Over the years, more people are becoming conscious of the environment and are looking to go green. Going green isn’t all about fuel emissions and energy; you can go green when it comes to building materials. Finding the right ones may be a bit of a challenge, though.
You need to know what you are looking for before you search for green building materials. The good thing is that the green fabric is as good as any other you can find in the market. Below are some of the best building materials for green customers.
Most of the material for green customers is also cheaper and more durable so that you won’t need to compromise quality. You would be getting an almost if not in better quality were you to go for the ones that aren’t as green. And the environment will remain in great condition too.
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Bamboo
One of the best building materials over the years has got to be bamboo when it comes to eco-friendly users. One good thing about bamboo is that it can grow up to three feet in about 24 hours. This gives them an advantage over most other green building materials you can opt for.
With bamboo, you get material that is quite durable and can hold greater weights. One of the selling points for using bamboo for the building is it’s stronger than brick and concrete. That means you can use it for your flooring solutions and cabinet.
The only major fault you get when using bamboo for construction has got to be its need for treatment. You need to treat it if it’s to resist rot or insects constantly – without treatment, it will quickly get destroyed. If you’re looking for durable black shutters for windows, you can use bamboo for the best results.
Recycled Plastic
If you go green, you can’t ignore plastic as they are the benchmark for anyone going that route. With plastic, you get material that can easily be recycled and used for various needs. For example, the plastic used for buildings may come from recycled water bottles.
There’s no need to mine and mill new material when you go green with your materials. Plastic will do well regardless of the type of construction you are trying to put up. You will have durable and strong material to support most of your building requirements.
For example, in some cities, they use plastic to cover up the maintenance holes to go green. You can also use the same idea for shutters as plastic window shutters are gradually becoming a thing. Following the same trend will ensure you get durable and cost-effective shutters.
Recycled or Reclaimed Steel
Did you know that you can use steel as part of the framing process other than wood? If you are looking for a durable solution, you need to look more into steel. When you have steel, it ensures your property is safe from high winds and earthquakes.
If you are looking to preserve the environment, one of the causes you need to take up is the preservation of trees. Using steel will ensure that you use less wood and hence save the trees. The number of trees cut to ensure the framing process can be a bit of a setback to conservation.
For example, a 2000- square foot building will take up to 50 trees. That’s a huge and sad number, considering how long it takes trees to grow and mature. You can tell the difference when you compare that with around six scrapped cars when using recycled steel.
Though mining of steel can take its toll on the environment, recycling it is quite an easy process. You can even use the same type of steel to craft black shutters for windows. The shutters are trendy and make the house’s whole exterior look new and improved.
Precast Concrete Slabs
When building, it’s not all about going green; you also need to look at cost-effective material. This is where the idea of precast concrete should come in handy. As the name would suggest, the concrete here is precast – it isn’t done at the site.
When casting concrete on the site, you use up more heat, which can cause harm to the environment. The material used here is usually quite durable, and the slabs can be used for flooring, walls, and other places that need concrete.
What makes this material a special kind for green customers is that when it is being cast, it is allowed to cure in a controlled environment. You will not be exposed to various unfavorable conditions. Hardly will you find precast concrete slabs with structural faults or cracks – this will help avoid any need for demolition in the future.
Reclaimed Wood
Steel isn’t the only material on this list that you can reclaim as a green customer; you can also reclaim wood if you’re a green customer. Most environmentally conscious people tend to avoid using wood, but reclaimed ones aren’t bad. You don’t even need to cut fresh trees to get this material.
It is more or less like recycled wood used for other ideas than its original intention. If you’re thinking of a shutter, you can make your shutters from this wood other than having plastic window shutters. Wooden shutters have a greater appeal and are also more of the traditional mode of shutters.
One of the drawbacks of reclaimed wood is that it has less strength, and there should be caution when in use. Majorly, you can use it for framing and cabinetry – you need to choose the right project for it. Also, ensure you treat the wood well as it is weak to insects and degradation.
Conclusion
When you are building, there’s a lot that you need to look at broadly. If you don’t cover all your angles, things may not go as anticipated. Any environment-conscious person will need to look at some of the green materials in the market for building. These are some of the materials any green customer should be looking at for building materials.
