I. Windows, doors and the environment

II. Key Points for Sustainable Building

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Sustainable building is as much a philosophy as it is an art, though the wealth of ideas and opportunities that spring from the concept can stimulate artistic talents that most of us never thought we possessed. By following a few basic principles anyone can improve their home or building from an environmental perspective.

Keith Hall explains...

All building work has an effect on the environment. Every stage of a buildings life results in pollution to a greater or lesser extent. We need to consider what materials we use, how we build, how the building effects the occupiers, how it effects the environment and what happens when the building is demolished.

Energy
The facts about CO2 emissions and the greenhouse effect are well known. Vast amounts of energy are consumed in the production of building materials and during the life-time of the building. Select materials and products which use least energy in manufacture (natural or near natural) or that can be recycled or are recycled. Ensure buildings are insulated to the highest possible standards. This will reduce fuel bills. When designing a new building take advantage of the suns free energy. Site orientation and the use of more glazing can make the best use of passive solar energy. Where possible investigate and consider using alternative, renewable forms of energy such as active solar, bio-fuels and power from wind and water.

Resources
Many materials used in building are from finite sources so it is important to use those that are sustainable. Timber and bio-crops (straw etc) are generally considered to be the most renewable resource provided they are grown and harvested in a sustainable way. Timber can also be recycled and re-used. You can help by asking for timber and wood products that bear the FSC (Forest Stewardships Council) logo which is an independent, international and credible labelling scheme for timber and timber products.

Atmosphere
The damage to the ozone layer caused by CFCs and HCFCs has been recognised for many years. The problems associated with CFC emissions have been addressed by international intergovernmental agreements. However some insulations use HCFCs which although having a lower ozone depletion potential, do have a very high global warming potential. Alternatives such as cellulose, cork and foamed glass are available and should be used.

Health
It is well known that exposure to chemicals can cause damage to human health and the environment. Hazardous chemicals are found in many products such as timber preservatives, paint and stains, etc. There is still excessive emphasis on treating timbers. For example, most banks, buildings societies and local authorities still insist on extensive chemical treatment of existing wood worm when providing loans or grants.

Within the fabric of a new building there is generally no need to treat sound timber against infestation and rot. Insect infestation, dry and wet rot in older properties can often be dealt with by changing the environmental conditions in the building (humidity levels, temperature etc) and there are companies that offer surveys in this respect, including necessary guarantees to satisfy third parties. If treatment is considered necessary then a boron treatment should be used. Boron is considered to be the least toxic of treatments. With regard to paints and stains there are an increasing number of natural alternatives available (see the listings and adverts in this publication).

Other issues related to health include the over-use of plastics in building, particularly PVC. Hazardous fumes result when PVC burns but more recently it has been suggested that phthalates migrate from the plastic into the atmosphere and there is increasi3ng scientific evidence to suggest that the exposure to some of these chemicals can cause wide-spread problems, including immune system damage and cancer. Evidence suggests that some phthalates can disrupt the hormonal system. A current Greenpeace campaign highlights the problems of PVC. Alternative materials to replace PVC include copper, stainless steel, iron and HDPE (for water pipes and drainage), timber (for cladding and sheeting), timber and aluminium (for windows and doors), clay (for drainage), timber and linoleum (for flooring), rubber (for electrical cable).

Water and Waste
There is a greater emphasis today to avoid pollution of water supplies and to conserve water. Reed bed sewage systems are an innovative and effective way of disposing of sewage in an ecologically sound way. WCs are available which use less water and the ultimate green loo is the composting toilet which uses no water, evaporates the urine and turns sewage into a valuable source of nutrients for the garden. There are also urine separating toilets which separate the urine from the faeces. The urine can then be piped onto hay or straw bales to produce nitrogen-rich compost. Rainwater harvesting systems are available which save and store rainwater from building roofs etc for re-use.

Biodiversity
As more and more land is developed it is important to conserve and encourage wildlife. Trees, hedgerows and ponds can be carefullyprotected during building operations and retained. Small areas of land can be set aside as wild nature areas. New ponds can be established. Indigenous trees and hedgerows can be planted. Dry stone walling can be used to encourage beneficial insects. Remember to avoid using peat for landscaping works.

Keith Hall founded the AECB in 1989. He now runs the Green Building Press (GBP) and is editor of Building For a Future magazine and the Real Green Building Book. Keith and his family live in West Wales, where they have restored and remodelled a traditional farmhouse following the principles of environmental building promoted by the AECB.