Greenwashing. It has made even the most eco-conscious of us cynical these days. How can you know what is and what isn’t sustainable when everything from the clothes you wear to the snacks you eat purport to be “environmentally friendly?” This concern is especially relevant in the commercial real estate industry. Buildings will boast any number of acronyms and certifications to demonstrate their commitment to lowering their carbon footprint. But which materialsactually meet the mark?
Keep reading as we explore sustainability in the building materials industry from all angles and take a look at a few products that score highly on a number of sustainability factors!
What Are Some Examples of Sustainability?
The terms “sustainability” and “energy efficiency” often get used interchangeably. Increased use of renewable energy, a la solar panels and PV window glazing. Measures that limit nonrenewable energy consumption (window seals, upgraded insulation).
While there is no doubt that energy efficiency tops the list of considerations, sustainability is a far more holistic initiative. Some additional sustainability examples include:
- Durability – is the material “set it and forget it,” or will it require significant repair and replacement resources throughout its lifetime?
- Embodied energy – does the material require significant resources for fabrication?
- Is it locally sourced, or will it consume a lot of fuel for transport to the construction site?
- Will the structure need extensive modification to accommodate the material?
- Recycled content – what percent of the material is sourced from recycled content?
- Toxicity – does the material give off harmful VOCs?
- Renewability – is the material’s sourcing medium easily replenished, or will it contribute to deforestation and other ecological concerns?
- Recyclability – can the material be reused, repurposed, or recycled at the end of its lifetime
All of these factors play a role in determining the material’s carbon footprint. Let’s take a look at some materials that check multiple sustainability boxes.
Composite Roofing Pavers: Premier Durability
As the first line of defense against the elements, a building’s roof plays a premium role in establishing sustainability. Fire resistant. Impact proof. Long-lasting. A truly sustainable roof must wear all of these hats.
Buildings seeking premier durability often prefer a slate tile roof. It is far more robust than standard asphalt shingles. When successfully installed, a slate roof can last more than 100 years. This limits ongoing maintenance and repair concerns.
The elephant in the room lies with their weight. Slate roofs are heavy. Many require extensive structural alteration for safe implementation. A slate installation will also necessitate heavy machinery. This all adds up to a low embodied energy score.
A better alternative is composite roofing shingles. Fabricated from a combination of asphalt, fiberglass, and plastic polymers, modern composites score just as well as slate along the lines of fire, impact, and weather resistance. However, they are much more lightweight and easy to work with, minimizing installation resources.
Architectural Louvers: A Commitment to Passive Cooling
HVAC. The energy-guzzling monstrosity of most commercial buildings. Leaks. Overuse. Inefficiency. All are factors for causing a commercial building’s energy consumption to skyrocket.
There are numerous ways to promote the efficiency of the HVAC system. Adding backdraft dampers. Regularly changing filters. Installing smart controls.
However, one of the most impactful strategies for large commercial structures lies with passive cooling. Let the ambient breeze do most of the heavy lifting. Architectural louvers are the way to go in this regard. Installed in the building’s exterior walls facing the structure’s prevailing wind patterns, louvers allow ambient air to enter the facility while blocking moisture and debris.
Not only can the passive cooling take the burden off of the building’s HVAC system, but it promotes fresh air circulation inside the structure for healthy indoor air quality.
Moss Wall Panels: High-Visibility Biophilic Living
Biophilic design is more than a buzzword these days. It is a central tenet of sustainable design. Beyond how a building performs on its own, architects are increasingly concerned with how the structure promotes the ongoing health and wellbeing of its occupants.
Keeping tenants in touch with nature works wonders in this regard. Connectedness to nature is proven to reduce stress and enhance focus. Earthy tones. Warm textures. Manufactured stone facades.
However, the most innovative biophilic design has moved past the indirect and the implied. It is bringing nature directly inside. Indoor trees. Vibrant moss wall panels. Transitional sod paver patio floors. These types of features put a commitment to biophilic design on full display. In addition to their mood- and focus-enhancing benefits, indoor greenery absorbs VOCs and other airborne toxins for improved air quality.
Sustainable Building Materials in Action: How Innovative Options Are Transforming Commercial Design
Flaunted, abused, and misunderstood, sustainability is a comprehensive term that embodies a wide range of factors. From energy efficiency and durability to recyclability and renewability, these elements are redefining the core of modern projects. By integrating the materials and strategies explored above, architects are moving beyond surface-level trends to implement truly high-performance solutions.