More and more people are turning to modern, innovative products to help and increase the energy efficiency of their home. For those who are planning to hire a Building Contractor in Pinner for a new home build, asking about the use of energy efficient materials is a smart move. Not only do these products often cost less than traditional materials, they will also help to create a tighter envelope for the home, minimizing energy loss. Some of the most popular energy efficient building materials available on the market today are found here.
Recycled Steel
While wood beams are the go-to material for building a home, there is a new player in home – recycled steel. According to those who use this material, the framing process is simplified by ordering the customized steel beams and the panels that will fit the specific home design. This material is not only more energy efficient, it is also able to stand up to high winds produced by hurricanes, as well as earthquakes. Also, statistics show that a 2,000 square foot home would require up to 50 trees to build the frame; however, the amount of recycled steel required is equivalent to six junk cars.
Insulating Concrete Forms
While this is not a new technology, in fact it has been around for over six decades, it is finding new life as more and more people are seeking ways to make their homes more energy efficient. These are essentially case in place concrete walls, which are placed between two layers of insulation. The concrete is poured into a form that serve as the insulation and will remain intact as a part of the final structure. When this method is used, it makes the home up to 20 percent more energy efficient than wood framed buildings. You can click here to get more information.
Straw Bales
If it remains dray, straw can last for thousands of years. Also, straw bales will bond quite well to plaster and stucco walls and provide a great source of insulation. Straw is also a by-product of the grain industry that is often just burned. While this is not a widely accepted form of building or approved by many building codes, it is a new concept that is growing in popularity. Experts state that it would take about 300 medium sized bales of straw for the construction of a 2,000 square foot home.