Why Green Commercial Construction is Better
It’s a common conception that “going green” – especially in commercial construction – is an expensive way to protect the environment. Sustainable building materials allow companies to reduce their carbon footprint. Technological advances have provided building materials that are renewable but last longer, and new construction methods allow more sustainable building. Often, however, this growing trend is not as costly as many people think.
ADVANTAGES OF GREEN CONSTRUCTION
Sustainable construction is important because about 50% of raw materials are used in construction when you look at both commercial and residential. Commercial contractors recognize the impact of using our global resources and look at how to update building practices to reduce waste and reduce construction’s effects on the environment.
Using renewable materials is only one way green construction limits global impact. Builders can also buy prefabricated materials such as steel studs. Prefabrication reduces waste because these studs or other building components are built to the correct size in the factory. Wooden boards don’t need to be cut to size during the building process but can be fitted together easily onsite with no waste. Constructing in this way does require additional planning and time at the beginning of the project. However, the construction crew can complete the building part of the project more quickly because all of the materials are ready to be put together, requiring less measuring and cutting.
Reducing waste and building time are only a couple of the advantageous methods of green construction. Any unused materials are recycled, which means that they can be reused elsewhere or sent back to the supplier to be converted into materials for another project. When green builders choose materials, they look for ways to use recycled materials, which helps keep nonrenewable resources from being used as often.
Energy use is a large expense in commercial construction. With green building, the architect and contractor look for ways to reduce the use of energy. One way to do that is designing buildings for cost efficiency. The property itself – both during the building process and during everyday use – is designed to use less electricity, gas, and water. For example, the choice of LED lighting can use 90% less energy than traditional light bulbs. It also lasts years longer, reducing waste.
While the initial cost of sustainable commercial construction may seem a little higher than traditional construction, the overall cost can be lower because of decreased labor costs and reduced upkeep and energy during the life of the property. The key is choosing a commercial contractor such as Buildrite who knows how to use green building practices to the advantage of your company, your community, and the environment.
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