Photo by Jeremy Bezanger on Unsplash
Sustainable building is a term that we are all likely to hear used a great deal in the future. It means constructing homes and other buildings with the sort of materials and processes that are designed to last and to have minimal impact on the environment.
That can mean making greater use of construction materials that are durable and that can be recycled, such as galvanized steel. It can also mean cutting back on those materials that are more difficult to break down.
Sustainability is an issue when it comes to the maintenance of buildings after construction too though. This article will look at both of these and how to go about them.
The Benefits of Sustainable Building
Sustainable building – also sometimes known as green building – has several very real advantages. They can be split into three different sections.
Financial Benefits
- Reduced costs
At a time when costs of materials are rising sharply in most parts of the world, reducing their expense is vital for the construction industry. Sustainable building involves lower costs because the amount of energy, water and other resources deployed during the construction process is lower.
- Higher productivity
Research has found that construction workers on sustainable building jobs have higher levels of concentration. That enables work to be completed more quickly and efficiently.
- Less waste
Green building limits expensive waste. From the use of long-lasting materials like steel with galvanized coating to making use of burnt coal, sand and other debris from the construction process, it will save you money.
Health Benefits
- Lower pollution
Sustainable building practices involve less use of paints and other materials that can pollute and impact on health. This makes the air around them between two and five times cleaner.
- Less noise
Another health benefit that sustainable construction offers is reduced noise. That is because its designs usually incorporate tree planting to absorb noise, as well as barriers and distance augmentation.
Environmental Benefits
- Recycled materials
Most of the materials used in sustainable building are recycled. That significantly cuts the amount of waste that goes to landfills and other dumping grounds.
- Reduced energy use
This form of construction exploits natural energy sources like the sun and rain to help the environment. Solar panels make use of the sun while rainwater recycling systems can be used for cleaning purposes.
Why Maintaining Green Buildings is Crucial
The maintenance of buildings is about ensuring that both the actual structures and any systems or facilities within them are kept up to scratch. When it comes to green buildings though, this maintenance can also be a way of furthering the sustainability goal through improving energy efficiency and cutting waste.
Among the ways in which this can be achieved are by carrying out audits to pick up on areas where natural energy resources are not being fully exploited. Another way in which maintenance can help make buildings more sustainable is by replacing sections of the structure that are worn out using materials that are more green-friendly.
Many of the parts of a building that are removed during maintenance operations can also be recycled rather than just dumped, to cut back on environmentally damaging waste products. Its energy efficiency levels can be maintained by the regular testing of control points using smart sensors too.
Opting for sustainability both in the construction and maintenance of buildings is particularly important because we are all responsible for the environment. Preventative maintenance of buildings and their facilities will also be the difference between productivity and idleness for businesses, making it a financial necessity.
Sustainable construction practices help with the environment, health and costs for companies, which is also true of maintaining them after construction. The fact that maintenance can enhance the environmental friendliness of buildings rather than just keeping it at the same level is important to realize.
