UK Green Building Design
In the present climate we are all expected to do our bit to help the environment. New house design is probably the most effective way the average joe can not only contribute to this ethos but save him or herself in ongoing home running costs.
Gone are the days when environmental construction was the domain of the Green peace warrior or the sandal wearing university drop out, hashing together straw bails for make shift accomodation. Efficient Solar panels, wind generators and geothermal technologies are the modern thinking and new materials and new designs are making it happen-If a little slowly.
Before scratching around the internet, architects offices and trade journals trying to find the ultimate in modern eco friendly design take time out. Consider whether or not the added expense of building a specific green design is worth the money i.e. you could bury your house and take advantage of the considerable heat contained just a meter or so beneath our feet, but the mass of concrete needed for such a design with the high energy consumption required in the production process, delivery and the unsightly aftermath of the quarrying would likely undo the positive impact.
Modern homes are now more energy efficient than ever before the basic materials essentials for any green building design should be; Timber from a sustainable source with stud, joist, and rafter sizes capable of containing enough insulation to conform to the latest building regulations. Underfloor heating and domestic water heating from a geo-thermal source. A solar panel or panels to run the necessary pumps and possibly an LED lighting system. Gas can be used as on of the cleanest and efficient cooking fuels. All these things can be easily incorporated into a modern timber frame design.
There has been all sorts of controversy around the manufacture, use, recycling and sustainability of PVC. As usual emotions have driven arguments rather than scientific fact. Dr Moore, the co-founder of Greenpeace, has said “PVC is durable, low-maintenance, recyclable and performs well in LCA (life cycle assessment) tests.” Effectively, salt and oil derivatives are combined to produce a plastic material which is specified for a broad range of applications across various market sectors. This versatile material is now widely accepted as a safe, reliable, cost-effective, sustainable and recyclable material.
PVC has become a universally used, cost effective, adaptable, safe and environmentally efficient material. It can be used in many ways to improve green credentials of your home from effective rainwater management systems (storing water in underground receptacles in drought effected areas) to replacement windows and doors, double or triple glazed of course! Domestic heating pipes, soil pipes even as a replacement material for plywood sofits and facia boards.
New Building Materials Go Green
The year’s newest home-building technologies are related to green building and reducing the amount of energy that is consumed every day.
Interest in green building course evaporates
As for the class on Green Building I think all builders would learn and need to get with the times. The future is Green sustainable construction.
New American Greenish Home 2009
As the world descends upon Las Vegas for IBS 2009, undoubtedly, many will be walking through a stylish and posh ideal house designed for the show.
SIP Construction: Green Building Snake Oil?
According to Kurt who is an exterior and traditional roofing restoration contractor, designer, new urbanist, the general public has been duped.
Green Building Trends Picks Up Pace
Living in a building with geothermal heat makes Garfield Hylton happy. He enjoys knowing his carbon footprint is smaller because he uses less energy in his apartment.
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