Research prepared by the Consortium for Research on Renewable Industrial Materials showed that in 2015 nearly one-third of home builders (31%) report that they are currently doing ‘green-builds’ for more than 60% of their projects, and over half (51%) expect to be doing that level of green building work by the year 2020.
Green homes have come a long way in the last decade, and building a green home is quickly shifting from an “alternative” way of building to the mainstream.
Reclaimed wood, recycled glass and aluminum are common features in green buildings. You also may also want to discuss options for using recycled wood/plastic composite, which is a high quality, durable product that can reduce the amount of new lumber used in your home.
Sustainable building materials can reduce the impact of your construction on the environment. Wood is a renewable resource when you choose a supplier who follows sustainable planting practices and are FSC certified.
Composite and sustainable materials like Accoya are one of our most popular resources we like to use. Besides the many benefits it has for our clients it also offers unrivalled environmental advantages compared to alternative products such as scarce, slow growing unsustainable hardwoods. Made from sustainable softwoods, Accoya boasts excellent environmental credentials by using wood sourced from FSC certified sustainable forests.
We have also been fortunate to have clients and Architects with innovative design requests that challenge our fabrication approach and methods. For example, we recently completed a commercial window job with a request specification for low-emissivity (Low-E) laminate glass. We were so pleased with the outcome that Low-E glass is now our standard option for glass due to its UV protection and heat reflection properties. We look for new products and solutions all the time.
These green materials complement Bermuda’s long-standing association with environmental sustainability. On a global scale, there is ever-increasing progress being made on building smarter and more efficient. Everyone at BS&R has a keen interest in these new materials and designs, so consider us a resource when you next decide to invest in environmental stewardship.