Businesses are trying hard to meet their sustainability goals in all industries, and the construction sector is no different. For example, our builders in Milton Keynes and the surrounding areas are always looking to minimise the environmental impact of their work by using sustainable building materials wherever possible. So, in this article, we’ll be explaining how we’re working towards a greener future and how you can benefit from our sustainable practices.
Sustainable Building Materials Explained
The construction industry is experiencing a significant shift in direction as contractors and customers become more aware of their environmental impact. Customers are increasingly seeking eco-friendly options that reduce their carbon footprint, and sustainable materials are easier to access than ever before. In fact, 90% of construction manufacturers now generate revenue from sustainable products. Below, we break down some of the most popular sustainable building materials and how you could benefit from using them in your project.
- What Makes A Building Sustainable?
- What Is Sustainable Construction?
- Benefits Of Sustainable Construction
- What Are Some Sustainable Building Materials?
What Makes A Building Sustainable?
While sustainability is widely considered positive and important, it can be very difficult to define. Generally, a building is deemed sustainable if it’s designed to minimise its environmental impact and operate efficiently. This means both the processes and materials should be environmentally responsible. Sustainability extends to the surrounding environment, too. So, to be deemed sustainable, a project must preserve, protect and promote its surroundings as much as possible.
These are some of the key characteristics of sustainable buildings:
- Conserve Energy: Where possible, renewable energy sources like solar panels and heat pumps are used. It will also include high-quality insulation to minimise heating, lighting, and ventilation energy use.
- Conserve Water: It will include water-saving features like rainwater harvesting or greywater recycling. Water usage should be limited during construction and throughout the building’s life cycle.
- Use Sustainable Materials: Materials should be nontoxic, renewable, and/or recycled like those listed below.
- Promote Natural Resources: Sustainable buildings should prioritise natural resources like daylight and natural ventilation.
- Reduce Waste: Efficient construction practices should be followed to minimise waste throughout the build.
What Is Sustainable Construction?
By nature, the construction industry is one of the top users of natural resources. Currently, construction contributes 36% of energy usage and 39% of CO2 emissions worldwide, so significant efforts are being made to reduce its impact on the planet. Sustainable construction means using recyclable and renewable materials and practices throughout a building project. It doesn’t end once construction is complete, as the building itself should continue to have minimal environmental impact over its lifespan.
The principles of sustainable construction are similar to those that define a sustainable building. They include:
- Energy And Carbon Reduction: High amounts of energy are used in construction projects. Using renewable energy on site and building low energy consumption into the final product can reduce this.
- Waste Reduction: The UK construction industry produces roughly 100 million tonnes of waste annually. Wherever possible, construction teams should reuse and recycle.
- Prioritising Health, Wellbeing And Social Value: On-site health, safety and wellbeing is a legal requirement. Impacts on local communities should be positive, with air pollution and noise disruption kept to a minimum.
How Can Sustainable Construction Be Achieved?
Sustainable construction is far easier said than done. It requires education and often significant investment. While each project is unique, these are some of the ways to improve the sustainability of your construction:
- Early Contractor Involvement: The earlier you can involve the contractor, the better. This way, they can provide specialist advice and develop a full understanding of the sustainability requirements. The contractor will also have more time to procure sustainable materials.
- Define Sustainability Goals: With clear sustainability targets, everyone involved in the project can work towards a common goal. All parts of the construction process and the building structure should be considered, and a sustainability plan for the delivery should be created.
- Build With Operational Performance In Mind: All decisions should be made to ensure a seamless transition from construction to occupation. Measuring and monitoring post-occupancy can help ensure problems are identified, user behaviour is understood, and lessons are learned for future projects.
Benefits Of Sustainable Construction
The benefits of sustainable construction extend beyond just the environmental impact; it can help improve the long-term economic and social prosperity of a building’s surroundings. Here are some of the key benefits of sustainable construction:
Environmental
The most obvious advantage of sustainable construction is its reduced environmental impact. By prioritising eco-friendly building materials and practices, sustainable construction helps preserve ecosystems, conserve natural resources and reduce energy consumption. Often, sustainable construction won’t just reduce a project’s carbon footprint but increase air quality and biodiversity.
Economic
By using sustainable practices and materials, developers can considerably lower long-term operational costs, including energy, water, and maintenance expenses. Furthermore, sustainable buildings generally possess a higher market value, making them appealing investments for stakeholders.
Social
Sustainable construction helps foster a sense of community and wellbeing among a building’s inhabitants and those living nearby. The designs often prioritise natural features to promote healthier indoor environments, promoting inhabitants’ physical and mental health.
What Are Some Sustainable Building Materials?
The demand for sustainable building materials is increasing as more and more projects prioritise their long-term impact. Sustainable building materials are designed to conserve natural resources, reduce waste and minimise energy consumption. Here are some of the most popular:
Bamboo
Bamboo has been used in construction for thousands of years, and thanks to its rapid growth rate and immense strength, it continues to be used in builds throughout the world. It is often used as a replacement for steel because its high-tensile strength can help reinforce concrete. Bamboo is one of the most carbon-hungry plants on the planet, so it’s excellent at improving air quality.
Hempcrete
Hempcrete combines the inner woody core of the industrial hemp plant with a lime-based binder to form a solid structure with strong load-bearing capacities. It is often used in non-load-bearing applications such as interior walls, insulation, and cladding. Hempcrete is lightweight, insulating, fire-resistant, and has excellent thermal properties.
Recycled Steel
Steel is the most recycled material in the world, making it a top choice for sustainable construction. Steel retains its physical and chemical properties even after being recycled, meaning it’s equally effective for construction purposes. Recycled steel helps reduce waste and improve the energy efficiency of a project.
Rammed Earth
Rammed earth is a building technique that has been used for thousands of years, in which a mixture of soil, sand, and clay is compacted into place to create a solid, durable wall. It is almost always made from locally sourced, natural materials, meaning less energy is required for manufacturing and transporting it. Additionally, it’s a highly energy-efficient building material due to its high thermal mass, which allows it to absorb and store heat.
Reclaimed Wood
Reclaimed wood diverts wood waste and repurposes it. It extends the life of wood and preserves its role as carbon storage. Additionally, reclaimed wood has a lower CO2 and energy profile compared to newly sourced wood. Reclaiming wood also reduces deforestation as it demands fewer resources than growing and cutting down living trees for timber. At Clarkson Builders, our timber frame specialists are expertly placed to help you create sustainable structures using reclaimed wood.
Cork
Cork is renewable, biodegradable, and highly versatile, making it a very useful and sustainable building material. It comes from the outer bark of the cork oak tree, which grows mainly in the Mediterranean. While this does mean shipping cork can have a negative environmental impact, its benefits often outweigh this.
Recycled Glass
Glass from bottles and jars can be reused and recycled to greatly reduce the emissions of any construction project. It is infinitely recyclable and largely underexploited as a sustainable building material.
Straw Bale
Like many of the materials in this list, straw bales have been used in construction for thousands of years. Straw bales produce essentially no pollutants during creation and can easily be disposed of inexpensively and in an environmentally friendly manner. They also provide excellent insulation.
Earth Blocks
Earth blocks are made from compressed earth and can be used to build walls. They are highly sustainable as they are made from locally available soil and require minimal energy for production. They are durable, energy-efficient, and have excellent thermal mass, all of which suit sustainable building practices.
Aerated Concrete
Aerated concrete is a lightweight building material made by adding air to concrete. The production process involves autoclaving, which consumes less energy than traditional concrete production methods, resulting in lower carbon emissions. Aerated concrete blocks also offer excellent thermal insulation properties and help reduce the energy consumption of a building.
Building A Greener Future
It’s clear there are many ways you can put sustainability at the centre of your next construction project and start claiming the benefits this eco-friendly approach has to offer. So, if you’re looking for builders in Olney and the surrounding areas who prioritise sustainability, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team at Clarkson Builders.