Building Materials - FEATURED PRODUCT
Warmcel 100 Insulation 8kg pack
Price includes VAT.
Warmcel 100 comes in 8kg packs specifically developed for DIY installation...
Building Materials - FEATURED PRODUCT
Thermafleece pack of 14 - 100mm x 600mm x 1200mm batts (covers 10.08m2)
Price includes VAT
Delivery charges in mainland England and Wales will be calculated during..
Why worry about building materials?
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The materials from which our homes are made have a huge impact on the health of the occupants, the natural environment and the integrity of the building fabric itself.
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Choosing the right building materials creates a warm, comfortable home with no condensation, no nasty chemicals, hugely improved efficiency, lower environmental impact and much lower running costs.
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As well as these benefits, improvements in the application of eco-friendly materials means you could save on construction costs too.
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Click here to view the GreenSteps range of eco-friendly building systems.
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Click here to view the GreenSteps eco-refurbishment project in Notting Hill, London.
How bad can building materials be? Surely it's all just bricks and mortar?
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Not at all, many newly constructed houses are built with only low build cost in mind. They therefore contain harmful chemicals and cheap, single purpose materials. The quality of living in many new houses leaves much to be desired and the longevity of many of the cheap materials used is questionable.
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Here is a simple illustration of this - If materials are chosen purely on the basis of one quality, for example, the ability to save energy, with no consideration for breathability, health, the natural environment, how long the material will last or the integrity of the building structure, the results can be disastrous:
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The use of many types of mineral fibre insulation is harmful to human health (think of the protective clothing and breathing apparatus worn by installers. Would you really want this material in your home?)
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Double glazed window frames manufactured from PVC may reduce energy loss from your home, but the manufacture, use, and disposal of PVC has been recognised across the world as posing substantial and unique environmental and human health hazards.
Being green is mainstream
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Eco-friendly building materials are no longer about building weird and wacky houses. Houses can be constructed to look exactly the same as a standard building. However, the multifuntionality of the natural eco-friendly building materials ensures that the home lasts longer and creates a healthier more efficient and more comfortable living environment.
Economic benefits for homeowners, developers and renovators
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Increasingly, the public perception of building materials is changing. No longer are people happy to accept buildings constructed to minimum building standards. A well designed, healthy, eco-friendly and efficient home can attract a considerable premium in value without any increase in construction costs. There is every reason to expect this trend to continue as public awareness increases.
What can you do to specify the right building materials?
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GreenSteps has a range of eco-friendly building materials systems, for use with timber frames and masonry buildings, which have the most positive impact on human health, the natural environment and the building fabric.
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Products available online include natural insulation and an eco-friendly range of paints and finishes.
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If you are a homeowner looking to extend or redevelop your home, a housing developer building a series of homes or you have a house renovation project and want to maximise its eco-credentials, please contact us.