What is Building Green?

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Statistics show that buildings in the United States account for over 30 percent of energy use and a reasonable fraction of greenhouse emissions. And according to the United Nations Environment Program, if conventional building continues, these effects might double in a few years.

This hypothesis has no doubt increased the need for structures with positive environmental impact. Building Green is the way to go when aiming for a building with a low environmental impact. But what do we mean by building green? And what is a green building?

Building green refers to designing a structure that will not harm the natural environment of the building site; however, it will still serve the purpose of the building. In other words, a green building is a building with quality construction and low environmental impact.

The materials and construction method determines if a building is green or not.

MATERIALS

Materials for green buildings are materials with high quality while still having a low environmental impact on the building’s surroundings. Some of these materials include;

• High-quality forest wood
• Renewable plants, for example, bamboo, cork, and straw
• Stone or metal
• Generally, non-toxic and recyclable materials
• Natural fibers such as wool and seagrass

For green building design, it is essential to not use harmful materials like sealants or adhesive containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Other materials include; true linoleum and recyclable ceramic or glass.

Building insulation

It is common engineering knowledge that the quality of insulation materials determines the energy efficiency of a building. For an effective green building, insulation should only involve materials with low environmental impact. Some of these materials are made of flexible sheets, cellulose, denim, or mineral wool.

However, common insulation materials include;

• Foam board or spray foam,
• Loose-fill made from blown fiberglass, mineral wool, or blown cellulose
• vermiculite or perlite for small spaces.

Additionally, the use of foam, together with insulated concrete forms, is becoming prevalent in the green building sector.

For a green design, achieving an airtight building is imperative. Most insulation materials have spaces where air leaks can occur. However, further insulating the building with a weather-resistant synthetic house wrap and sealing seams and connections with tape will result in an airtight structure.

METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION

Indoor air quality

Since a green building is airtight, quality ventilation is crucial. An airtight building with no appropriate ventilation will lead to poor moisture control, which in turn can result in the growth of bacteria on the building materials. Ventilation can involve the use of CO₂ sensors to adjust air quality for building occupants.

Also, to achieve excellent indoor air quality, building materials should not include materials with a harmful impact on health. Substances like VOCs are detrimental to health; this is against the goal of green design.  Therefore, a green building design incorporates the use of materials with little or no VOC content. For example, coatings made of lime or linseed oil, in place of chemical paints.

Roofs and walls

Most conventional building’s rooftops absorb heat up to 90 degrees of its environment’s temperature, especially in urban areas. Green buildings involve the use of cool roofs, which, unlike conventional rooftops, reflect solar heat. Cool roofs result in lower in-house temperature, hence, reducing the need for installing air condition and in turn, reducing building and maintenance costs.

However, coating rooftops with paint-like materials made of foam will reduce its heat absorption property.

A green roof is an integral part of green design. According to Katia Perini (Architect and green building expert in vegetative systems for the Earth Institute’s Urban Design Lab), green roofs excel because of its ability to;

• Save energy
• Improve air quality
• Manage stormwater

The construction of a green roof involves a concrete layer to support its weight, drainage, soil, and vegetation. Additionally, green roofs have many benefits, some of which are;

• Green roofs are cooler than the surrounding temperature; therefore, they can reduce the cost of air conditioning
• Lessen air pollution by collecting fine dust pollutants
• Increase biodiversity
• Provide aesthetic enhancement
• Some green roofs also grow food

Windows

In green building design, positioning of windows can affect the energy efficiency of the building and reduce cooling, or heating costs, or overall building cost. A structural engineer takes into consideration the angle of the sun when positioning windows in a green building. Studies show that windows to the south and north, are best since they allow in less heat as opposed to windows to the east and west.

However, in green building design, achieving energy efficiency involves the use of energy-efficient windows like;

• Argon-insulated-double-paned windows
• Heat-absorbing tinted windows
• Insulated windows made of two or more layers
• Reflectively coated windows that allow less light to pass through
• Low-emissivity painted windows that allow for less heat to pass-through
• Smart windows

Although Smart windows are costly, it can also be cost-effective as it can eliminate the need for blinds, and reduce heating, cooling, and lighting costs.

BENEFITS OF BUILDING GREEN

The benefits of building green increases with the continual creation of new technologies to supplement current green building practices. The benefits of green buildings cover the environmental, economic, and social sectors. By replacing conventional buildings with green buildings, we can reduce greenhouse emissions.

There are many benefits of building green, some of which are;

Environmental Benefits:

• Reduction of wastewater
• Conservation of natural resources
• Improvement of air and water quality
• Protect biodiversity and ecosystems

Economic Benefits:

• Reduction in operating costs
• Improvement of occupant productivity
• Market creation for green product and services

Social Benefits:

• High standard of life
• Green buildings result in Minimizing strain on local infrastructure