From Guest Blogger Kelso: Building Materials and Sustainability

When we think about the biggest carbon footprint culprits in the world, several things immediately come to mind – transportation (traffic), industry and power stations. True, these are some of the biggest contributors to the pollution, but there is another carbon footprint contributor which is not that obvious. It is, believe it or not, buildings. For instance, in the US alone, the commercial and residential building sector accounts for 39% of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emission per year, more than any other economy sector.

As for the consequences of carbon dioxide emissions (or greenhouse gas emissions), their effect on human activities and the environment is far-reaching and incredibly detrimental considering that they are expected to raise global temperatures between 2.5° and 10°F in this century alone. These profound changes in temperature will, in turn lead to higher sea levels, more severe droughts and floods, and an increase in contagious diseases. In order to slow down or possibly eradicate extreme climate change, we need to raise global awareness and consciousness about utilizing more sustainable, eco-friendly building materials and the ready-mix construction materials.

Apart from taking care of our planet’s climate, there are several other important reasons why we should use more sustainable building materials, all of them as equally important as our climate:

Buildings constructed with sustainable materials last much longer – the very definition of the word ‘sustainability’ implies something long lasting. And if a building’s life span is prolonged that, in turn, means lower maintenance costs and far less up-keep.
Improved resale value of the building – A recent study conducted by the Earth Advantage Institute has shown that energy efficient homes built with sustainable materials sold for 8% more than the homes that were not energy efficient or did not possess an energy efficiency certificate. Also, bearing in mind that more and more people are becoming increasingly aware about climate changes, homes that are built from sustainable, environmentally friendly materials tend to sell faster than the ones built with conventional materials.
Maintenance costs are substantially reduced – Investing in sustainability pays off, particularly when it comes to maintenance costs which are substantially (up to 25%) lower when sustainability is integral to every aspect of the building.
Reduced waste – Quite a few sustainable building materials are recycled and reclaimed. The rationale behind using recycled or reclaimed building materials is simple – more we re-use them, less new products we buy thus preserving world’s resources. This also means that less energy is consumed and less waste produced from manufacturing new building materials.
Energy conservation – This benefit is pretty much self-explanatory. By choosing highly sustainable building materials, we can increase energy savings by as much as 50% while, at the same time, lowering operational costs
More design flexibility – Sustainable materials are incredibly versatile, highly adaptable, and can be easily disassembled and reused. Whether you are a fan of rustic style with its exposed wooden beams, or modern minimalism with smooth cement floors, sustainable building materials will cater to any taste.
Improved overall health and wellbeing of occupants – So-called green buildings, constructed with sustainable materials, are less carcinogenic and, overall, healthier. They are highly unlikely to develop mold spores and the number of volatile organic compounds usually used in the production of conventional building materials (like benzene, methyl-chloride or formaldehyde) is substantially reduced in the case of sustainable ones.

TYPES OF SUSTAINABLE BUILDING MATERIALS

Wood – is the epitome of a sustainable, eco-friendly building material. Timber displaces more fossil-fuel intensive construction materials which results in substantial reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Timber is reusable, recyclable, biodegradable and non-toxic. In most cases, it can be locally sourced and salvaged. Scientists from the University of Washington and Yale University have proven that wood-based construction uses much less energy than the conventional construction with concrete. Most importantly, through sustainable forest management, this resource can be indefinite.
Steel – You have probably never thought of steel as being a highly sustainable building material. Steel has beneficial impacts on people, profit and the planet. In respect to health and safety, steel industry is known for strictly adhering to the relevant work health and safety standards and this material does not harm people involved in its production. The carbon, water and air emission footprints in the steel industry have been extremely minimized in recent years, and the level of reusability is currently quite high. Stainless steel can be easily recycled and it has been estimated that almost 80% of the existing stainless steel is being reused at the end of its lifespan. Steel makes a good economical choice because of its modest maintenance costs and long life.

There are also quite a few upsides to using steel in residential construction (steel framed houses). Apart from the obvious durability and sustainability, steel won’t rot, twist, burn, or split. It is also termite resistant. Steel has a higher strength-to-weight ratio, allowing for longer spans thus creating more spacious and open living areas. Additionally, it is one of the strongest and most reliable building materials. It is highly adaptable and can be manufactured to suit various weather conditions (i.e. in cyclonic regions). The abovementioned steel framed houses are also a healthy living alternative because the steel used in the construction of such houses requires no additional chemical treatments and, as such, is suitable for occupants with respiratory diseases.

Strawbale – Strawbale has made a great comeback to the world of sustainable building materials. Just like mudbrick, this is an excellent choice of a natural material that is also recyclable and non-toxic. Strawbales are used to form walls and they are usually fastened with metal or wooden pins before being fortified with mud or cement-based renders. Using strawbales in residential construction can be labor intensive due to the usual thickness of the walls (600mm), but the cost of this building material is extremely low. Also, according to Australian Standard’s “Construction of Buildings in Bushfire-Prone Areas”, rendered strawbale can withstand bushfires of various intensity which is due to the fact that they are very compact and don’t hold enough air to facilitate combustion.

Choosing sustainable building materials makes sense on many levels – from individual to global. Apart from the obvious health and financial benefits (lower construction costs), utilizing ‘greener’ building materials will also minimize your environmental footprint and significantly contribute to the health of this planet.