of this material goes to waste when a building is renovated or demolished. Instead of sourcing for more raw materials and depleting the environment, you can choose to salvage building materials and reuse them. Not only are you saving costs of sourcing and transportation, you are also reducing your carbon footprint.
Recycled building materials: Wasted building construction materials that have been recycled are as useful as freshly sourced products. You can always use steel, glass tiles, plastic lumber, drywall, insulation, carpeting as well as landscaping material recycled from old products.
Household goods and appliances: The interiors of your build have an equally important role to creating an eco-friendly building. When it comes to furnishings, appliances, electronics and other goods, there are many ways to save energy. Choose energy efficient lighting as well as appliances to cut down on consumption and buy products that need little to no replacement.
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