Building MaterialsTechnology Snapshot & Benefits:
You can save a lot of money and avoid future headaches by choosing and installing building materials that are safe and appropriate. There is no specific cookbook path to success with building materials. However, your decisions may be usefully guided by asking the following questions: How well do the alternatives stack up in terms of performance? How well do they do the job for which they are intended? [Recall the sort of discussion found in the roofing industry about sheathing materials – the lower cost of particle-board vs. the superior nail-holding ability of more costly plywood]
What unexpected result might occur from each alternative building material? Consider safety issues such as off-gassing of glues from composite building materials and potential radon-emissions of some rock- or earth-based materials.
What toxic effects might be associated with each alternative? Remember that lead in paint was great as an inhibitor of mildew (before its use was banned), but also that lead is linked with blood and bone cancers and other maladies – and that a primary exposure pathway to humans was via lead in paint.
What waste streams are associated with the manufacture of alternative building materials?
How recyclable will the material be at the end of its useful life? For example, steel or tin (terne) roofing may be easily recycled into other uses, while asphalt shingles are usually landfilled because recycling is difficult.
To the maximum extent possible, you should think through design options and be mindful of potential consequences (both good and bad) of the choices that you make with building materials. Estimated Cost Savings:
The framework that you use to evaluate costs and benefits is very important. Generally, the building trades focus on initial cost, but increasingly groups (like the American Institute of Architects) promote broader and more systematic thinking about true life-cycle costs and benefits. For new construction, your architect or builder may have information that will be useful to you. In fact, you will be able to tell a lot about a builder by how he or she responds to questions like those presented above. For existing buildings, you may be much more in control over the choice of building materials. Issues:
A plan will help you with decisions. Many builders and some architects remain generally uninformed about choices that are available. Suggest that your builder visit the websites and other resources that you suggest. Discuss findings and options before committing money to a design or an approach. Regional Issues:
Building materials vary regionally. For example, slate roofing may make a lot of sense within several hundred miles of a quarry, but less so at great distances. Terra-cotta roofing makes sense in the Southwest and South, but may present issues with repeated freezing and thawing cycles experienced in the wetter North and Northeast. Be mindful of building materials that are appropriate to your region of the country. Installation (Getting It Done):
Be sure to consult with two, three or more builders, architects or suppliers. Multiple bids will allow you to gain immediate perspective of options and the true costs and value of various building materials in your area. More Information On This Topic: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Environmentally Friendly Design Rocky Mountain Institute - Environmentally Friendly Building Materials FacilitiesNet - Low-VOC Paints are More Than Just "Green" BuildingGreen.com - Getting the "Right Stuff": A Guide to Green Building Materials Retai Bamboo FlooringTechnology Snapshot & Benefits:
Bamboo flooring is a cost-effective and environmentally sensitive choice among traditional hardwood flooring options. An appealing building material, it is very durable, strong and long-lasting. Bamboo, a grass product and not a wood product, is harvested every 5 years without damaging the actual bamboo plant, and does not require pesticides due to its hardiness. It comes in four different types of flooring: natural, carbonized, vertical, and horizontal graining. The United States Green Building Council's LEED program recognizes bamboo flooring as a green building material and permits points for the use of this flooring. Estimated Cost Savings:
The pricing of bamboo flooring is comparable to the pricing of hardwood flooring. Issues:
Verify the age of the bamboo. Often bamboo that has not had adequate time to harden (up to six years), will dent more easily. Avoid denting by checking with the manufacturer on the age of the bamboo. Regional Issues:
Shrinking and the appearance of gaps can appear in extremely dry climates if the bamboo flooring does not have time to acclimatize. Consult your local supplier for regional climate information. There is debate over agricultural and manufacturing issues related to the production of bamboo floors. These issues include deforestation and the use of carcinogenic chemicals. Installation (Getting It Done):
Bamboo flooring is installed in a similar method to hardwood floors. The flooring will need to be acclimatized to the appropriate conditions before it is installed to avoid any potential damage. The planking can be glued, nailed, or stapled. Work with experienced contractors who specialize in the use of bamboo flooring to ensure beautiful, long lasting floors. More Information On This Topic: Building Green - Bamboo Flooring National Wood Flooring Association Bamboo Flooring Installation Guide Laminate Flooring Resource Alternative Decking Materials
Technology Snapshot & Benefits:
Alternative decking materials are rising in popularity because they are durable and long lasting, require little to no maintenance, and most are composed of recycled materials. The two most common types are wood/plastic composite lumber and plastic lumber. A majority of alternative decking materials are made from 90-100% recycled materials that do not require the use of paints or sealers and are not prone to cracking or splitting like their wood counterparts. Estimated Cost Savings:
The initial investment in alternative decking materials is often more expensive than traditional wood; however the paybacks are received in the form of reduced maintenance and increased durability for longer lifespan. These materials quickly pay for themselves in only a few short years, with savings on maintenance in the thousands over the deck's lifetime. Issues:
With respect to installation and use, the issues to watch out for with these materials are stains, molds, mildew and sagging. Stains are a leading drawback with composite decking materials because they are made primarily from oak fibers, which have a higher tannic acid content. Molds and mildew are also common to composite decking materials, however can be avoided by proper spacing between deck boards, allowing for drainage and avoiding the buildup of mold and mildew-friendly water pools. Many manufacturers suggest periodic cleanings with deck cleanser to prevent buildup. Finally, composite decking is weaker than wood. Avoid sagging or drooping by building the deck according to the manufacturer's specifications. Installation (Getting It Done):
Alternative decking materials can be cut, nailed, routed, drilled, and screwed in the same manner as wood. They usually have a lower structural value than their wood counterparts, and so, usually require narrower spacing between their support beams or joists. Work with experienced contractors who specialize in the use of alternative decking materials. Make sure that the manufacturer's specifications are followed to ensure a healthy, beautiful, durable, and "environmentally friendlier" deck. More Information On This Topic: NADRA-North American Deck and Railing Association Deck Information, Products and Service Providers Low VOC PaintSnapshot & Benefits:
Because low- or no-VOC "volatile organic compound" paints have a lower odor and less impact on air quality than higher VOC-content paints, they are excellent for use in buildings where it is desirable to maintain good indoor air quality, such as hospitals, schools, homes and workplaces. Recent EPA studies estimate indoor air quality to be 3 to 5 times more toxic than outdoor air largely caused by toxic emissions of paints and finishes. Paint manufacturers realized the need to develop paint that contains lower VOC yet maintain high levels of performance and durability ultimately causing less of an impact on air quality then the higher VOC paints. The use of low-VOC paint reduces toxins that cause allergy and chemical sensitivities, reduces contaminant concentrations in landfill, groundwater and the ozone, provides easy cleanup with soap and water and produces lower odor. With increased legislation and support from environmentally conscious organizations such as the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and Green Seal plus advances in paint technology the paint industry has come a long way in developing an array of environmentally responsible products with higher performance levels. New paints have become more durable, cost-effective and less harmful to humans and the environment. Estimated Cost Savings
Low- and no-VOC paints typically cost about the same as a manufacturer's premium line of paints (around $30 per gallon) however, it is important to remember that high-performance paint typically will cost more in the beginning but in the long run "could be the difference between painting once and painting 4 to 5 times in 20 years." Consider paying the extra cost of buying a high-performance, low-VOC paint as you may not have to apply more than one coat to the surface area greatly reducing your time and overall expense. "Choosing non-toxic, low-VOC paints in office buildings, schools and hospitals has helped maintain normal productivity within these environments which would be entirely impractical for the occupants to vacate even for short periods of time during a painting project." Issues
Because of the way low VOC paints are labeled, how they are used, and how they are marketed it can be difficult for the consumer to determine whether a paint is truly a low VOC paint or not. For example, some paints are labeled "low-odor or something else as apposed to low VOC." Some low VOC paint brands market themselves as Green Seal certified while others who meet certain LEED standards do not have to adhere to the Green Seal requirements. Consumers are often confused as to what standards to follow when it comes to lower VOC paint.
Regional Issues
According to the EPA no national standards have been set for VOCs in non industrial settings. Past efforts have been made by organizations such as the Ozone Transport Commission (OTC), to adopt a national low-VOC level in all paint products. California state requirements that mandate low VOC levels has become the model for the national legislation and has been adopted by many states across several regions. Installation (Getting It Done)
"There's never been a better time to buy environmentally responsible products," says Mark Petruzzi, Vice President of Green Seal. "It's a lot easier to be green now. If you've tried green in the past, give it a fresh look. It can lead to happier and more productive workers and occupants." For persons who are particularly sensitive, or have strong concerns about air quality, most major manufacturers now offer special no-VOC paints that are odorless and completely "VOC-free." Consumers can take additional precautions to lower the VOC levels in their homes and their overall exposure to harmful compounds. Increase ventilation when using products that emit VOCs,
Try to buy products that contain VOCs in quantities that can be used quickly,
Use products only according to manufacturer's directions, Adhere to all product warnings,
Dispose of products containing VOCs properly.
More Information On This Topic:
facilitiesnet: Low-VOC Paints Are More Than Just 'Green'
eartheasy: Non-Toxic Paints
California EPA Air Resources Board: Consumer Products Program
U.S. EPA Indoor Air Quality: Organic Gases (VOCs) Roofs - Durable, Lasting Roofing MaterialsTechnology Snapshot & Benefits:
Slate, clay, concrete, and composite shingles, as well as metal roofing, offer longevity advantages over common asphalt-based shingles. Properly maintained, roofs made of slate, clay or composite shingles can easily last a century. Metal roofs in traditional "standing seam" or "batten seam" applications are available in terne (a thin mixture of tin and lead coating a carbon steel core panel) and now in terne-coated-stainless ( TCS, the same mixture covering a stainless steel core panel). Well-suited to cathedrals and institutional buildings, one manufacturer estimates a useful life of TCS roofing material to be about 500 years. All non-asphalt options provide freedom from reliance upon imported petroleum products. Estimated Cost Savings:
Installed costs are nearly always greater than short-lifetime asphalt shingles. However, over the lifetime of the lasting roofing material, costs are usually lower than short-life alternatives. Over the span of a century, building owners may expect 4 to 5 roof replacements of asphalt shingles. The attendant labor and landfill costs are often several times that of a long-lasting roofing material. Also, landfill costs are expected to increase. For the homeowner who typically moves every five years, the real value of this measure is in its ability to increase resale value. Issues:
Existing market bias towards short-term solutions tends to limit the range of roofing options presented to building owners. This has the effect of "locking-in" dependency on 1) products that rely on imported petroleum, and 2) the need for ever-increasing landfill capacity. Some regions may lack roofers and tradesmen skilled in the art of applying slate, metal, clay or composite roofing materials. Some regions may lack long-term landfill capacity. More Information On This Topic: U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Program - Concrete and Tile Roofing
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