Sustainable Housing - Material Selection

Sustainable Housing

Sustainability is now a much used word. The challenge for us all is to put the words into practice! Brendan and Vanessa believe it is vital the building industry and home buyer all consider how we can build and live in our homes in ways to improve our own wellbeing and that of our environment. They have found during their on and off site research that sustainability encompasses much more than energy efficiency. Key issues to consider are:

Passive Solar Design

Energy Efficiency

Water Conservation

Material Selection

Site Management

Reduce, Re-use Recycle

Landscaping

Active Energy Systems

Community

Material Selection

Some building materials can have a heavy impact on the environment and/or be hazardous to our health. They may be harmful at the manufacturing and construction stages for workers or cause environmental or indoor pollution. Indoor pollution, where materials off-gas Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s), has been linked to sickness and allergy and may is especially significant in a tightly sealed building. More companies are becoming aware of consumers aversion to such products and so there are more and more choices becoming available on the market.

At well as these health issues Wild Homes are aware of the need to consider the embodied energy of materials, resource depletion, threats to biodiversity, and the life cycle assessment of a material! Wild Homes works with more natural building materials and or recycled materials where possible, however which material is best is not always a clear cut answer. Brendan and Vanessa try to work as a team with their clients to decide which material is the best choice for them given the alternatives and resources available. They are happy to work with clients to try to find solutions to any specific health or other needs they have.