Homeowners are now concerned about the kind of building materials they use in their homes. They want green amenities and features in their homes. They want to use sustainable materials that reduce the degradation of the earth’s natural resources. This trend is especially prevalent among millennials. This generation of knowledgeable urbanites who are trailblazers in their respective fields. They are currently the biggest market for home design and improvement. Millennials have access to vast information about climate change and environmental sustainability. They are more concerned about how their homes affect the world we live in.
Sustainable Materials
It is very important for homeowners today to consider the type of materials that they use in building, renovating, and improving their homes. They research different building materials that will reduce carbon footprint. What they came up with are concrete, wood, steel, cork, and bamboo. Some homes are also made with crushed glass, plastic, and steel. They create less waste and reduce the chances of filling up landfills.
One of the most popular building materials is concrete. Most people look at other building materials when they are in the middle of a concrete repair project, thinking that concrete hurts the environment. They should consider using cement again. Even environmentalists can’t find a material that is sturdier than concrete. It is also more flexible and more permanent than concrete. It can last for decades and even centuries because it is the most durable type of building material.
Concrete is made from limestone, which is the most abundant mineral on earth. It is also composed of the byproducts of steel mills, power plants, and manufacturing facilities. It doesn’t deplete natural resources. Concrete also reduces the amount of waste that each project produces. Even after it served its original purpose, crushed and recycled concrete is used as aggregate for new pavements.
Domestic Materials
There is renewed interest in sourcing domestic materials. Instead of buying international materials like Italian marble, homeowners should consider domestic sources. International materials are often more affordable because they’re bought in bulk. Sometimes, they are of better quality, too. However, they have a huge impact on the environment. To transport international building materials, distributors need to bring them to the country via air, ship, or ground transportation. This creates a lot of carbon emissions that environmentalists are trying to reduce.
Sourcing reliable domestic building materials instead will reduce transportation costs, as well as its impact on the environment. It is also easier to renovate and redesign your homes using materials that you can find locally. It’s not just that. Local economies will also thrive when you start to support domestic manufacturers of building materials.
Repurposing Items
When renovating a home, make sure you are not breaking things to turn them into waste. Rather, be careful in taking out and removing items and fixtures that can be repurposed. If you want a vintage-inspired look for your home, you can repurpose cabinets, floorings, and walls. Do not take them down and fill up the landfills. Old furniture can have that vintage appeal that your home sorely lacks.
If you are not a fan of vintage design, you can sell these on eBay or upcycle them by repainting, refurbishing, and reupholstering. Ask your friends and family if they want to take these off your hands, too. It’s better to either recycle, upcycle, or donate them to your friends and family.
Home Design
Not only should you use sustainable building materials for your home, but you should also use design to be environmentally conscious. Some of the most popular home designs right now are living walls, smart homes, tiny homes, and solar panels. Living walls are popular in home designs right now, especially for properties without a space for a garden or yard. You can install live plants on your walls to improve air quality indoors.
You should also consider installing solar panels to reduce energy use in the home. Energy-saving solutions will not only reduce the power consumption in your home. It will also reduce the impact energy use has on the environment and natural resources. Even smart home technologies integrate power consumption into its system to regulate the use of electricity in the home.
Are you currently renovating or redesigning your homes? Perhaps, you can think about using technology and sustainable materials to contribute to the preservation of the environment. These new trends and technology in building materials will help save the environment. More than that, it will also bring your home on par with modern designs.
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