At times, the definition of sustainability and the best use practices can be in conflict. We all want to fill our homes with more sustainable and healthy materials, but how can we do that in the most sustainable way possible?
When building from the ground up, there are more options to create a green or eco-friendly home. This begins at the design process, where essential factors such as energy and water usage can be factored into the design. Choosing a sustainable design will have one of the biggest impacts on your overall ecological footprint.
For example, passive solar houses require less energy, even when placed on the traditional grid, than standard houses. Passive solar houses accomplish this by taking advantage of thermodynamics to keep homes warm in the winter and cooler in the summer—in some climates; this can almost entirely eliminate the need for air conditioning or heat!
Another great option to reduce your ecological footprint is to consider how you are using water. Overuse of water is one of the greatest threats to the global ecosystem. This is especially true in arid areas such as the American Southwest and places where the aquifer has been overstressed, such as coastal Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida. This can be mitigated by installing grey water systems that collect water from household uses—washing machines, dishwashers, and bathtubs/showers—and repurposing it for irrigation systems and toilets.
Finally, when building new, location and orientation can be intentionally selected. This can significantly impact things like the amount of natural light a space gets, solar energy transfer, and typical wind directions, all of which can help reduce the ecological footprint of a new building.
When choosing foundation materials, there are three things that you should consider.
Durability
Water Required in Production
Insulative Properties
Durability is an important factor to consider when looking at sustainability. A material that will last for several centuries rather than several decades may be the more sustainable option, even if it uses less sustainable material or more water upfront due to the distributed cost over an increased lifespan. This can also make the material more economically sustainable, something that should be preserved in this discussion.
Insulative properties are another critical thing to weigh when looking at foundation materials. Materials with higher insulative values will do a better job of keeping a space warm in the winter and cool in the summer, reducing the amount of energy your HVAC units will need to pull!
There are dozens of options for different concrete mixtures and types of wood and steel that can be used for foundations. Each has its own pluses and minuses depending on the type of build and location you are building. It is critical to remember that there is no one-size solution in sustainability!
Like foundations, durability should still be a top consideration when considering framing and insulative materials. These materials have a wider variety of options, making it easier to fine-tune your green home to your needs and locations. Traditional wood can be replaced with CLT or, even better, reclaimed wood, which is often more durable than its newer counterparts!
There are hundreds of options for insulation, and newer sustainable options are coming into the market every year; however, did you know that cork insulation has been used for centuries in spaces where the insulative properties are most important?
Insulation Cork Being Installed Between Rafters in an Office in Savannah GA.
Cork has been used as a reliable insulation material since the time when ice was harvested from natural landscapes in cold regions and transported around the world for storage. In fact, cork insulation played a pivotal role in making this process possible and efficient. Beginning in the 1800s, it was a material frequently used in home iceboxes and chests. In history, cork insulation has been used in submarines, aircraft, and even the heat shield of space shuttles!
Cork Spray Applied to the Exterior of a house and Patio Wall.
Exteriors of buildings serve as a critical protective barrier, helping to reduce heat from UV rays, prevent the wind from infiltrating a building, and protect the structure from the elements. Durability and longevity should be considered and balanced with eco-friendly and energy-efficient materials.
Building exteriors do need to be replaced periodically. Choosing a material that will last longer and hold up to more extreme conditions will help reduce household consumption substantially.
Some of our favorite eco-friendly exterior options include timbercrete ( a mix of sawdust and concrete), green roofing systems (a stalwart for centuries in northern Europe), and, of course, cork spray and cladding! All of these options have multiple ecological benefits, including high insulative properties, being made from sustainable materials, and with proper upkeep, long expected lifespans.
Remember that sustainability isn't an all-or-nothing concept; every little step we can make toward more sustainable options will help! Even if you want to jump into making your home more sustainable in one fell swoop, remember that reducing consumption is also important, so replace things in your home as needed, and if you have a less sustainable option that is working for you, wait until it needs to be replaced! When you do need to replace or upgrade something, think about the whole ecological footprint of the materials you are considering!