As the green movement began to grow, they encouraged more and more people to build environmentally friendly homes. Their members began educating people about the various health risks that toxic building materials could bring. They also discussed how the irresponsible use of these harmful materials could actually become a big threat to our environment.
If you don’t want to have a house filled with toxic and harmful building materials, you should think of a way to find eco-friendly supplies that you could use to build your house. Here are some characteristics of sustainable building materials that you should look out for when looking for the best building products.
Minimal energy requirements
One of the most important characteristics of sustainable building materials is their minimal energy requirements. This means they don’t need to consume a lot of energy while they’re being processed, harvested, or delivered to your location. Local materials that could be immediately located in your area possess this characteristic. Since they are found in almost every corner of your region, they would need less transportation and non-renewable oil.
A perfect example of a local material that matches these characteristics is adobe. Since it is found almost everywhere in neighborhoods, it has minimal energy requirements for transportation. Moreover, it could also act as an insulator which could reduce the intense heat and cold inside your home. Therefore, its thick nature would allow you to minimize the need to use air conditioners in the summer and furnaces in the winter. You will definitely feel the difference of living in an adobe home once you see how much money you have been able to save due to its insulating properties.
Renewability and reuse
Other important characteristics of environmentally friendly building materials are renewal and reuse. Renewability corresponds to their ability to renew themselves after a harvest period. Unlike non-renewable products such as petroleum, renewable materials are not subject to depletion or complete depletion.
On the other hand, reusability relates to its potential to be used for other purposes or for future construction projects. Adobe is another example of a material that matches these qualities. Its ability to withstand almost any temperature gives it a long shelf life. Once you haven’t been able to use up all of your adobe supplies for your home, you can always safely close them up and use them for other future projects. A few mixing and stirring would bring it back to its springy, supple shape.
Absence of toxic emissions
As mentioned earlier, more and more modern homes rely on materials that emit toxic chemicals into our environment. Examples of such products are the chemicals found in paints, sealants and glues. Once their harmful chemicals are released into the air, anyone who accidentally ingests such toxins through their nose and mouth would experience health risks and issues.
Always remember these qualities when looking for durable building materials. Keep in mind that your green home will never be complete if you fail to find the best sustainable building materials that fit your budget, your needs, and your lofty goals.