What are the materials used in green building: wood, cork, tiles, cellulose fiber, concrete, expanded clay
To introduce the topic on sustainable materials and environmentally friendly, we must first talk about green building and green architecture, two disciplines that respond to the current situation of increasing pollution and environmental degradation. The green building uses environmentally friendly materials, non-polluting, trying to reduce as much as possible and limit the consumption of non-renewable energy, protecting the environment through energy savings and reducing the cost of operation and maintenance in order to amortize the cost in a short time installation.
The use of environmentally friendly materials, including certificates, and alternative energy sources are not sufficient to guarantee the quality of a sustainable project because it is necessary and important to consider aspects related to the impact on the environment and economic ones. Therefore, when we evaluate the suitability of a material, we must take into account the whole life cycle and the potential impact on every stage, from production to use to disposal, has on the environment. For this reason, even the non-renewable materials can be regarded as sustainable long as they have an efficient manufacturing process from the point of view of energy, with low emissions and durability superior to that of their renewable alternatives.
In summary, the three main requirements for a material to be classified as sustainable are:
- Production processes through energy-efficient and low emissions.
- Non-existence of harmful emissions in the home after the installation.
- Long life and high recyclability at the time of disposal.
In the choice of materials for green building is important to give priority to those sourced as much as possible "local" in order to reduce costs and pollution due to transport that carry them. There will also prefer those materials which, once exhausted their life cycle, are easily reusable and those where there is a good availability in nature. These preferences, are also those materials that come from efficient production processes and that they are free of toxic substances dangerous for the occurrence of contamination. Finally, they must be chosen according to their characteristics and have quality insulation, moisture absorption, insulation and heat accumulation.
But what are the most used materials in green building?
WOOD
The wood in green building is the material most widely used because it has many qualities as well as being renewable, recyclable and biodegradable. Has indeed excellent characteristics of thermal insulation, acoustic, elasticity, flexibility, resistance to thermal and mechanical stress, wear resistance. Its physical properties make it also suitable for creating living spaces warm and welcoming procuring beneficial effects on the psychological level as well-being and relaxation. Sustainability is achieved with timber from forests managed correctly programmed through regrowth, in the area of ​​construction.
CORK
The cork comes from the heart of the bark of the cork oak which, once taken, it regenerates naturally. It 'a material that, in addition to having excellent insulating qualities, is rot-proof, waterproof, non-toxic, breathable, non-flammable, hypoallergenic, resistant to the action of insects and rodents, biologically pure and durable. It is usually made into panels through the use of heat and compression.
Cellulose fiber
The cellulose fiber is a material obtained from recycling and processing of paper and has good insulating capacity because it can be used both as both thermal and acoustic insulation. Non-toxic and recyclable again.
BRICKS
The bricks are made from a mixture of clay, sand and water and are used for the construction of structural elements and cladding. Some attention should be applied in selecting those products with clay bricks whose radioactivity is lower than the limits. E 'therefore important that the manufacturer certifying origin, quality and level of radioactivity of this material.
CONCRETE BLOCKS AND EXPANDED CLAY
The concrete blocks and expanded clay are used for the construction of structural parts and have good mechanical characteristics and thermal and acoustic insulation, resistance to water, fire, ease and cost of installation, together with a relative lightness. They represent the best compromise between the many requirements to be met by the materials used for the construction of the walls. Also in this case it is important to check the levels of radioactivity.
WOOD CEMENT BLOCKS CASSERO
The blocks formwork concrete wood are used for the construction of load-bearing walls, fitted in dry and subsequently filled with concrete. The fixtures are effectively grounded while the cement used must be pure and free from synthetic additives.
Allow the creation of class A buildings, acoustically in accordance with ecological, seismic, reducing time and costs.
30/08/2011
----------------------------------------
Translated via software
----------------------------------------
Source:
Italian version of CercaGeometra.it