The Benefits Of Sustainable Building Practices

Sustainable construction is attracting more attention lately, but many don’t understand its full potential. Sustainable construction isn’t just about the creation of a building that has a low environmental impact; it is a new approach in the building sector that improves the way people live and build. 

As the benefits will become more apparent during the next few years, the advantages of green construction fall into three main categories:

• environmental benefits;

• financial benefits; and

• social benefits.

Sustainable buildings not only have a lower environmental impact but also provide greater functionality. The first step in construction should be towards sustainable development, and this new categorisation, by architects, is an important initial contribution that focuses on the full building life cycle while combining utility with insightful resource management, all at once!

Here are the 6 essential benefits of sustainable construction.

1. Cost Reduction

Construction is a $10 trillion industry but its financial struggles can’t be ignored. With its efficiency and rework rate of up to 30%, smart and functional alternatives are considered to be more than necessary. Sustainable construction can provide great help in that direction. Overall, the construction of a green building costs less than a normal building because fewer resources, such as water and energy, are required for the completion of the project. On top of that, sustainable buildings have great ROI, as well. Simply put, the value of the property is significantly increased with sustainable building.

2. Waste Minimisation

The global construction industry produces 39% of greenhouse gas emissions. Green buildings minimise waste with their lower environmental impact and use of renewable sources and materials. Products such as demolition debris, sand and burnt coal can be used with excellent environmental and aesthetic results.

3. Better Use of Materials

Sustainable buildings manage water in a more effective and environmentally friendly manner. Sustainable buildings can be equipped with systems that recycle water, such as collecting rainwater for toilet cleaning. Sustainable buildings can collect and preserve natural energy, such as solar or wind energy, storing it and reusing it accordingly.

4. Environmental Protection

Recycled materials used during the construction process are contributing significantly to the protection of the environment and to the reduction of waste. Moreover, sustainable construction takes into serious consideration a number of critical elements. The installation of well-insulated windows, ceilings and walls can ensure that no energy is going to waste. Additionally, the use of solar heaters, insulated air-conditioning pipes and photovoltaic panels can make buildings more energy efficient and less harmful to the environment.

5. Noise Avoidance

Noise can have a significant effect on a person’s well-being. Sustainable construction put extra attention to noise avoidance in the following ways:

• Distance augmentation between the source of the noise and the subject;

• Planting more trees close to the noise source in an effort to absorb it; and

• Creating noise barriers (between a building and a highway for example).

6. Better Quality of Life

Sustainable construction has a plethora of benefits in every stage of a construction project. Improved health due to safer materials, increased productivity thanks to better surroundings and more effective noise protection are only a few of the advantages. Green buildings can improve life quality.

Sustainable construction can be an excellent opportunity for creative experimentation in the industry. New materials are being used and as a result, more innovative techniques are being developed and implemented, such as using sustainable building materials such as cross-laminated timber, reclaimed wood, bamboo, recycled rubber and a long list of innovative materials. Imagine a structure built from straw bales, rammed earth, hempcrete (concrete-like material made from the hemp plant) or ferrock (concrete-like material made from steel dust)! Some of these materials actually absorb and trap carbon dioxide, meaning they are carbon-neutral. 

Sustainable construction is developing day by day and opportunities are opening up for the industry. Keeping an open mind and a well-functioning plan can result in further groundbreaking changes.