5 Trending Sustainable Home Building Materials
For everyone interested in living as eco-friendly as possible, the increase in availability of sustainable building materials is fantastic news. As these products become more commonplace, the market is getting more competitive and companies are responding by innovating, inventing, and creating increasingly amazing eco-friendly building material choices. Currently, we've got our eyes on five trending sustainable home building materials that are making it easier than ever to renovate or build beautiful green homes. Let us know which one is your favorite for a chance to win a $200 gift code for ECOS Paints!
#1 Non-Toxic Materials
Conventional building materials can be laden with hidden, risky chemicals. Carcinogenic formaldehyde can off-gas from the adhesives used to hold together plywood in cabinetry. Carpet could have potentially hormone-disrupting PFCs in it to make it stain-resistant. Paints can release VOCs and compromise your indoor air quality. Sadly, the examples go on and on. The good news is that people are becoming more and more aware of these risks, demanding non-toxic materials, and manufacturers are responding. Now, you can find far better alternatives. There are no-VOC paints*, naturally stain-resistant wool carpets, sustainably harvested woods for cabinetry, and many more products that give you the power to keep your home as toxic-free as possible.
*Conforms to CDPH 01350 (VOC emissions test taken at 11, 12, & 14 days for classroom and office use). Learn more about VOCs and our commitment to healthier paints here.#2 Water and Energy-Efficient Products
One of the best things you can change in your home to benefit the earth is the amount of water and energy you use and, again, the products available these days make it easier than ever without sacrificing function. Did you know showers use 16 to 20 percent of an average U.S. home’s water? Simply replacing a showerhead with a water-efficient alternative can cut water use up to 70 percent. You can also install dual-flush toilets and even a greywater system to reuse your washing machine water. When it comes to energy use, there are tons ways to save; from getting ENERGY STAR appliances, to installing a solar power system, to making sure your home is well insulated with innovative products like recycled denim...The list is long and varied. You don’t need to get completely off the grid to help the planet anymore.
#3 Reclaimed and Recycled Materials
Did you know you can find reclaimed wood flooring made from ancient Chinese lumber these days? Your countertops can be made from recycled glass bottles. The insulation in your walls can be from cut-up old blue jeans. Even tile is being made from crushed tile that would’ve ended up in the landfill. Nothing needs to be wasted anymore and there are new innovative products coming out all the time that find ways to incorporate what would’ve previously been seen as garbage.
#4 Living Walls and Roofs
Did you know that a living green roof can last 40 years? A conventional one only lasts half as long. A living roof also cleans the air and insulates your house better than shingles ever could. Indoors, living walls act as a natural air purifier while having the added benefit of being stunningly beautiful. This trend continues to grow (no pun intended) as studies continue to come out demonstrating not only environmental and economical benefits, but also health and well-being ones. For example, studies show bringing the beauty of nature inside the home improves people’s moods!
#5 Grandiose Glass
Bigger windows. Walls made of sliding glass doors. Glass makes a room feel bigger and gives you the sense that you’re not separated from nature even while you’re inside. Letting in more natural light also means you need to use less lighting which cuts down on your energy use. A statement glass wall instantly transforms the room into a more calming and natural environment. More and more people are finding ways to bring larger areas of glass into their homes, so they feel a connection with nature while they enjoy the comforts of being inside.
Which trend is your favorite (or at the top of your priority list)? Let us know in the comments below for a chance to win a $200 gift code for ECOS Paints!
UPDATE: Congratulations to our lucky winner Vickie! Thanks to everyone for participating -- watch our blog for October's giveaway launching soon!
Here’s how to enter:
REQUIRED:
In the comments below, let us know which one of these sustainable building products you would most like to use for a future project.
OPTIONAL ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:- Like ECOS Paints on Facebook
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For each additional entry, leave a separate comment letting us know what you’ve done (and what your profile name is where relevant). If you’ve already done one of the actions, feel free to leave a comment letting us know you have previously. You can enter up to 9 times by taking all of the actions listed above and the more entries you make, the more chances you have at winning!
One random winner will be selected on September 30th, 2016!
Good luck!!
No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Participants must be 18 years of age or older and must be U.S. residents. Click through for full sweepstakes rules.
