Characteristics of Sustainable Building Materials

•           Adhesives should meet or exceed the VOC limits of South Coast Air Quality Management District Rule #1168.

•           Sealants should meet or exceed the Bay Area Air Quality Management District Reg 8, Rule 51.

•           Paints and coatings shouldmeet or exceed the VOC and chemical component limits of Green Seal requirements.

•           Carpet should meet or exceed the Carpet and Rug Institute Green Label Indoor Air Quality Test Program.

•           Composite wood and agrifiber products should not contain added urea-formaldehyde resin. 

Recycled and Recyclable Building Materials 

Materials made from recycled materials fall into two categories, post-industrial and post-consumer.  Wherever possible, you should look for materials that contain primarily post-consumer content as this is material that is being directly diverted from landfills. Brick, lumber, flooring, fixtures and other salvage items are all good examples of post-consumer recycled materials.  On the other hand, concrete, shingles and insulation are common examples of products which are manufactured with recycled content sourced from the scrap of other manufacturing or industrial processes. 

Equally as important as selecting products that contain recycled content, one should also select products which can themselves be recycled when they reach the end of their useful life. 

Renewable Building Materials

In the face of a rapidly growing world population, using materials that are rapidly renewable and harvested using sustainable management is absolutely essential to mitigating the risk of major resource shortages for future generations.  Rapidly renewable materials, such as bamboo and cork have short harvest cycles and are renewed much quicker than traditional lumber sources.   Where traditional lumber is required, it should be sourced from well managed forests that are independently certified by a third party such as the Forest Stewardship Council .   

Locally Sourced Building Materials

Using building materials mined, harvested, salvaged, or constructed within a 500-mile radius from you reduces costs and the associated environmental impacts of transportation.  Equally important, the selection of local materials promotes the sustainability of your local community and economy.   

Standard Size Building Materials

Putting forth extra effort in the design phase of your home will allow you to build a home that maximizes the use of standard size building materials.  By using standard sizes, you can greatly reduce the amount of construction waste that conventional buildings generate.  This not only diverts waste from landfills, but also saves you money by making efficient use of all purchased materials.  Standard sizing has the biggest advantages when it comes to framing.  Advanced framing and the use of structural insulated panels are two good examples of standard sizing being put to use in sustainable buildings. 

Durable Building Materials 

Durability is a key factor in the analysis of the life cycle impact and cost of a building material.  Materials should be selected that are long lasting and easily maintained.  Long lasting materials reduce waste and are generally more affordable from a product life cycle perspective.