There are many sources of indoor air pollution. Smoking, cleaning supplies, paints, and other chemicals all emit pollutants into a building’s air.
Luckily, there are a number of sustainable building materials available that help improve indoor air quality. They also contribute to a healthier environment and save energy costs.
1. Eco-friendly
If you’re building a new home, the materials you use play a large role in your indoor air quality. Using eco-friendly products can help improve your health by reducing indoor pollutants that cause headaches, dizziness and fatigue.
One of the best ways to improve your home’s indoor air quality is to use natural, renewable resources in the construction process. This is commonly referred to as green building or sustainable building.
For example, bamboo is a great sustainable building material as it grows without needing to be replanted after harvest. It is also a natural material that is incredibly durable and easy to maintain.
2. Recyclable
Poor indoor air quality can cause long-term health problems such as fatigue, eye, skin, or throat irritation, headaches, and asthma and allergies. It can also lead to other serious illnesses such as heart disease and cancer.
This is why the role of sustainable building materials in improving indoor air quality has become such a crucial issue. Using recycled building materials can help to decrease the overall energy usage of your project and reduce unnecessary emissions, such as greenhouse gasses.
Several building materials can be recycled, including wood and concrete. By using reclaimed wood and recycled concrete, construction professionals can shrink their carbon footprints and save money on the cost of new materials.
3. Energy efficient
One of the most important ways builders can help improve their home’s energy efficiency is by using sustainable building materials. These materials can reduce energy costs, save money and create healthier environments for everyone living in the home.
The Role of Sustainable Building Materials in Improving Indoor Air Quality
Many buildings rely on ventilation to control indoor air quality. However, if the outdoor air is highly polluted and contaminant particles are difficult to remove, ventilation may not be sufficient for maintaining adequate levels of indoor air quality.
Therefore, green building schemes should include a focus on exposure reduction as an effective strategy for improving IAQ. They could also consider guidelines or threshold concentrations for pollutants of concern, as well as addressing the effects of climate change on IAQ, such as temperature and precipitation patterns.
4. Durable
Breathing quality indoor air is critical for comfort, health and well-being. It can help improve productivity for employees and students, increase test scores and reduce sick days.
Using sustainable building materials that are durable can have a significant impact on improving indoor air quality. Durable materials can be insulated with foam, for example, or engineered concrete forms (ECC).
Recycled and reclaimed wood is another green building material that is becoming more popular. Reclaimed or recycled wood has a much lower environmental impact than harvesting new timber.
It’s also a better energy-saving material because it can be recycled over and over again without losing its properties. This is especially helpful with metals like steel and aluminium, which use a lot of energy to manufacture.
5. Affordable
The materials you choose to build your home can have a large impact on the air quality of your building. Luckily, there are plenty of eco-friendly materials that are also affordable.
Choosing sustainable building materials like wood wall systems can help improve indoor air quality while saving energy and money in the long run. Engineered lumber and cross-laminated timber are both a great choice for sustainable construction.
Another popular and inexpensive material is earth bag or rammed earth. This is a natural building material that is poured into bags and stacked on top of each other in a process similar to bricklaying. This method is great for creating a sturdy foundation or a home that will last a lifetime. It’s also a very green way to build your home, since it uses local and recycled materials.