One of the most important parts of any healthy and eco-friendly home are the building materials being used. As you may know, the materials that you use to construct your home don’t only affect yourself and your house, but the environment as well.
The reverse is also true, with the environment having a large impact on the integrity and health of your home. That’s why it’s so important to choose the right building materials when constructing or renovating your home. Listed below are three building materials that work best with the four different climate types.
Rainy Climates
A rainy climate can bring heavy storms and high levels of precipitation, putting your home at risk for flooding, mold, warping wood, and other issues. Using the following materials can help better protect your home from the fallout of these weather conditions.
- Engineered hardwood: Keep out water and prevent any hardwood warping by using engineered hardwood rather than basic wood.
- Metal or asphalt roofing: Mold and mildew are much less likely to build on a metal or asphalt roof.
- Vinyl siding: Rainwater will move away from your home with a vinyl siding installed.
Windy Climates
Windy climates can be especially dangerous. High-speed wind, storms, tornadoes, and other unpredictable patterns of weather can be common in these environments. This makes the choice of materials used in home construction incredibly important, keep the following in mind:
- Concrete/steel parapet: In a windy climate, roof uplift can happen. A steel or concrete parapet can reduce or prevent this uplift from happening.
- Rebar: Keep your walls and their materials secure against the wind by installing rebar in them.
- Steel framing: Your home has a much better chance of standing up to high-speed winds with steel framing installed.
Desert Climates
Hot desert climates provide a set of unique challenges to homeowners. Temperatures can shift a lot, especially during the winter months. Low levels of precipitation and high evaporation rates can also contribute to home damage. The following materials will help keep your home intact:
- Adobe exteriors: These exteriors reduce the transfer as well as the absorption of heat, keeping your home cooler. They also decrease water absorption, preserving the integrity of your home.
- Tile/concrete floors: Tile or concrete floors greatly reduce the buildup of dust and floor temperature, due to their high thermal mass.
- Metal roofing: With the sun constantly beating down on your roof, a metal roof can help with temperature control and keep your home cooler during the summer.
Cold Climates
In a cold environment, snow can be one of the hardest things to deal with. It builds up on your roof and can be a disaster if left untreated. Here’s some materials to help you better prepare yourself for the cold winter months:
- Carpet: Carpets have the opposite effect of tile, increasing the heat retention of your home. This will keep your home warmer during the cold parts of the year.
- Brick siding: The storms that cold environments have can bring damaging high winds. Brick sidings will protect against these high winds while also increasing the heat retention of your home.
- Snow guards: Snow collecting on and falling off of your roof can be a real hazard and potentially cause injuries. Snow guards will prevent this from ever happening.
Now that you know some of the best eco-friendly building materials that you can use to protect yourself and your home, you’re ready to start making your selection. Remember to choose wisely, and if you’re looking for some extra protection for your home, homeowners insurance is vital for keeping you and your property secure.
Photo by Max van den Oetelaar on Unsplash.
