Green Building Lets You Breathe Easier

As a nod to the importance of caring for the environment and in hopes of saving money in the long run, more and more corporations, small business entrepreneurs, and home owners are turning towards “green” options when constructing a new building/house or renovating an old one.

Green construction is a trend that followed on the heels of an era where building quickly and cheaply was the main goal of most builders. The products that went into these hastily-made structures were usually less than eco-friendly and often contained materials such as asbestos, found in many insulation products, or other toxins that were hazardous to the health of those who worked or lived inside.

Thankfully, the 21st century has brought with it many new options for replacing products that have – since their heyday – been proven extremely hazardous, therefore improving air quality both inside and out. Furthermore, a well-built green building generally uses less energy and consumes less water, a fact that pleases owners or landlords, even if the initial green construction process costs a bit more.

For example, fifty years ago, asbestos insulation was the product of choice for most buildings as it was inexpensive and readily available. Today, builders have many more eco-friendly choices for insulation, including:

· Cellulose – Made from 85 percent recycled material, cellulose insulation is actually finely shredded newsprint. This novel product has become one of the top green insulation products in the world. Chemically treated to promote heat-resistance and prevent mold, it is non-toxic and estimates show that it reduces energy bills by up to 20 percent annually.

· Cotton Fiber – Also very popular with those who specialize in green construction, cotton fiber insulation is fashioned from a recycled batted material, usually denim. Like cellulose, it is treated with a mild chemical to make it fireproof but is totally non-toxic and produces no off-gases.

· Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) – Ideal for homes where residents have allergies, SPF – because it is sprayed in the areas that require insulation – is tight-fitting and allows little mold to form. There are several spray polyurethane foams on the market, but experts agree that the best is water-based icynene, a form of SPF that contains no toxic polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), which have been found to be toxic. Icynene also contains no hydrochlorofluorocarbons, which have been found to promote global warming by destroying the ozone layer. SPFs reduce energy costs by about 35 percent per year.

Last modified: December 09 2009.