The Importance of Green Building Materials

Green building materials are increasingly popular for a number of reasons. One of the major factors is the environmental benefits that they bring. Another factor is the aesthetics that they add to buildings, especially homes. In addition, there are Government policies that encourage the use of green materials in construction projects.

Environmental impact

Choosing green building materials can help you save money and reduce the negative impact on the environment. Moreover, they are non-toxic, recyclable and can improve health. However, there are a few things you need to know before making a decision.

Buildings produce a lot of carbon dioxide. This is one of the biggest sources of environmental pollution. In fact, buildings account for 38 percent of the United States’ carbon dioxide emissions. Increasing awareness of the environmental impact of construction has led to a proliferation of sustainable materials.

Green buildings reduce the load on the environment, saving energy and resources. Moreover, they help conserve water. For instance, solar-powered water heating reduces energy costs. Another option is to use photovoltaic panels to generate on- site electricity.

The environmental impact of building materials is determined by life cycle analysis. Life Cycle Analysis considers the ecological and human impacts of the product.

Specifically, it looks at the resource consumption, embodied energy, released emissions and ecological consequences.

Life cycle assessment

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a process used to measure the environmental impact of products. It’s a scientific methodology that compares the life cycle of a product to international standards.

The results … READ MORE ...