Best Sustainable Materials For Your Home Construction Project

Posted by EdmontonRealEstate .ca on Monday, October 15th, 2018 at 8:58am.

Sustainable Building Material Information for Home BuyersSustainability is very important for homeowners, especially those who are in the process of building new homes. Using sustainable building materials gives homeowners a way to protect the environment while also reducing their own utility costs. It's also good for property values, and can help attract buyers when the time comes to sell. Strathcona homeowners who want to make their homes eco-friendly have many options. Knowing those options can help homeowners come to a decision. According to Bin There Dump That the use of sustainable materials reduces the end waste material and recylcing capacity.

Bamboo or Cork Flooring

Bamboo and cork are both eco-friendly flooring options that are growing in popularity among homeowners. Bamboo is popular because it looks like hardwood, even though it's actually a grass. Bamboo takes about 7 years or less to grow up into a product that can be used for hardwood flooring. With some processing and finishing, bamboo accepts stain and wears just about as well as many hardwood floorboards.

Cork, meanwhile, is made from the bark of a tree. Cork gets harvested every 12 years or less. Since the harvesting process does not kill the tree, cork is quickly becoming one of the best sustainable flooring materials on the market today. Many homeowners like cork because it's unusual in appearance and slightly squishy, which makes it a slightly safer surface for those who are prone to falls. Often, homeowners seek out cork if they have young children who are just learning to walk, or seniors who are unsteady on their feet. Cork is soft enough that it can help protect someone who falls.

Recycled Glass Countertops

Recycled glass countertops are made from broken glass suspended in a hard resin. Homeowners appreciate that recycled glass countertops come in a variety of colours and can be molded to nearly any shape. These durable countertops are quirky but attractive, and eye catching for people who are unfamiliar with the material.

Recycled glass is especially desirable in kitchens and bathrooms that have been decorated with a modern aesthetic. Recycled glass tiles can also be used in back splashes or even sometimes in flooring material.

Recycled Metal Roof

Metal roofs are known for their super durability. In fact, a properly installed metal roof can last for as long as 50 years or more. Homeowners also like that metal roofs can come in almost any colour, so they're easy to match to most homes. Metal can be formed in different shapes, so some homeowners choose metal roofs that have been molded into the shape of cedar shakes and other traditional roofing materials.

Homeowners seeking environmentally friendly building materials also appreciate metal because it's easily recycled and therefore has a lower environmental impact. Many steel roofing companies automatically use steel that contains a certain percentage of recycled metal. Homeowners seeking roofing material that is more than 25% recycled metal may have to seek that out from companies that specifically deal with recycled metal.

Wool Insulation

Wool is a completely natural material that has many practical applications, including wall insulation. Some of the advantages of wool insulation include:

  • Mold and mildew resistant. The natural keratin in wool prevents the spread of mold and mildew; this is useful in cases when a roof or plumbing leak leaves the insulation wet for a prolonged period of time.
  • Improved indoor air quality. Wool naturally absorbs certain indoor air pollutants, which can help improve indoor air quality.
  • Fire resistance. Wool is said not to support flames beneath a certain temperature.

In addition to these fine qualities, wool is also one hundred percent biodegradable and easy to manufacture. As a result, wool is quickly becoming an extremely earth-friendly home insulation product.

Reclaimed Wood Siding

Wood is already a natural and relatively sustainable material, but there are very few materials that are better for the environment than reclaimed wood siding. In addition to its environmentally-friendly nature, homeowners like this material because it's got a lot of character and natural beauty.

Reclaimed wood can be found in antique barns, factories and even in furniture. Homeowners who want to use reclaimed wood can either buy it or literally go out and find it. Often, reclaimed wood is available at demolition and construction sites, and can be found in antique stores.

Dreaming of Building a Home? Work With a Real Estate Agent

If you're a homeowner who would like to build a home out of sustainable materials and you're in the starting stages of buying land and working with a contractor, contact an experienced real estate agent in your area to get started with your home building project. Your real estate agent can help you throughout the home purchasing process, so you'll be sure to end up with a home that meets your needs.

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