Sustainability in the Construction Industry

When most people hear the word sustainable, the first thing that comes to mind is probably not construction. It's probably not even the thrid or fourth - or even the tenth. We don't work in a very environmentally friendly industry, whether you're referring to concrete, foam, glues, adhesives, paints, etc.

But there are ways to build more sustainably. Whether that's using recycled products, timber-based products (even straw-based!), or materials that don't have a high carbon foot print.

Using insulated Zip sheathing and exterior insulation to increase indoor comfort. These may not be the most eco-friendly materials, but their long lifespan means you won't ever have to replace them.

But there's a second lens to sustainability, and that incorporates longevity. This means using materials that have a long shelf life, products that can stand the test of time and don't have to be replaced or kept-up as frequently. It's mostly unavoidable to build a modern home in a 100% eco-friendly way. By using metal siding, a 50 year product, instead of vinyl or engineered OSB products, a 10-15 year product, we're saving money by not having to replace that siding as often, while also keeping all that extra product out of a landfill.

This view of sustainability is one we tend to gravitate towards. Thinking long-term does have it's drawbacks, however. Products that last longer tend to be more expensive to produce, but the high up-front cost pencils out to a cheaper product because we're not treplacing as often.

So what are some examples of sustainable products in construction?

I mentioned metal above as a product we use a lot of for siding and roofing, because it's easier to waterproof, lasts a long time if you take care of it, and it relatively easy on installation. But what are some other examples of sustainable products in construction?

Concrete

Concrete is one of the most versatile products we have available to us in building homes. We've used concrete in everything from foundations (obviously), to siding, to flooring, to countertops. And it's been used for building structures for over 2000 years. It's extremely durable; there is not another building product that can match concrete in terms of price to longevity.

But the flip side is that concrete has a high environmental impact. Studies show that concrete contributes to 8% of total carbon emissions worldwide. This all comes from the process of creating the Portland cement that is mixed with aggregate and sand to create the final product you see on the foundation of your home.

Have we found another product that can match concrete in terms of it's price-to-durability? Nope. So it's something we're stuck with until something better comes along.

Wood

Amazingly, wood is a very durable building material when kept out of prolonged moisture. It also comes with the benefit of being a carbon-sink, meaning as a tree grows, it's sequestering greenhouse gases out of the air and back into the soil.

We build with a lot of wood in the United States because it's a product that we have readily available in most parts of North America, and is cost-effective. Now, with certain treatments, wood can be rated as a 30-50 year product, when taken care of properly.

Like concrete, wood can be used in an endless number of applications. It's easily worked with minimal tools that are readily available.

Metal

We use lots of metal on our projects. Not only is it durable, metal is outstanding as a fire-resistant material. It's no secret that the West is plagued by wildfires every summer, so using an exterior cladding that protects from that reality, while also looking good makes it perfect for our applications.

We specifically use metal as roof cladding, as opposed to asphalt shingles that do not stand up to snow and ice as well. As the designs we build become more modern, metal is also sometimes the only roofing option we have.

The price tag of sustainability?

The materials we've just gone through don't have a hidden cost, but do come with an upfront cost - they aren't the cheapest materials available. And that is a reality we have to deal with as we design and build homes. These are the issues we deal with during pre-construction. The goal is to strike a compromise between budget, aesthetics and sustainability.

But although you have that higher upfront cost, were offsetting that with the fact that you won't be replacing your siding or roofing in 15, 20 or even 30 years down the road. t's all about understanding the value that's baked into that higher price.

How else are we building sustainably?

Windows is another line item in a construction budget where it pays to spend sme money up front. Not only do you not want to be replacing your windows in 15 years (the materials are expensive, as well as the labor involved in replacing windows correctly), nice windows ups the re-sale value of your home and can dramatically increase indoor comfort.

Insulation is an area that may not be as obvious. Instead of blowing closed-cell foam into every available crevice, we're using dense blown cellulose, a recycled product that performs better and is even cheaper.

Closed-cell foam is a nasty product that can continue to off-gas long after the product has been installed. Because of inaccurate mix ratios and installer error, that foam will continue to cure for up to 5 years.

Have you ever seen closed cell foam installed? The installers wear sealed suit, repirators and cycle fresh air into the home as its being blown in. Are you sure you want to be living indoors with that same product?

Sustainability is more than just being eco-friendly.

It means thinking long-term. It means thinking generationally. How cool is it to visit the northeastern US, where there's homes that have been standing since the mid-1700s? We have this time capsule we can look at. Those carpenters were framing houses much like we do today, minus the power tools - but its less about the tools and more about the mindset.

We need to shift our mindset from the "blow-and-go" homes we see nowadays, to homes that will last multiple generations. THAT is the meaning of sustainability.