Green Building Materials

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that the definition of green building principles is not absolute; however, the Integrated Waste Management Board of the state of California has several selection criteria for these materials: Efficiency of resources, indoor air quality, energy efficiency, water conservation and affordability. The author points out that another consideration for green building materials is that they are made and distributed by socially and ecologically responsible companies. The paper relates many produces; for example, a good material to use for the installation of exterior walls is structure-insulated panels, which are basically two outer skins of plywood or oriental strand board with an insulating filler, usually foam or straw, thus giving the benefit of reducing wood use, which is one of the lowest materials in terms of embodied energy, and preventing heat loss.

From the Paper:

"As much as one wants to invest in environmentally friendly materials, they will never get the attention of the public unless they are considerably more durable than the less eco-friendly product. Durable items remain in service for much longer, and thus, less need for replacement or cycling. One such product is Ecoshake, a shingle made of recycled vinyl and wood fiber. It carries a half-century warrantee."

More papers on Green Building Materials:

• Case Study # 100173 : "Developing a Green Residence"
• Term Paper # 110048 : "Is Green Here to Stay?"
• Research Paper # 9866 : "Green Architecture in Japan"

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