Going Green With Home Building Materials
At Alvarez Homes, we know that green and eco-friendly building materials are usually more expensive than traditional building materials. However, the tradeoff is far greater, and makes up for the up-front expense in energy cost savings. As energy efficient home builders in Tampa, we’ve provided a few examples of some more popular green wood and insulation materials.
Wood Materials
As green home builders in Tampa, we know that when homebuyers are planning the construction of their home, there are plenty of wooden green materials to choose from. They can range from wall studs to flooring. Before choosing the type of wood flooring or wall studs you want used in your custom home, be sure to research the pros and cons of each material to help determine which would be the most eco-friendly.
Cork Flooring
Cork is one of the most popular eco-friendly building materials out there. Because cork is harvested from the bark of the tree, the tree itself is not cut down. Additionally, the bark from the tree will grow back in about three years, making it an environmentally friendly choice for your home. Cork is naturally hypoallergenic and antimicrobial, making it safe to use in your home.
Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo trees only take about three years to mature, unlike the 50-100 years it takes other trees, such as maple and oak, that are used for hardwood flooring. This makes bamboo flooring a more environmentally friendly and environmentally sustainable flooring choice.
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
When you buy raw materials, such as wall studs and framing, that are certified by the FSC, you are guaranteeing that the materials have been made following strict sustainable forestry practices (manufactures must preserve the natural habitat and avoid using hazardous pesticides).
Insulation Materials
Insulation is extremely important when it comes to energy efficiency. Without proper insulation, homebuyer’s heating and cooling costs will rise significantly. Below we’ve listed a few eco-friendly insulation materials.
Cotton Insulation
Insulation that is made from recycled cotton materials does not contain formaldehyde like traditional fiberglass insulation does.
Homasote Fiberboard
Homasote fiberboard insulation is made from recycled newsprint.
Hemp Based Products
If you pick insulation made from hemp fibers, you are getting a material that is naturally resistant to pests, (i.e., moths) meaning that there is no need to add pesticides to the insulation panels.