What is the selection criteria for green building materials?
The concept of a green house is not based solely on how the owner implements ways to make it greener. The whole concept of it covers the sustainability of green building materials from planning, construction and all the way when the occupants are living. You may want them in your home, but the availability of many green building materials makes the selection process quite difficult. Here are the basic selection criteria to guide you when choosing green home building materials.
resource efficiency
Resource efficiency is best explained when the building materials used have a known recycled content. Natural resources such as forests are conserved because fewer raw materials such as wood are needed. Purchasing recycled building materials is also a big step in reducing the energy consumption required during the manufacturing stages.
To maximize the resource efficiency of materials for use in construction, be sure to purchase from nearby local manufacturers. This will also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with transporting materials from the manufacturer to the construction site.
In addition to using recycled content building materials, you can also use reclaimed materials from nearby junkyards. There are also hardware stores that provide second-hand building materials. It can save you money while helping to reduce trash buildup because materials are prevented from being thrown away entirely.
Helps improve indoor air quality
Green building materials should help improve the quality of the air inside the house. This means that they must pass standardized tests to prove that they are non-toxic. Materials such as paint must have low emissions of VOCs (volatile organic compounds). They must be favorable for health, in particular for the respiratory system. Look for walls, ceilings, and other building materials that are less resistant or totally resistant to moisture. These materials have the greatest ability to prevent the growth of biological contaminants. They can decrease the chances of mold and mildew growth inside the house.
Helps in conserving water.
It is said that the Earth’s water supply is rapidly depleted if we do not conserve water properly. In fact, there are nations around the world that are already experiencing the effects of wasted water. Your choice of green building materials should help in water conservation efforts. Fixtures you should use in the kitchen, bathroom, comfort room, and laundry area must have the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) WaterSense label. With this label on your faucets, flushes and showerheads, you are very confident that you are, in fact, conserving thousands of gallons over the life of each fixture.
Green building materials help protect nature. But they also establish the attractive overall aesthetic of a green house. A refreshingly beautiful home is the real key to comfortable living enjoyed by all members of the family!
