Nowadays, wherever you turn your head, there is nothing but buildings. Though construction work is a crucial part of the country’s development, it is often accused of being harmful to the environment. Construction work indeed pollutes the environment to a certain extent, but it is also a field where recycling is possible.
The world is turning towards green through sustainable construction work. Today Hindustan talks about green & sustainable building materials that can bring revolution in the conventional construction process.
Bamboo: –
We all have seen bamboo being used in construction works. But this is the time to take it more seriously. Though it falls under trees and to go green, cutting down trees is not something that we are supposed to do. But When Hindustan talks about green & sustainable building materials, it talks about the exceptional qualities of green materials. Bamboo has a high self-generation rate, so it is fine to use it in the construction project; we are not endangering the plant by doing so.
We often consider bamboo a weak plant, but it possesses a greater strength-to-weight ratio than comprehensive concrete & brick. It is best suitable for flooring & cabinetry.
Pre-cast concrete slabs: –
Pre-cast concrete slabs are entirely made of concrete with hollow spaces, which makes them holp up all kinds of weather. These are generally used for walls or building facades. It takes much less energy to produce & assemble them. That’s why their sustainability & affordability is much higher than conventional concrete options. The heat control quality of pre-cast slabs helps to avoid cracks. It also helps in preventing structural faults within concrete & eventual demolitions.
Cork: –
You didn’t expect it, right? Yes, cork is used in construction works as well. Cork is tree bark and is known for being resilient and flexible. Just like bamboo, it can be grown rapidly. It comes to its natural shape even after sustaining pressure. It also has a noise, shock-absorbing quality, and thermal insulating quality. These qualities make it ideal to be used in subflooring.
Straw Bales: –
Straw bales are something that were used before, and it is still being used in rural areas. This is the time to use it the urban construction projects as well. Straw bales are known for their good insulation properties. They are basically used as a framing material. They are used as fill material in between columns & beams as they have air resistant qualities.
Straw bales can be grown with minimal impact on the environment. If used in ceilings, walls, or attics, it helps to keep the house cooler in summers and warmer in winters.
Recycled Plastic: –
Hindustan includes plastic in the green & sustainable construction materials list because though plastic is not a green material; the recycling process can make a construction project sustainable.
Plastic or trash is used to make concrete, which reduces the greenhouse effect. The recycled and virgin plastic are combined to make polymeric timbers used to make fences. Cable pipes, roofs, floors, and PVC windows are also made by reusing plastic.
Reclaimed Wood: –
The most effective way to put an end to deforestation is using reclaimed wood. Reclaimed wood is the process of using wood that has been used before in some other construction projects. They are most likely to be found in retired barns, excavation companies, salvage yards & shipping crates-pallets. They are a good option for structural framing, cabinetry & flooring. They are light in weight but have less strength also. So, it is important to choose them for appropriate projects. Reclaimed wood is also vulnerable to insects and degradation. Additional treatment is required before use.
Reclaimed steel: –
According to Hindustan, Reclaimed steel is the most preferable among green & sustainable construction materials. Being 100% recyclable, it significantly reduces the environmental impact of new construction works. Recycling them into new products requires less energy and makes them more sustainable. Reclaimed steel does not need frequent replacements. Reclaimed steel is often used in framing to reduce the effect of earthquakes.
Ferrock: –
It is comparatively a new material made of recycled steel dust or ferrous rock. It can create concrete-like building material which is stronger than conventional concrete. It absorbs CO2 as a part of drying. It is a great alternative to cement, mostly mixed & poured to build driveways and staircases.
Conclusion: –
Through green & sustainable building materials, the definition of construction work and its impact on the environment can be redefined. To proceed in the green journey, making construction work more sustainable is a crucial step to take, and this is what Hindustan is working on.