How to Build Sustainably
With growing concerns about the environment worldwide, sustainable construction has been a hot topic during recent years. Our rapidly advancing society has had detrimental effects on the planet, and we must keep the environment in mind with building and development projects moving forward.
Australian construction companies must adapt to the changing world as new trends rise in the market. Awareness of these trends in sustainable building will not only have a positive impact on the environment, but on investors too; buyers and renters alike have shown a greater interest in sustainable buildings over recent years.
While sustainable construction is a fantastic step forward for our planet, taking the leap is often easier said than done. Big ‘wish lists’ can make the project impractical and less cost efficient, especially in the current market that has continuously been plagued by high material costs, supply issues and a skilled labour shortage. Finding a happy medium is essential, which is all about figuring out what needs to go into the property and what is feasible once you take cost and labour into account.
Councils are using these trends heavily, particularly since the introduction of government tenders to help these projects come to fruition. Investors are continuously on the lookout for good environmental ratings such as the government-introduced NABERS (National Australian Built Environment Rating System) score. Striving for a higher sustainability score will not only make the property more attractive to investors, but also save money down the track.
The world has changed exponentially over the years – which includes practices that are friendly to our environment and those that are not. For instance, most windows are double glazed now, which increases insulation and therefore reduces energy bills. Another energy-saver is vinyl flooring that has insulation built into it, or using insulation underneath flooring. Rainwater harvesting, solar panels and low-flow toilets have also gained popularity, all of which are great additions towards a more sustainable home.
On the other hand, we have become accustomed to things like dishwashers, and additional electronics. These up our resource usage and, in many cases, our bills. Thankfully there are resource-saving options on the market that offer a sustainable middle ground. Look into energy-saving home systems, high efficiency plumbing fixtures and eco-friendly building materials.
Making these environmentally friendly construction choices during the process will be beneficial in the long run for both investors and the planet. The cost of these environmentally friendly additions can rack up quickly, hence why it’s important to bargain that wish list to ensure the project remains cost efficient and realistic to carry out.
