Why Sustainable Architectural Materials are Important
With new trends that come, the people have realized the greater need to switch to the use of sustainable materials for their home. This becomes the conscious and collective effort of us as a community to implement the right decisions in choosing our products that will not consequently bring the environment a great harm.
What are Sustainable Building Materials?
The construction industry belongs to the top 10 most polluting industries in the world, being high in air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and waste generation. Sustainable building materials, thus aim to counter these thru conserving natural resources, reducing wastes, and minimizing energy consumption. For building materials to be sustainable, they have to be sourced from local materials, are easy to cultivate, long-lasting, and have significantly lower manufacturing cost.
Choosing Sustainability
Choosing the best sustainable building materials may not completely eradicate the pollution that the industry brings, but it will significantly help, particularly on extraction and manufacturing of materials, as well as the energy efficiency of the building, ensuring its sustainability for a long run. Others do not regard sustainable materials at par with traditional building materials in terms of durability. But to oppose this misconception, you can refer to the following materials you can use:
1. Nature-Based Materials
The industry should not be limited to traditional materials, because you can find the same versatility and resilience from nature-based materials. These are locally known materials that are usually easier to replenish and source out. Bamboo is one of the most popular natural materials because it can be an alternative to most building materials that do not compromise durability and design structure. Compared to wood, it takes less years to cultivate and grow, less expensive to harvest, and can also be used in multiple applications such as floors, walls, and roof. Straw, mud bricks, and natural fibers are other alternative materials that are in use extending from the start of age.
2. Recycled Wood
Recycled wood are the small wood fibers that are off-cuts from wood chips and shavings. These materials are usually formed by combining the wood fibers with resin or adhesives, under high temperature and pressure. Some examples of recycled wood are medium density fiberboard (MDF), hardboard (high density fiberboard), high pressure laminates (HPL), and particle board (low density fiberboard)
3. Recycled Materials
Recycled materials are the ones that can be sourced from abandoned places that are repurposed into new use. This is a foolproof way to improve waste management and reduce energy emissions. Although almost all can be recycled these days (wood plastic, steel, etc), it is also wise to take note of how these are manufactured. Some emit more greenhouse gases in the atmosphere during production, which counters its advantages.
The growing population indicates greater housing demands that might severely impact the environment and habitable condition of the planet. Along with the development of new materials, may our conscious efforts to search for sustainable alternatives and its use for construction be never obscured. Lamerra offers alternative materials for indoor finishing use, like HPL sheets and MDFs. With various profiles and swatches (solid color laminate and wood grain laminate) available, you can combine form and function in one. You can buy Lamerra laminate sheets only from a trusted supplier like Decocity. Contact us for more details.
