The topic of sustainability in the sense of respectful use of the substance of natural resources now rightly plays an important role in all areas of life. This also applies to building your dream home. When most people think about sustainable building, they first think about energy savings. But sustainable construction means much more. Below you can find what exactly this includes and what it means in detail:
THE IMPORTANCE OF SUSTAINABLE BUILDING
Approximately 35% of energy consumption and CO2 emissions in this country can be traced back to the construction sector. The careful use of limited natural resources must therefore not stop at the construction of houses.
The aim of sustainable construction is to minimize the consumption of energy and resources. The principle of sustainability originally comes from forestry. In the forest, only the amount of wood that will regrow naturally should be cut. Applied to the present, the principle means that no more resources should be used than can grow, regenerate or be made available again in the future.
To achieve the goal of sustainable construction, it is not enough to focus on a home’s energy consumption and/or individual materials. In the case of a truly sustainable house, the construction process and consideration of the entire life cycle of the house are also important. In other words, it is the entire process from the extraction of raw materials for building materials to the construction and dismantling of the house at the end of its life. In this sense, sustainable construction means much more than simple energy saving. It also concerns the environmental compatibility of the materials used, the transport routes of building materials and the question of which building materials and components can be reused and how.
DESIGNING A SUSTAINABLE HOME
If you want to build sustainably, you should start designing the house. Attention must be paid to ecological aspects, i.e. the choice of environmentally friendly materials free of harmful substances, but also to economic aspects such as future operating costs for the entire useful life of the house, as well as social aspects such as living comfort for residents and the impact on the community.
Location alone influences the sustainability of a home. For example, it is more difficult to use solar energy in the city than in the countryside because tall buildings provide a lot of shade. In the countryside it’s easier. On the other hand, you may have to accept longer journeys to work or your children’s school, which impacts the sustainable balance of your home.
Sustainable construction also requires foresight in planning. The house should be designed and built so flexibly that it can be easily adapted to changing working conditions and future housing needs. This can be space for a future home office or for further children, but also to ensure age-appropriate living. This is possible, for example, through divisible living spaces or barrier-free design.
Sustainable building also means building while saving space. In this way natural areas are protected. Every piece of developed land hinders the natural function of the soil and takes away habitat from plants and animals. Therefore, to ensure the sustainability of the house, it is necessary to cover as many outdoor areas as possible with greenery and avoid sealing off large areas in front and behind the house. Use water-permeable coverings such as grass pavers or natural stone with earth joints for the driveway, paths and terrace.
A sustainable house has low energy needs. This not only preserves natural resources, but also saves on operating costs. The reduction of energy needs and therefore the careful use of existing energy sources is achieved through good thermal insulation of the building envelope. Good insulation is the most cost-effective way to achieve ecological standards and save on heating costs.
In a sustainable house, the energy required for heating and living is obtained in an environmentally friendly way from renewable energy sources, i.e. from the sun, wind, water, geothermal energy or biomass. Consequently, it is important to design the heating and ventilation system of a sustainable home. This includes designing a heat pump where you use ambient air, groundwater or geothermal energy for heating. A solar system to support heating or even a photovoltaic system to generate electricity uses the sun’s energy and makes your home sustainable.
SUSTAINABILITY OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
There are various aspects to consider when it comes to the materials used in sustainable construction. To save raw materials, recyclable building materials should be used. On the other hand, building materials should come from the region to avoid long transportation. Furthermore, sustainable construction ideally uses building materials that are durable, free from harmful substances and whose production does not consume too much energy.
construction partners build solid, sustainable homes out of conviction. Their wall stones are made from natural mineral raw materials such as clay and loam, which are mined carefully and close to the surface in the respective region. Brick walls are characterized by their excellent heat storage capacity, which prevents the walls from cooling down quickly in winter and prevents them from heating up too quickly in summer. The large mass of the bricks ensures good sound insulation from the outside and inside of the house. As a sustainable building material, brick on the one hand creates living comfort through tranquility and comfort and on the other hand helps to save on heating costs.
For example, the decades-longer life expectancy of prefabricated houses and their relatively lower maintenance requirements over the entire service life also contribute to the sustainability of solid houses. The sustainability of solid houses also comes into play through their flexibility in the event of subsequent structural modifications due to changing housing needs. Walls can be changed and window and door openings can be moved, where a rigid wooden structure establishes clear boundaries. Finally, solid wall building materials are sustainable because they can be recycled. Provided they are pure, they are used in earthworks and road construction, as an additive to concrete and as a secondary material in the production of new bricks.
Where insulation materials are used in a sustainable house, for example in roof insulation, these are made from natural materials such as wood fibres, hemp or cellulose. These raw materials grow again, have short transport routes and are free of harmful substances. Their ability to absorb moisture also ensures a good living environment.
The relative life expectancy of the building materials used in the construction of a home also influences the sustainability of a home. By installing building materials with similar service lives or structurally separating those with different service lives, components can be prevented from having to be dismantled before their entire life cycle expires.
As a result, aspiring builders will rarely be able to implement all aspects of sustainable construction. So ask yourself what is most important to you and what you absolutely need. While some people value healthy living, others may find it more important to minimize their energy needs. Your nearest construction partner will be happy to advise you on realizing your dream of a sustainable, individually designed and equipped house.
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