Durable and Sustainable Building Materials for Your Next Project
When you put your hard work into a building project, you’ll of course want the finished product to last for a long time. However, to make all of your hard work worth the while, you must use building materials that are durable and sustainable. Below, we’ve compiled a list of building materials that will allow your project to hold up for years to come, while also being a little kinder to the environment.
WOOD CONSTRUCTION
Wood is a classic building material that has been used for many years. While the cost of a steel building is often considered to be a better value as compared to wood construction, there are a few key advantages to wood construction.
In the event of a fire, a building with wooden construction might actually be more durable. While wood is not fire-resistant, it has a consistent burn rate, meaning that the building might be saved if the fire can be put out quickly. If a fire occurs in a steel-framed building, the strength of the building can quickly be compromised, and the building can even collapse on itself as a result of the reduction in its strength. It might not be safe to continue to use a steel-framed building following a fire.
Wood is also still considered to be an eco-friendly building material, as it is a renewable resource and in many cases, it requires less labor, energy, and processing to turn it into a useful building material as compared to other options.
Consider Sparr Building and Farm Supply’s selection of quality lumber for your next building project. We’ve been offering high-quality lumber at great prices for decades!
CHOOSE YOUR OWN LUMBER FOR HIGHER QUALITY RESULTS
While building kits, like pergola kits, offer simplicity and ease of construction, selecting and purchasing your own lumber selection allows you to customize your project to fit your needs. Not to mention, selecting your own lumber allows you to select higher quality options that will ensure your finished product is durable for years to come.
LOW EMISSIVITY GLASS
Where your agricultural buildings require a climate-controlled environment, consider building materials that will cut down your HVAC costs by limiting the amount of heat that can infiltrate into the building.
Low emissivity glass, also known as low E glass, will cut down the amount of sunlight that can pass through your windows. This reduces the amount of cooling required from your climate control system, thus cutting down on electricity costs.
Low E glass also offers the added benefit of protecting any items in your building that may be sensitive to UV light. Overall, low E glass is a sustainable building material that will save you money over the years.
SECURITY TECHNOLOGY
You might not think of electronics and technology when it comes to durable building materials, but they are essential elements to complement your durable construction. Keeping your building secure is an essential aspect of durability by ensuring that no security threat will damage or compromise your property.
Sparr Building and Farm Supply offer a wide variety of Ring products that will allow you to keep an eye on your property from anywhere. Add a Ring camera to your next building project, and pair it with a Ring solar panel to keep it charged with just a few hours of sunlight.
METAL SIDING MATERIALS
Choosing to install metal siding materials on your next building project is a great choice. Steel siding offers durability and flexibility, while aluminum is lightweight, durable, and easily installed. Consider installing steel siding, and choose aluminum for the remaining elements, such as aluminum soffits for cost-effective and durable building construction.
CERAMIC INSULATORS
Looking to build an electric fence? Consider adding ceramic insulators to improve the sustainability of your project. Ceramic insulators allow you to fasten the wire to wooden posts and fencing without losing electricity that could otherwise be conducted through the post. This offers several benefits. First, it improves the power and effectiveness of your electric fence, as the wire will now deliver a full jolt of power without losing electricity on the way. Additionally, limiting the amount of electricity lost will make your electric fence more efficient and cut down on the cost of lost electricity.
Sparr Building and Farm Supply offer a variety of ceramic post insulators to choose from that will improve the efficiency of your wiring.
GRASSCRETE
‘Grasscrete’ is a unique innovation in concrete construction. It involves laying concrete outdoors in a way that allows grass and other vegetation to grow. This can create an aesthetically pleasing appearance by creating a pattern in which the vegetation will grow. Not only is this sustainable and eco-friendly, but also allows for proper drainage that will improve the longevity of your concrete.
Max Shafer is a contributor to the Innovative Building Materials blog. He is a content writer for the construction and home improvement industries with an interest in landscaping, outdoor remodeling, and interior design. Max is focused on educating homeowners, contractors, and architects on innovative materials and methods of construction that increase property value, improve sustainability, and create a warm and welcoming ambiance.
