What was your New Year’s Resolution? It appears that home and office builders have promised to focus more so on green building in 2010 as a way to help slow down global warming.
Here are several forecasted construction trends we can expect to see over the months ahead – all designed with our planet’s preservation at the top of mind:
Green Neighbourhoods: So far it seems that random homeowners have gone “green” with their own properties. The lone solar-powered house in a community stands out most conspicuously. Watch for larger-scale green building projects, however, to be created: neighbourhoods, towns and even cities.
Green Modular: Enterprising homeowners can buy factory-built materials and assemble their own houses. Doing it yourself can save you financially; however, it can also help to save our planet as, with pre-built materials, there is less waste.
Environmental Labels: Imagine shopping for building materials and knowing exactly where, when and how these came to market. Product history, spelled on for consumers on labels, will be attached to assorted merchandise. This will help you make smarter, more informed buying decisions.
LED Lights: With the lifespan of such lights far exceeding the average light bulb, LED lights will become more of a norm in new homes and office buildings being constructed. Don’t let the higher cost of LED lights turn you away … you will save money by using these in the long run and you won’t have to replace those burnt-out bulbs nearly as often.
Green Walls: By adding a “green” wall to a building, inhabitants can greatly benefit. Such a wall has been proven to absorb pollutants, reduce outside noise and increase insulation.
It is good to see that builders are becoming more conscientious about our climate. While they do comply with safety standards, they are also planning and constructing smartly. Let’s just hope that this resolution to build greener, unlike so many others, is fulfilled!
