Did you know? Using eco-friendly products for construction doesn't just protect the planet but also helps us save money on utility bills, especially electricity. Global climate change and land crisis require us to control our energy consumption and judiciously select sustainable products for residential and commercial construction. Thus, "green buildings" that include sustainable products have environmental, economic, social, and health benefits. Some of them are as follows:
Benefits Of Using Eco-Friendly Products For Constructing Buildings
- Energy-Efficiency
Green buildings are designed and built in a way that reduces dependence on artificial light and heating. They're well-ventilated, allow natural light inside, and offer thermal comfort. They may also include facilities to tap into renewable sources of energy. E.g., solar panels, solar heaters, etc. Their energy-efficient nature causes less pollution, helps save on utility bills, and causes less damage to the climate & the environment.
- Water-Efficiency
Green buildings aim to conserve as many natural resources as possible, mainly water. Many of them have a slant roof design installed with rainwater harvesting systems and plumbing fixtures. This prevents wastage of rainwater and allows recharging of underground water.
- Good Health
A pleasant indoor environment ensures the good health, mental well-being, and greater productivity of the building's occupants. Using eco-friendly products that are water-resistant reduces the risk of mold growth and microbial infections caused by water leaks. Heat-resistance helps maintain a stable internal temperature despite extreme climatic changes. Likewise, some roofing materials are soundproof, which helps reduce external noise pollution. Thus, using sustainable construction products may actually improve the quality of life and reduce stress.
- Beneficial For Society
Population growth results in increased consumption of natural resources. It may put a strain on local resources like electricity, fuel, and clean drinking water. Sustainable products and green construction practices reduce dependency on local natural resources and support their judicial utilization. As they don't leave any harmful byproducts, they reduce carbon emissions, which helps control atmospheric pollution and global warming that contribute to climate change.
Some Commonly Used Sustainable Products For Construction
- Bamboo
One of the most commonly used eco-friendly products in construction,bamboo is a fast-growing plant that takes up to 3-5 years to reach its full growth. They're anti-bacterial, biodegradable, and have high strength due to the axially running plant fibers. Therefore, bamboo stalks are extensively used for building beams, posts, partitions, walls, window or door frames, etc.
- Hempcrete
Hempcrete blocks are contemporary replacements for bricks. The material is made of hemp fibers (a fast-growing renewable plant resource), sand, and lime. The raw materials make it super lightweight, breathable, and easy to use. Moreover, it has strong insulation, anti-shrink, fire-resistance, and pest-resistance properties. Thus, a building made of hempcrete blocks is well-insulated, environment-friendly, and easy to maintain.
- Cellulose
Cellulose, a widely-known plant product, is renowned for its excellent insulating properties. Cellulose fibers are generally used as a filling between walls to reduce air pockets and increase energy efficiency. The sustainable product helps keep the building warm during the winter and cool during the summer. Secondly, the material has the lowest embodied energy (EE). Embodied energy means the energy required to manufacture products from raw materials. Since cellulose has the lowest EE, it's less likely to cause global warming or climate change.
- Bitumen
Bitumen or asphalt, is a byproduct of crude oil distillation. It's made of complex hydrocarbons, mainly cellulose. This black-colored, sticky, viscous material is noted for its strong adhesive, waterproofing, thermal comfort, and sound-absorbent properties. So, it is commonly used for constructing roofs.
Looking For Environment-Friendly And Modern Roofing Materials?
Did this inspire you to use sustainable products for your homes or office buildings? If you're looking for eco-friendly roofing materials, you must go for Onduline. An 80-year-old name in the construction industry, Onduline is the leading manufacturer of modern roofing materials. They are renowned for designing green, innovative systems for structural works and roofs. They've a wide range of green roofing solutions, including roofing tiles and sheets. Onduline roofing materials are rust-free, high-quality, and ideal for all weather conditions. They're also known for high water-resistance, heat-resistance, sound-proofing, eco-friendly properties. It doesn't matter if you're looking for a roofing product for homes, greenhouses, resorts, office buildings, industrial or agricultural structures. There's a specialized Onduline product to suit all your needs.
Their key products include Onduvilla, Onduline Classic, Onduline Duro 235, Onduclair PC, and Isoline. All Onduline products are easy to use & maintain. Made from cellulose reinforced with bitumen these modern roofing materials have the least adverse impact on the climate and are used for new constructions, repairs, or remodeling projects. Click here to find an eco-friendly product for your roof construction.