Do you know what sustainability is? This word is commonly used nowadays; however, its real meaning may be lost sometimes. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, sustainable means that it can be used without being destroyed; can last for a very long time; in a way that does not entirely damage natural resources. Basically, to sustain something means that you have to keep it and ensure that it can last for future generations.
Having this definition in mind, let’s explore the important reasons why sustainability should be your priority when it comes to building or remodeling your home. At the same time, we are going to explore some sustainable building materials and the ways of incorporating them into your home.
Based on its definition, sustainability is designed for making something last. The concept of using sustainable building materials is to build a home that can last. Consequently, if your home can last longer, then you will have lower maintenance costs.
An extended life span and reduction in cost seem to be enough reasons to turn to build a sustainable home. But what are the types of materials that can be used for building a sustainable home that is cost-efficient and can last long?
Some of the great examples include solar panels, bamboo and cork flooring, low flow plumbing fixtures, reclaimed wood, concrete flooring and walls, natural fiber wool carpeting, metal roofing and siding, and many more. There are several durable construction materials out there, so why not use them? This is a good way of making the world greener and at the same time, saving some green, as well.
The good news is if you choose to use sustainable building materials in the construction of your home, then most likely you can save money and conserve energy in the long run. You might be asking how could this be? There are two ways that energy can be conserved.
First, energy can be conserved on a larger scale by making use of sustainable materials that have fewer waste products for the landfill. Second, you can conserve energy at home by making use of more efficient materials such as programmable thermostats, water heaters, eco-friendly heating systems, green insulating materials for excellent insulation at home as well as low-flow toilets.
With all of this efficiency, you will be able to save money while helping save the planet’s resources.
Modern framing techniques are typically used by builders who are aiming to build Green Homes. Basically, this is a type of house framing that only utilizes less wood. Why should this technique be used? Actually, there are several reasons. Modern framing only requires fewer labor costs and fewer materials. It can help in improving the energy performance of your home, it can make your home sturdier and more durable, and lastly, it still abides by the building codes.
Using wood from sustainable forests for your modern framing is also another great idea when building a sustainably built home. But keep in mind that there are some builders who do not agree in using modern framing, so be sure to do your homework first.
Most sustainable building materials are using recycled or reclaimed materials. This is an excellent way of re-using products and reducing the use of new products to prevent the earth’s resources from diminishing so fast. Additionally, less energy is wasted in manufacturing new materials. Even if your home is not totally constructed from sustainable materials, it feels great knowing that when you use one or two sustainable building materials, you have helped in reducing your carbon footprint.
Most often, it could be a combination of some things that can create a huge impact on the environment. For instance, programmable thermostats and LED light bulbs.
The fact is homes that are sustainably built are more comfortable and healthier too! Sustainable building materials release only a few toxins if there are any. These toxins include VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds), carcinogens, and mold spores.
There are a lot of materials that can help in improving the air quality of your home. For instance, air systems that provide refreshing outdoor air to the interiors, using natural wool carpeting, applying laminates that do not utilize toxic glues, as well as insulation that can prevent mold growth.
If you want your home to be healthy, then you should go for a sustainable home. Research the different healthy sustainable products that are available in the market right now and use them for your home.
A sustainable home can also be made from a unique grain of wood. Keep in mind that not all wood originated from damaging clear-cuts. There are actually several flooring manufacturers that are using reclaimed wood from buildings that are about to be destroyed. They will gather this old wood, re-finish them and turn them into amazing new floors. This is the best way of recycling wood. You can have lovely wood flooring while saving a lot of trees!
Cork and Bamboo are also sustainable products since they are environmentally friendly. They are sustainably harvested, reducing the damage to the environment.
Local products are considered exceptionally sustainable since you don’t have to pay for the cost and energy consumption that comes with moving the goods all over the world. By using locally made products for the construction of your home, you can save more money. Most likely, if you choose global goods, then you will be paying a lot of money for its shipping. Buying local goods also means that you are helping your community.
Knowing that you are supporting a local manufacturer can make you feel good at the same time it is not heavy on your wallet. Explore your community and search for a local manufacturer that manufactures building materials and consider purchasing from them.
One of the greatest benefits of using sustainable building materials, aside from the money that you can save and the reduced carbon footprint, you can also improve the resale value of your home and you can expect a speedy sale as well.
A recent study revealed that homes that have third-party certifications for sustainability are more saleable compared to those homes that are non-certified.
Although you might think that it is somewhat silly, you should not belittle your actions toward sustainability. You have the right to brag about it to convince others to go sustainable. You could say, hey, do you know how much I saved from my energy bill last month? Or we don’t have any allergy problems in our home. You are setting an example for your children and grandchildren. It is essential to lead by example so that future generations will know how to live sustainably.
Making the world a better place might sound so dramatic and difficult to achieve, however, this is actually what you do each time that you buy sustainable materials for your home.
Whether you prefer a rustic country design or a modern minimalism style, you can achieve a sustainable home that meets your favored design. For a rustic country feel, you can expose the reclaimed wood beams. On the other hand, if you prefer a more modern design, then you can use polished cement on the floors. Aside from being environmentally friendly, they can also last longer. You have to remember that just because you are concerned about the world you live in, it does not mean that you have to ignore your personal design aesthetic.
Yes, you can have the best of both worlds. You can do what you want while caring about the natural world around you. This can be done by designing your own oasis with the use of one or more sustainable building materials.
Undoubtedly, sustainable building materials can make your home last longer, save you more money, reduce damaging environmental impacts, and make your home more valuable. Additionally, buying sustainably can help in minimizing your carbon footprint. You can start by doing small things such as replacing your light bulbs with the most efficient ones. Of you could use locally made home materials for your home. Take note that no matter how little it is, it will truly count! How do you make your home more sustainable?
A sustainable home is more efficient. It is built in such a way that water use, and energy are optimized while respecting the resources at the same time. With the use of high-quality systems, you can guarantee that your house can last longer. Sustainable homes are using high-performance materials that have a low impact on the environment. These sustainable materials are also efficient when it comes to producing, shipping, and installing.
Sun & Earth LLC is a home builder in Las Cruces that uses sustainable home materials. We want to make the world a better place for the future generation. For more information about our services, you can call us at 619-571-4916.
Do you know what sustainability is? This word is commonly used nowadays; however, its real meaning may be lost sometimes. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, sustainable means that it can be used without being destroyed; can last for a very long time; in a way that does not entirely damage natural resources. Basically, to sustain something means that you have to keep it and ensure that it can last for future generations.
Having this definition in mind, let’s explore the important reasons why sustainability should be your priority when it comes to building or remodeling your home. At the same time, we are going to explore some sustainable building materials and the ways of incorporating them into your home.
Based on its definition, sustainability is designed for making something last. The concept of using sustainable building materials is to build a home that can last. Consequently, if your home can last longer, then you will have lower maintenance costs.
An extended life span and reduction in cost seem to be enough reasons to turn to build a sustainable home. But what are the types of materials that can be used for building a sustainable home that is cost-efficient and can last long?
Some of the great examples include solar panels, bamboo and cork flooring, low flow plumbing fixtures, reclaimed wood, concrete flooring and walls, natural fiber wool carpeting, metal roofing and siding, and many more. There are several durable construction materials out there, so why not use them? This is a good way of making the world greener and at the same time, saving some green, as well.
The good news is if you choose to use sustainable building materials in the construction of your home, then most likely you can save money and conserve energy in the long run. You might be asking how could this be? There are two ways that energy can be conserved.
First, energy can be conserved on a larger scale by making use of sustainable materials that have fewer waste products for the landfill. Second, you can conserve energy at home by making use of more efficient materials such as programmable thermostats, water heaters, eco-friendly heating systems, green insulating materials for excellent insulation at home as well as low-flow toilets.
With all of this efficiency, you will be able to save money while helping save the planet’s resources.
Modern framing techniques are typically used by builders who are aiming to build Green Homes. Basically, this is a type of house framing that only utilizes less wood. Why should this technique be used? Actually, there are several reasons. Modern framing only requires fewer labor costs and fewer materials. It can help in improving the energy performance of your home, it can make your home sturdier and more durable, and lastly, it still abides by the building codes.
Using wood from sustainable forests for your modern framing is also another great idea when building a sustainably built home. But keep in mind that there are some builders who do not agree in using modern framing, so be sure to do your homework first.
Most sustainable building materials are using recycled or reclaimed materials. This is an excellent way of re-using products and reducing the use of new products to prevent the earth’s resources from diminishing so fast. Additionally, less energy is wasted in manufacturing new materials. Even if your home is not totally constructed from sustainable materials, it feels great knowing that when you use one or two sustainable building materials, you have helped in reducing your carbon footprint.
Most often, it could be a combination of some things that can create a huge impact on the environment. For instance, programmable thermostats and LED light bulbs.
The fact is homes that are sustainably built are more comfortable and healthier too! Sustainable building materials release only a few toxins if there are any. These toxins include VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds), carcinogens, and mold spores.
There are a lot of materials that can help in improving the air quality of your home. For instance, air systems that provide refreshing outdoor air to the interiors, using natural wool carpeting, applying laminates that do not utilize toxic glues, as well as insulation that can prevent mold growth.
If you want your home to be healthy, then you should go for a sustainable home. Research the different healthy sustainable products that are available in the market right now and use them for your home.
A sustainable home can also be made from a unique grain of wood. Keep in mind that not all wood originated from damaging clear-cuts. There are actually several flooring manufacturers that are using reclaimed wood from buildings that are about to be destroyed. They will gather this old wood, re-finish them and turn them into amazing new floors. This is the best way of recycling wood. You can have lovely wood flooring while saving a lot of trees!
Cork and Bamboo are also sustainable products since they are environmentally friendly. They are sustainably harvested, reducing the damage to the environment.
Local products are considered exceptionally sustainable since you don’t have to pay for the cost and energy consumption that comes with moving the goods all over the world. By using locally made products for the construction of your home, you can save more money. Most likely, if you choose global goods, then you will be paying a lot of money for its shipping. Buying local goods also means that you are helping your community.
Knowing that you are supporting a local manufacturer can make you feel good at the same time it is not heavy on your wallet. Explore your community and search for a local manufacturer that manufactures building materials and consider purchasing from them.
One of the greatest benefits of using sustainable building materials, aside from the money that you can save and the reduced carbon footprint, you can also improve the resale value of your home and you can expect a speedy sale as well.
A recent study revealed that homes that have third-party certifications for sustainability are more saleable compared to those homes that are non-certified.
Although you might think that it is somewhat silly, you should not belittle your actions toward sustainability. You have the right to brag about it to convince others to go sustainable. You could say, hey, do you know how much I saved from my energy bill last month? Or we don’t have any allergy problems in our home. You are setting an example for your children and grandchildren. It is essential to lead by example so that future generations will know how to live sustainably.
Making the world a better place might sound so dramatic and difficult to achieve, however, this is actually what you do each time that you buy sustainable materials for your home.
Whether you prefer a rustic country design or a modern minimalism style, you can achieve a sustainable home that meets your favored design. For a rustic country feel, you can expose the reclaimed wood beams. On the other hand, if you prefer a more modern design, then you can use polished cement on the floors. Aside from being environmentally friendly, they can also last longer. You have to remember that just because you are concerned about the world you live in, it does not mean that you have to ignore your personal design aesthetic.
Yes, you can have the best of both worlds. You can do what you want while caring about the natural world around you. This can be done by designing your own oasis with the use of one or more sustainable building materials.
Undoubtedly, sustainable building materials can make your home last longer, save you more money, reduce damaging environmental impacts, and make your home more valuable. Additionally, buying sustainably can help in minimizing your carbon footprint. You can start by doing small things such as replacing your light bulbs with the most efficient ones. Of you could use locally made home materials for your home. Take note that no matter how little it is, it will truly count! How do you make your home more sustainable?
A sustainable home is more efficient. It is built in such a way that water use, and energy are optimized while respecting the resources at the same time. With the use of high-quality systems, you can guarantee that your house can last longer. Sustainable homes are using high-performance materials that have a low impact on the environment. These sustainable materials are also efficient when it comes to producing, shipping, and installing.
Sun & Earth LLC is a home builder in Las Cruces that uses sustainable home materials. We want to make the world a better place for the future generation. For more information about our services, you can call us at 619-571-4916.
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