The way we design our living spaces has been shaped by our needs. We started from simply living in caves to protect ourselves from the elements and wild animals. Moving from simple protection to include innovative aesthetics, we have modernized construction. However, it came at a price: the negative effect on the environment. Given that, people have undertaken research on how to lessen these harmful effects to both nature and the people living in it. Building materials that are considered to be eco-friendly are being pushed and highly endorsed by engineers and architects as they provide both aesthetics and functionality. If you’re planning to build a new home or trying to re-design your existing one, you may consider the following materials as alternative.
Flooring
The floor covers almost the same ground as your roof, so it’s only logical that you consider materials that are beneficial for the environment. One of the most common is hardwood floor material. Wood has been employed as construction material for millennia and is still used today. Its durability and beauty stand the test of time and the best part is that it can be treated to become weather resistant and even fire retardant.
Porcelain tiles can also be a suitable choice. An advantage of using this material is that it absorbs less moisture and is easy to clean in case there are leaks and spillage. You may consult an expert in flooring from Balham so that you can determine the best floor for your structure.
“Living” Roof
The roof is said to be the crowning glory of your home. There are hundreds of materials for it available in the market, but not all of them are eco-friendly. One example of an environmentally sound substance is terra cotta. This material has been used since ancient times and is simply composed of baked clay shaped according to the design you want. It can withstand heat and rain so your roof is guaranteed to have longevity.
Another great material to consider is what is called a green or living roof. They’re basically roofing material that can double up as a surface for plants to grow, so you not only get a beautiful roof, you also wind up creating an abode for plants to thrive in. Aside from breathing a new life to your home, it can also be a way to control the temperature and help cool the surface.
Opt For Recycled Materials
Helping the environment means that we should lessen the pollutants pouring into the surroundings. Recycling is one of the best ways to combat this, and the best by-products from this method are recycled construction materials. Anything from hollow blocks to recovered wood to repurposed steel: these materials are easy to find and cost less since they’re retooled and shaped according to structural needs.
Our living spaces need not just be for us people. We can do our part in helping the environment recover from the harmful effects of industrialization and pollution with the use of these materials. There is much more that we can do to preserve nature, but we can all start by applying green principles in our own homes. What’s even better is that putting green practices in place can also improve our state of health.
